Magic moonlight and murd.., p.11
Magic, Moonlight, and Murder, page 11
She reached for a lamp on the nightstand, but it was bolted down. She growled out a few cuss words. Now what?
She yanked open the drawer and grinned. That would do. Grabbing the Gideon Bible, she rushed up behind Silas and—with a scream of rage—smashed it into the back of his head.
The killer fell forward, his hand slipping from Vane’s forehead. That was all Vane needed. He flipped over and heaved Silas across the room. The man tumbled but quickly regained his footing.
“You think it’s so easy?” Silas hissed, dark eyes filled with hate and lust—lust for the power and energy coursing through the dragon. “Come closer.”
“Fat chance.” Vane wiped a drop of blood from the corner of his mouth.
“Don’t let him touch you,” she warned.
Vane ignored her, which was annoying, but she got it. What could she do to help? It wasn’t like she could throw fireballs. Her powers didn’t work that way.
Silas flew at Vane. Something glinted in his hand.
“He’s got a knife!” Gathering every ounce of power she possessed, she forced her mind into Silas’s, clawing her way inside by sheer force of will. It worked for only a split second. The killer threw her out with an angry shriek, but it was enough to break his concentration.
Vane pounced. The two men hit the floor with a bone-jarring thud. The killer, now in physical proximity, began to drain Vane’s energy.
Her powers might not run to fireballs, but Vane’s did. Remembering the feel of his mind, she reached out to it, felt the brush of gold scales against her psyche. Dragon fire!
His mind whispered back, Might set the room on fire.
She tried again to get into Silas’s mind, but it was like smashing into a steel box. He’d shut it down tight. There was nothing she could do.
“You idiot!” she screeched. “He’s going to drain you.” Vane was weakening again. His face turned almost skeletal, as if the killer was sucking not only Vane’s energy but his musculature, as well.
Vane opened his mouth, which quickly became toothy jaws and a snout. Out shot a ball of flame that bathed the room in white-hot light.
Veri staggered back as heat washed over her, sapping the moisture from her body. It was like standing in front of the world’s biggest bonfire. She could have sworn it singed the hair off her arms. She dove behind the bed and squeezed her eyes shut against the blaze.
When the light faded, she opened her eyes. Vane sat on the floor, kneeling over a pile of ash. “Is that—?”“All that’s left of him? Yes.”
Edwina appeared in the doorway. She scanned the room, then nodded approvingly. “Guess you handled it.”
Vane shot her a dirty look. “Thanks for your help.”
“You’re the one who sent me to the other building. Hey, Veri, how you feeling?”
She crawled onto the bed. “I need a drink.”
Chapter 19
The downside of burning a murderer to ashes was that it made it difficult to question him. All they could do was piece together a few details. If Arden, the succubus, was to be believed—and Veri had never known her to lie—Silas Winfried had been born wrong. Forced to kill in order to survive, which sucked for everyone involved. After being his unwilling witness, she wondered if there had been another way. He’d embraced his murderous side a little too enthusiastically.
His choice of supernatural victims—particularly witches—was understandable. They gave him more energy, and it lasted longer than what he reaped from humans. Why she’d landed in his mind was anyone’s guess. If she had to speculate, it was probably due to her specific brand of witchblood. Showing up in his mind must have made her particularly interesting prey. The thought made her more than a little queasy.
Edwina finally got the results from the finger. It had been frozen for some time. It definitely wasn’t the blonde Veri had seen in her vision, Silas’s last victim. That poor witch’s body had been found in a dumpster next to the Beechman totally intact. The Witch Council had taken her body so the mundanes wouldn’t find it and a proper ceremony could be performed.
With the killer gone, things went back to normal, or as normal as they ever got. Witches stopped turning up dead. Veri returned to her shop. Vane went home to the Highlands of Scotland.
She had no idea what she’d expected. For him to stay? To admit his undying love?
She told herself she was an idiot. Vane wasn’t the sort to admit to anything, especially undying love.
She tried to put him out of her mind, but it was impossible. She knew what his mind felt like, and it was tempting to reach out.... She’d find herself standing in the middle of her shop, staring into nowhere, and forcing herself to stop.
“We need a witches’ night,” Emory said firmly about a week after Vane left. “You, me, Lene, and Mia, if she’s interested. Say yes. It’ll take your mind off that stupid dragon.”
“He’s not stupid.”
Emory shot her a look.
“Fine, he was pretty stupid,” she groused. “Let’s do it.”
Emory grinned. “Excellent.”
“YOU’RE AN IDIOT.”
Vane’s spine stiffened in outrage, but his expression remained impassive, as he’d been trained. “Excuse me, my lord?”
Drago, king of the dragons, stalked into Vane’s “office.” It was really more of a locker room. Plain stone walls, floors, and narrow slits for windows that let in almost no light. A complete lack of any furnishings other than a utilitarian desk and chair meant Vane had to stand for his king to sit, but Drago waved at him to remain seated.
Drago glanced around, hands on jean-clad hips, a scowl on his face. “You could use another chair in here. Somewhere for visitors to sit.”
“I don’t have visitors.” And he liked it that way.
“With that attitude, it’s no surprise.” Drago leaned against a wall and crossed his arms over his black leather jacket. He smelled like fresh grass and loch waters; he’d been out riding his Harley.
“Can I help you, sire?” Vane asked stiffly.
“You can explain why you’re moping about the castle like a lovesick dragonling.”
Vane ground his teeth. “I am not—”
Drago held up a hand. “Spare me the bull. I get enough of it from the Council. Tell me, are you planning to hide here until both of you die from broken hearts, or are you going after her?”
“I don’t know—”
“What I mean? Tell somebody who’ll fall for your nonsense. I read your report. You let a mistwalker touch your mind, and she’s still alive. What are you going to do about Veronique Leveau?”
A muscle flexed in Vane’s jaw. “Nothing.”
Drago rolled his eyes and pushed away from the wall. “Then you really are an idiot. Maybe I should fire you.”
“What do you expect me to do about her?”
Drago snorted. “If you can’t figure it out, you’re not only an idiot, but fecking stupid to boot.” He strode out, leaving Vane to his own thoughts, none of which were pleasant.
His first thought was wondering how many ways he could murder the king, preferably as painfully as possible.
His second thought was how he could convince Veri he was in love with her.
His third was how to get her to love him back.
BODIES HEAVED AROUND her, gyrating to the heavy rhythm pounding from the sound system. La Rhumba was in full swing, and the supernatural set had come to play. It was fairly close to the full moon, and the energy was frenetic.
Veri slipped away from her sisters. Emory meant well, but Veri wasn’t in the mood to celebrate anything. At the edge of the dance floor she stopped. Vane was there, watching her with an almost predatory gleam. His eyes slid to gold.
They stared at each other, then he held out a hand. We need to talk. He whispered it in her mind.
Did she dare go with him? Why did he want to talk to her?
Reluctantly, she placed her hand in his. He drew her across the club and out the front door. Clouds blocked the moon. The only light was from the streetlamps, which cast a cool glow on the sidewalk.
“What do you want, Vane?” Her voice was harsher than she meant it.
He cleared his throat. “I want you to mistwalk me.”
That startled her. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” His voice was a growl.
“Why?”
“Because it’s the only way you’ll believe me.”
She crossed her arms. “Believe you about what?”
He gave her a long, heated look that sent shivers through her. “Do it. Please.”
“Fine, but I’m not comfortable with this.”
“I understand.”
She’d broken rules trying to catch the killer, and while Vane was willing, it still felt... sticky.
Veri focused on the shimmering purple energy of the universe, pulling it down into herself. Then, as with Annabelle at the Beechman, she poured it into Vane’s third eye. Unlike with Annabelle, Veri did not have to force her will on Vane. She already had a feel for his mind.
She expected him to pull back again and struggle, but he surprised her by opening the metaphorical doors of his being. She walked in, surrounded by his essence, and waited for him to show her what it was he wanted her to see.
The core of his being was golden and soft, nothing like the blank white of Silas’s murderous waiting room. Something materialized slowly, glowing in pinks and golds like a living gem, a ball of energy so beautiful and bright, it was almost blinding.
“This is it,” she whispered, reaching out as if to touch it. It wrapped bands of glittering energy around her fingers that tickled and teased as if they knew her.
“Yes.” Vane stood beside her inside his mind, his eyes on Veri.
“This energy. These are your feelings for me.” The thought made her melt.
Vane nodded, eyes full, reflecting the pulsing, living energy that was his love for a witch.
The End
WANT MORE DEEPWOOD Witches? Dreams, Divination, and Danger, the fourth book in the Deepwood Witches Mysteries, is available at your favorite retailer now.
Mia Chance has a special kind of magic. One she could happily do without. Every night while she sleeps, she dreams of death. An evil witch is preying on the minds of innocents and Mia might be the only one who can stop her. If she doesn't get distracted by a certain handsome immortal sent by the Witch Council to solve the murders plaguing Deepwood.
She’s never met anyone like Tyr Oden. And while she doesn’t need his help solving the case, she doesn’t mind having him around. Until his past rears its ugly head, threatening not just her life, but that of everyone she knows.
Find out more here: https://www.sheamacleod.com/deepwood-witches-mysteries
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About Shéa MacLeod
Shéa MacLeod is the author of the Lady Rample Mysteries, the popular historical cozy mystery series set in 1930s London. She’s also written paranormal romance, paranormal mysteries, urban fantasy, and contemporary romances with a splash of humor. She resides in the leafy green hills outside Portland, Oregon, where she indulges her fondness for strong coffee, Ancient Aliens reruns, lemon curd, and dragons.
Because everything's better with dragons.
Other Cozy Mysteries by Shéa MacLeod
Deepwood Witches Mysteries
Potions, Poisons, and Peril
Wisteria, Witchery, and Woe
Moonlight, Magic, and Murder
Dreams, Divination, and Danger
Alchemy, Arsenic, and Alibis
Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries
The Corpse in the Cabana
The Stiff in the Study
The Poison in the Pudding
The Body in the Bathtub
The Venom in the Valentine
The Remains in the Rectory
The Death in the Drink
The Victim in the Vineyard
The Ghost in the Graveyard
The Larceny in the Luau
Lady Rample Mysteries
Lady Rample Steps Out
Lady Rample Spies a Clue
Lady Rample and the Silver Screen
Lady Rample Sits In
Lady Rample and the Ghost of Christmas Past
Lady Rample and Cupid’s Kiss
Lady Rample and the Mysterious Mr. Singh
Lady Rample and the Haunted Manor
Lady Rample and the Parisian Affair
Lady Rample and the Yuletide Caper
Sugar Martin Vintage Cozy Mysteries
A Death in Devon
A Grave Gala
A Christmas Caper
A Riviera Ricochet
Non-Cozy Mysteries by Shéa MacLeod
Intergalactic Investigations (SciFi Mysteries)
Infinite Justice
A Rage of Angels
Other Books by Shéa MacLeod
Notting Hill Diaries
The Art of Kissing Frogs
To Kiss a Prince
Kiss Me, Chloe
Kiss Me, Stupid
Kissing Mr. Darcy
Cupcake Goddess Novelettes
Be Careful What You Wish For
Nothing Tastes As Good
Soulfully Sweet
A Stich in Time
Sunwalker Saga
Kissed by Blood
Kissed by Darkness
Kissed by Fire
Kissed by Smoke
Kissed by Moonlight
Kissed by Ice
Kissed by Eternity
Kissed by Destiny
Sunwalker Saga: Soulshifter Trilogy
Fearless
Haunted
Soulshifter
Dragon Wars
Dragon Warrior
Dragon Lord
Dragon Goddess
Green Witch
Dragon Corps
Dragon’s Angel
Dragon Mage
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Also by Shéa MacLeod
Cupcake Goddess
Nothing Tastes As Good
Soulfully Sweet
A Stitch In Time (A Cupcake Goddess Novelette)
Deepwood Witches Mysteries
Poisons, Potions, and Peril
Wisteria, Witchery, and Woe
Magic, Moonlight, and Murder
Dreams, Divination, and Danger
Alchemy, Arsenic, and Alibis
Crystals, Cauldrons, and Crimes
Deepwood Witches Mysteries
Edwina Gale Paranormal Investigator
Day of the Were-Jackal
Intergalactic Investigations
Infinite Justice
A Rage of Angels
Lady Rample Mysteries
Lady Rample Steps Out
Lady Rample Spies A Clue
Lady Rample and the Silver Screen
Lady Rample Sits In
Lady Rample and the Ghost of Christmas Past
Lady Rample and Cupid's Kiss
Lady Rample and the Mysterious Mr. Singh
Lady Rample and the Haunted Manor
Lady Rample and the Parisian Affair
Lady Rample and the Yuletide Caper
Lady Rample and the Mystery at the Museum
Lady Rample and the Lady in the Lake
Lady Rample Box Set Collection One
Lady Rample Box Set Collection Two
Lady Rample Mysteries - German Edition
Lady Rample und der Mord im Jazzclub
Lady Rample und der Landhausspion
Lady Rample und der Geist der vergangenen Weihnacht
Season of the Witch
Lifestyles of the Witch and Ageless
In Charm's Way
Witchmas Spirits
Battle of the Hexes
If the Broom Fits
Sugar Martin Vintage Cozy Mystery
A Death in Devon
A Grave Gala
A Christmas Caper
A Riviera Rendezvous
Sunwalker Saga: Soulshifter Trilogy
Haunted
Soulshifter
Fearless
Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries
The Corpse in the Cabana
The Stiff in the Study
The Poison in the Pudding
The Body in the Bathtub
The Venom in the Valentine
The Remains in the Rectory
The Death in the Drink
The Victim in the Vineyard
The Ghost in the Graveyard
The Larceny in the Luau
A Viola Roberts Cozy Mystery Collection Box Set One-Three
A Viola Roberts Cozy Mystery Collection Books 4-6
A Viola Roberts Cozy Mystery Collection: Books Seven - Nine
