Wicked Wings (Lizzie Grace #5) - Keri Arthur Page 0,60

something.”

“Just tell him it’s urgent,” Ashworth said. “Deans are not well-known for their speed in answering questions.”

Monty raised his eyebrows. “Speaking from experience?”

“Yes, and it’s not one I want to repeat.” His gaze came to mine. “Did Vita make any suggestions as to how to find their daytime hideouts?”

“We’re in a werewolf reservation,” Monty said. “Surely Aiden can motivate the packs to do a thorough check of their compounds.”

“I doubt the Empusae would be dumb enough to roost anywhere near the wolves,” Ashworth said. “They’d surely know their scent would draw inquisitive noses.”

“At least one of them was using that tree cave we found,” I said. “So we’ll need to set a trap around that.”

Monty frowned. “If they’re capable of minor magic, they might sense any spell we place and simply avoid the area.”

Ashworth nodded. “Which is why we’d also run a concealment spell through it. If they are capable of only minor magics, they shouldn’t sense it.”

“Worth a shot,” Monty agreed. “And the sooner we do it, the better.”

I pushed to my feet. “Then let’s go now, because I’ve a date with Aiden tonight.”

“I’m rather surprised he’s not here,” Ashworth said. “Is everything okay?”

I gave him a somewhat wry look. “Yes, and don’t start getting all grandfatherly on me.”

A smile twitched his lips. “The local grump will never get all grandfatherly. He just doesn’t want to see two of his favorite people falling out.”

“Aiden will be shocked to hear you place him in such a category.”

“Why? As werewolves go, he’s pretty sensible, and there certainly isn’t enough sensible around these parts at the moment.”

“Gee, I wonder where that barb was aimed?” Monty said.

Ashworth’s eyes twinkled, though his expression remained stern. “Shall I drive, or would you rather, Liz?”

I hesitated. Aiden still hadn’t returned my call, so who knew what was actually happening tonight. “You can drive. Aiden can always swing past and pick me up if we get delayed.”

“We’ll have to detour past my place first,” Monty said. “I haven’t got my kit with me.”

Ashworth made a disparaging noise. “That’s slack, young man. Very slack indeed.”

“Well, if someone hadn’t been sitting on the horn in an attempt to hurry me up, maybe I would have remembered.”

As they headed for the door, I ran upstairs to grab some clothes in case Aiden did swing by to pick me up, then raced down to the reading room to grab the backpack. Once I’d collected my keys and purse from under the counter, I said, Belle, will you be all right alone for the next few hours?

Other than a slight headache, I’m perfectly fine. I’ll make another potion and then do some research, just in case Monty or Ashworth don’t come up with anything.

Just make sure you eat something solid. We’re going to need you at full strength.

It feels weird for you to be saying that to me; it’s usually the reverse.

It is, and I personally hope it doesn’t happen too often. I don’t think I could stand the stress.

Welcome to my world. Her mental tone was dry. Are you staying at Aiden’s tonight?

I presume so.

See you tomorrow then.

I locked the front door and then ran down to Ashworth’s borrowed SUV. Once we reached Monty’s, I ran inside to grab his kit. This apparently didn’t please Eamon, who greeted me with a hiss and a flash of his dangerous claws. This time, though, he missed—deliberately, I suspected, if the glint in his eyes was anything to go by.

It didn’t take us long to drive to the location of the tree cave, but getting through the forest with any speed with Monty on crutches wasn’t easy. At least this time he avoided falling over.

When we did finally reach the clearing, Ashworth said, “Interesting spell.”

I glanced at him sharply. “Why? It’s a simple trigger spell.”

“There’s nothing simple about that. Not when the wild magic is present and concealing it.”

I frowned. “How can wild magic conceal a spell? It can’t act without direction…”

My voice faded. Except that some of it had, ever since Katie’s soul had become a part of it.

“I suspect it’s not deliberate concealment.” Monty stopped beside me, the scent of his sweat stinging the air and his breathing a little ragged. “But rather the force of it overshadowing your spell and muting its power.”

“Either way, its presence could be very useful,” Ashworth said. “We’ll use your simpler spell to hide our trap one.”

I frowned. “Your trap has to be pretty powerful to contain the Empusae, and I’m not entirely sure the wild