AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I don’t believe that for one minute.”
Her grin grew. “Well okay, maybe we did test the waters just a little, but nothing full-on.”
“That’s very restrained of you.” I tossed the sheet off and carefully swung my legs over the edge of the bed. Because of all the painkillers I had on board it didn’t actually hurt, but everything felt stiff and the bottom half of my legs had the beginnings of a colorful array of bruises.
“And who knew I was even capable of that, right?” Belle laughed. “We’re meeting tonight, barring a sudden disaster or a change of mind on reading that pendant.”
“There won’t be any change.”
“You say that now, but the spirits are suggesting the sooner the better.”
“That’s because they’re not the ones having to expend the energy.” I eased off the bed and began to dress. “There is no way on earth I’m going to be ready before the rise of the full moon. In fact, I’m planning to do nothing more than prop myself in a corner of the café, eat cake, and drink tea.”
She grabbed my arm to steady me as I shuffled toward the door. “Good plan, but you know how they get—nag, nag, nag.”
“I’m so glad you hear them and not me.”
“A sentiment they agree with. Your propensity to ignore good advice would drive them insane, apparently.”
“I don’t really ignore it.” I just didn’t always do want they wanted with the sort of speed they wanted. Sometimes—as with the wellspring being on O’Connor compound—it just wasn’t possible. But spirits didn’t exactly get that things in the real world often couldn’t happen instantly.
“We’ll need to upgrade the spells protecting the ground floor, too,” Belle continued. “The current ones protect us more against dark spirits and energy rather than a living force of evil.”
Which certainly described our vampire. At least we didn’t have to worry about such precautions during the day. For all that Hollywood and novels had screwed with much of the vampire legend, they’d gotten one thing right—vampires couldn’t stand the touch of sun. It didn’t matter if it was the faintest stray sunbeam, it would turn them to ash quicker than I could say “good riddance.”
Of course, that rule didn’t stop him hiring someone else to do the deed. But instinct said he wouldn’t do that, that he was a man who preferred to make his own kills.
It was a shame instinct couldn’t give me a similar insight on where the bastard was hiding.
Once home, Belle headed upstairs, and I made good on my promise to prop myself at a table in an empty corner. The sunshine streaming in through the nearby windows did at least warm some of the trepidation from my soul.
Penny appeared, her expression concerned and, I suspected, all mothering instincts on high. “Are you all right? I heard you were caught in some sort of explosion at the morgue, though why on earth someone would want to bomb a place like that—”
“I’m fine thanks, Penny,” I said, before she could go on any further. “But I’d love a cup of chocolate mint tea and a large slab of banana cake.”
She wrinkled her nose. “We’ve sold out of the banana already. I’ve got chocolate, carrot, red velvet—”
“That would be perfect.”
Her smile dimpled her features. “Coming right up.”
As she walked away, I switched my gaze back to the window. Why would our vampire go to the trouble of turning Karen if his intention was simple vengeance? Why not just kill her? It would have still ripped out Marjorie’s heart, but caused him a whole lot less trouble.
And what was Marjorie’s link to the vampire—was he a past case or was something stranger going on here?
Can’t be a past case, Belle said, as she clattered back down the stairs. He said they, rather than just she.
Meaning we need to talk to Marjorie about her past.
No time like the present, Belle said.
I smiled at Penny as she approached with my tea and cake. The cup was a cheery Christmas one, which w
ould normally have made me smile. Right now, however, all I could think of was the pall of fear that would quickly dull the brightness of the coming season if we didn’t catch this bastard soon.
I scooped up some cake and munched on it as I pulled out my phone and rang Marjorie. While I waited for the phone to be answered, I silently uttered a quick but simple spell that would stop our conversation from carrying beyond the limitation of the small table. There might not be many people currently in the café, but I didn’t want them hearing anything untoward. Aiden would not be pleased if I started any sort of panic amongst the reservation’s population.
“Banks Law Incorporated,” a pleasant voice said. “How may I help you?”
