I took a quick drink of water and heartily wished it was something far stronger. “The attacker is a man from my past—”
“The man you have been running from these many years?” she cut in.
The thump of fear got stronger. “You’ve been checking on me.”
“As I have said, I always ensure I am familiar with the power players in whatever town I choose to settle in.” Her expression was amused. “But fear not—my enquiries would not have revealed your whereabouts to this man. My sources don’t inhabit the world of witches willingly. I think it more likely he’s here because of the tracer.”
“You don’t miss much.”
“I cannot afford to, young Elizabeth.” She studied me for a moment, her expression giving little away. “Do not forget that I am in your debt—and that is a situation with which I am never comfortable. Not for long. If you desire any help getting this witch out of your life, then I would be more than happy to oblige.”
And if that isn’t a threat wrapped up in an offer of assistance, I don’t know what is, Belle said. I seriously wish we hadn’t helped this bitch.
Refusing her wasn’t really an option. I forced a smile and said, “I appreciate the offer and will certainly enlist your help if necessary… but I can’t afford to kill this man.”
“I am capable of more than merely death.”
The flicker of light—or was it darkness—in her eyes suggested death remained her first and second option. Dark magic, I suspected, was a distant third.
“I know, but this man holds a lot of power—”
“And such power always calls to one such as me.”
“I meant in standing and alliances rather than actual magic, though he has plenty of the latter.”
“Ah.” She shrugged, the movement casual and unconcerned. “The offer nevertheless remains. And please do remember that it sometimes takes one monster to render another impotent.”
I nodded, gulped down the rest of my drink, and then rose. “Thank you for seeing us, and for the offer of assistance.”
She brushed the comment away with a graceful hand. “I will ask Roger to keep an eye out for a ghoul, if indeed that is what lies behind these murders. He is familiar with their scent, as we have dealt with them in the past.”
I frowned. “Ghouls have a scent?”
“It is… acidic. Ashy. It speaks of the cemeteries in which they are often found.”
“And the best way to kill them?”
“That would depend on the type of ghoul,” she said. “But generally, what works against a vampire will work against a ghoul, though I have a personal preference for decapitation.”
Of course she did. And she probably feasted on their blood afterwards. “Thanks, Maelle.”
She nodded and turned her chair away from us. Summarily dismissed, we headed back down the stairs and were silently escorted out of the building by Roger.
Belle drew in a deep breath once we were out in the open air. “Well, that was interesting.”
“It always is when it comes to Maelle.” I grabbed my car keys out of my purse and walked down to where we’d parked the SUV. “But at least we did get some worthwhile information from it.”
“Maybe,” Belle said. “But I’m thinking we should seriously put some distance between us and her. I’m not liking the vibes she’s throwing at the moment.”
“I’ve never liked them, but I believe it’s better to keep communications open rather than cut them altogether.”
“Oh, on that we agree. I just think we should find a different venue to attend for a while.”
“Which would affect you more than me.” Aiden definitely wasn’t a fan of the place, so I generally only went there with Belle.
She sighed. “I know, and it’s a shame, because owner aside, the place rocks. And it’s not like we’ve many other dance venues open in the reservation—and don’t you dare suggest those ballroom things Aiden drags you to. They don’t count.”
I unlocked the SUV and climbed in. “I’m not entirely sure how many more we’ll be going to. His feet are constantly in a bruised state.”
Belle laughed. “Well, he can’t really complain when he was given fair warning of your three left feet. But he’s a damn werewolf—why aren’t they healing between shifts?”
“He reckons the damage is so constant, his natural healing magic is struggling to keep up.” And while he had been joking, I also suspected there was a tiny grain of truth in the statement.
Belle snorted. “Then he needs to take the hint before the healing ability throws up its hands in disgust and gives up.”
After a quick check of the mirrors, I pulled out and headed home. “It’s hardly fair he gives up something he loves because his partner sucks at it. I have suggested less frequency, however.”
“A good move for both of you, I think.”
It didn’t take us long to get home, but as we drove down the lane that led to the parking area behind our building, lights pulled in behind us. My heart leapt, and fear surged… and then I realized it was Aiden’s truck. He parked beside us and climbed out, a backpack and what looked to be a sleeping roll slung over his shoulder.
As Belle walked over to unlock the café’s back door, I stopped and waited for him. The man moved with predator’s grace, and despite the cold, warmth curled through me. “Are you planning on going camping tonight?”
“Yes—here.”
“And why would you do that when you’ve a perfectly good bed—” I stopped as realization hit. That curl of warmth got stronger.
“Until that bastard is tracked down and neutralized, you can’t risk staying at my place. I’ll do everything in my power to protect you, but my place is an open book when it comes to magical forces. He can gain access far too easily for my liking.”
“I can place protections around—”
“Why bother when your building has already proven capable of withstanding his assault?”
I wasn’t sure that was entirely true, but
