Page 98 of Evidence of a Folktale

“If you get in my way, I’ll be compelled to deal with you,” he said over Cerberus’ rage. “I will ruin you. Do you understand me?”

“I know who you are,” Bel whispered, ignoring his question as she forced herself to be brave. “The question is, do you know who you’re threatening?”

The deal threw his head back and laughed, his grip loosening slightly on her wrists, but the second she tried to wiggle free, his fists choked her skin. “Oh, Detective,” he sighed as his laughter dissipated. “I am not afraid of some small-town cop.”

“I’m not the one you should be afraid of,” she growled. “It’s who I belong to that you should be terrified of.”

“Belong to?” He stared at her as if he didn’t understand her words, and then he leaned closer and inhaled.

“I see.” He released her as if she was a live wire. “I apologize, Detective. I didn’t scent it at first, but it seems youdo belong to someone.” He lunged backward until his hand found the door handle. “Youof all peopleshould know there’s more than one way to ruin a life, though. You may be under this force’s protection, but what about your family? What about the friends you love? They don’t belong to your protector.” The deal slid into the car, the darkness swallowing all but his eyes. “Stay out of our way. Getting involved won’t be worth the price.”

He slammed the door without waiting for a response, and the SUV reversed down the street, its blackness disappearing into the night as if it too wasn’t entirely of this world. The moment it vanished into the shadows, Bel raced for her front door, fingers shaking as she tried to unlock it. It took her two tries before it swung wide, and Cerberus leaped into her arms with a desperate cry.

“Oh baby,” Bel choked as she slammed the door behind them and bolted for her car. She didn’t bother grabbing anything but her favorite boy, and throwing his stocky body into the SUV, she slid into the driver’s seat and careened down the road.

Her speed was reckless, too fast for such dark and icy roads, but she couldn’t bring herself to slow down. She pushed the car to its limit, and then she was in Eamon’s gravel driveway, all memory of her trip wiped from her mind.

“Eamon!” she screamed as she practically tumbled from her car. “Eamon!” She and Cerberus bolted for the front door, and the duo exploded into the mansion’s foyer with a resounding bang.

“Isobel?” He rounded the corner, panic etched with excruciating detail into his tense muscles, and Bel flung herself at him. He caught her, and in one fluid motion, he slammed the door behind them. He locked it without breaking his hold on her waist and then retreated into the house until the warmth of his home signaled that she was safe.

“You were right,” she murmured into his chest, her heart beating against her ribs like a caged animal. “Aesop’s Files made a deal with black magic for their success, and he’s collecting his payment here in our town.”

“What happened?” Eamon stilled against her, his body stone below her touch.

“I saw him.” Bel leaned back so he could see the terror in her eyes. “He came for me.”

“He stoppedyou from pressing the panic button?” Eamon asked as Bel stole the whiskey from his fist. “He shouldn’t have known it was there.”

“My gun was in my other hand.” She grimaced as she gulped the amber liquid. Eamon bought expensive whiskey, and as much as she lovedthe wayhis voice sounded like the alcohol, she didn’t enjoy the taste. He’d poured her a glass of wine to calm her nerves while she recounted what happened, but the wine wasn’t strong enough. It was one thing to face off with a serial killer. It was another to confront a serial killer in possession of black magic. A witch who possessed the dark arts had the strength to control the likes of Eamon. She hated remembering what that kind of power could do to her.

“So, he didn’t know you were aiming for the necklace?” he asked as he reclaimed his almost empty glass.

“I don’t think so,” she said. “He was probably trying to stop me from shooting him.”

Eamon’s fingers slid through her hair as he pulled her against his chest.

“He had his hands on me, and I could feel the power.” She tried not to cry as she breathed in the fragrance of the laundry detergent woven into his shirt. It was sucha normalscent for someone never meant to walk the earth, and she let the familiarity settle her. “It wasn’t like your power. It was… I don’t know. And the way he cornered me. If Cerberus hadn’t started barking, who knows what I would’ve let happen? I was paralyzed.”

“Black magic isn’t an art to be taken lightly.”

“I know, but I couldn’t get to my necklace.”

“And that was his first mistake.” Eamon released her to check that their dinner wasn’t burning. “His touch left a scent on your skin. I know what he smells like now, and if he ever crosses my path, I’ll kill him for putting his hands on you. But do me a favor. Next time, go for the panic button before the gun.”

“As soon as he scented you, he backed up,” Bel said. “I don’t think he’ll come for me again. My family…” she trailed off. She’d already repeated his threat to Eamon, and she didn’t care to recount the fear for a second time.

“At least he had some sense. But Isobel, listen to me. This deal. It has nothing to do with you, but he’smade it very clear. If you don’t leave it alone, he’ll come for you too. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t do your job, but if the killer isn’t human, then you need to stay out of the show’s business… even if it costs the final victim his life.”

“I can’t do that.”

“I’m serious, Detective.” His towering frame loomed over where she sat at the kitchen island, the gravity of his tone making him impossibly large. “Someone’s metaphorical deal with a devil isn’t your price to pay. You were already the sacrifice needed in my unwanted deal, and you barely escaped with your life. If the crew of this show bargained away their souls for fame, I won’t let you take the fall for them. Swear to me that if it comes down to it, you’ll get out of the deal’s way when he comes to collect. Let the victims sacrifice for theirowndesires.”

“You want me to stand aside while an innocent person is gutted before me?” Bel glared at the man she loved. Did he even know her?

“People who make deals with devils aren’t innocent.” Eamon refused to back down. “Alcina murdered six people just to get to you. Blaubart killed five wives after his deal cost Anne hers. I don’t know what sins this cast and crew have committed, but I can assure you, they deserve to die more than you.”

“I—”

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