Hell's Bell (Lizzie Grace 2)

Chapter Four

I briefly closed my eyes and swore internally. This wasn’t how I’d wanted the hunt to end.

“Is that Marlinda?” I asked softly.

“Yes.” Roger’s tone was without inflection, but weirdly echoed Maelle’s. “I think it best you ring the rangers now. But this evil will be avenged.”

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“We have no real idea what happened here, Maelle. I wouldn’t be making hasty threats—”

“There is nothing hasty about the threat,” he said, the tone still his mistress’s. “Whatever help you need to track down the thing responsible for this murder, I will give.”

“Except I’m not tracking it. If we’re dealing with a soul eater, the RWA will be called in. I’m not a strong enough witch to even contemplate such an action.”

“That is a statement I seriously doubt, but nevertheless, my offer stands.”

“Then make it to the rangers and the RWA.”

“I do not wish to deal with the rangers more than necessary. Nor do I believe that you will be allowed to stand apart in this fight. Like it or not, you are this reservation’s witch, and the task will fall on your shoulders.”

“This reservation deserves better than an underpowered witch.”

“This reservation seems to think otherwise, if the wild magic is anything to go by.”

Unease stirred. “What do you know about the wild magic?”

“Only that it exists here, and seems to have an unusual... sentience.”

That it did... and I had some theories as to why that might be the case, especially given there was a distinctly feminine feel to that awareness. But I’d been putting off confirming or denying those theories, simply because it meant asking Aiden to take me to the place where his sister had been murdered—and I really hadn’t wanted to dredge up those painful memories. Not when his aura still ran with the heavy weight of his sorrow.

“That magic seems intent on protecting this reservation,” I commented. “I hope you don’t plan to use it, as you might not like the resulting push back.”

“My mistress holds no designs on the magic,” Roger said, his tone his own and his expression amused. “She certainly has no need of its power.”

Because she had enough of her own? That was a somewhat scary thought, and one I hoped wasn’t true.

I dug out my phone and called Aiden. He answered on the second ring. “Every time you call me out of the blue like this, you’ve found a body. Please don’t tell me that's the case again.”

“Then I won’t tell you.”

He swore softly. “Where?”

“In the lake, near the rotunda.”

He was silent for a moment, and then said, “Is there a connection to last night’s murder?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll call the crew and be there in a few minutes.” He paused. “Please wait this time.”

“I will.”

I hung up. Roger no longer held the small section of red dress, and Marlinda’s body had sunk back underneath the water.

“What are you planning to do?” I asked. “Stay or go?”

“Given there are plenty of people who have seen me accompany you here, it would seem suspicious if I now left.” He walked out of the lake but didn’t bother putting his shoes or socks back on. “Cooperation with the ranger will also ensure easier access to information.”