“They’re the two who suffered the rat infestation, aren’t they?”
“The same.”
“Which,” Ashworth said, as he huffed towards us, “was rather stupid of them. Harsh penalties apply to those who react in such a physical manner against another witch.”
Aiden raised his eyebrows. “Meaning it would have been okay to act in a magical manner?”
“Of course. Duels of magic are not a thing of the past, no matter what the government might have you believe.” He stopped beside me and studied my prisoner through narrowed eyes. “Why is there a feminine feel to the wild magic containing him?”
“I couldn’t tell you,” I said, and silently bid the magic to release the shooter and leave.
It did so with alacrity. As Bryan crashed to the ground and rolled into a ball of relieved agony, Aiden stepped forward, pulled Bryan’s wrists behind his back, and secured them with the ever-present cable ties.
“There’s also an unusual amount of intelligence in the magic of this place that needs investigating.” His gaze came to mine. “As does your connection to it.”
“How about we secure the wellspring before we worry about any of that?” I glanced at Aiden. “Once this bastard is secure, you need to get back to hunting the witch. I’ve a bad feeling the shit will hit the fan if we don’t stop him tonight.”
“We will, but I had to make sure you were okay first.”
His words warmed something deep inside. “And I appreciate it, but you can’t delay. It might be deadly if you do.”
He frowned. “Have you had another of your visions?”
I hesitated. “No. It’s nothing more than a gut feeling.”
He grunted and glanced at Ashworth. “I’ve learned to trust her gut. We’d better go.”
The older man nodded and left. Aiden stepped over his prisoner and then stopped beside me. “Ashworth’s put out the blaze, but the fire department still has to inspect the building and declare it safe before either you or Belle will be allowed back inside. Have you anywhere to stay for the night?”
I smiled. “With all the hotels around the area, I’m sure we can find something.”
“I’d rather you be somewhere safer than a mere hotel.” He pulled his keys out, disconnected one of the smaller rings, and offered me the two keys and small remote. “They’ll get you into my apartment in Argyle.” He gave me the address, and then added, “There’re two beds in the spare room and linen in the closet near the bathroom.”
“Aiden—”
“Please,” he said, shaking the keys. “I’ll find it easier to concentrate on the task at hand if I know you’re out of the way and safe.”
I took the offered keys and raised my eyebrows. “Out of the way doesn’t sound too gentlemanly.”
He smiled and touched a hand to my cheek. “You know what I meant.”
Indeed I did. I resisted the urge to lean into his touch, and simply said, “What about my prisoner? What do you want me to do with him?”
“Can you immobilize him? Mac should be here in ten minutes.”
“I’ll wait for him, then.”
“Be careful.” He hesitated, then leaned forward and lightly kissed my lips. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“You will.”
I watched him leave, then returned my attention to Bryan. “If you so much as twitch the wrong way, I’ll break something vital.”
Fear skittered across his expression, but he didn’t say anything and he certainly didn’t move.
Mac arrived spot-on ten minutes later. He had the typical rangy build of a werewolf, with brown skin and hair that suggested he was from an outside pack.
“And you’d be Lizzie,” he said, holding out his hand in greeting. “What have we got here?”