Black Wings, Gray Skies (Black Hat Bureau 4)

“Marah invited us for a visit, remember? We’d be rude not to call on her before we left town.”

* * *

The cemetery gate stood open in invitation, which was not a great sign, but we beelined to the Thurman family mausoleum with a blossoming sense of dread. The ornate entry door was locked, the path closed.

“Marah knew we would be back.” I switched on my phone’s flashlight. “See that?”

The back wall had been bricked up with a powerful spell since our last visit, and magic ebbed to me from where I stood.

“No wonder she extended us an open invitation.”

“They warded it.” I placed a hand on the cool wall, and my pride took a hit. “I can’t break it alone.”

And the next to last place on Earth I would bring Colby—the first being the director’s office—was here.

“Look.” Asa crouched beside a black envelope with a blood red wax seal. “There’s a card.”

When the paper hit my palm, I tore it open with more violence than necessary.

“Rue,” I read out loud. “I have no doubt you’ll return to confront me and demand more answers, but the truth is, you won’t be happy with any I give you. You must understand we tried to help Jilo control Sorie, but his hunger would have ruined us. Can you imagine the fallout, had she wrested control of the grume? A plague of newborns would have swept across the city, devouring any human in their path. I did what I thought was right. A woman like you, with your power, in your vocation, must understand the choices we make to ensure those under our protection remain safe at any cost. Truly, I am in your debt.”

Paper crumpled in my fist as her words sank in and took root.

“Yours in friendship.” I wanted to punch something. “That’s how she signed it.”

“We need this.” He pried the wadded letter from my fingers. “Marty will need it for the case file.”

“Let’s head back.” I kicked the brick for good measure. “See if he’s still alive.”

* * *

Sadly, Marty was still breathing, but there was always next time.

Although, thanks to Clay’s foresight, he was also accepting handshakes for solving the case.

In taking credit, he agreed to accept responsibility for the paperwork, and we got a pass to go home.

Already, I was tapping my foot, eager to get back to Samford and check on the girls and Aedan.

Clay let himself into my room and leaned against the doorway, watching me pack my bag.

“You did a good deed for Marty.” I folded my last shirt. “You’re such a kind soul.”

“I thought of all the help he gave us, the support and guidance.” Clay faked innocence. Badly. “How could I not reward him? I thought— You know what? Marty earned this. He deserves this.”

“I appreciate your quick thinking.” I sobered. “This black witch thing sets my teeth on edge.”

No good ever came of a black witch paying a visit, myself included. Unless I had been stress baking.

“I don’t like it either.” He ruffled his hair. “We’ll all feel better once we’re home again.”

A buzz in my pocket had me reaching for my phone. “Hollis.”

“Hey.” Arden exhaled in a gust. “I don’t want you to panic or anything—”

Heart galloping, I clenched my hand around my cell. “What’s wrong?”

“We’ve blown a fuse at the shop,” she carried on, oblivious to my panic. “Aedan is checking the breakers, but there’s a burnt smell in here. Do you want me to call the electrician? Maybe he crossed a wire when he came out to do repairs after…” The Silver Stag copycat wrecked the shop while kidnapping Arden and Camber. “Anyway, I wanted to let you know and get your approval for the charge.”