Unless he’s somehow leashed it to the wild magic and—if you’re right about the sentience we’re sensing—Kate’s presence here.
“I’ve a sudden feeling you ladies are having a very private conversation.” Aiden’s tone was edged with annoyance. “And while I appreciate you’re used to communicating that way, I’d really like to be included in all conversations relating to this clearing and the events that went on here.”
“Sorry.” I wrinkled my nose. “We were just discussing the fact that there’s something in this clearing.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Define ‘something.’”
“We can’t as yet.” I hesitated. “Where, exactly, was your sister killed?”
Though his expression didn’t change, his grief surged, spilling darkness across his aura. “Over near the spring’s source.”
Which also happened to be the wellspring’s source. I doubted that was a coincidence.
I followed him into the clearing, and with every step the caress of wild magic grew stronger, until my entire body thrummed with its power. But there was nothing threatening in its touch; in fact, it seemed oddly welcoming.
It was almost as if it had been waiting for us.
Waiting for you perhaps, Belle commented. I can certainly feel the wild magic, but there’s no sense of welcome within it.
I frowned. But you can sense its awareness, can’t you?
Yes, but there’s nothing more distinct than that, she said. You merged with the wild magic to defeat that vampire. Maybe it created a permanent connection. Maybe that’s why your eyes are now ringed with silver.
My eyes had been—up until very recently—pure emerald green rather than the silvery-gray of a full-blooded witch. It was a major reason why few people questioned my carefully reconstructed background.
If such a connection was even remotely possible, don’t you think the High Council would be doing more than simply guarding the wellsprings?
Well, yes, but just because it hasn’t happened before doesn’t mean it’s imposs— The rest of her sentence was cut off by a loud gasp.
I immediately swung around. I couldn’t see anything threatening, and her thoughts showed no sign of fear. Just… surprise.
I
frowned, definitely not understanding the latter. “What’s wrong?”
“There’s a ghost here.”
“Whose?” Aiden’s voice was harsh and yet edged with trepidation. “Kate’s?”
“No.” Belle hesitated. “It’s male. I suspect it might be Gabe.”
“How is that even possible when his remains have never been found?” Aiden all but growled. “Aren’t ghosts pinned to the area in which they died, or have I got the facts wrong?”
“You haven’t,” I said, “Which means either his body is well hidden or something stranger is going on.”
“There is no way known his fucking body could have gone undiscovered for over a year. Not here; not within the Marin compound—or any other one, for that matter.” He stopped, and chagrin touched his expression. He took a deep breath and then added, “Sorry, that was uncalled for.”
This time I didn’t resist the urge to touch him, but his arm felt like steel under my fingertips. “We understand, Aiden, probably more than anyone outside your family ever could.”
He placed his free hand over mine, squeezed it lightly, and then released me. “Is there any way we could talk to his ghost, and uncover what really happened in this place?”
And why he killed my sister.... He didn’t actually say that, but the words nevertheless hung in the air.
“Yes,” Belle said. “But it could be a dangerous thing to do.”
“Why?”
“Because this clearing isn’t only a tributary source for the creek,” I said. “It’s also the location of another wellspring.”