Be careful.
I have no intentions of getting dead just yet. I still have a ranger to seduce.
Speaking of, do you want me to give him a call?
I hesitated. While it was important he and Ashworth find the dark sorcerer, it was also possible the shooter could lead them directly to him. You’d better, just in case.
I opened the back door and raced into the parking lot. The moon’s brightness flowed in and out of a stream of clouds, providing a vague, intermittent light, but there was still enough about to see and avoid the various potholes in the old bitumen.
I ran to the other end of the parking area, hauled my ass over the fence, and then continued along the lane that ran along the side of the old theater. Once I was in Hargraves Street, I moved back to Mostyn and paused in the doorway of the Subway on the corner.
Any movement? I cautiously peered around. The street was quiet and the rooftops dark.
Nope. He’s still in the same position. Not sure
what he’s waiting for, given for all he knows, we’re settling in for the night.
I’m not liking the feel of this situation.
That makes two of us. She hesitated. Maybe you should come back here and let Aiden—
No, I cut in. The wild magic is urging me forward, not back. I have no idea why, but we can’t afford to ignore her.
Given she’s saved your butt a couple of times now, that’s probably wise. Belle paused. I’ll go upstairs and turn on a light. Hopefully that will keep his attention on the café rather than anything else.
Keep well away from the windows.
I’ll hover in the stairwell. He won’t even see me.
I waited until the moon disappeared behind a cloud again, and then raced across the road. I didn’t stop once I was under the cover of the building’s awning, but kept going up Hargraves Street. Once I’d reached the small laneway that led to the parking area behind the pizza shop, I paused and quickly scanned the lane, looking for a way up onto the roof. I found it on the second building—a small fire escape with a metal bin very handily placed right underneath it.
It’s probably how our shooter got onto the nearby roof.
I’d say so. I very carefully stepped up onto the bin, reached for the ladder, and began to climb. It creaked slightly under my weight, and I froze. Belle?
No movement his end. You’re safe.
Relief stirred, but I still waited another few seconds before I started moving again. I reached the top, pulled myself over the small wall, and dropped down onto the roof. Aside from a sprouting army of antennas, and an air-con unit that had seen better days, the area was empty.
I padded over to the wall dividing this building from the next, and carefully peered over. Aside from yet more antennas, there were also a couple of long lounge chairs on this rooftop. No bad guy holding a gun, however.
He’s on the next roof.
I carefully climbed over to the next roof. Metal skittered from under one foot, and the noise seemed as loud as thunder. The wild magic stirred, this time holding both censure and urgency.
He’s headed your way. Find cover.
There is no fucking cover. Nothing other than those damn lounges, anyway. With little other choice, I kept low and raced across to them.
Almost on you, Belle warned.
I dropped down and lay prone next to the lounge, hoping like hell the shadows were thick enough to hide my hair. But if the moon came out from behind the cloud, the crimson color would give me away in an instant.
I held my breath and waited. For several seconds, nothing happened, and then I heard it—a soft scrape.
Just that, nothing more.
Tension wound through me and for several seconds, I didn’t dare even breathe.