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“I can feel the energy that her death raised. This was ritualistic, to be sure. And I tell you, Mills McFarland did it. I can’t prove it, but find him and I’m sure you’ll have the murderer. The Covenant of Chaos is moving back into town, in a big way, and they’re trying to stir up the energy that we barely succeeded in putting to rest years ago.” Rowan turned to Millie, handing her a piece of paper. “Here. I wrote up everything I could about Mills.”
“Who’s Mills McFarland?” she asked.
“The agent that the Covenant of Chaos recently sent into Moonshadow Bay. They’re making a play to take control of the town again. I normally wouldn’t involve you but we didn’t expectthisto happen. The Crystal Cauldon is under orders to find him.” Rowan crossed over nearer to Daya’s body. She was made of far sterner stuff than me—I could barely even look at Daya.
But as I stood there, staring beyond Killian’s shoulder, I had the feeling that there was somebody trying to communicate with me.
At first, I glanced overhead, nervous. What if Mothman had returned? What if he was still here? I’d been spooked enough by him that I had no desire to ever encounter him again. But as I focused on a patch of trees beyond where we were standing, I saw a faint light, glowing like a nimbus. Then I realized I was staring at a translucent image of Daya.
“Oh,” I said softly, backing away.
“Are you all right?” Killian asked.
“Yes, but…excuse me for a moment.” I slipped around him and headed over toward where the ghostly figure was standing.
It was Daya, all right. I recognized her clearly, even though she was so pale that she seemed a mere shadow of herself. Or shade, rather—for that’s what she was. A shade, a reflection of the past, perhaps? I wasn’t even sure if she was a ghost for a moment until I came to a standstill and waited. I was about five paces from her, but she didn’t frighten me. Even though the area spooked me, the energy emanating from Daya’s spirit was pure and clean and clear as crystal—clear as ice.
She tilted her head gently, smiling.January? Can you see me?
“Yes, I can. Do you know what happened? Do you know where you are?” I was surprised by the strength of Daya’s energy. I had thought her a flighty ditz, to be honest, but her spirit was clear and brilliant.
Mills sacrificed me. January, he killed me, but more important, he set ajar a portal to the Realm of Chaos. I was the offering to the Elder Gods, and because I was part of the enemy camp, I was worth extra points.Daya glanced over at Rowan.Make my apologies, please. Mills is strong—he’s as strong as Rowan, so don’t take him lightly. Make sure she knows this.
“How did he get to you?”
He drugged my wine. I’m not sure what he used, but it was strong enough to break through my boundaries. I knew what was going on but I couldn’t control what I was saying or doing. When I met you for lunch, it was Mills speaking through me.
“Do you know why—exactly—I’m a target?”
Daya nodded.Yes…they’re afraid you’ll grow even stronger than Rowan. There’s a prophecy among the members of the Covenant of Chaos that as long as you live, they won’t be able to fully take over the town. She paused, then her eyes lit up.I have to go. I can feel the Veil calling me. Give everyone my love, please. It was a painful death, but that’s beyond me now. Good luck, January. Get him for me, please?
“I’ll do everything I can,” I said, even as Daya’s spirit vanished, fading away with a flicker of light.
* * *
When we got backto the house, Ari was waiting in the living room and it was almost noon. Rowan guided me over to the sofa, and I sat down next to my BFF. Killian dropped into a recliner, groaning as he rubbed his head.
“Somebody get him an ice pack, please.” I leaned back against the cushions. “Damn. Poor Daya.” Nobody deserved an ending like that. And her spirit was far more advanced that I’d thought she would be. It was too bad she hadn’t had time to reach her true potential.
Ari worried her lip. “So she’s really dead?”
“Very.” I grimaced. “I was able to talk to her spirit. We know who did it, but not where to find him.”
“At least we knowwhomurdered her,” Rowan said, as her phone rang. She headed into the kitchen to answer.
“If the Covenant of Chaos is trying to extend its reach, we’ve got trouble on our hands,” Ari said. “And now there’s a broken link in the Crystal Cauldron.”
“I don’t know how Rowan chooses new members.” I crossed my legs on the cushions beneath me and stared at Killian. “Are you sure you don’t remember who hit you?”
He shook his head. “No, I don’t. And that surprises me. Wolf shifters always live on high alert. It’s our nature. We thrive on adrenaline.”
“Did your attackersayanything?” Ari asked.
Pausing, Killian thought over the question. “You know, maybe he did.”
“He? You’re sure it was a man?” My thought was that Mills McFarland had gone after him, trying to take out one source of my protection.
Killian was silent for another moment, then he said, “Yeah. It was a man. I do remember hearing him say something and it was a deeper voice—a man’s voice.” He paused. “I am so tired,” he said. “I cannot believe how exhausted I am.”
