Page 92 of Twisted Ties

“Nothing,” I say with irritation. “He knew my aunt. Said he stayed with us one time. But he told me nothing morethan that. Just more riddles. I’m sick to death of it. Why can’t anyone give me a straight answer?”

“I don’t know,” Winnie says honestly. Then she nudges me with her elbow. “But Grandma knows everything about everyone. We should ask her about your mum and your aunt. She may know something.”

“I doubt it. I’ve already checked all the library records, remember?”

“My grandma is far more reliable than any encyclopedia. Trust me. Anything she doesn’t know, isn’t worth knowing.”

I’m 100% certain Winnie’s grandma won’t be able to help me. It’s also 100% clear how much Winnie wants to see her.

“Okay, let’s go see your grandma.”

“Yes!” she says, grinning, turning to look at me and jolting.

“What?”

“Maybe we ought to get rid of all this blood first.” She waves her hand through the air and it all disappears. Then she presses some more buttons. “Hold tight,” she yells and we’re off.

30

Renzo

I openmy eyes and stare up at a thick green canopy. A breeze jostles the leaves, and the earth is damp under my back.

I grip my stomach and laugh, kicking my heels against the soft ground as fits of hysteria roll through my body, tears trailing down my cheeks.

That is funny. Fucking comedy genius.

A displacement spell?

My little rabbit and her little friend are hilarious.

I love it.

I swing my arms through the air, rolling up to sit and take a deep inhale, the chuckles still buffeting my body.

So funny.

I swipe away the wetness from my cheeks andstare around.

Now, where the hell am I?

The forest. I recognize the trees and the smell of the place. I’m not far from my little rabbit’s home. One I’ve been watching closely. With the Enforcer locked by her side day and night, there was no chance of speaking to her in the city. But people are like fucking pigeons, they always return home eventually. It was only a matter of time.

I pick myself up off the floor and pat myself down. The knife sits heavy in my pocket, familiar. I’m used to it now. It’s like it’s always been there. Close to my side, the metal thrumming ever so quietly. So quietly I bet most people don’t hear it.

I listen more closely, feel through the air for magic. I can’t sense my little rabbit close by. Gone. Fled. That makes me sad and any remaining chuckles die in my throat.

If she was wearing my ring, I’d be able to track her. If she was mine – properly mine – I’d find her instantly.

Marcus will be even more pissed than he already is. He thinks I’m taking too long to catch my rabbit. He thinks it should be easy. But this little rabbit is a clever one, a funny one, a quick and nimble one, maybe even a powerful one.

I hook out the knife and flick up the blade, looking at the cool metal.

I conjure my little rabbit’s burrow in my mind’s eye, then I bend time and space with my magic, straining the cords of both until I can hear them groaning in my ears. I grit my teeth, pulling with all my might, my brow damp with the effort. I fall and when I land and open my eyes, I’m back where I was at the bottom of the stairs.

The first step is vacant though. No little rabbit perched waiting for me. In fact, the front door flaps open in the breeze and the space occupied by their car is empty.

Yeah, she really had gone.