Page 56 of Investigation of a Quest

“I know.” Dorothy folded her arms over her chest as if Bel hadn’t just threatened her with the wrath of the most dangerous monster to walk the earth. “That’s what I’m hoping for.”

“Is that the witch I stopped from attacking Bel the other night?” Ewan asked as Eamon carried the bleeding woman into the cabin.

“Yes,” Eamon grunted, shoving past the bear shifter.

“Then why are you helping her?” Ewan asked. “She tried to kill Bel. Didn’t she just kidnap her?”

“You don’t ask a dhampir for help unless you’re desperate.” Eamon laid the woman down on Bel’s bed and rushed for the bathroom. “You especially don’t beg the Impaler for help if you’ve harmed the only person he loves. If she’d taken Isobel, she wouldn’t be here. I would’ve removed her head before she even opened her mouth. She’s involved. She knows more than she’s letting on, but I think we have this all wrong.” He reached under the sink and grabbed a bottle, returning to the bed to shove it against the woman’s split lips. “Drink.”

“What are you…?” The witch tried to push the strange bottle away.

“It’s an emergency potion I keep here for Isobel.” Eamon shoved it back against her lips. “Drink.”

The woman obeyed, but he pulled it away before she could finish it.

“Olivia.” He gestured for her to bring the terrier close. “Give a few drops to the dog. He won’t need a vet.”

“Don’t you need that for Bel?” Olivia asked.

“There’s a backup at my house, and if this witch here is as strong as I suspect, she owes me.” Eamon stared at the bloody woman whose pale and split cheeks were regaining color. “She’ll make me a replacement. Free of charge.”

“Of course.” The witch coughed blood onto the sheets. “And I suppose I should⁠—”

“Where’s Isobel?” He cut her off. He hadn’t killed her, and that was all the mercy she’d receive.

“I don’t know,” the witch answered.

“No!” Eamon slammed his palm against the mattress with such force that the entire room flinched, dogs included. “This is my woman’s house. This is her bed you’re lying in, and I am not merciful. I will rip your throat out if you lie to me, so you have one more chance to tell the truth.”

“I am telling the truth,” she insisted

“You’ve been at every crime scene. You’ve been following Isobel.”

“Because we’ve been trying to get to you!”

“To me?”

“We were trying to warn you.”

“Warn me of what?”

“She’s coming for you.” The witch’s voice darkened, but Eamon couldn’t focus on her vague threat. Every second they wasted was a second Bel drifted further from his grasp, and he could practically feel their heartstrings fraying. He couldn’t let them snap.

“So why not just warn me? Why drag Isobel into this?”

“Because you’re a dhampir!” the witch said as if the reason was obvious. “No one approaches you and lives. I’ve been alive far longer than I look. No one ever survives you, yet this detective seems to have captured your attention, so we thought if we approached her, she might facilitate a meeting. Only every time we tried to speak to her, disaster struck.”

“You know what’s happening in our town, so where is she?”

“I don’t know. Please!” She grabbed Eamon’s hand to stop it from strangling her throat. “Please, I tried to stop her from taking your detective. I tried to protect the human, but she almost killed me.” A tear escaped the woman’s eyes. “It’s why I finally braved facing you. I was half dead anyway, so I risked approaching because I don’t know where she is, and if we don’t find them, if we don’t stop her, she’ll end the world.”

“Emerson will end the world?” Griffin stared at the bloody woman; his face paler than hers.

“No.” The witch glared at him as if he were a moron.

“What are you talking about?” Eamon asked. He was just as confused as the sheriff.

“Perhaps I… can I have some water?” the witch asked.