Broken Bonds (Lizzie Grace 3)

And sighed in relief, even though I knew full well the danger Canberra represented wasn’t really over yet.

I listened to the sound of Tala’s SUV pulling away then turned and headed back to the table. After clearing the plates, mugs, and teapot then washing them, I headed upstairs to grab toiletries and fresh clothes for tomorrow. Then I called a cab and headed across to Aiden’s.

The key was in a magnetic tin under the base of the outside aircon unit. I grabbed it, opened the door, and then tucked it back in position. Once I’d dumped my bag in his bedroom, I headed back downstairs to investigate his fridge. It was very obvious that a bachelor who ate out a lot lived in this place, because there was damn little in the way of food. Thankfully, there was some cheese that wasn’t green despite it being past its “best by” date and a loaf of sliced bread in the freezer. After making myself a toasted cheese and Vegemite sandwich and another cup of tea, I headed across the room to the sofa and settled in to watch TV and wait.

By the time eleven rolled around, I was barely keeping awake. I dumped my dishes in the sink then trundled upstairs, stripped off, and climbed into his crisp, fresh-smelling sheets. Within minutes, I was asleep.

Only to be woken several hours later not by the softly snoring warm body pressed against my spine, but rather an explosive rush of magic.

Blood magic.

Chapter Five

I swore and scrambled out of bed.

“What’s wrong?” Aiden immediately said, even as he threw the covers aside and began pulling on his jeans.

I hauled on panties then grabbed jeans and a T-shirt out of my overnight bag. “There’s been some sort of explosion.”

“Magical?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you need to go back to the café to get any equipment?”

“I don’t think we have the time.” I grabbed a sweater then shoved my feet into my runners, thanking the stars I’d packed additional clothes and shoes to cater for the weather turn they were predicting for Christmas Eve. I reached mentally for Belle, but there was no response. That meant she was back home, sleeping in her own bedroom rather than the hotel room we’d rented. And while I could probably break through all the shields that surrounded her room—shields that not only protected her from a magic attack, but also from the constant barrage of my thoughts—it wasn’t worth either the time or the energy. Not when there was a much easier method. I grabbed my phone out of my purse and followed Aiden down the stairs. He grabbed his keys and ushered me into his truck.

As he drove out of the complex, I called Belle.

“What the fuck?” came her somewhat groggy answer a few rings later. “Why are you using the damn phone?”

“Because you’re in your own bed rather than Zak’s or the hotel’s.”

“Oh. Yeah. Sorry. What’s the problem?”

“There’s been an explosion of blood magic, and I suspect it might have come from that protective circle we found.”

“And you need the backpack?” she said, suddenly sounding less sleepy.

“Yeah, and given I have no idea what we might be dealing with, pack everything.”

“Will do.” Her voice was grim. “It’ll take me a good twenty to twenty-five minutes to get there though, given I have to load the pack.”

“It’ll probably take us that long,” Aiden said, voice grim.

I glanced at him. “You know where we’re going?”

“I’m guessing it’s where Tala took Ashworth and the new witch to deconstruct the active protective circle.” He hesitated, his expression becoming even grimier. “Please don’t tell me we’ve a second—and different—wave of dark magic happening.”

“I don’t think we do, but I can’t entirely be sure as yet.” I wound down the window and stuck my hand out. The night air ran across my fingers, its force increasing as Aiden accelerated away from the apartment complex. The dark magic ran through it, but its fierceness was fading.

Aiden turned on the siren once we were on the main road and we screamed through the night, the red and blue lights washing across the darkness.

The waves of magic continued to diminish, but it was definitely coming from the same area where we’d found the protective circle.

Aiden pulled up beside Tala’s truck, and then scrambled out. “Tala! You out there?”

There was no response. Aiden swore, ran around to the back of his truck, and grabbed out his gear and a flashlight. As he slammed the back closed, headlights pinned us. Belle.