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Belle immediately put more telepathic pressure on him. Fear stepped into Jacob’s eyes as realized that he had no choice but to obey.
“He didn’t tell me his name,” he growled. “He gave me the job, paid half upfront, and said I’d get the rest and a bonus if I could get it done tonight.”
“‘It’ being kidnapping Belle Kent?”
“Kent?” Jacob frowned. “That’s Belle Sarr in the car. I have her picture.”
“Show me.” Samuel handed Jacob the iPhone. The latter dutifully unlocked the phone, swiped through a few screens, and then handed it back. The fear in his eyes got stronger.
He should be fucking thanking me rather than fearing. I’m the only reason he’s not a writhing mess of pain right now. She paused. I’ve checked his recent memories—whoever called about my kidnapping didn’t give a lot away. The voice sounded weird—Jacob suspects the caller was using either a modulating spell or the electronic equivalent.
And that didn’t raise any alarms?
From what I can see, freelancers basically expect it.
“Is this a recent photo?” Samuel asked and held the phone up so I could see it.
It was a picture of Belle leaving her mom’s place. A fierce wave of anger rose, but I batted it away. It was harder to control the tiny hornets of magic that stirred around my fingers, however. “That was taken tonight, just before we found Mawu’s hut.”
“Meaning you’re being followed.”
I nodded. “It’s becoming obvious our wraith has a living team working for him.”
“Ashworth told me about your suspicions, but I have to ask... can wraiths do that sort of thing?”
“When it comes to the supernatural, anything is possible.”
Which was a glib answer, but in truth, I didn’t really know. There was no doubt information to be found in the books Belle had inherited from her grandmother—which we were in the process of transferring over to digital format—but accessing the files here, in Canberra, was dangerous. Legally, those books should have all gone to the National Library rather than only the half dozen or so that had. If the high council ever found out we had the bulk of them, they would confiscate them.
Footsteps approached, and we both glanced around. The two men walking toward us were big and solid, with a no-nonsense air about them.
“Ambulances are five minutes away,” the taller of the two said. “You want us to look after this scum?”
Samuel nodded. “Restrain him first. He should be magically spent, but one never knows with these bastards.”
“Do you want Belle to release him first?” I asked.
“Give my men a few minutes to cuff and put magical restraints on him, then yes, please.” He touched my elbow, lightly but firmly guiding me away. “I need a statement from you, but let’s get out of the rain first.”
“I’d rather get down to the other house and see if Deni’s okay.”
“She’s not. Or rather, she’s missing.”
My gaze snapped to his. “What? How do you know?”
He tapped his ear. It was only then I noticed the white earbud. “The team has been reporting to me.”
“But she can’t have disappeared. The thing that tore her kidnapper apart walked right through the wall—he wouldn’t be able to do that with Deni in tow.”
“He didn’t have to. According to witnesses, he went out the front door. The one you tore off.”
I swore softly. “Then we need to track her—”
“I already have men working on it.”
“Yeah, but psychometry is far more reliable than feet and eyes.”
He hesitated. “Are you sure you’re up to it? It’s been one hell of a night for you both already.”
