Hell's Bell (Lizzie Grace 2)

Because no matter what happened between us in the future, it was never going to be “right.”

Not because of what I was, not because of any lies I might have told or might still tell, but because of what he was.

I’m not sure how long we stood there in the middle of the road. Long enough for the tears to stop falling. Long enough for his warmth and closeness to be causing all sorts of other problems—the least of which was the desire to remain locked in his embrace. But he had a job to do; staying here like this certainly wasn’t an option.

I pulled back and hastily wiped away the lingering tears. “I think I’ve utterly soaked your poor sweater.”

“It’s not wool, so it’s in no danger of shrinking.” He half smiled, though it didn’t reach as far as his eyes. “I need to call in the troops. Why don’t we get you back to the truck—there’s an old sweater and a pair of track pants in the back. They’ll swim on you, but it’s still a better option than remaining in your current clothes until I can get someone to take you home.”

I crossed my arms and tried not to think about the goop. “Meaning you’re not entrusting me with your truck a second time?”

“It’s not a reflection on your driving skills but rather a necessity. I need it to block off the road.”

Of course he did—especially with the big man’s body still in the middle of it. I glanced past him and studied the small cottage. With the soul eater gone, the fog was quickly dissipating, taking with it the lingering remnants of evil.

But not the feel of death.

I started to rub my arms, but stopped abruptly when I felt wetness. I swallowed heavily and said, “I need to look at the body of the woman inside.”

He hesitated, and then nodded. “Wait for me to get back with the truck, and we’ll go in together.”

As he jogged back to his vehicle, I walked around the body of the big man to retrieve my knife, and then went back to my pack and secured the blade. The last thing I wanted to risk was one of the other rangers confiscating it. By the time Aiden returned, the fog had completely cleared. The red and blue emergency lights at the front and rear of his truck washed across the darkness, casting grotesque shadows around the body on the road.

Aiden pressed a hand against my spine and lightly guided me inside. “What are you hoping to see?”

“Whether she died the same way as Aron.”

I stopped and crossed my arms against the chill in the air. Unlike Aron, there was no hint of peacefulness in her expression, but rather shock and growing horror. Whether that meant we’d interrupted the soul eater before he’d fully consumed her soul, I couldn’t say. Belle could have told me, but I was loath to reach out

to her.

Except I’m awake because I had to pee, she said. What do you need?

Can you merge with me briefly, and tell me what you see?

Hang on while I move across to the sofa. There was a brief pause. Right. You might want to warn Aiden first though.

I glanced at him. “I’ve just asked Belle to mind merge with me, so that she can see the victim and tell us what happened.”

He blinked. “She’s taking you over?”

“No, it’s more—” I hesitated. “It’s hard to explain, but she’ll see what I can’t, so if you’ve any questions, she can answer them through me.”

“It’s not a body swap thing, is it?”

I smiled and touched his arm. “No. Our souls are staying right where they belong. Ready?”

He hesitated, and then nodded. I closed my eyes and reached psychically for Belle. Her mind closed around mine and the two fused—not so deeply that she became a part of me, but deep enough that she could use her talents while seeing through my eyes.

A shudder went through her—through me.

“Her soul was only half torn from her body,” she said. “She’s dead, and yet not.”

Aiden’s confusion echoed my own. “Meaning what?”

“Meaning the soul eater consumed enough of her soul to kill her flesh, but left enough behind that her awareness lingers within the boundaries of this place.”

“I can’t feel a ghost, Belle,” I commented.