Once Bitten (Shadow Guild: The Rebel #1)(52)

“Not impossible.”

“Is there something you aren’t telling me?”

She shrugged, her gaze enigmatic. “If this whole thing is impossible, then you don’t need to know, do you?”

She was right. It was impossible, so it didn’t matter. I didn’t have time for fairy tales. All the same, it felt like there was something she wasn’t telling me.





Carrow



I slept well that night, dreaming once again that Cordelia came to visit me. After the raccoon’s help at the morgue, I knew I wanted to find her again. Something to add to my to-do list when I finally cleared my name.

Near noon, Mac woke me with coffee and more Oreos.

“This is a thing with you, isn’t it?” I asked.

She chomped into a biscuit. “You’d better believe it is. Try dipping it in your coffee for a little something extra.”

“I’ll consider it.”

After we’d finished eating, she leaned close. “I want to show you something.”

“Yeah?” I raised an eyebrow.

She stood. “Come on.”

I followed her to the door. She led me to the stairs outside her flat and turned right, heading up to the next floor. The door was unlocked, and she pushed it open, revealing a small, empty flat. It was charming, though, with wooden floors and white walls and a heavily beamed ceiling.

I looked at her. “Why are we here?”

“I thought you might want to give it a look. In case you wanted to move in.”

She was the second person in less than a day to encourage me to leave the human world, and something about this place pulled at me so hard I could feel it.

“I’m going to leave you to it,” Mac said. “Do a bit of thinking.”

“I probably can’t afford the rent.”

“With skills like yours, you can.”

“I don’t know how to turn those skills into rent money.”

She nudged my shoulder with hers. “We’ll figure that out.”

Before I could respond, she’d disappeared down the stairs, back to her flat. I turned, inspecting the space more closely. It was a million miles better than my place back in London. And right now, I was glad I didn’t know how much it cost.

Maybe I could have an amazing new life in this magical world. With friends and fun and excitement, instead of merely surviving with my mini boxed wine and raccoon bestie.

My mobile buzzed, and dread uncoiled within me. I had so few friends in the real world—none, to be precise—that it had to be Corrigan.

The text message that popped up on the screen made my heart pitch.



There has been another murder and an abduction. One body left, one person taken. One witness who may be able to exonerate you. Turn yourself in now.



My heart began to race.

Shit, shit, shit.

Who may be able to exonerate me? That meant the witness hadn’t gotten a good look. They might or might not be able to clear my name. I wanted my name cleared. More importantly, I wanted to find Beatrix’s killer. Even more importantly, someone had been abducted.

Someone could still be alive.

I had to find them.

Now.

I spun toward the door, determined to find the Devil and get a move on.

He stood in the doorway, looking cold and perfect as ever, but there were shadows under his eyes that made him look almost human.

Had he had a bad night?

I shook the thought away. It didn’t matter. “Thank God you’re here.”

His brows rose. “I can’t say I mind the enthusiasm.”

“That’s not it. The police have evidence that the killer has struck again. And someone has been abducted.”

“Then you’ll be glad to know that Remington’s potion has found a location.”

Relief surged through me. “Let’s go. We need to be in time.”

The Devil nodded and turned to leave. I followed him, giving the flat a last longing look as I headed down the stairs. I peeked into Mac’s flat, but she wasn’t there. I’d tell her everything when I got back.

When we reached the street, we nearly ran into Quinn. He was dressed for a jog, looking handsome and disheveled. His cheeks glowed with healthy color, and every bit of him looked a world away from the Devil’s cold, hard strength.

“Are you all right, Carrow?” Quinn’s eyes sharpened on the man next to me. Suddenly, I could see the panther in his soul.

Any other man might have quailed under the Devil’s frigid glare. My companion stepped closer to me, raising one eyebrow. “We need to be on our way.”

“I’m fine, Quinn.” I touched his arm to reassure him and immediately felt the weight of the Devil’s stare on my hand.

He didn’t want me to touch Quinn. He didn’t like it.

I glanced quickly at the Devil, certain that I spotted jealousy in his eyes.

No way. That wasn’t possible.

I turned back to Quinn. “I’ll see you later. We need to run.”

“I’ll be at the bar. Check in when you get back, so I know you’re safe.”

“She’ll be fine.” The Devil’s voice was as icy as his demeanor.

“I’d like to see for myself.”