I blinked at him. “What?”

“Nothing,” he said gently. “We’ll talk about it later. You’re sure you’re okay?”

“I’m sure.” I wasn’t sure, but I didn’t think there was anything Lee or anyone else could do about it. I’d acted without thinking and I’d learned the hard way that it was dangerous to trifle with death magic. I’d used up all my reserves and now I felt drained to the dregs, as surely as Cooper’s victims. Except at least I was still myself . . . just a very, very tired version of myself. “Go home.”

“Okay,” he said. “Call me if you need anything.”

“I will. Oh, and, Lee?” I added as he turned to go. “You should ask Jen out on a date. I’m pretty sure she’s willing to consider it.”

“Gee, thanks.” His tone went flat. “I’m honored.”

“Oh, don’t be like that.” I yawned again. “You know you like her. Now get out of here.”

After Lee left, I stowed the spirit lantern atop my nightstand, unbuckled dauda-dagr from around my waist, and collapsed onto my bed without bothering to undress further, assuming I’d fall into a dead sleep. But letting unconsciousness claim me felt too much like what I’d felt when I was linked to the old obeah man’s duppy by an invisible tether, feeling my life force ebb away from me. Every time I came close to falling asleep, I awoke with a jerk, my entire body tensed at the memory.

Exhausted as I was, it seemed I couldn’t let sleep claim me. Not yet.

So after a futile hour I staggered out of bed and drew a hot bath, stripping off my clothes and sinking into the soothing warmth. Mogwai perched on the side of the tub, reaching out one cautious paw to bat at drops of water dripping from my leaky faucet. It was an old building with old plumbing.

I mulled over the mistakes I’d made, evaluating them without dwelling on them, hugging my knees and swishing my tail back and forth in the warm water. Bit by bit, my tense muscles relaxed.

I let myself grieve for Jojo in all her ridiculous, foulmouthed valor. If I hadn’t screwed up, Jojo would still be alive. Hell, I hadn’t even known fairies could be killed. Not like that.

But Jojo had made her choice, too. I hadn’t asked for her help, I hadn’t promised her credit in my ledger this time. If she’d offered, I would have told her to stay far, far away from Sinclair tonight.

Her choice, her sacrifice.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured, brushing my fingertips over the Oak King’s talisman, the silver acorn strung around my neck. “She died bravely.”

Somehow, I thought he would understand.