Page 106 of Sigils & Spells

Anger spiked through me. Was the witch who had come in with Vixen a gray magic practitioner? Or worse? Those poor animals had been stolen to either boost her magic or she’d sold them to someone to boost theirs. I didn’t know her name, but it would be easy enough to track down. Priya didn’t know every single person affiliated with the vampires, but I bet her boyfriend, Miles, did.

I noticed the time as I brought up Priya’s number. Her meeting with the Budneys started in ten minutes. I doubted she’d have her phone on, and even if she did, I wouldn’t disturb her.

My skin prickled from agitation. I stood and paced around the small room.

Vixen knew the woman’s name. I could call and ask her. Except one, I didn’t know the number to Rafi’s residence where she lived, and two, Vixen didn’t strike me as the most cooperative woman.

Using a little more force than necessary, I swiped my phone’s screen and thumb-stabbed my way to the recent calls icon. I’d give Livie the information and she could pass it along to whoever was working on her case. They could deal with Vixen.

The call went to voicemail.

“Livie, it’s Marin. Call me. I think I know who the thief is.” Jabbing the end button, I shoved the phone into my pocket and resumed pacing. I’d only taken a few steps when Scarlett came in. Her face pinched with worry.

“I have good news and bad news.”

I swiped an amethyst off the shelf, clutched it to my chest, then dropped into a chair. “Give me the good news first.”

“The property is owned by a corporation.” She slowly lowered into a chair. “Seth Dominic is the CEO. A woman I used to date dug a little deeper for me and discovered the corporation is one of Rafi’s.”

“Crap.” I gripped the amethyst tighter. “You call that good news? A murdered witch in the basement of a building owned by one of the most powerful Primes? He has to be furious.” I rocked back and forth. My stomach felt like it had twisted into a gordian knot. “What’s the bad news?”

“I’m waiting for confirmation.” Scarlett fidgeted in her seat. “The guy who told me this wasn’t there. But he trusts the person who told him the information.” She tugged at the hem of her shimmery dress.

“Just tell me.”

“The police found evidence of black magic in that room.”

I stilled. “What kind of evidence?”

“I know your mystery guy talked about a scour spell, but he obviously didn’t activate it because there were animal bones, ashes, and scorch marks on the floor. A shifter told my friend he smelled goats.”

“Livie’s stolen goats.” It couldn’t be a coincidence. Either the ruby-ringed thief had been inside that hidden room at some point or she could identify the black magic witch she’d sold the goats to.

“What?”

I checked my phone again. Livie still hadn’t responded to my message. I had to talk to Vixen.

“Scarlett, we can help the police! Livie sent me a video of their thief. I don’t know her name, but Vixen does. Can you get the phone number to Rafi’s residence?”

“I can. But you need to hear the rest.”

Dear goddess, there was more?

“Jonah’s scent was in the room too. They found traces of his blood.”

CHAPTER7

A multitudeof competing thoughts swarmed my mind, moving so fast I couldn’t process anything. I stared at the phone in my hand wondering when I’d taken it out. The amethyst lay on my lap.

“Marin?” Scarlett reached across the coffee table and touched my knee. “Are you okay?”

Jonah had been there. In that basement. Trapped in that room.

“I need to call—” Livie. Vixen. Aidan. No. Not Aidan. It was petty but I was still mad at him. Detective Harding then. The police needed to know about Livie’s thief and bring her in for questioning.

I focused on Scarlett. She looked like a mournful puppy. I wasn’t sure I could take any more news, good or bad, right now, but I had to know. “Did your friend tell you anything else?”

“No. That’s it. I’m sorry. I—I thought— Are you all right?”

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