“But they also have a job to do,” Belle commented. “And obstructing them is hardly beneficial to either of you.”
“Between the explosion site and the coroner’s report, they have plenty to keep them occupied for the next couple of hours.” His gaze came to mine. “The doctors said you were damn lucky.”
“It was certainly lucky I decided to dive for the desk rather than the corridor. Belle said the whole link came down.”
“It did indeed.” He hesitated briefly. “Are you feeling up to some questions?”
“Sure.”
He dragged the other chair up and then sat down. “Ms. Kent said it’s sometimes possible to tell which house the script come from—was that the case here?”
“No, and that’s weird, because—as far as I’m aware—no one outside the three high houses are taught script.”
“A statement that basically confirms the fact you’re from one of those families,” he commented, with a completely neutral expression.
“It confirms I was taught some script,” I replied, keeping my voice even. “But that doesn’t mean I’m a full blueblood or that I’m capable of any major magic.”
That raised eyebrow once again spoke of disbelief. But all he said was “So does that mean the vampire we’re looking for is also a blueblood?”
I hesitated. “I doubt it, if only because the script he used was too pure. It’s almost as if he learned it from a textbook.”
“And is that usual?”
“No. Basic script is taught in witch school alongside regular writing and spelling, but there’re no textbooks handed out and every witch house has their own variation. The only existing records of script are kept in the National Library.”
He leaned forward and crossed his arms on the bed. His scent played around me, warm and musky, with just the faintest hint of smoky wood. Which was nice—more than nice, actually. It was probably just as well he hated what I was, because I might have been tempted to break my “no more men” rule had he shown even the slightest bit of attraction.
“And has the public got access to those records?” he asked.
“No,” Belle said, with an amused glance my way. “It’s law that a copy must be kept there, but it’s basically locked down. The only people who have access are high-profile bluebloods or government ministers.”
“The latter wouldn’t be able to read it, though, would they?”
“No,” I said. “Not without help. But if someone did access it, that would give you a starting point.”
“I’ll contact the National Library tomorrow morning,” he said. “Did the spell itself give you any insight? It was obviously powerful—”
“Yes and no,” I cut in. “The initial spell was a basic blurring spell, but the spell that caused all the damage was actually one designed from blood magic.”
He frowned again. “Witches don’t do blood magic, do they?”
“No,” Belle said. “It’s considered an unclean magic, and one that stains the soul unto darkness.”
“Witch magic,” I continued, “comes from both the power of the practitioner and the power that lives all around us.”
“So we’re looking for a blueblood gone bad?”
“Again, I doubt it. We consider becoming a vampire an abomination of the natural process of life and death.”
“Which doesn’t mean it can’t happen,” he said.
“True, but to my knowledge it never has.” I hesitated. “If you want to be sure, it might be wise to contact the council and ask them.”
“And about more than just our vampire, I think.”
“Go for it,” I said, even as a sliver of trepidation ran through me. It was highly unlikely an innocent query would raise any alarms when it came to either Belle or me, as our name change wouldn’t be listed in the council’s records, but I nevertheless preferred to keep any sort of contact at a minimum. “But they won’t be able to tell you much about either of us—they generally don’t keep records of mutts.”
“And yet they apparently teach them,” he said.
“Only if said mutts come from a highborn family and show an inclination for magic,” Belle said. “And even then they’re placed into the lowborn schools so that blueblood sensibilities aren’t stained by their presence.”
“I’m sensing a whole lot of bitterness behind that statement.”
“Ranger, you have no idea.” She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. “The note said he was after vengeance, and that he intended to rip out the hearts of those who’d done him wrong. Are you any closer to uncovering the incident the note referred to?”
“No—”
“And he wouldn’t tell us if he did.” I glanced at Belle. “That’s ranger business, not witch.”
“But if he wants our help dealing with this vampire—and he’s not dumb enough to think he doesn’t—then he had better start sharing all information.”
“Ladies, I am still in the room, remember.” Aiden’s voice was a mix of annoyance and amusement.
“Totally aware of it,” Belle said. “Otherwise we’d be having this conversation telepathically.”
His gaze leaped to mine. “Don’t tell me you’re telepathic as well?”
“You can relax, Ranger,” I said. “The only thoughts I can read are Belle’s.”
“And as I’ve already said, I have no desire to read yours or anyone else’s at this current point.” Belle paused, her gaze narrowing a little. “Unless, of course, you give me good reason to do so.”
“That is hardly a comforting thought.” He frowned and leaned back in the chair. “I’ll share what I can, and answer what questions I can, in regards to this case. But I expect the same. Clear?”
I nodded. “Then you do have an opinion on the note?”
“There’s been no murders within the reservation that involve hearts being ripped out of bodies, so it’s obviously not meant literally.”
“Unless it’s an event that happened before you were a ranger,” Belle said. “He did say vengeance was best served slow and cold.”
“We’re checking past files, but it would be hard to stop a murder like that being the subject of gossip,” he said. “And it can’t have happened too far back, as he’s obviously targeted Karen.”
“Karen could be an anomaly,” I said. “If he intends to be here for some time, then he does need blood.”
“You believe that no more than I do,” he said. “He made Karen a vampire, and that alone suggests intent.”
“And it also means Marjorie might be the first piece in his vengeance puzzle.”
“Which is why I’ve placed a watch on her.”
I frowned. “But there’re only four of you—”
“Six, actually, and Mac’s leave has already been canceled,” he said. “But that’s beside the point. Is there anything else relating to that note or the vampire himself we need to know?”
I hesitated, and glanced at Belle. Should I mention the pendant?
I would. He’ll shut down if we don’t at least appear to be fully open with him, and we need his help if we’re all to get out of this mess in one piece.
Another warning from the spirits?
Indeed. They’re all gloom and worry at the moment.
Then I’m really glad I can’t hear them.
“I get the feeling,” Aiden said, “there’s a whole separate conversation happening that I’m not a party to.”
“Yes, but in the spirit of cooperation, I’m now going to tell you what it was about.” I flashed a smile that didn’t appease the annoyance in his expression. “I searched Karen’s room after your people did, and found a necklace that held the stain of dark magic.”
“And what did it tell you?”
“Nothing yet, because I haven’t actually attempted to examine it.” I glanced at Belle. “And given what happened at the morgue, I’m thinking it might be better to do so out in the forest, within a full protection circle.”
“Totally agree,” sh
e said. “Especially given he’s already gone to some lengths to wipe out the local witch.”
I frowned. “But the reservation hasn’t had an official witch in over a year, so how did he know I was here, let alone what I was? It’s not like the charms we sell would have told him that—it’s only minor magic.”
“Another statement that is somewhat at odds with what you claim you are,” Aiden said softly. “So why do you continue this farce?”
“Because it’s not a farce,” I said. “I may be capable of magic, Ranger, but trust me when I say I am not—and never have been—capable of the sort of magic bluebloods can bring into being.”
His gaze held mine for several seconds, and then he nodded, just once. Whether that meant he finally believed me or not, I couldn’t say. Those insights I’d been getting were decidedly—and rather annoyingly—absent right now.
“Call me Aiden,” he said. “The ranger thing is getting annoying.”
“And you can call me Belle,” Belle said.
The ghost of a smile played about his lips, but didn’t quite reach full bloom. Which was a shame, but not unexpected given the grief and distrust he still carried in his aura.
“Did you find anything else in that room?” he asked.
“No.” I hesitated. “What are the chances of regaining my knife? I know silver is banned, but it’s a great conductor of magic and I might yet need it.”
“That’s a council decision, not mine,” he said.
“So I talk to them?”
“I’ll mention it when I make my progress report tomorrow.” He pushed to his feet. “I want to be present when you attempt to read that pendant.”
“As long as you keep your hatred of magic under control,” I said. “Because emotion that strong can often have detrimental effects on spells, and that’s not really what we need when we’re dealing with whatever has been placed on the pendant.”
“I don’t hate magic—”
“No, just those of us capable of using it,” I said. “But that’s unfair, Aiden, and you know it.”
He didn’t say anything. He just turned and walked out.
“That man is going to be a challenge,” Belle said.
“Just as well I’m not up for one, then, isn’t it?” I touched her hand lightly. “You’d better go home and get some rest.”
“Rest? When I have a hot date with an even hotter werewolf planned? Unlikely.”
I grinned. “Then have a good time, but not at our place, just in case the vampire does come calling.”
“I doubt he’d be capable of that tonight, even if he didn’t have his hands full with his vampling. The creation of that spell would have drained him.” She rose and dropped a kiss on my cheek. “Try to get some sleep rather than stressing over what’s going on.”
“Easier said than done.”
“I know, but try anyway.” She collected her coat from the back of the chair. “I’ll bring in a change of clothes for you tomorrow. There’s nothing much left of your dress, I’m afraid.”
Which wasn’t a surprise, given the force of the blast. At least I hadn’t lost the shoes as well. “Thanks.”
She nodded and left. I reached for the water sitting on the nearby table, then grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. Time, as ever when stuck in a place you didn’t want to be, crawled by.
A ward doctor doing his rounds woke me the following morning. He checked the observation chart, gave me a once-over, wrote out a prescription for stronger painkillers if I needed them, and declared me fit enough to leave.
Belle appeared on cue a few minutes later, looking too well rested given her previous hot date declarations.
“Said hot date was a blast, but he had a job booked for seven, so we didn’t have a whole lot of time together.”
“Sometimes the best times don’t take a whole lot of time.”
She grinned, handed me a bag, and then pulled the curtains around so that I could change. “Indeed. But all we did this time was talk.”
“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?”
“I’d like to talk to Mrs. Banks if she’s available, please.”
“I’ll see if she’s free,” the receptionist said. “Who may I say is calling?”
“Elizabeth Grace.”
“One moment, please.”
There was a brief pause in which music played, and then Marjorie’s modulated tones said, “Elizabeth? This is a surprise—word on the street was that you were caught in an explosion last night.”
The gossipers obviously hadn’t wasted any time. “I was, but I was released from the hospital this morning.”
“I’m told you were extremely lucky.”
Lucky that I’d gone the right way, lucky that I’d had the time to utter a protective spell. “Have the rangers been around to see you yet?”
“Yes. I’m under guard. Some rubbish about me possibly being on a hit list.”
Meaning they hadn’t told her about Karen? Shit. “They didn’t say anything else? Ask you anything else?”
“Well, they did ask me if I had any past cases that resulted in clients threatening retribution—”
“And did you?”
“None that I can immediately think of,” she replied. “Major crimes aren’t prosecuted here, though, but rather in the Melbourne courts.”
“And there’s no one, either in the reservation or outside of it, that you can think of that might want to harm you or Karen?”
“No, I’ve got a good reputation and have never received any sort of threat.” She hesitated. “Do you think that’s why Karen was killed? Because of something I have or haven’t done?”