Page 35 of Bewicched

“He has shoeboxes, cereal boxes, bread bags holding his kills. He’s recently graduated to jars, empty peanut butter and jelly jars. He has animal organs floating in water. He hasn’t discovered yet that water isn’t the right solution to preserve them, but he will.

“He lives with…I can’t be sure, but it feels like a woman. Not a mother. Older. Grandmother, maybe.” I shook my head. “I can’t see her. He doesn’t think of her. Barely notices her. And she certainly doesn’t see who he really is. Still, I thinkshe. It’s just the two of them. He’s the one in charge. Sick. Maybe she’s sick and can’t watch him better.”

A darkness hung in the air, pressing in on me. “He won’t be in the shelter, because he’s out here somewhere.” The cops started to move. “Get Christopher. The killer knows these woods like the back of his hand. He’ll lead you on a chase and then double back to set the contents of the shelter on fire. No evidence. No crime.”

Declan wrapped an arm around me. “Let’s get you out of here.”

“Aren’t you staying to track?” I glanced up at him and realized for the first time that his eyes had lightened. The full moon was close and he was a ball of barely contained rage.

“No,” he said, looking at me, not them. “You gave them everything they’ll need to find the boy. It’s their turn now.”

It felt like Cross was going to detain us, but someone must have waved him off because he didn’t do or say anything else. The captain started shouting orders into a walkie-talkie, but we were already down the path and turning out of sight.

“Assholes,” he growled.

“Oh, it bothers you to be called a liar and a fake, huh?” I pulled my hands out of my pocket and pushed down the cuff of a glove to see if the cuts were still there. Thankfully, all I found was blood-smeared unmarked skin.

Declan had dropped his arm from my waist, no doubt because I continued to give him shit. Whatever. While I might have missed the weight and warmth, I didn’t need it. I didn’t need anyone. I was more comfortable alone. Always had been. Always will be.

“Had that ever happened before? The bleeding? You looked shocked.” He moved in front of me, an arm out to keep me safe from the cops running up the path.

“No. I have visions. I feel what they feel, to a lesser degree. I don’t bear the marks. I need to think about what happened today and why. I can’t do it out here in all these swirling emotions and chaos. Later, in the studio, while I finish sealing the tentacle, I’ll think.” I moved off the path again as more uniformed police jogged past.

“Will they find him?” Declan asked.

“Which him?” The prickling along my spine hadn’t let up; the dark presence seemed to be trailing me.

“Both.”

“Christopher, yes. The killer, it’s too soon to tell. The future is malleable. It changes with a thought. When something is close to happening, I feel it with more clarity. They’ll find Christopher within the hour. The killer”—a chill ran down my spine—“not yet.”

We moved aside as men in paramedic jumpsuits with heavy-looking backpacks hurried past.

“You know you’re going to end up the prime suspect because you knew where he was,” Declan said. The poor guy kept adjusting his long stride to stay beside me.

“Oh, not just me, drifter man. The majority of serial killers are men. By a whole lot. They’ll suspect us both, but mostly you. Thankfully, I have two lawyers and a judge in the family. I’ll get Mom and Gran mobilized. They’ll shut that shit down before it begins.”

“Are they going to dangle me in front of the cops to get the focus off you?” The insult in his voice had me smiling.

“Sorry, dude. Family first. You’re on your own.” When I realized how true that comment was, I elbowed him in the side. “They wouldn’t do that. Especially after I tell them not to.”

“Your mom seems like she’d happily sell me out to protect you.”

“Ordinarily, yes.”Shit. That’s exactly what she and Gran would do. “I’ll deal with them. Don’t worry. You’re in the clear.” Probably.

16

When I Said She Wasn’t All Bad, It Was Understood She Was Pretty Bad, Right?

On the drive home, I had Declan detour to Gran’s house while I called my mom.

“Twice in one day? I’ll need to mark my datebook.” Judging by the background noise, she was already in her car, which was good.

“Can you meet us at Gran’s?”

“Us who?” Thankfully, her blinker sounded. She would come.

“Declan and me. I was helping the police find a murdered child and a darkness followed me out of the forest.”

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