Everard and his father peer at one another. I sense they’re weakening. I walk over to stand between Luz and Cristobal. There’s strength in numbers, and beneath the calm façade, Cristobal is livid. Between the treatment of his third in command, to the blatant disrespect he threw my way, my dark prince has had enough. I stand closer to him than I normally would, brushing my side against his. “So, like I said, release him.”
“To who?” Mr. Dupuex asks.
“Me. I’ll be responsible for him.”
Everard smirks. “You’d put your fate in their hands so easily?”
“Yes, because I know who’s trustworthy or not.” He sneers. “Release him, and allow me to do a spell to prove his innocence,” I insist.
“You can try. Boys, release the vampire, but be ready to defend yourself.”
I roll my eyes at his dramatics and tap my foot. Marcellus is stock still as they work together, unwinding him from the steel boa constrictors wrapped around him. They drop the chains with a heavy clank. Just and Everard step back as if he’s a wild animal.
“Marcellus, come to me.” I reach for his hand, holding his gaze with my own. The manic stage is just below the surface, a threat from being unleashed. I will him to obey, and calm down. I draw on my bond with Cristobal. He speeds over to me and takes my hand. Releasing a shaky breath, I guide Marcellus out of the offices. “Show me where you last interacted with the woman that was murdered.” He guides me to a dark corner. “Did you take her blood?”
“Yes. But, only a few sips.”
My stomach sinks. “And it was consensual?”
“Yes, she sought me out.”
Thank, God. “Did you know her before tonight?”
“No.” He shakes his head.
“Okay, I want you to open your mind, and remember her.”
I reach inside his head and see her. Curvy with honey-brown skin, big brown eyes, and dark brown curls framing her face, she’s a temptress with full lips painted deep red. I hold her image in the forefront of my mind. Gathering my power, I began to chant.
In the dark secrets lie
Buried some place inside
You think they’re hidden very well
But I know you have cast a spell
Now in this place
For all to see
The truth will play
So mote it be
Images flicker and fade beside us. I pour more power into the spell, stabilizing them before they blink out once more. I battle the dark powers, desperate to get a clear image of what occurred. Light and dark do battle. It’s a game of tug war. The power the witch wields is immensely fueled by anger, rage, and greed. Our powers lock antlers like two bucks fighting over territory.
I feel the witch panic. They hadn’t anticipated a challenge. They begin to recede, and I latch on, trying to trace them. Like a wild animal caught by prey, they put everything they have into detaching me. The spell self-destructs with a snap that sends me tumbling back, only to be caught by strong arms. I peer into Cristobal’s worried gaze.
“I’m okay.” He steadies me on my feet. “I think it’s clear magic has been used. I’m shocked that you were so negligent in your search.”
“That doesn’t mean that one wasn’t in league with another witch to cover his tracks.”
“We both know that’s not the case.”
“You bring me the real killer, or we’ll punish him just the same. People witnessed this. There’s no covering it up, and we can’t have panic in either world.”
“I want to see the body.”