Again, he got the impression that he knew more about magic than she did. "Such as?" She bit her lip, her expression one of fierce concentration. It was the sort of look an unprepared student might have when asked a question by a teacher. "It would need to have limited access. And depending on the type of ritual he performs, it would need to be big enough to cater not only to the protection circle, but a ritual fire and perhaps a sacrifice table."
Michael nodded. "Then that cuts down our search area. There are five mines that are big enough to cater to those requirements. One of them is the Standard Mine, which we just left." "It won't be that one. He intends to use that the night of the new moon." He raised an eyebrow. "Couldn't he use the same area twice?"
"He could, but I doubt that he will. He has to follow a set pattern."
"Why?"
Her gaze slid from his. "Because he has a ceremony to perform on the night of the new moon, and the lead up to that ceremony does not include killing anyone else on the site."
"You sure?"
"Yes."
Despite the conviction in her voice, he very much suspected she wasn't sure. "There is one way we could easily find out."
She glanced at him, eyebrow raised. "How?"
"Vampire's can move with the speed of the wind. I could very easily check out the five mines for the presence of humans, and then come back here." And, in the process, he could check out Kinnard's disappearance while keeping her at a safe distance from trouble, should it arise. She stopped, crossing her arms as she looked up at him. "We both know you could have suggested that when we were standing in the middle of the Mill, so what's suddenly made you change your mind?"
"I merely wish to make your search easier."
"Crap. You've seen something, haven't you?"
The woman had to be a witch—either that, or she had some form of telepathy that somehow breached his shields, allowing her to read his thoughts. "If we continue as we are, we will not have time to search all the mines before your midnight deadline."
"Fine." Her voice was flat, angry. "Go."
He caught her hand and raised it to his lips, inhaling her intoxicating scent as he kissed her fingers. "I won't be long."