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“Then go over to the ranger station when you’re finished here and put on the bulletproof vest Aiden’s pulling out of storage.”
“Do you really think that’s necessary? I mean, they’re not exactly hard to spot, and a good enough shooter would have no trouble with a head shot.”
“Some protection is better than no protection,” Belle said. “And as annoying as I find you, I’d hate to see you dead.”
“It warms my cockles to hear you say that.”
She rolled her eyes. “Just go over and grab that vest—and don’t get shot between here and there or I will be displeased.”
“That makes two of us.” He glanced at me. “What are we planning to do about Clayton?”
I grimaced. “There’s not much we can do at this point. There’s a seeker on Samuel’s team, and Mom’s sending down one of Clayton’s watches. I’m hoping that between the seeker and my psychometry skills, we can track Clayton down before he attempts anything.”
“And the shooter? Do we know where she is?”
“She flew into Melbourne this morning. Her current whereabouts are unknown.”
“Is Aiden checking hotel registrations?”
“He probably will when I mention it, but I can’t see it being of much use. There’s a hell of a lot of hotels and private guest accommodation within the reservation. It’s a needle in a haystack.”
“Needles can sometimes be found.” He hesitated. “I know Aiden is already staying here, but if you need additional spell power, I’m more than happy to bunk down for a few days.”
I reached out and squeezed his arm. “Thanks, but I’d rather not make it easy for the bastard by having all his targets neatly collected in the one spot.”
He hesitated and then nodded. “I’ll head over to the ranger station now. Ring me as soon as you hear or see anything.”
“I will.”
“You won’t,” Belle said the minute he was out the door. “And for the same reason you won’t ring Ashworth or Eli—you don’t want them caught in the crossfire.”
“It’s more because of what I saw in my dreams last night.” Visions of blood and broken body bits rose once again, and I shuddered. “People are going to die, Belle. I just don’t want it to be anyone I care about.”
“In the end,” she said, voice resolute, “it’s not about what we do, but rather what he does.”
“I know.” And that’s what made this whole thing so nerve-wracking. Until he made his move, there was nothing more we could really do—nothing other than take what precautions we could and hope like hell my worst fears didn’t eventuate.
We spent the rest of the evening making cakes and doing prep for the following day. Aiden arrived around eight, and the three of us sat around drinking coffee and chatting about everything and anything other than the situation that was no doubt forefront in all of our minds.
At eleven, Belle sighed and rose. “I’d better head over.”
“We’ll escort you,” I said, rising with her.
She frowned. “Why? It’s not far to Émigré—”
“That’s where you’re staying?” Aiden cut in, surprise evident. “Why?”
“For the very reason you’re surprised,” I replied. “It’s a location few would think to look.”
“But there’s no accommodation—”
“Maelle lives there,” Belle said. “I’m using one of her rooms to bunk in.”
His gaze ran between the two of us. “There’s something more to this than what you’re saying, isn’t there?”
He’d always been able to see through my lies and avoidances, but this secret wasn’t mine to share. Still, a little bit of the truth wouldn’t go astray. “Maelle arranged to have Émigré shielded after the Soucouyant firebombed it. If anyone with ill intent crosses her boundaries, she’ll know about it.”
His gaze searched mine; seeing the truth, knowing there was more. But all he did was rise and take his keys out of his pocket. “I’ll drive you over, Belle, and pick you up in the morning.”
