Page 15

Bait and Witch

I n his office, Roam methodically examined the broken ropes from the fallen cross, his panther-like eyes detecting details invisible to others.

His nostrils flared occasionally, capturing scents that witches couldn't perceive.

The rope fibers held traces of an unfamiliar smell---something chemical beneath the natural hemp, something that didn't belong.

"What do you think?" Honey asked, standing nearby as he worked. They had moved the cross fragments to a secure area behind the town hall, away from curious onlookers.

"Definitely sabotage," Roam confirmed, his slight southern accent more pronounced with concentration. "The rope was tainted with something that burnt it almost all the way through, add a little wind, maybe something else, and disaster."

He lifted a section to his nose, then quickly pulled back, his enhanced Shifter senses rebelling against the acrid scent. "Some kind of anti-magical compound too. That's why Evangelina's shield failed."

"Who in Cauldron Falls would have access to something like that?" Honey wondered.

Roam's expression darkened. "That's the concerning part. This isn't something you'd find at the local apothecary. It would have to be specially ordered or created."

He stood, brushing wood dust from his hands. His movements were purposeful but carried an underlying tension---the professional investigator battling with a personal concern for the town he protected and the people he cared about.

"We should check with Miles," he suggested. "He might recognize the compound. And we need to talk to Leahnora about increased security. If there's a traitor working with the vampires."

"I can't believe anyone from Cauldron Falls would do this," Honey said, though her voice lacked conviction. Her pink aura flickered with distress. "To kill Evangelina... to betray their own community..."

"Desperation makes people capable of terrible things," Roam replied grimly. "And vampires are skilled manipulators. They find weaknesses, exploit insecurities."

Outside, a hawk named Louie who delivered official announcements---swooped down to perch on a nearby post.

"Attention citizens!" Louie declared in his deep, resonant voice. "Emergency town meeting called by Mayor Loveridge! Town hall, thirty minutes! Attendance mandatory! Information regarding vampire threat and security measures to be discussed!"

The hawk repeated the message once more before flying off to another part of town. Already, people were beginning to move toward the town hall, their faces reflecting a mixture of fear, determination, and, in some cases, lingering skepticism.

"Leahnora must have made a decision," Honey noted.

"Let's hope it's the right one," Roam replied, gathering the rope evidence into a secure container. "With Evangelina gone, we've lost our best expert on vampires."

As they headed toward the town hall, neither noticed a small, folded note that had been slipped under the door of Roam's office. Written in elegant script was a simple message: "The hunter arrives at dawn. Prepare for his protection."

The note was signed with a small symbol---a crescent moon intersecting with a pentagram, Leahnora's personal seal.