Page 84 of Slaying With Sylphs

She turns to us with a shake of the head. “I can’t fix him either, whatever it is. It’s dark and I can usually feel that. I mean…I knew I could touch Wesley’s black magic when I killed him. But whatever this is? I can’t get near it. It’s almost like it’s hiding from me.”

Lou hasn’t said a word since we left Shifter Hollow.

“I need to call a town hall meeting,” Arkan says, big arms crossed over his broad chest.

Richard and I nod. My alpha looks to Slade. “Given that this is the second incident, and we’re still no closer to figuring out what happened, any idea how we can recommend monsters proceed? Simply stay indoors? Since both victims were found outside?”

Slade reaches up and tugs at one end of a long, curved horn. “The only other similarity is that they were both found in ShifterHollow and not in downtown Ever or near the gas station. I’m wondering if we should move everyone?—”

“I saw Leighton again,” Lou says out of nowhere. “It was him. He did this.”

A hush falls over the room. Richard and I exchange looks.

Lou steps to the table where Bellami lies, stroking the backs of her fingers along his jawline. “I know you all probably think I’m crazy, that I’m seeing things because I killed Leighton. But I’m telling you, I saw him after Amatheia was hurt, and I saw him again tonight. It can’t be a coincidence.”

The therapist in me wonders if she’s seeing connections where none lie, but since we have no other theories, I can’t brush her concerns aside to give her any other answer.

Dirk joins her, slipping an arm around her waist but facing us. “We should go to the wraith motel. Their magic comes from a darker place. And given what Lou’s seen, they might have insight.”

Arkan blows a loud breath out from his dark lips. “They won’t love being interrupted at night.”

“I know,” Dirk says with a grimace. “Cannae be helped, though.”

Richard looks at Arkan. “Let’s take my truck. Won’t be comfy, but you can ride in the back.”

“Done,” Arkan says with a grim look.

Richard turns to Dirk and me. “Does one of you want to take Lou back home?”

“Oh, she’s got tae come.” Dirk tightens his arm around her. “They’ll want to speak with her.” He glances down at Lou. “Assuming you feel up to this, my beauty.”

“Of course.” Her voice is pure steel as she turns from Bellami, fists balled at her sides. “Let’s go.” She leaves Bellami’s side and heads for the door, hard footsteps echoing around the cavernous room.

I risk a glance at Dirk as he watches her leave. His brows are furrowed, eyes wide as a muscle works overtime in his jaw. I’ve never seen Dirk worried.

But he’s worried now.

The ride to Hel Motel is quiet. I don’t think anyone has an idea what to say. The idea that Leighton is somehow involved is too horrible to consider. He’s gone. We burned him on the traditional pyre, gifted his ashes to his parents, and mourned him. We’restillmourning him.

By the time we pull up in front of the motel, uncharacteristic anxiety prickles my skin, my heart racing uncomfortably in my chest. In the front seat, Lou’s completely silent, her figure stiff. The need to protect her forces breath back into my lungs. First the thrall bites and now she’s seeing a dead monster? What if those things are connected and she’s getting sick?

I can’t imagine anything more terrifying in this world than something happening to her. Forcing air into my lungs, I concentrate on steadying my wolf and myself so we can be supportive to Lou.

I get out of the car the moment we stop and open her door. Holding a hand out for her, I stare deeply into her eyes as she takes it.

“I’m here, Sweetheart,” I promise. “Right by your side, okay?”

She nods as I pull her to my chest, purring and wrapping my arms all the way around her. Dirk joins us, gripping the back of her neck and leaning in to kiss the top of her head. If my Alpha, Arkan, or Slade are at all surprised to see us both comfort Lou, they don’t show it. Richard’s face is grim when our gazes meet.

“Hello, Keeper and othersss…” a hissed whisper of a voice floats toward us from the direction of the motel.

Lou extricates herself from my embrace enough to glance around me. Her eyes go wide, then move up to mine.

“I’m right here,” I reiterate, bending down to rub my cheek along hers, purring in her ear.

Turning, she threads her fingers through my hand and reaches for Dirk. He slips an arm around her waist, his fingers in the pocket of her jeans.

A single wraith floats at the base of the black stone stairs leading into Hel Motel.

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