‘‘There are a lot of other beings in the L’au-delà, Cy. Even if the naiads don’t see the use in warding places, most of the rest of the Otherworld does. Diviners, oracles, Guardians—they all use wards. Ow.’’ I stopped and rubbed my head where it had hit the wood of the door. ‘‘Why couldn’t a mage have taken the house? Arcane magic has no effect on me, but this . . . Someone who really knows wards drew this one. I can’t get through it.’’

‘‘Why can I get through it?’’ Cyrene asked, puzzled.

‘‘You’re not bound to a demon lord,’’ I said succinctly, and backed up a few steps to survey the front of the house. ‘‘Why would a rental agency ward a house?’’

‘‘To keep dark beings out? Not that you’re a dark being, but you work for one . . . which I’m really, really sorry about . . .’’

I made an impatient gesture to cut off yet another apology, and examined the windows. ‘‘I just don’t understand why a rental agency would take that sort of precaution. I wonder if it has something to do with Dr. Kostich living next door? Perhaps he arranged for the wards?’’

‘‘That could be,’’ Cyrene said thoughtfully. ‘‘Although why would he care about this house?’’

I shrugged and continued my examination. The property consisted of a two-story stone house, covered in pink and red flowering bougainvilleas and climbing ivy, flanked on either side by a tall white fence. I eyed a fig tree branch that hung over the fence. ‘‘I don’t suppose it really matters. I need to check out Dr. Kostich’s garden. You stay put while I go take a quick look.’’

‘‘I’m not going to stay here while you have all the covert fun! I’ll go, too.’’

I gave her a little push back into the house. ‘‘Fine, but you don’t have to climb the fence with me. Go out to the back garden. Use your flashlight, and don’t turn on any lights in case a security guard is doing a drive-by. I’ll meet you out back.’’

Her brow wrinkled. ‘‘May . . . what if the people who rented the house show up?’’

‘‘It’s after midnight, and it’s a good hour’s drive from the airport, so I think it’s safe to say that no one will be arriving here tonight.’’ I grabbed the keys from the front door and tossed them to her. ‘‘I guess it’s good we borrowed these, given the trouble the wards are posing me. I’ll have to return the keys to the rental agency in the morning before they notice they’re gone.’’