Page 72 of Shadow's End

I nodded. “Jaqueline called me onto the astral plane again tonight, and it was obviously meant to distract me while Marie launched her destruction spell.”

Monty’s gaze was on the burning mess ahead of us. “Given the damage they’ve done, I’m thinking it was designed to break through the protections ringing this place.”

I nodded. “Jaqueline was pretty damn sure she’d just seen the last of me.”

“And with good reason,” Belle murmured. “I’m not sure even the wild magic could repel such a spell. It’s certainly not infallible.”

“No, but there’s a reason few witches dare mess with it. We’re just going to have to boost the protections around the place to counter that”—I grimly waved a hand toward the destruction—“happening to our block.”

“What we’re going to have to do is get on the front foot with these bitches,” Monty growled. “Maelle must know where to find them. Punch monster or not, we have to confront her and demand she give up any and all information she has?—”

“While it may yet come to that,” I cut in, “it’s not necessary right now. I know where Jaqueline is, and I believe we need to hit her hard and fast, before she can move again.”

“And before she realizes their ploy has failed,” Belle said.

Monty frowned. “How did you uncover that information? I can’t imagine she’d have willingly given that sort of information out.”

“I used my psi talents while threatening her. She didn’t really react to said threat, and now we know why.”

He nodded. “We’ll need Eli and Ashworth in on any attack—even if we have the element of surprise, any place Jaqueline and her mad maker are in will be ringed by protections. It might be wise if we go to their place rather than convening here.”

“It’s far safer here, what with all the?—”

“Not if Marie’s people are watching the café,” he cut in. “The last thing we need is to give them additional targets.”

“Monty, we’re already all targets. Aside from the fact Marie and Jaqueline did their research before they arrived, they tore all the pertinent information from Roger’s mind.”

“Yes, but at this point, they’re focused more on you than anyone else. Hate to say it, but it’s probably best it remains that way.”

His words had me remembering the hazy figure on the astral plane. Were my psi senses warning me that while fate had yet tobe decided, someone I cared aboutwouldtake Roger’s place if I wasn’t very careful?

Possibly.Verypossibly.

“Fine. We’ll go there.”

“And just to be safe, I’ll weave a concealment spell around the SUV before we leave. Even if Marie’s people are watching this place, they won’t have time to counter the spell or place a tracker before we’re gone.”

“Good idea.” I glanced around as Aiden came through the door. Fury dominated his expression but there was also relief. “Is Ric okay?”

“A few cuts and scratches, but alive. Apparently he was waiting for the gates to open so he could get into the rear yard when the fireball hit the station. The force of the explosion sent the vehicle tumbling, but he managed to crawl clear before the thing caught fire.”

“And the nearby buildings?” Monty asked. “Any casualties there?”

“Won’t know until we get the fire out, but Ric’s vehicle wasn’t the only one caught in the explosion.” He glanced at Monty. “I’ve ordered everyone to keep out until we know it’s safe. I’ll need you to come down there to check the place over magically.”

Monty nodded and glanced at us. “It shouldn’t take me more than ten or fifteen minutes to do the check. If I do happen to find anything, I’ll give you a call and meet you over at Ashworth’s.”

“Ashworth’s?” Aiden asked sharply. “Why? What’s happened?”

“We’ve a possible location for Jaqueline,” I replied. “We’re going to hit her tonight.”

“Then you should probably contact Maelle. As much as I don’t want her roaming around the reservation willy-nilly, she should be involved in any hunt for her daughter.”

“I’ll contact her once I know for sure Jaqueline is there.” Calling her before we were certain risked making the crazy vampire even crazier.

“Be careful, then, okay?” He glanced at Monty. “Ready?”

Monty nodded again. Aiden dropped a kiss on my cheek, then turned on his heels and ran back inside, grabbing a T-shirt and his shoes on the way through. Monty followed him down the stairs, and the two of them appeared on the street below a few seconds later, running toward the wreckage of the station.

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