Page 107 of Freed By the Witchbone Knife

“Smart girl,” Ambrose said. “Keep your rabid pet on his leash.”

“Leave.” My voice was steady despite the fear coursing through me. “Now, or I’m calling the sheriff. Again. They’re already building a case against you after what happened in my office. Every time you show up, every threat you make, it just adds to the evidence.”

Something flickered in Ambrose’s expression—too brief to read.

“This isn’t over, Rebecca.” He turned back toward his car. He paused at the driver’s door, looking back. “Oh, and give my regards to your friend Iris. Such a sweet girl. We had a lovely chat the other day.”

My blood turned to ice. “If you touch her,” I threatened. “There will be hell to pay.”

He huffed a laugh.

Then he was sliding into his car, engine roaring to life. The sedan reversed down the drive, disappearing back into the trees.

The moment he was out of sight, my knees nearly buckled. Axel caught me, pulling me against his chest.

“I’ve got you,” he murmured. “I’ve got you, sweetheart.”

But all I could think about was what Ambrose had said.

Give my regards to your friend Iris.

“We need to call the sheriff,” Axel said, his voice still rough. “Report this. Add it to the case.”

“He didn’t do anything.” The words felt hollow. “He stayed on the other side of the ward. Didn’t threaten me directly.”

“He threatened you plenty.” Axel pulled back to look at me, his eyes still more wolf than human. “All that shite about waiting for you, about what happens next⁠—”

“It’s my word against his.” I pressed my hands to my face. “And he knows it.”

Axel growled, low and frustrated. “Then we don’t let you out of my sight. Not for a fucking second.”

“I have to work, Axel. I have a life. I can’t—“ I stopped, the weight of it all crashing down. “He knows about the cave. About what I’m searching for. How does he know?”

“Can’t answer that. Could be a lot of things.” His hand found the back of my neck, grounding. “But we’ll figure it out.”

“And Iris.” My voice cracked. “What if he’s trying to use her to get to me? What if she’s in danger?!”

My pulse turned to a dull roar in my ears. I couldn’t let someone get hurt because of me.

“We’ll warn her. Make sure she’s safe. Come on.” Axel guided me back toward the cabin. “Let’s get you inside. We’ll call the sheriff, document this, then figure out our next move.”

I allowed him to lead me up the porch steps, my legs moving on autopilot. The autumn afternoon that had seemed so peaceful an hour ago now felt sinister.

Inside, the cabin’s warmth did nothing to chase away the chill that had settled into my bones. Basil and Sage hopped over, sensing my distress, but even their soft presence couldn’t calm me.

Axel was already on the phone with Deputy Holt, his voice clipped and angry as he recounted what had happened. I sank onto the couch and pulled out my phone, staring at Iris’s contact. Ambrose’s words kept echoing in my head.

Before I could second-guess myself, I typed out a message.

Me

Hey, are you okay?

Iris

Becca! Actually, I was just getting ready to text you! I feel SO guilty about how I acted at the Fall Fling last night. I’m sorry I was being so weird and distant.

Last night. Right. The festival felt like a lifetime ago now, but it had only been yesterday. She thought I was asking about her behavior last night. Not if she was okay in general.