Magic Misled (Lizzie Grace #7) - Keri Arthur Page 0,75
incredibly slowly. She grimaced. Of course, time always seems to slow when disaster strikes.
And sometimes, the impression of time slowing was in fact a reality, courtesy of magic.
Was there anything else?
Other than the madness in her eyes? No.
What color were her eyes?
Gray. Which means it couldn’t have been Leesa. If I remember right, her eyes were mismatched—one brown, one blue.
You can remember that tiny detail?
Jenny smiled sadly. The smallest details are often the only things that you do remember. In Leesa’s case, it was her mismatched eyes and diminutive stature that caused the bullying. There wasn’t much I could do, as it never happened within my sight and Leesa refused to report it.
I appreciate the help, Jenny. Are you ready to move on?
Yes. Looking forward to it, in fact. Anything would be better than lingering in this place.
Then I bid you health, happiness, and good fortune in your next life, Jenny. And with that, Belle began the spell that would guide her soul onwards.
As Jenny’s presence shimmered and began to fade, Belle took another of those deep, somewhat shuddering breaths. It wasn’t over yet. She still had five other souls to move on.
In the end, she only managed three more before the pull on her strength and mine became too dangerous. She broke our connection and pushed back unsteadily, her breath a harsh rasp and her body shaking.
“I’ll have to do the remaining two tomorrow, after I’ve had some rest. They were … problematic.”
“How?” Jaz asked curiously. “I mean, do they actually want to stay in this place?”
“They refuse to accept their deaths.” Belle scrubbed a shaky hand through her damp hair. “If that continues tomorrow, then their souls will be doomed to remain in this place forever.”
“Even in death, some people aren’t big believers in sensible thinking.” Monty dismantled his protection circle and began collecting his spell stones.
“So that’s how haunted houses happen?” Jaz said. “People refusing to accept their death?”
“That, or believing they have unfinished business to attend to.”
I pushed a little unsteadily to my feet, then offered Belle a hand. She accepted it gratefully but didn’t immediately release me. She really had pushed herself to the limit.
And taken you to the edge with me. It was little more than a hoarse whisper. Even something as simple as telepathy was an effort. I don’t think you should be going out there hunting—
It’s not like we really have another choice, given I have no idea how long the pulse will last. I half shrugged. In truth, I would have liked nothing more than to curl up in my bed and let sleep take me, but that wasn’t really an option. Not if we wanted any chance of catching this thing quickly. Besides, it sounds like she used magic to freeze—or at least slow—her victims. Confronting her in a weakened state might be our best option.
Not when you’re also weakened.
I might be, but Monty will be with me, and he’s not. And I can always call on the wild magic.
Because that never takes a toll on your strength. Her mental tone was wry. She waved a hand in frustration. Just be careful, okay?
A smile tugged at my lips as I answered with my usual, Always.
She rolled her eyes and glanced over to Jaz. “I don’t suppose someone will be able to give me a lift home? These two are heading out after the rogue.”
Awareness surged across my senses, and a faint but familiar scent teased my nostrils. I mentally steeled myself against the annoyance that was no doubt about to be deployed. Damn it, why couldn’t the man have stayed at his party?
Jaz frowned. “That won’t be a problem, but I’m not sure Aiden would approve—”
“You can ask him yourself,” I cut in. “Because he’s about three steps away from the door.”
She raised her eyebrow. “I know that, but how the hell do you?”
“Magic.” Which wasn’t actually the truth, but it was an answer I knew she’d accept without question.
He stepped into the room, his body practically vibrating with annoyance and tension. His gaze unerringly came to mine, and I raised both hands. “The call came in while we were checking the rogue hadn’t attempted to break into Monty’s after doing so at the café. We wouldn’t have left without informing you if the call had come in at the party.”
Which was a partial lie, and we both knew it.
All he did was raise an eyebrow and glance at Belle. “I take it you’ve contacted the souls of the dead?”