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Ava
The treacherous Spellbinder frowned when I said “You!” at the same time she did, confused because she had no way of knowing how I recognized her—or more accurately, her voice. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Finn stiffen and step a few paces closer. He could sense my rising anger through our bond. I held up a hand, and he paused momentarily, although his body remained on high alert.
It wassotempting to dissolve the pain block when I thought about how this woman was partially responsible for the brutal murder of my sister, brother-in-law, and several others lying dead in this very room. But I wouldn’t be so petty without better reason than mere vengeance. Especially not when I still had the knowledge advantage.
I continued pouring Radiant energy into the spell healing her broken bones, and she relaxed enough to tilt her head curiously. “Perhaps you’ll indulge an old woman’s curiosity, Ms. Sheridan. I obviously recognize you as the St. Louis Understudy, but I don’t believe we’ve been formally introduced.”
Forcing a pleasant smile took an effort, but I must have pulled it off because she relaxed a little further. Although that was also likely due in part to the pain block and healing magic coursing through her body. Ironic that she’d been so injured during the attack. I couldn’t help but wonder what had gone wrong with her plan—and more importantlywherethe Shadow Wolf her allies had been planning to become the new Packleader had ended up. Could he be one of the two fatally injured wolves lying beneath tablecloths not too far away?
“No, you’re correct that we’ve never been formally introduced.” I made a calculated guess based on something she’d said earlier. “But my mother pointed you out to me at a Spellbinder gala when I was younger. She apparently thought highly of you.”
She returned my smile with one that appeared genuine. Ironic, given what I knew now. “Erin is a lovely woman. She does the Guild quite proud.”
Maintaining the polite façade hurt when my sister’s broken body lay a hundred feet away, but I somehow managed to keep it together. Shea and Connor would undoubtedly return with the police at any moment, so my chance to secretly pump her for information wouldn’t last much longer.
“Thank you for your kind words.” I allowed my expression to grow more serious. “I’m sorry that you were so seriously wounded at tonight’s event. None of this was supposed to happen!”
Some intense emotion I couldn’t name seemed to flit across her face, but she merely sighed. “I feel it isIwho should be offering condolences toyou, dear child. I know that the madness that broke out among this Pack must mean only one thing. Please know that I amsosorry for your loss.”
That venomous lie so easily dripping from her lips nearly broke my resolve tonotneedlessly torment her by dissolving the magical pain block. “It—It still doesn’t feel real to me, to be honest.” I couldn’t help but allow my expression and tone to grow steely. “Rest assured that this Pack won’t rest until we identify the culprits behind tonight’s despicable acts of terrorism. Pack law demands justice. For both the murders and injuries that innocent victims likeyouhave suffered.”
Good thing she didn’t know me well, because those words sounded ridiculously fake to my own ears.
The treacherous woman must have believed me sincere, because she reached over to pat my hand. “I can’t thank you enough for taking such good care of me, my dear. I’d heard what an impressive healer you are, and this Pack is blessed to have you as their Beacon in such a dark time.”
No thanks to backstabbing traitors like you!“You’re quite welcome, Ms.—I’m sorry. I remember your face from that gala, but I’m afraid your name escapes my memory.”
“Time has a way of stealing little pieces like that, doesn’t it?” Another flash of emotion I couldn’t quite place, mostly because I didn’t know her well enough to get a good read. “Allow me to formally introduce myself, my dear. I’m Victoria Blythe.”
I forced another smile. “I’m sorry to meet under such terrible conditions, Ms. Blythe, but I’m so glad to have eased your suffering. It’s the least the Pack could do for you tonight.”
Fortunately, she didn’t know me well enough to correctly interpret the undercurrent of dark promise lacing my words. I felt my spell begin to near its natural conclusion as the last of her bones finished mending. Only then did I allow the magical pain block to vanish as well.
Victoria sighed in obvious relief and moved as if to stand. Her eyes began surveying the nearby area as if looking for something, steadily growing more concerned when she failed to find whatever it was. I admonished her like any dutiful healer would do, urging her to wait while I raised the gurney’s back so she reached a full sitting position.
I glanced around as if I could aid in her apparent search. “Are you looking for someone? A friend who you were separated from, perhaps?” Namely one backstabbing wolf I ached to identify.
She shook her head ruefully. “No, nothing so noble as all that, I’m afraid. I was carrying a clutch that had my cell phone in it. Assuming that this story has hit the news by now, which knowing the press ithas, my family must be frantic to hear from me by now.”
Screwyourfamily, Victoria. What about the two members ofmyfamily who are dead because of you?Aloud I said, “Is it the same color as your dress?”
“Yes. I must have dropped it when—when I was attacked.”
I began looking around the gurney, initially just to keep Victoria cooperative, but then the glimmers of a plan occurred to me. Something that made me glad I hadn’t immediately confronted this woman with the knowledge that Iknewwhat she’d done and ordered the nearest guardians to take her into custody. At first, I came up empty. Until I squatted, peered beneath the gurney, and spotted a small pile of lavender fabric an arm’s length away.
“Aha, here we go.” I retrieved the clutch, keeping my hands beneath the gurney where they couldn’t be seen, and quietly unzipped the handbag. Radiant energy responded to my call as I wrapped it around the cell phone nestled inside, casting an eavesdropping spell that I tied to my own phone along with a concealment spell. Only then did I zip the tiny purse and return it. “There. Now you can ease your family’s fears, Ms. Blythe.”
Her eyes sparkled with gratitude as she accepted her belongings. “Please, after what we’ve been through tonight and the excellent care you’ve taken of me, call me Victoria. And thank you for everything.”
Finn suddenly appeared at my side, touching my arm gently. “Sorry to interrupt, Ava, but we’re needed elsewhere now.”
I glanced over my shoulder to the doorway, where a stone-faced Shea stood next to an uncharacteristically solemn Connor. They must have somehow signaled Finn for us to join them. It was a welcome interruption, to be honest, no matter how grim they appeared. Now that I’d accomplished my goal of magically bugging the traitorous Spellbinder’s cell phone, I couldn’t wait to get away from her. Holding in my true feelings around someone who could havestoppedmy sister’s murder with my grief so fresh had become unbearable.
“No need to thank me, Ms. Bly—I mean, Victoria. The least I could do. Please do relieve your family’s fears as soon as possible. And I’m sure my mother would love to hear from you to pass along any updates on your recovery.”
“Of course, my dear. Rest assured that I’ll give your mother my best.”
