Page 44 of Wicching Hour

“Good,” Hernández said. “A condo village that backs up on an elementary school. The last unit before what might be a private home. A possibly Asian woman in a black Jeep.”

I sighed. “Sorry. That’s like a needle in a haystack.”

“Not at all. You’ve given me a lot of angles to work. What’s he doing now?”

“Still standing in the trees, watching the back of her unit. It feels like he’s waiting for something,” I said.

“I’ll get started. I’m already pulling up maps of the elementary schools in town. We’ve got hours before the sun goes down. If you see anything else, let me know.”

“Wait,” I whispered. “The sliding door just opened. This was what he was waiting for. She’s wearing yoga pants and a tank top now. She turned on a water valve and is carrying a hose to a couple of pots filled with flowers. Her back is to him as she waters. He’s moving.”

“Moving where?” she demanded.

“He’s sneaking up behind her. She’s finished watering and is leaning down to turn off the valve. A gust of wind is shaking the trees. He’s using the sound cover to move in quickly. He’s right there. I can see the goose bumps along her arms. She’s standing. He’s behind her. One hand covers her mouth while his other arm wraps around her waist and picks her up. He’s carrying her through the back door.”

“Shit.He’s escalating. He hasn’t hit in daylight before. Arthur!” Hernández shouted.

She was filling him in on what was happening, but I was no longer listening. The killer had put the young woman down and spun her around. “Her eyes are so wide. Her pupils dilated,” I told whoever might have been listening. I was past caring. My heart was racing right along with hers.

‘“Fucking bitch,’” I spat out, his words in my mouth. ‘“Not talking down to me anymore, huh? Still want to go above my head and file a complaint?’”

“The woman’s having trouble breathing. Her lips are parted but her chest is frozen. She’s looking up at him, but I don’t think she’s very tall. She looks petite and fragile.

“‘What, you ran out of big words?’ He slaps her and knocks her off her feet. He shakes out his hand and makes a fist. A thrill of excitement races through him.

“He’s yanking her to her feet. Tears are streaming down her face. ‘Please,’ she whispers, sounding hopeless, like she knows there’s no escaping him. He punches her and her eyes roll back as she flies back into her couch and then slides to the floor.”

My vision goes black. I can no longer see my world, only hers.

“He shoves the coffee table out of his way and then straddles her, sitting on her legs, and waits.

“Little flinches, hands, eyes, lips, and then finally her lids flutter open. She sees him looming over her and it all comes back. Terror fills her again.”

I was vaguely aware of hearing Declan’s voice, but then it was gone and I was trapped in that room again, narrating a murder.

“She opens her mouth to scream and he lunges forward, wrapping his hands around her delicate throat.”

I couldn’t breathe. My eyes went wide as I clawed at invisible hands strangling me.

“Arwyn!”

The killer was crushing my neck. A heavy pressure sat on me. And then Declan was kissing me and the double exposure was gone. I’d lost the vision and regained my sight, my ability to breathe, albeit labored.

Bracken’s fingers touched my throat and breathing became less painful.

Declan was there, holding my face in his hands. “Nice slow breaths in and out. Are you with me now?”

I nodded, blinking back tears.

“Arwyn, what happened?” Hernández demanded. “What’s he doing?”

I followed the sound of her voice and saw my phone on the dashboard. I was confused by the question. Hadn’t I been speaking out loud? “I told you.” My voice was a harsh rasp. “He’s killing her.”

“And he almost killed Arwyn,” Bracken said, outraged. “She’s given you everything. She’s done now.” He tapped the screen and disconnected the call. Shaking his head, he added, “They ask too much of you.”

I leaned into Declan, clutching at his shirt. What would have happened if he hadn’t been here, his nulling touch dispelling the vision?

“How are you here?” I croaked.

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