Magic Misled (Lizzie Grace #7) - Keri Arthur Page 0,92

and glanced at the screen. “It’s Kash.”

“Why would he be ringing you?” Especially given our last encounter with the man.

“I don’t know.”

“Put it on loudspeaker.”

She hit the answer button and then walked back to the table. “What do you want, Kash?”

“Roland,” he said, voice hoarse and filled with agony. “Please, help. He’s trying to—”

The rest of his sentence was cut off by two sharp retorts.

Gunshots.

Chapter Fourteen

“Oh fuck,” Belle said. “Kash? Are you there? Are you all right?”

There was no response, and the call cut out a second later.

I scrambled upright. “This is very possibly a trap, but on the off chance it’s not, we’d better get over there. I’ll grab the backpack; you call the rangers.”

I ran to the reading room for the pack, then came back out to get the SUV’s keys from under the serving counter.

Ava came racing back down the stairs, two coats in her hand. I frowned. “I don’t think—”

She raised a finger in warning. “Don’t complete that sentence, because I’m coming with you whether you want it or not. You have no idea what you’re about to face, and an additional telepath might well come in handy.”

I hesitated, tempted to argue, but I knew that tone well enough from childhood to know there was little point.

“Tala’s on her way,” Belle said. “Let’s go.”

We ran out the rear door, Belle ensuring it was locked before jumping into the passenger seat. I threw the SUV into reverse and accelerated out of our spot; stones flew from under the tires, smacking loudly into the rubbish bins on the other side of the parking area. I threw the car back into drive and sped out, hitting the horn as I neared the street to warn any pedestrians thinking of crossing the parking area’s exit.

It didn’t take us long to get to Kash’s. Tala was just getting out of her SUV as we pulled up.

“What type of threat are we dealing with?” she said, her gaze on the cottage rather than me. “Human or supernatural?”

“Human, we suspect,” I replied. “You heard about the break-ins at our storage unit?”

She nodded. “This connected?”

“Yes, as is the guy who fell off my balcony.” I paused. “Did you ever interview him?”

“Yeah, but he didn’t say much. Claimed he didn’t know who hired him. He was lying, of course.” She shrugged. “He’s been charged and is out on bail.”

“And has hopefully learnt his lesson.”

“He’s a career crim. He won’t.” Her gaze flicked to Belle. “How many minds are inside?”

“Just the one—Kash.”

“Meaning his attacker has probably scarpered. I’ll head around the back. You two go in the front.” She paused, eyeing Ava warily. “You as strong telepathically as Belle?”

“Yes.”

“Then you’d better come with me, just in case the attacker’s hiding out the back and needs to be neutralized.”

The two of them headed down the somewhat overgrown path that led around to the back of the cottage. I went through the front gate and stepped up onto the veranda. The door was locked; a quick spell soon fixed that. It swung back gently, but I didn’t immediately enter; just because Kash had mentioned Roland, didn’t actually mean that was who or what we were dealing with. And it certainly didn’t mean there was no other sort of trap waiting. Not in this reservation.

Like most of the old cottages in Castle Rock, this one consisted of a long hall that ran down the center of the building. Several doorways led off it, and there was a combined kitchen-dining area at the rear. There was no sound or sign of life, but there was no hint of death either, which suggested we might have arrived in time. The air did hold the metallic scent of blood, and it was coming from the second door on our right.

I glanced at Belle. Anything?

She nodded. He’s alive, but in a whole world of pain.

In the bathroom?

Yes. There’s no one else here, though. If Roland did this, he’s long gone.

We nevertheless moved forward cautiously, checking the other rooms before stopping either side of the bathroom door. I tugged the sleeve of my jacket over my fingers and carefully tested the handle. It wasn’t locked.

After a deep breath that did little to calm the tension, I carefully pressed the door open. Kash lay on the floor, his back against the vanity unit. His face was pale and sweaty, his breathing fast and shallow. Blood seeped through the fingers that were pressed against his shoulder, and more blood pooled under a second wound on his