Belle nodded. “She was so sick of the treatments, and wanted to give up. I tried to convince her to stay the course, but she’d had enough. She was dying, and we both knew it.”
Belle’s fingers twitched against mine, but she wasn’t yet pulling on my strength, and there was no indication that she was ready to end the session.
“And if she’d died, she would have moved on, as is the way of all souls.”
All souls but his.
“But she didn’t want to move on. She wanted to remain here, with her family, for all eternity.”
I frowned. “Why would she give up the chance of rebirth and future lives to remain in this life—in this place—forever?”
“Katie was a pretty special lady.” Just for a moment, Belle’s silvery gaze glittered with tears—both his and hers, given she was very connected to his emotions right now. “It’s unusual for werewolves to have any type of psychic ability, so she was never tested, but I swear to every god out there she had at least some precognitive skill.”
“Is that why she was so sure she would die?”
“I believe so.” He paused, and again tears rose. “It is also why she wanted to remain here. She said it was her destiny to protect this place.”
“What made you believe her? It could have been nothing more than the ramblings of a sick—”
“No,” he cut in. “I did a scrying. It confirmed what she saw.”
“So what sort of magic did you raise that she ended up in a pentagram with your athame stuck in her heart?”
Belle’s fingers twitched again, and the flow of strength from my body to hers began. We needed to end this soon—it took a lot of energy to maintain two souls in one body, and while it was extremely rare, if she was drained too far, it could lead to death.
And if she drained me too far, we’d both die.
“I found the remnants of a spell,” he said. “A very old spell—one that, if the notes were to be believed, could bind a soul to a place of power.”
“Such as a wellspring?”
“Yes. There was no guarantee it would work, of course, and I told Katie that, but she was adamant.” Belle paused again, and again her fingers twitched.
“Gabe, you need to hurry. Belle can’t take much more.”
“I’m aware of her strength, and I will not push her beyond her boundaries, I can assure you of that.”
I wasn’t assured, and frustration stirred, but there was little I could do to speed things along. Little except cast him out of her body, and I knew from her thoughts she didn’t want that to happen yet.
After a moment, he continued, “I studied the spell, prepared as much as I could, and we came to this place. This wellspring had only broken to the surface a few days before, and I hadn’t reported its presence because the binding spell could only be used when the power was very new and raw.”
“Did it involve a ritual sacrifice?” Because if it did, it could stain this place for eternity, even if neither Belle nor I could feel the slightest tendril of darkness within the clearing.
“Not as such, no. I raised the spell; she spoke the words of binding and commitment, and then the three of us—me, Katie, and the wild magic—picked up my athame, pressed it to her heart, and finished the binding.”
“Then why were your prints the only ones on your athame?”
“Because Katie placed her hands over mine, and, of course, wild magic has no prints. But I daresay its power resonates on the steel even today.”
That I couldn’t say, given it was undoubtedly still locked up in an evidence box somewhere. “What happened then? Why are you dead?” I hesitated. “Did you take your own life?”
It would certainly account for his ghost being here, but not for the lack of a body.
“No. Not deliberately, anyway.” Belle’s smile was full of sadness. “Both the spell and the wild magic were far more powerful than I’d expected. The binding consumed both my strength and my flesh, but I do not mind, given I now live in this place alongside my love, even if we can never be together as we once were.”
“So the spell was successful? She’s the presence we can sense in the wild magic?”
“Only in some of it. The protections I’d put around the old wellspring were in place when we unleashed the magic here, and it prevented a total fusion.”
“Meaning the wild magic from the old wellspring is now unprotected?” I already knew it was, but given he was here—if only in spirit form—I couldn’t help the vague hope that at least some of his magic remained to protect it.
Belle nodded. “The spells I placed around that area to protect it died when I did.”
I frowned. “So why does your magic linger here?”
“Because it is tied into the magic here, through Katie's presence. But the magic of this wellspring and even Katie can only do so much—and neither she nor the wild magic here can react against the living. Not without some form of direction—”
“Such as what I did in that clearing against the vampire?”
“How you survived infusion with the larger wellspring, I’ll never understand.” He paused. “Regardless of that, the fact remains that the larger wellspring urgently needs full protection, and neither you nor your friend have the knowledge to do that. You must convince the council to bring in a council-approved witch.”
Which was exactly what I’d been saying to Aiden.
Belle’s weariness was now beating through me, and the flow of strength down the link between us was gathering pace. “I wish you peace, Gabe, and whatever happiness your situation allows, but it is time for you to leave this plane.”
“Yes.” He hesitated. “May the gods grant you both safety in this reservation.”
I frowned. “What have you sensed to say something like that?”
“Nothing more than you, young Elizabeth. But a major wellspring has been left to its own devices for over a year. Even if it is quickly protected, those aligned to the dark path will know of its presence and be lured to this place. Trouble is coming, if it is not already here.”
And with that almost ominous warning, he departed. Belle took a deep, shuddering breath and released it slowly. Her weariness was as strong as my heartbeat, and I thrust as much strength through to her as I could without completely draining myself.
After several more seconds, she squeezed my hands and then released them as she pushed away from my knees, thereby severing our connection. I silently dismantled the protection spell, and then carefully gathered my spell stones and placed them back into their bag.
Only then did I look up at Aiden.
His face was pale and his expression haunted. His eyes glimmered in the sunshine, and his long lashes were wet. He might have stopped the tears from falling any further, but they remained in his eyes.
“So she’s here?” he said softly. “Katie’s here?”
“Within the wild magic, yes.”
“Can you talk to her?”
“I don’t know enough about either the spell or the wild magic to say either yes or no.” I got to my feet, then offered Belle a hand. “We’ll have to ask Gabe if it’s possible, and Belle’s too weary to attempt that right now.”
“Why can’t you speak to her as you just did with Gabe?”
“Because she’s not a ghost. She’s not even a spirit.” Belle grabbed my hand and hauled herself upright. “She’s something more.”
I could feel his frustration even from where I was standing, but little of it showed on his expression. It wasn’t evident in his aura either—that still ran with grief.
“It’s entirely possible that she’s beyond any form of communication,” I said gently.
He thrust a hand through his short hair. “Even with the video, the council is going to find this all very unbelievable.”
“But you do believe.”
It was a statement rather a question, and he half smiled in response. “Yes. I suspect most of my family will, as she always did have a tendency to think about others m
ore than herself.”
The wild magic stirred, and an odd feeling of contentment and perhaps even joy rolled across my senses. Belle, it seemed, was right yet again. I might not have any connection to the wild magic radiating from the original source, but I’d definitely formed one with this wellspring.
I grabbed Belle’s arm to steady her as she rather wonkily turned around, and then said, “I might not be able to converse with her, Aiden, but I can tell you she has no regrets, and that she’s happy to be here, protecting the place and the people that she loves.”
“How do know when you can’t talk to her?”
“Because I’m sensitive to the magic here, and can feel her within it. To some extent, I can also feel her emotions.” I smiled. “It was her anger that warped my spell in the cemetery. She was rather pissed that someone was attacking her big brother.”
He laughed, even though those tears once again glimmered in his eyes. “She always was a fierce little thing.” He looked around the clearing, as if trying to see his sister’s presence. But werewolves, while often sensitive to emotions, were no more likely to sense the presence of a ghost or a spirit than the average human. And in this case, Kate was neither. After a moment, he added softly, “Thanks, Katie. And while I’m tempted to say you shouldn’t have sacrificed your future for us, I’m well aware that once you put your mind to something, there’s no dissuading you.”
Again the magic stirred, and this time it was filled with amusement and love.
He took another deep breath—visibly controlling his emotions—and then looked at Belle and me. “We’d better get back to the car. Belle, you’re looking rather unsteady on your feet—are you going to able to get down that hill okay?”
She raised her eyebrows. “Why? Are you offering to carry me?”
“I could,” he all but drawled, “but I’m thinking Zak might not approve of us getting that close.”
She snorted. “He has no more right to tell me who I can and can’t get close to than I have him. Besides, werewolves play, not stay, with folks like us.”
“True enough,” Aiden said, his gaze briefly meeting mine.
A silent warning that he was no different in that regard, I thought, although my amusement was perhaps touched with a thread of annoyance. After all, it wasn’t as if we’d even done the short-term thing yet.
“Does that rather snarky reply,” he continued, “mean that you want a lift? Or not?”
Belle glanced at me. You won’t be offended?
I’d be offended if you fuck the man. Anything else, go for it.
Permission to kiss granted!
I mentally snorted. Loudly. She winced, and then added, Bitch.
I grinned and kept my hand under her elbow as we walked over to Aiden. Talking to Gabe really had drained her, and that meant she’d probably sleep for the rest of the day.
And probably much of the night, she replied.
So you’re canceling your date with Zak?
Sadly, I think I’d better. I’m not going to be much fun for the next twenty hours or so.
I could always make you a potion—
I’m not feeling that bad, she replied hastily. Seriously, I’m not.
She obviously was, but I didn’t press the point. Aiden handed me his pack and then turned around. Within a few seconds, he was piggybacking Belle out of the clearing and down the hill.
It might be far easier going down the mountain than coming up, but the path hadn’t magically smoothed out, and I had to keep grabbing at nearby branches to stop sliding into Aiden and Belle. Of course, it was also partially due to tiredness. Belle might have restrained from draining me too fully, but my strength was nevertheless half of what it should have been. Which meant Belle mightn’t be the only one sleeping.
As I slipped again, Aiden commented, “I’d greatly appreciate it if you’d avoid falling over and breaking something. I really can’t carry two of you down the hill, and I don’t think Belle would appreciate being dumped.”
“At least I know where I stand in the scheme of things,” Belle said, voice dry.
“Sorry, but I want to go out with Liz, and that’s mighty hard to do if she’s in the hospital with a broken something.”
“I rather suspect you want to do a whole lot more than just go out.”
“Also true, but I was being polite.”
“Not sure why,” Belle commented. “We’re underpowered witches, not undersexed ones.”
He laughed; the warm sound echoed across the forest and momentarily stilled the chatter of nearby birds. “I’ll make a note of that for future reference.”
“You might also want to note that it has been a long time since she’s had decent sex,” Belle continued sagely. “So if you don’t hurry yourself up, she might just have to go looking elsewhere.”
“Ignore her,” I commented, even as I mentally scowled at her. “She’s just trying to win a bet.”
“Do I dare ask what sort of bet we’re talking about?”
“One that at least half the town is apparently taking part in.”
“Ah, that one. I learned about it this morning, after I’d overheard Tala commenting that she’d lost a tenner on us.”
Belle snorted. “At least Zak and I only lost five each.”
“I hardly think it fair you two are betting with insider knowledge.”
There was something in his voice that had suspicion stirring. “I hope you’re taking your own advice there, Ranger.”
“Maybe.” His voice ran with amusement. “And maybe not.”
I couldn’t help grinning, even as anticipation stirred. “Then what day have you placed money on?”
“I can hardly tell you that when I’m carrying a competitor.”
“Hey, I’m the other half of this bet, remember,” I grumbled lightly. “Besides, a girl does need advance warning so she can get ready.”
“That depends on where we might be going,” he said. “And whether the girl is pretty perfect as she is.”
“Oh, very smooth, Ranger,” Belle said, even as she silently added, if that doesn’t make you believe the man is seriously into you, nothing will.
I never doubted the attraction, Belle, just his willingness to get over me being a witch.
And last night—and our kiss—had certainly squashed any fears in that regard.
We finally came out of the shadowed forest and the chill wind once again hit. The clouds had grown much darker during our time in the forest, and the smell of rain filled the air. A storm couldn’t be too far away.
Aiden stopped at his truck and carefully deposited Belle on the ground. She dropped a quick kiss on his cheek and said, “Thanks.”
He grinned. “I’d say anytime, but you’re not exactly a lightweight.”
She snorted and lightly punched his arm. “I’ll have you know this beautiful body is all muscle.”
“And muscle weighs more than fat.” His gaze skimmed her. “You certainly haven’t much of that, but I do prefer my women a little more rounded.”
I thrust my hands on my hips and said, with mock sternness, “Meaning what, Ranger?”
He raised his hands, his smile growing. “Hey, no insult intended, because blind Freddy can see your weight distribution is in all the right places.”
“Meaning mine isn’t?” Belle said, rather mildly.
He glanced at her and slowly backed away, blue eyes sparkling in the growing darkness of the day. “I think I’d better shut up before I get myself in deeper trouble. Ladies, the truck is open and the seats are awaiting.”
Once we’d both stripped off his coats, I shoved them and his pack onto the rear seat along with ours, and then climbed in. As we were heading back down the dirt road, the clouds finally unleashed, and the rain was so heavy the wipers couldn’t cope.
“Isn’t it supposed to be summer?” Belle grumbled. “Or does that whole season skip this area entirely?”
“Our hotter months tend to be January and Feb,” Aiden said. “Although tha
t’s extended into March and April in more recent—”
He stopped as the incoming call sign flashed up on the truck’s computer screen. He pressed a button on the steering wheel and said, “What’s up, Tala?”
“Everything.” Her voice was grim. “We’ve got another goddamn body.”
Chapter Six
Aiden swore softly and then said, “Where?”
“Just beyond the boundary of the Marin compound, over at Picnic Point.”
“Any idea who?”
“No. The report came in from a couple of sightseers. The body is in the water, from the sound of it.” She paused. “Are you still in the area?”
“Yes. I’ll head over there now to begin prelims. Liz and Belle can drive my truck back.” He glanced at us briefly when he said that, eyebrow raised in query. When I nodded, he added, “Have you called in Ciara?”
“Yes, and she’s not amused.”
“Given her recent workload, I’m not surprised. Can you contact Byron and ask him to bring along his scuba gear? We’ll have to do a search of the lake.”
“Will do.”
As the call light on the screen went out, he glanced at us and said, “Sorry about this, ladies. Will you be all right finding your way back to Castle Rock from this area?”
“Shouldn’t be a problem,” I said. “But if it is, we’ve Google Maps on our phones.”
There was satnav in the truck, but I had a suspicion he wouldn’t be happy if we started playing about with the onboard computer.
“Good. I’ll come by sometime later today to pick the truck up.”
Silence fell after that, although between the pelting rain and the siren there was little point in trying to talk. Aiden obviously knew this area well, because we were driving along the old dirt road far faster than I would have thought wise given the lack of visibility.
We sped along several more roads—although some of them were little more than rough muddy lines—before we reached our destination. As Aiden slowed, I spotted a red SUV parked to the right of the track, though it was little more than a bright flicker in the wet gloom of the day. Beyond it was the faint outline of what was probably a barbecue hut, given this area was called Picnic Point. If there were people inside either the vehicle or the hut, I couldn’t see them.