Magic Misled (Lizzie Grace #7) - Keri Arthur Page 0,89
possible.
But why these people? And if she was Leesa’s daughter, and therefore human, how did she become so genetically twisted?
Was she, perhaps, the result of a wolf-human union?
Karleen had certainly warned me about the dangers of it. Even Katie had said that the offspring of such a pairing didn’t usually survive all that long.
But what if our rogue had? And what if—for some as yet undefined reason—she was now going after all those who’d bullied and rejected her mother?
“Aiden and Monty should be here in ten minutes,” Jaz said.
I rolled my eyes. “Anyone would think Aiden was the only ranger in this reservation capable of handling murder investigations.”
“He is head ranger and an alpha. They like to be across the top of every single thing.” She shrugged. “He won’t ever change—remember that.”
I half smiled. “I get daily reminders of it. I’m just worried he’s going to burn out.”
“He won’t—unless, of course, these damn supernatural nasties never stop coming.” She eyed me for a second. “They will stop coming, won’t they?”
“Yes, but I couldn’t give you a timeline. It very much depends on how far the vibrations of an unprotected wellspring went.”
“Well, here’s hoping they only lapped at the shores of darkness rather than reached the interior.”
“Amen to that.” I placed the bag back into the locker. “Has any information been uncovered about Leesa Rhineheart?”
“Don’t know, as Maggie’s been assigned the task and I haven’t talked to her today.”
Maggie was the station’s receptionist and ranger in training. “You might want to mention that it’s possible we’re dealing with Leesa’s daughter.”
Jaz eyebrow’s rose. “What makes you think that?”
“My gut, mostly, but also Jenny’s comment that our rogue reminded her of Leesa.”
“Then I shall definitely mention it.”
We checked the rest of the small room, but there really wasn’t much else to find. Our rogue might have been staying here on at least a part-time basis, but she certainly wasn’t eating here. There was no takeout trash, no camp stove, and no utensils of any kind.
The thud of doors slamming indicated Aiden and Monty had arrived—a fact backed by the gentle stirring of awareness across my senses. While I didn’t believe in the whole soul mate thing, I did think there were some pairings that were so right it was possible to form a bond so instinctual that awareness of the other person was hyper increased.
Which in my situation—with this man—was both a good and bad thing. It gave me hope of future possibilities, if only because that stirring awareness seemed to go both ways. But it also meant that if Aiden did hold duty and expectation above emotion and heart, the pain of breaking up would be that much fiercer.
And perhaps not just for me.
The door down the other end of the plant room opened, and footsteps echoed. A few seconds later, the two men appeared.
Aiden’s gaze immediately met mine, and the smile that tugged his lips had my pulse skipping a beat or two. Sexy did not do it justice.
“Maybe the easiest way of tracking down this killer is to just stick by your side twenty-four seven.”
I crossed my arms in an effort to stop the almost instinctive need to wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him senseless. To enjoy his lips and his body while I still could. “I wouldn’t mind, but I’m not sure your team would be impressed with the increase in workload.”
“If it meant grabbing this bitch before she kills again, I’m all for it.” Jaz quickly updated him on everything we’d discovered. “I’ve asked for the hospitals and medical centers to be put on alert for anyone presenting with gunshot wounds, but I personally don’t think she’ll risk either.”
“It would depend on how bad her wounds are and whether she’s werewolf enough to fast heal.” Aiden stopped beside me, his big warm presence flowing across my senses as sweetly as any caress. “We’ll need to dust this area for prints on the off chance she’s in a database somewhere. Monty, once we’re done, will you be able to set up a snare of some kind, just in case she comes back here?”
“Yes, and if I make it complex enough, she might not be able to unpick it.”
I frowned at him. “What makes you think that when all the evidence points to the fact she’s magically proficient?”
He shrugged. “It’s a gut feeling, but it’s based on the fact that the most dangerous of her magic is an energy force rather than a spell.”