Mary stood, still shaking, and disappeared down the street.
Grey moved aside so she could leave the garden but didn’t come to sit next to me. I stood, staring at him. “What do you know?”
“I know who’s responsible for the kidnappings—or at least, whose goons did the dirty work.”
Elation jumped. “Tell me!”
“Not here.” His gaze flicked to the wall of roses behind me.
I looked back at the gorgeous flowers, my skin prickling with wariness. The walls have eyes. The old saying came to mind, and I rose. “Come on. We’ll go back to my place. I’m waiting for Mac to come back from the other crime scene.”
He nodded, and together we strode down the street toward my flat. We walked in silence, which was for the best.
About halfway to my flat, I said, “We’re not far from Hangman’s Alley, are we?”
“Only a couple streets over.”
“Let’s check it out real quick. Maybe I’ll get something.” I cut through the streets, grateful for my sense of direction. I didn’t know the entire town yet, but I knew a lot of it, especially the part around my flat.
Hangman’s Alley was a tiny little thing, an empty alley devoid of shops or bins. I definitely wasn’t surprised that it was frequently used as an impromptu loo by drunken kids.
We reached it a moment later, and I slipped into the cool, dark space. It was only a few feet wide, so narrow that it seemed pointless. And, of course, it smelled of wee.
I held my nose and ran my hands along the stone wall.
Please, please show me something.
4
Carrow
The alley wall was rough under my fingertips as I used my magic to try to read the stones.
What happened here last night? Who abducted Beth?
Red exploded in my mind, brilliant and violent, the color so blinding that it made my brain ache. Amongst the swirling bright red fog in my mind, a figure stood. I couldn’t see them clearly, but they were there. The power that radiated off the figure nearly sent me to my knees.
Screams of pain and the clash of steel sounded in my head, bringing with it the scent of mud and blood.
War.
A connection formed, something fierce and strong that pulled me toward the figure.
“Come to me.” The voice was deep and low in my head, blasting through me. Violence made audible.
Repulsion filled me.
I couldn’t go to this figure. Never. It would be the death of me. The death of so many.
Suddenly, the redness faded. Calm descended, white and pure. There was still a figure hidden amongst the mist, but they remained invisible.
“You must resist.” The voice was no longer terrifying. Instead, it was desperate. “You must stop this.”
What the hell was going on?
Two strong hands appeared on my shoulders, pulling me back. The connection broke. I gasped, stumbling against Grey’s strong chest. He clutched me close, keeping me upright.
“What happened?” he asked.