“I might be able to construct a sensor spell centered around the way our killer constructs her spells,” Monty said. “But it wouldn’t lead us directly to her; it’d only activate if we’re in her vicinity or if she casts a spell.”
“If we need to conduct a grid search, we will,” Tala said. “It might take forever, but it’s better than doing nothing. How long will it take to construct the spell?”
“A few hours. I’ll have to check the logistics of it beforehand, because the only time I’ve done this sort of spell was at uni.”
“So, will we be hunting tonight? Or tomorrow night?”
“All things being equal—tonight,” he said. “But if she follows the pattern of previous kills, she’s not going to be active for a couple of days, and that will make finding her harder. She knows there’re witches in the reservation and will be guarded against it.”
“Even so, we need to try and stop her before she attacks again.”
Monty nodded and glanced at me. “You in?”
“It’d be safer if I am,” I said. “Besides, you can’t track and drive.”
“Ring me once you’re ready,” Tala said. “With Aiden caught up in family stuff, I’m acting head ranger.”
I raised my eyebrows. “He’s temporarily stepped down? When did that happen?”
Surprise flitted across her expression. “Yesterday. He didn’t tell you?”
“No.”
And he’d certainly had plenty of opportunity yesterday. We hadn’t spent all damn day in bed.
“Ah.”
One word that spoke volumes. It was just another reminder that I wasn’t a wolf and didn’t factor into his thinking when it came to pack and family.
I took a deep breath and released it slowly. It didn’t ease the hurt and certainly didn’t ease the anger.
Wolf or not, he should have told me.
Monty touched my arm, a comforting gesture that didn’t really help. I smiled, briefly pressed my hand over his, and then glanced at Tala. “We might as well head back. There’s nothing more we can do here.”
Tala nodded and led us out of the settlement. It didn’t take us long to get back to the crime scene but, by the time we got there, the rain was bucketing down.
I raced to my car, my coat protecting my upper body but my lower jeans getting soaked. The café was in the midst of an afternoon rush, and a good half of the people inside looked as wet as me, suggesting they’d run in here to get warm and wait out the storm. I wasn’t about to complain, given how’d quiet we’d been of late.
I went upstairs to change out of my wet clothes, then headed back down to help out. We barely had time to clean vacant tables before someone was claiming them again.
I placed a tray on the counter ready for the two lattes Belle was making, then crossed my arms and leaned on the edge of the cake display. “Do you get the feeling there’s an edge of expectation to the wolf portion of our customers this afternoon?”
“There definitely is.” She designed a tulip in the milk froth, then placed the two lattes onto the tray. “I’ve been resisting the urge to deep read their minds all afternoon.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Why on earth would you be doing that?”
She gave me the “don’t be daft” look. “Because my mother taught me manners.”
I laughed. Her mother had absolutely no problem using her telepathic skills whenever she deemed it necessary. And this definitely was. “Every instinct I have is telling me we need to know what is going on. Besides, skimming isn’t against the rules of politeness.”
Amusement gleamed in her silver eyes. “Which is exactly why I did it.”
“And?”
“And, it’s got something to do with Aiden.”
A hard, cold lump formed in my gut. I sucked in a breath and said, as calmly as I could, “Something called Mia?”
“Her name isn’t appearing directly in anyone’s immediate thoughts, but they’re definitely all coming in to watch a fire show.” She grimaced, and silently added, They’re goddamn ghouls, the lot of them.
That’s no real surprise, given he is an alpha in waiting. What he does in regard to a mate will affect the future of the pack.
Yes, but why on earth would they think there’d be a confrontation here? Surely they know Aiden would never air his emotional laundry so publicly.
He mightn’t, but his goddamn mother certainly would.
Would even she be such a cow?
Oh hell, yes.
A smile tugged her lips. “I guess we’ll find out soon enough.” She placed two double-chocolate cheesecakes onto the tray. “You know, I’d love to send the lot of them away, but it’s been a slow couple of weeks, and we could do with the bank boost.”
“Aiden won’t break up with me in public.” Of that I was sure.
Penny arrived with another order. I picked up my tray, then stepped around her and walked across to the table in the far corner to deliver the lattes and cakes to the old couple. They were human rather than wolf, but this was the first time I’d seen either of them here. I was tempted to ask them if they’d come to see the show, but the gentleman’s dour expression had me holding my tongue. He really didn’t look the sort to take a joke.
The bell above the door chimed merrily as another customer stepped in. The wind whipped briefly around my ankles, oddly filled with the cold sensation of destiny.
My gaze leapt up.
The woman who stepped inside was several inches taller than me, with a slim but shapely physique and strawberry blonde hair. Her golden gaze swept the room and stopped on mine. Her expression was one of polite friendliness and suggested she had no idea who I was.
But I certainly knew her.
Mia Raines.
Aiden’s ex.
Chapter Six
A hush fell over the café, and it felt like the gaze of every person in the room pinned the two of us. It was a weight that made me tremble. Or maybe that was caused by the thick mix of anger and despair boiling through me.
The bitch has some cheek, Belle growled. Coming in here, as bold as brass, when she has to know you’re in a relationship with Aiden.
I’m not so sure she does. Remember who invited her to the reservation.
Of course, she might also be a very good actor, and I might be reading her completely wrong. Especially given she’d strung Aiden along so very easily the first time she’d come into the reservation.
More than happy to read her mind and find out, Belle said. Or, better yet, force her ass out back into the storm.
It was tempting. So very tempting. I drew in a breath and resisted. No. I need to handle it.
After all, I’d have to do exactly that. Not just today, but every other minute, hour, and day in my life, for the rest of my life, if she and Aiden married.
I hugged the tray close to my chest and walked over to the door. “A table for one?”
She hesitated. “I was told that Aiden O’Connor might be here.”
Her voice was smooth and mellow; definitely not the harpy tones I’d been half expecting.
“He’s not here at the moment, but usually comes in after his shift. Would you like to wait?”