Page 85 of Shadow's End

“What, no ‘be careful out there’?”

I half smiled. “You always are, aren’t you?”

He laughed. “See you soon, love.”

He hung up. I drew in a deep breath and released it slowly. It didn’t help ease the inner fear any, but at least this time, it was due more to the unpredictable nature of a bushfire rather than a vampire.

I scrolled through my contacts and rang Jaz. It was pointless ringing the station, because the station no longer existed. She answered immediately. “Hey, Liz, it’s a bit hectic here right now—is the reason you’re ringing pressing?”

“Could be.”

“Then give it to me.”

I described the house and then said, “Do you know of any place resembling that?”

“Not offhand, but I can get Maggie to ring around the real estate agents to see if they know anything. Why?”

Maggie was the station’s receptionist and a ranger in training. “It’s the current lair of one of our vamps.”

“Well, that’sdefinitelya pressing matter. I’ll get Mags to call you if she uncovers anything.”

“Thanks, Jaz.”

“No probs. Gotta go.”

She hung up before I could ask where they’d temporarily set up. Not that it really mattered, because Aiden would no doubt tell me later. I tossed the phone onto the bed, then got up and quickly dressed before heading downstairs. The magic buzzing around the reading room told me Belle was in there with a client, so once I’d checked with Penny that everything was under control, I headed back upstairs, made myself something to eat and drink, then settled down to do some more paperwork. When it came to running your own business, it was a never-ending task.

Belle came up a few hours later, carrying two bottles of water and a plate stacked with sandwiches. I hit the save button and closed the laptop. “How’d the readings go?”

“There were tears, and they weren’t all the client’s.” She half shrugged. “Readings involving kids are always the hardest. But I do have some good news.”

“So do I. Well, sorta.”

She handed me a bottle of water then placed the sandwiches on the coffee table. “Define ‘sorta.’”

“I astral traveled last night and discovered Marie’s lair. Unfortunately, I have no idea where in the reservation it is.”

“Of course not, because your dreams aren’t always the most helpful of things, so why would your astral traveling be any different?”

I reached for a sandwich half—which was thickly sliced ham and cheese—and bit into it. “I called Jaz—she’s asked Maggie to contact the real estate people and see if they can place it.”

“Why Maggie?” she asked, taking one of the sandwiches. “And where’s Aiden?”

“He—and just about everyone else—is dealing with a bushfire—a regular one rather than one caused by Marie—out Eureka Reef way.”

“Well, let’s hope they get it under control before the wind kicks up again and blasts it toward the town.”

“Amen to that.” I lightly touched my half-eaten sandwich against hers. “What’s your news?”

“My spirit guides finally came through.”

I frowned. “On what? Because it’s not like you’ve set them any task of late.”

“Oh, how quickly you forget. Remember the telepath who attacked Roger?”

“Don’t tell me they’ve actually gone and found him?”

“Indeed. He is, apparently, staying in the Colonial Motel no more than five minutes away from here.”

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