Page 111 of Real Fake Hauntings

“Thank you,” I said politely before pocketing the locket and standing up.

Ian tossed his keys to Hutton. “Go get Brooks. I told her to come by the private gate.”

“I’m not one of your strays,” Hutton snapped. Then he stalked off in the direction of the gate.

I hid my grin as I looked at Ian. He was so marvelous standing there, with his big bare feet disappearing amid the grass and his wide chest and the smattering of dark hair running down to his navel and beyond.

“Are you cold?” I asked with sudden worry. I began taking off the jacket. “Here, have this back.”

Ian stopped me. “I’ll be all right.”

“Are you sure?”

He slid a hand around my nape. “I’m sure.” Then he kissed me again.

Immediately, the heat and inferno returned, and I melted into his arms. I was thirsty for fire, and the more he gave, the less satisfied I became. Ian and I, we were meant for more than this. So much more. I wanted all of it, and I wanted it now. To revel in this molten lava coursing through my veins all night long and possibly parts of the next day.

“Hope,” Hannah croaked, slicing through my heated thoughts like a chilled knife. “Help me escape and I’ll tell you all of Bagley’s secrets.”

“Darla,” Bagley snapped from my skirt. “I can still hear you.”

Yes, probably not the best time to make out.

Feeling sorry for myself, I stepped back from Ian’s arms and gave him a sad smile.

His was slow and wicked. “Later.”

I flushed. “Later.” I wriggled my eyebrows. “But not too later.”

“Aww, look at you two lovebirds,” Bagley said. “Are you going to pull a Mary Shelley? I would’ve expected it from Cavalier here, but never from you, Avery. Good job.”

Well, this was embarrassing. “I think I better go put Bagley somewhere safe.”

“But we were getting to the good part!” Bagley complained.

Ian caressed my cheek one last time, his wicked smile still playing with his mouth. This was the longest I’d seen one there. At this rate, it might last all night.

“You better go.” He dropped his hand and scowled at Hannah. “We’ll keep your involvement a secret.”

His decision made me sag in relief. I hadn’t been looking forward to facing Brooks. “What about the pentagrams? What do I tell Sonia?”

“Tell her I caught Hannah hiding Crane’s body. She confessed about everything, and I told you.”

Nodding, I allowed myself one last lingering look at his face, then walked with renewed purpose toward the main gate and the tours.

After doing a slight detour to bury Crane’s finger.

Carrying someone’s dismembered parts in a dog walking bag longer than strictly necessary approached bad karma.

I grabbed Fluffy from Natalia, liberating her from the group of newly adoring fans giving her all the pets and attention a dog could ever wish for, then set out toward the shop.

“I’m sorry, Fluffy, but I need some of your cleansing atmosphere. I’ve got an evil witch in my pocket.”

Bagley harrumphed.

Beyond dealing with her, there were several things that needed to be done.

First, I called Sonia and updated her on the situation. Ideally, I’d have liked to tell her I had discovered who it was to earn myself brownie points with her and the Council, but this version was for the better. It put the spotlight on Hannah, and nobody would ask questions. Nobody would suspect about Bagley.

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