Magic Misled (Lizzie Grace #7) - Keri Arthur Page 0,45
your wolf hear you say that.”
“My wolf needs a reminder every now and again that there are other fish in the sea.”
“Not sure whether to be pleased or offended about being compared to a mere fish. I’m far tastier than that.” A sexy glimmer sparked in his eyes but just as quickly died. “Take care hunting this thing. It feels nasty.”
“That’s a very common theme when it comes to the things this place attracts.”
“Yes, but you’re not dealing with what I’d term a ‘regular’ type of supernatural being this time. It’s something very different.” He smiled. “And on that cheery note, I’ll bid you goodbye.”
I nodded and moved on to my SUV, starting her up and following him down the drive. I was halfway home when a vague vibration began along the psychic lines. It took a couple of seconds to realize what it was—the new perimeter alarms I’d set around the storage unit.
Someone was trying to break in again.
I swore and did a sharp U-turn, the SUV’s tires squealing in protest. Belle, you awake?
It’s ten in the evening. Her mental tones were dry. Since when have I ever gone to bed that early? What’s up?
Someone’s trying to break into our storage unit.
What? How do you know?
I set a new perimeter alarm after the first attempt—
There was a first attempt?
Yeah, sorry, forgot to mention it with everything else going on. Can you get over there and see what’s happening? But be careful, because I have no idea who or what it is.
Why the fuck would anyone want to break into our storage unit? It’s not like we keep much there other than books.
The would-be thieves wouldn’t know that, though, and we do have one of the larger units.
She grunted. It was not a happy sound. Mom and I will head over there now—
I’m not sure it’s wise to involve—
I’d like to see you try and keep her out of it, Belle said dryly. Besides, she’ll be handy to have around in the event there’re more than a couple of them. She can mop up those that escape me.
Just be careful, both of you.
As someone is wont to say, always.
I half smiled. I’ll be there in twenty.
You’re not home yet?
I was just on my way. See you soon.
I broke off the connection and concentrated on the road and getting back to Castle Rock as fast as I could. By the time I reached the self-storage premises, the lights were ablaze and there were several cars out the front of our unit—my Suzi, Harry’s red four-wheel drive, and a ranger vehicle. I parked behind the latter and climbed out.
The first thing I noticed was the condition of the roller door. They hadn’t bothered cutting the lock this time—they’d simply driven straight into it, punching the middle section of the door into the unit and ripping the sides away from the frame. Only the top section remained in place.
Anything taken, Belle?
The spells held, so no. She was standing to the left of the smashed roller door. Ava was nowhere to be seen, but the slight caress of movement across the protection threads suggested she was inside the unit.
How long has Mac been here?
He and Harry only arrived a few minutes ago.
“I can’t understand it,” Harry was saying as I approached. “I added extra sensor alarms—I should have been notified the minute there was any unauthorized activity.”
“Did you check the other renters to see if anyone had lost a card?” I asked.
He turned around, his expression a mix of frustration and annoyance. “Yes, and no one had.”
“Or they simply weren’t willing to admit it,” Belle said.
“Can you access the reader’s data and see who entered in the last couple of hours?” Mac asked.
“Of course, but it didn’t help last time.”
“It happened before?” Mac’s tone was sharp. “Why wasn’t it reported?”
“Because I thought it was just kids up to idle mischief. Besides, nothing was taken.” Harry grimaced. “It affects the insurance costs if we have too many incidents.”
“Not to mention your reputation,” Belle muttered.
Harry glanced at her, but didn’t say anything, suggesting her comment was spot-on. Not that that was unexpected given she was no doubt skimming his mind.
“How did they get in the first time, then?” Mac asked.
“Via an unassigned card.”
My eyebrows rose. “Unassigned cards are active?”
“Normally, no.”
“Were any taken from your office?” Mac asked.
“No. I did check.”
Mac’s expression suggested he didn’t entirely believe that. “Then how—”