Page 41 of Of Magic and Murder

“This is where Faith was murdered. Since it’s a safe bet that whoever killed you, killed her, we were looking for clues.”

Olivia folds her arms over her chest. “Is that what you were doing? Because it looked to me like⁠—”

“Anyway,” I say, cutting her off, “if you’re here for a progress update, there isn’t much to tell. Faith crossed over instantly.” I just… I know that she did. Small mercies that her wound killed her right away and she didn’t have to linger to see her dead body. “She can’t help us. And unless Riordan has picked up on some other clue that I haven’t, we’re at a dead end currently.”

I didn’t expect Olivia to take that news well. Technically, as a ghost, she doesn’t have a deadline to follow. I’m sure she wants to cross over and find some peace as soon as possible, but she has to understand that it might take a little time.

Based on her explosion, I don’t think she does.

“You’re useless. Has anyone ever told you that? Useless!”

If that came from anyone else, that might actually hurt me. Since it’s Olivia, and all the dead witch has done is talk down to me, I remain calm despite jumping at how loud she yelled at me. “No, Olivia. I don’t think I’ve been called useless before, thank you.”

“Wait. Did she call you useless?” Riordan asks in a deceptively soft voice.

Oh.

I’m suddenly thrown back to a few moments ago when he implied he would hunt down the feral that attacked me all those years ago. And, sure, this case has thrown us together in a way that I never expected. Not to mention this strange link between us that I can’t deny and just won’t go away… Riordan obviously feels protective of me.

“It’s fine,” I begin, pausing when I see his golden eyes flash.

“It’s not fine, Pen.” Pen again, thank the Goddess. “You are not useless. I want you to know that. You’re trying to help that witch. Luna knows you’ve been trying to help me. Just caring that much counts for something in my books, and if that’s how she feels…” His voice, when he speaks again, is closer to a snarl. “Max said salt is supposed to contain a witch. That plant you bought… that works against ghosts?”

Not sure exactly where he’s going with this, but… “Yes.”

“Where did you buy it?”

“There’s this apothecary I like,” I tell him. “It’s on the witchy side of town, but it’s not too far from Dough You Believe in Magic.”

He nods. “Come on. We’re done here.”

“Okay. So, um, can I go to the library now, or⁠—”

“First I’m getting you some lunch. After that, you’re going to show me where that apothecary is and I’m buying all the wormwood they have. She thinks you’re useless? Good luck insulting my m”—he growls, stumbles over the word, and continues—“my sweet witch when you lose all access to her.”

I don’t know what to say to that. I’ve never had anyone stick up for me so meaningfully before, and if I thought I was being drawn to Riordan earlier, that’s nothing compared to how desperately I want to walk over to him and give him a hug.

But I can’t. If it’s the spell that’s affecting him… no. It’s better if I stay where I am⁠—

“After lunch, I’ll go with you to the library. We’re out of leads, and Max still has more than half the wolves in our pack to interview.” I stayed put. Riordan? He bounds over to me, slinging his arm over my shoulder as if it’s the most casual thing in the world to do. “I might as well help you put some of those books back on the shelves. If that’s okay with you.”

My heart jumps. “You know about the mess in the library?”

He chuckles. “Oh, Pen… everyone in Moonburrow knows.”

Oh, Hecate…

He squeezes my shoulder. “Don’t be embarrassed. It happens. Besides, I wouldn’t have known myself if I didn’t have a long chat with Ash Morgan about why you spend so much time with him at the library. Now that I know, I don’t mind stopping by and seeing if I can help you for a change.”

How can I say no to that?

I smile softly up at the chief deputy. “Let’s add volunteer librarian to all of your other job titles.”

He laughs, and you know what? So do I.

CHAPTER 12

WHEN BOOKS ATTACK (THE SEQUEL)