Page 59 of Make Me Bleed

He just let me cling to him until Conall led Bridget away, leaving the two of us alone together again, but not before muttering that he buried Peter’s remains and that, if Hank’s up to it, he could use an extra paw to keep Dyea safe.

Three days later, we packed up most of Hank’s den and, hand in hand, went back to the sanctuary—right as Mayor Lou was welcoming Celeste Montvale to the town.

Turns out,my worry that the witch hunters had targeted Bridget again wasn’t unfounded as much as I wish it was.

Besides Mayor Lou, Bridget was the only one who got to speak to the head of the witch coven. Her mate wasn’t happy about that, but considering Madame Montvale is to thank for both me and Bridget coming to Alaska in the first place, I wasn’t surprised that Bridget was willing to listen to her and keep Conall out.

Especially when we all know that she just told him everything that was said after the Madame left…

Madame Montvale only spent one afternoon in the sanctuary. After meeting with Bridget, she walked the entire oval of the town and personally reinforced the border spell.

Why?

“Okay, so get this,” Bridget begins, waving her hands as she speaks. “I’m a rare fire witch, but there are other witches who could do way cooler stuff. Celeste told me about this witch chick. Her name is Penelope. She has two skills. Lucky. Well, maybe not… one thing she can do is figure out curses.”

That doesn’t sound too terrible. “And the other?” I ask, incredibly curious.

This is the first time I’ve been able to speak to Bridget since Madam Montvale left late last night. I know she spent the evening in with her mate, then suggested that Hank and Conall take another of their fishing trips.

I know better. Peter not only being able to find the sanctuary and hide out for as long as he did— even in death— spooked Conall. He’s been the sole head of security for Dyea since he made it his pack. He prides himself in keeping us all safe, but it’s become even more urgent since he’s mated Bridget. Peter was a wake-up call to him. Maybe we’re not as safe as it seems, especially after Julian’s betrayal, are we?

Conall wasn’t just being nice when he offered to let Hank help him guard the town. He’s practical, and he’s smart. My honey bear proved himself when Julian’s head popped off like a dandelion. Even if Mayor Lou hadn’t already approved Hank’s relocation, that would’ve done it.

So maybe they are fishing, those predatory males of ours. Odds are they’re discussing ways to keep us protected, including inviting the head witch to strengthen the spells.

And why is that?

Because of Penelope’ssecondskill.

“I didn’t even know it was possible, but she can talk to the dead!”

A frisson of guilt trickles through me. “Peter?”

Bridget shakes her head. “Linda.”

It takes me a moment to place the name. “Linda? The witch hunter who partnered with the one who attacked you in clarity?”

“That’s the one. From what Celeste said, Mickey must’ve seen the light”—she snorts—“ or the flames really, but he’s gonegone. Not Linda, though. She was haunting her old team!”

“Team… you mean the witch hunters?”

“Yup!” Bridget frowns. “Wait. I forgot. That’s actually a bad thing.”

I don’t like the way Bridge says that… “Why?”

Bridget rolls her eyes. “Because Linda was hanging around because she wanted them to avenge her death or something ridiculous like that. And maybe I should feel bad ‘cause I, you know,incineratedher, but, hey, she stabbed Conall with a silver knife.”

Exactly. So why would Bridget feel bad about protecting her wolf using her own magic? Hm. It must be another of those former human things I just don’t understand.

“Anyway, she was haunting them, trying to tell another witch hunter pair where to find me. And Penelope… after she agreed to find out why they had a pissed-off spirit, she might’ve accidentally let slip that Linda was burned to death in Alaska.”

I blink. “The witch hunters hired a witch?” Another pause, and then: “The witch told the hunters about Dyea?”

“I thought the same thing. I had Celeste backing away when my hands started sparking. But she explained that Penelope doesn’t share with non-supes that she’s a witch.” Ah. That makes sense. “She bills herself as a medium, instead, and she has no idea they were witch hunters until one of the hunters’ victims appeared and tipped her off before she told her new clients too much. It was enough, though, since the witch hunters heard ‘burned’ and put two and two together.”

Crap. “And now they know that there’s a fire witch in Alaska.”

“Celeste thinks they suspect it. I mean, Alaska is fucking huge. It’ll take a while to find Dyea, especially now that the head witch came up herself to strengthen the wards around. If you don’t belong here, you’re not getting in.”

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