Hell's Bell (Lizzie Grace 2)

Belle didn’t comment, but then, it was hard to be snarky against an undeniable truth—and one that Belle had, in many ways, paid a deeper price for than me. After all, she’d had to drop all contact with her own family when we’d run from mine. She hadn’t talked to or seen her mom and her five siblings in over twelve years now, and I knew that hurt her, even if she never said anything.

I picked up the teapot and poured the hot liquid into my cup. Orange teased the air, a scent designed to arouse and attract—Belle was still playing games. Aiden’s nostrils flared, but there was no immediate indication the warm rich aroma had any effect.

Which wasn’t surprising when werewolves were generally very good at keeping their emotions in check.

Only in certain situations, Belle said. You just haven’t found this one’s right situation.

I restrained my grin, and watched as he rose.

“I’ll see you tonight, then.” He hesitated, as if he wanted to say something else, then simply nodded and walked away.

My gaze followed him; like most wolves, he moved with the lithe grace of a predator. Unlike most, his shoulders were nicely wide, and his arms had just the right amount of muscle. My gaze slipped down his spine... and he did look particularly fine in a pair of jeans.

They all do, came Belle’s comment. You just happen to be hooked on this one’s pheromones more than the others.

That is an undeniable truth.

I finished my meal and cup of tea, then got up and dumped the dishes in the kitchen for Frank—our dish hand—to wash. For the next couple of hours, I helped Belle and Penny in the café and tried to ignore my gathering excitement over the evening’s possibilities.

Once we’d finished cleaning up and everyone else had gone home, Belle said, “You’d better go make that statement. I’ll head upstairs and do some research.”

Though I hadn’t thought much about the soul eater since Aiden had left, uneasiness stirred once again—and I wasn’t entirely sure whether it was intuition or simply fear. I really didn’t want to be dealing with this thing, and yet I couldn’t escape the notion that we would be.

“I don’t suppose the spirits have been able to come up with anything useful since last night?”

“Only that this thing has not finished.” She paused, her gaze remote as she listened to her guides. “They said they’re keeping an eye out for any unusual activity, but they’re not sensing anything as yet.”

“Would they normally sense it?”

“Depending on the spirit involved, yes. But there are many who can not only hide their form, but also their presence.”

“Last night suggests we’re dealing with one of those.”

“They tend to agree.”

“Then I’ll keep my fingers crossed it doesn’t take a second victim tonight.” I grabbed my keys. “I won’t be long.”

I locked the door behind me and then headed right. The ranger station was located near the corner of Hargraves and Templeton Streets, and was one of those grand old colonial buildings that spoke of majesty and money—the total opposite of what you’d expect of a ranger or police station.

I went through the rather ornate wooden door and into the main reception area. Maggie, the dark-haired receptionist and ranger in training, glanced up as I entered. Her expression was polite, which was something of an improvement from the last time I’d talked to her.

“Hello, Ms. Grace,” she said. “How may I help you?”

“I’ve come to make my statement on last night’s events.”

“Ah yes, Aiden mentioned you might be here. I’ll go get Tala.”

I leaned on the counter and briefly wondered if Aiden’s meeting had anything to do with wherever he was last night. Instinct suggested it was, but that didn’t mean it was right.

Or that I had the right to ponder such things.

I frowned and looked around. As had been the case the last time I’d come here, there was no one else in the station’s main room, and the half dozen desks and multiple filing units didn’t go anywhere near to filling the huge space. A large whiteboard dominated one wall, and beside it was a smaller one on which there was a roster with seven names—the total number of rangers on the reservation. Aiden was one of four on patrol duties, and one had the day off.

After a few moments, Maggie returned. Behind her was a woman with silver-shot, black hair, and skin that was the same rich ebony as Belle’s.

“Maggie, could you please buzz Ms. Grace in?”

The younger woman did so, and Tala led me across to her desk in the corner of the room. Unlike some of the other desks, hers was incredibly neat. She sat down, opened up her laptop, and then glanced at me. “Right, just tell me everything that happened last night. No detail is too small.”