Page 17

Chapter

Seventeen

brIDGETTE

T he sight wasn’t much easier the second time I looked at the photo of Emily Brooks lying there. I couldn’t imagine it ever being easy. But I know if I wanted to help find her justice and to stop anyone else from being murdered by the killer, I needed to find my inner strength.

I forced my eyes to ignore the blood and focused on the rest of the room, seeing what I hadn’t seen the first time when I had been so caught off guard. I took in the melted candles and the stones. I noticed the drawing that she was lying on and remembered the questions that Logan had asked me on our first night having dinner together. His questions made more sense, and I understood why he was asking them.

“This was definitely a ritual. I can’t make out the individual symbols in this photo.” I picked up the glossy page and noticed the one underneath it. The following picture was of the same scene, just from another angle. I moved that one aside to see more photos stacked.

One by one, I laid the pictures out in front of me on the table. I pointed to one that was a close up of the drawings. “This is a symbol that has to do with power.” I bit my lip. “I need my grandmother’s books. She probably has something in them that has to do with ritualistic symbols.”

Mac leaned forward, his pen in hand. “So you’re saying these drawings mean something?”

I nodded. “Yes. When a ritual is performed, there is a reason. A specific reason. If I wanted my garden to grow better, I would focus all my energy on that, and only that.” I pointed to the stones placed near the hands and feet. “Different stones have different properties. They help focus your energy.” I pointed to the candles. “Candles are ceremonial. You light certain colors for specific reasons as well.”

I sat back as I took in the pictures laid out in front of me. “The person who did this was focusing on power. They used the candles to pray to a deity or creature for help.”

“I’m sorry, did you say creature?” Logan asked from beside me. “Like a demon?”

I shook my head. “Demons aren’t like you think. They are simply another race from another plane of existence. Another realm. You don’t pray to demons, and you can’t summon one to do things for you. The movies have that all wrong. No, not a demon. But there are creatures that are similar to gods, but without the power of a god, whom you can call on. It’s hard to explain.”

“Alright. So, who was this person praying to or calling on?” Mac asked as he scratched at his chin.

“I have no idea. If I had my grandmother’s books, I could maybe find out what some of these symbols mean.” I looked up at Logan. “Is that allowed?”

He shrugged. “I don’t see why not.” He looked back at the first photo with the body being displayed in the center of a pentagram and pointed to it. “I checked at the time and noted that each point of her body was facing a specific direction. Her head was facing north, her feet south, her hands east and west.”

I nodded as I took in his words. “That doesn’t surprise me. The person performing the ritual would want to be precise.” I forced myself to look at the blood. “Is that a stab wound?” I asked while swallowing back the bile that threatened. I reached over and picked up the water bottle again for another sip of the cool water.

Logan eyed me, but at the slight shake of my head he sighed then looked back at the picture. “The coroner reported a slim, sharp, double sided blade was used. A single thrust that bypassed the ribs perfectly. Mrs. Brooks died instantly.”

“Well,” I blew out a breath. “That’s something at least. From what you describe, it sounds like an athame was used. Which, of course, makes perfect sense.”

“Why does it make sense, and what is an athame?” Mac asked.

“An athame is in nearly every witch’s… kit. Rituals, ceremonies, they all require the use of an athame, even if you just use it to call on the four corners.” I pointed at the woman’s head, feet, and hands in turn. “A witch gets her energy from nature. The Earth is one giant ball of nature and therefore energy. The moon is directly related to the Earth and without it’s gravitational pull, the energy wouldn’t be the same. That’s why the rituals that need the strongest amount of energy to perform correctly are done at night when the moon is out.” I looked between the men. “I’m assuming the murder was done at night. Probably around midnight?” They both nodded in the affirmative.

I sat back and took another drink. I took in every picture again, trying to see if anything stood out that would help.

“I can’t tell you who did it, and I can’t tell you who they called on without knowing what the symbols mean. What I can tell you based on this one,” I pointed to the symbol for power, “is that their goal was to steal her magic. She was a sacrifice for power.” I looked at the men again. “I don’t have to tell you that this kind of sacrifice is forbidden. ‘Harm none’ does not mean murder one of your own.”

“Are you saying,” Logan asked as he took my hand and laced our fingers together. “That the person who did this murdered one of the strongest witches in town to steal her magical power? And they’ve already done it again?”

I slowly nodded my head as icy cold dread ran down my spine. “Yes.”

“They are getting stronger?”

“If their ritual worked,” I whispered.

“I have to ask,” Mac began, making Logan and me turn in his direction. “How powerful would someone have to be to perform something like this in the first place?”

I looked back down at the pictures and remembered Logan’s questions from the other night, asking me if someone could bind someone from moving, or move them without touching. I’d told him then it would take someone strong in magic. There were no scuff marks in the chalk, indicating that the body had been slid across the floor. There didn’t appear to be any indication of struggle since she wasn’t bound in place with ropes.

“Pretty powerful,” I murmured.

I reached over and flipped the other folder open to see similar pictures, only the victim was of someone I had known a little better than Mrs. Brooks. “Oh, Hillary,” I sobbed. I wiped at my eyes furiously and glared up at Logan. “She was on the list I gave you.”

“She was. We spoke to both her and Simone Donaldson last week. She was a lovely woman.”

“She was sweet and kind. She didn’t have any children, but she treated all the young witches like a big sister.” I closed my eyes. “She probably knew it was going to happen. Did she say anything to you when you talked to her?” I opened my eyes and turned back to Logan expectantly.

He stared at me intently, an emotion I couldn’t read hiding there in his eyes. “She told me that all the best things in life are worth the effort.”

I nodded and looked down at my hands. “Mrs. Donaldson is going to need protection. Oh my Goddess, Grandmother!” I squeezed my eyes closed and reopened them to see Logan staring at me knowingly. “I’ve never been so thankful that she is gone right now!”

“I’m not letting you out of my sight,” he warned, and I didn’t know why I was surprised that he had already jumped into protective mode so quickly.

“I’m stronger than them, Logan. This monster won’t be able to take me so easily.”

“I don’t care.”

“I’ll be ready. I am prepared and know what to do.”

“I don’t care!” His fist slammed down onto the table, and I stared down at it unblinking. “If this person is stealing magic, they could very well be stronger than you by now,” he fumed. “Would you be able to keep them from binding you? Can you stop them from stabbing you through the heart if they are stronger?”

I stared at him with my chin raised. “I’m stronger.”

“How can you say that?” he yelled “This person was already strong enough to hold two magically gifted women and steal their power without a single struggle. How can you say you’re stronger?”

I leaned in until we were practically nose to nose. “I. Am. Stronger.”

I sat back and didn’t say out loud what was running through my head while knowing that my mate was scared for my life. If he knew, he wouldn’t be able to sleep at night.

I wanted the killer to come after me.

Mac stood up and gathered the pictures together, sliding them back into the folder. Then he closed both case files. “You have been a lot of help, Bridgette.”

I stood up as well while Logan sat in his seat, clenching and unclenching his fists. “I wish I could do more,” I admitted. “It doesn’t help when we don’t have a name.”

“No, but we are several steps closer. Knowing a motive always helps.”

I shook his offered hand and heard Logan finally stand up behind me. “I’m glad. But I will keep doing research on my end. I’m not sure if finding out what those symbols are will make any difference, but I won’t stop looking.”

I turned to leave but paused at the door. “Tell your wife I would love to meet her and have dinner. She’s welcome in my shop any time.”

I walked out of the door and past the desks that seemed to have more men and women working at them than there had been when I’d first arrived. I smiled at the ones who made eye contact and noticed that a couple of the men looked behind me and lost their smiles completely, sitting down and pretending to be engrossed in their work.

When I made it to the elevator, Logan’s hand reached out and pushed the call button. “I’ll walk you down.”

I settled my back against his hard chest and sighed at the warmth that seeped through our clothes. I hadn’t realized how chilled I had become while looking at those pictures. Neither one of us spoke as we entered the elevator. Logan pushed the button for the ground floor, and we both settled into the back of the lift. After a couple of stops where some people both uniformed and plain clothed exited or entered, the doors opened in the lobby.

We walked past the guard at the front and stopped outside, inhaling the fresh air. Logan threaded our fingers together as he walked with me toward the parking lot.

“Where are you parked?”

I pointed at the bright red Mustang that had been a graduation gift from my mother. “I’m right there.”

Logan grinned as he took in the car, then looked at me. “I have to say, that’s not what I expected you to drive, little witch.”

I shrugged and grinned back. “What can I say? I’m a sucker for muscles.”

I watched as his grin faded and seriousness took its place. He backed me against my car, placing both hands on either side of me, effectively caging me in. “I shouldn’t have yelled at you.”

I cupped his jaw and lifted on my toes so I could kiss the underside of his jaw. “You shouldn’t have. But I understand. If I were in your shoes, I would be upset too.”

He closed his eyes and then rested his forehead against mine. “I want this to work between us, Bridgette. I want many years with you. I want to grow old with you and watch our grandchildren playing in our yard.”

I swallowed back the lump that formed in my throat at his words. “I want that too, Logan.” I waited until he opened his eyes again and smiled softly. “Please have faith in me, okay? I understand that you’re scared. I’m scared, too. But I know that I’ll be okay.”

“I want to believe you, little witch. But this person has already killed two people. I believe that they are working their way up to you. When they have stolen enough magic from the others, you will be their main target.”

I nodded because he was right. I was sure that was precisely what was happening, and my heart broke for those who had already lost their lives in the name of greed. I wasn’t sure how many would die before the killer was ready to come after me, but I was certain there would be at least one more. “I believe you’re right. I will be careful, I promise. But promise me that you will keep watch on Mrs. Donaldson?”

“We will. She already has a plainclothes officer stationed outside her house. We will do everything within our power to protect her.”

I blew out a relieved breath. “Good. Should I expect you tonight?”

“I’ll be by your side every night. Make some space in your room for some of my things, little witch. I’m moving in.”

I blinked once, then blinked again. “Moving in?”

He looked at me as if I were dense. “Do you honestly think that I will protect one woman and not the most important one to me?”

My heart fluttered at his words, and I cleared my throat. “I’ll, uh, I’ll clear out a drawer for you.”

He grinned, then kissed the tip of my nose. “Good. I’ll see you tonight. I’ll bring dinner. Tacos sound good to you?”

“Tacos always sound good.”

He gripped my chin and gave me a swift but thorough kiss before backing away. “Stay safe, little witch.”

I waved, then slid inside the car. The man did things to my insides that should have been illegal. I didn’t know how my heart was going to survive a lifetime with the man without exploding from happiness. I only hoped it wasn’t too good to be true.