Circle of Fire (Damask Circle 1)

“I didn’t mean to scare you,” she said softly.

Maddie licked her lips. “Sorry. Just a bit jumpy.” She hesitated, noting the slightly pinched look around her sister’s mouth. “What’s wrong?”

“Steve just called. He’s on his way home, and he wants to talk to you.”

Maddie swore under her breath. Trust her sister to mention she was here. “I can’t, Jayne. He’ll want to know how I knew Evan was in danger, and he won’t believe me when I tell him.”

Jayne nodded, though Maddie could see the uncertainty in her sister’s eyes. Despite her earlier statements, Jayne still wasn’t entirely sure whether to believe her or not.

“Okay, then. It usually takes him five minutes or so to get here from the station. If you hurry, you might be able to avoid him.”

Maddie squeezed her sister’s hands tightly. “I’ll find Evan, Jayne. I’ll bring him back.” Somehow.

Jayne gave her a wan smile. Maddie stepped back, then stopped, her gaze caught by the brief flash of gold on the dresser. Evan’s chain. She must have dropped it when Jayne touched her shoulder. Had holding it helped the vision’s direction? Maddie suspected it had, if only because it was the first time she’d ever actually seen something she’d wanted to see. Usually, the dreams took their own course. If she took the chain with her, she might be able to use it to find Evan.

Not giving herself time to doubt, she brushed the chain into her hand, then followed her sister down the stairs.

The old truck rattled to life at the second turn of the key, which was something of a miracle. She reversed out of the driveway, then turned north. It was time to go find herself a real, live ghost.

MADDIE PUT HER FOOT ON THE BRAKES, THEN WINCED AT the squeal of metal grating against metal. Though the brake pads had needed replacing for some time now, it was a task she’d hoped to put off until she’d sold the next lot of roses.

But the icy conditions that had made some sections of Highway 20 pretty hairy had quickly rearranged her priorities. If she made it down this road in one piece, she was going to both get the brakes fixed and get new tires as soon as possible.

At least the bright lights of Taurin Bay were finally visible below. Though now that she was nearly there, she wasn’t entirely sure what she should do next. For a start, she had to find the Sherbrook Inn, but she also had to find Jon—and quickly. A heavy snowfall was predicted within the next twenty-four hours.

She remembered his face the last time she’d seen him—so pale and tired. If she didn’t find him soon, it might be too late. At least Evan had the heavy layer of blankets to protect him from the cold.

A graceful bridge of latticed metal arched across the mouth of a wide river and swept her into Taurin Bay, where a familiar yellow sign caught her attention. She pulled into the drive-through, collecting a hamburger and directions to the Sherbrook Inn.

The inn was a large, square-fronted Victorian painted in pale pinks and grays. She stopped the truck and leaned against the steering wheel, studying the house.

Maybe staying here wasn’t such a wise move. Jon had stayed here and had ended up down a well, so obviously someone had suspected he was here to find the missing teenagers and had tried to stop him. Would they suspect her as well?

The thought made her snort. Jon had called her ordinary and, outwardly at least, he was right. Why would anyone suspect she was anything more than a tourist? Besides, she had to stay somewhere, and most of the motels along the way had been full—not surprising, with the early onset of the ski season.

She dragged her bag off the backseat and headed for the inn. The small foyer was empty when she entered, but a bell chimed softly in the distance. She shut the door and studied the room. The walls were covered in pale gold and silver wallpaper, and the window next to the front door was draped with rich burgundy curtains. An open fire blazed brightly in the sitting room to her left, lending a golden gleam to the empty velvet and mahogany chairs that formed a semicircle around it.

The inn looked expensive. A weeklong stay would put a serious dent in her savings, but that was a small price to pay if she found Evan—and Jon—in one piece.

“Hello.”

Maddie jerked her gaze to the front desk. A man stood in the doorway just behind it, his smile warm and friendly.

“Hank Stewart. I’m the night manager here,” he continued, stepping forward. “How can I help you?”

She eyed him warily. Though his voice held nothing beyond politeness, something about him made her uneasy. “Do you have a room available for a couple of days?”

He opened the book on the desk, then nodded. “We have one room—the Captain’s Quarters—available at the moment.”

It was his eyes, she decided when he looked up. Something disturbing lurked in their

mud-colored depths.

She swallowed and pulled her gaze away. “How much is it?”

“It’s our best room. One fifteen a night.”

She winced but signed the register. Picking up her bag, she followed him along the hall and up the stairs. The Captain’s Quarters turned out to be a suite comprised of a living room, a bedroom, and a large bathroom—all ornately furnished.