Page 118 of Sigils & Spells

I swallowed hard.

“And since I’m a detective I surmised Rafimightlet you off the hook if he thought Franz had the spell book. Was it the one Rafi was looking for?”

“No. I think it was Leesa’s spellbook.”

Aidan blew out a breath. “That might be just as bad.”

“You think he has her book?”

“I have no doubt. It sounded like she was having trouble with the spells. Hopefully, she didn’t copy them into her own notes. And if she did, hopefully, Rafi won’t be able to read her book. If we’re lucky she’s the last of her line. Because wedo notneed Rafi’s power amplified.”

The next question popped into my head. I shifted restlessly. I dreaded knowing his answer, but better to get this over with. “Am I under arrest?”

He worked his jaw from side to side. Splotches of red flushed his face. I wished I could pull the blankets up over my head.

“You did NOT listen to me. You SHOULD have waited until I ARRIVED.” He didn’t shout so much as snarl out the words. I winced with each sharp delivery.

After making me squirm with worry for an interminable age, he said, “No.” He held up his index finger and pointed it at me. “Don’t ever do that to me again. You aged me twenty years with that stunt.”

A giddy rush of joy swept through me. No, not for the sane, logical reason I wasn’t going to be arrested. But because when he’d saidDon’t ever do that to me again, I’d had the ridiculous, toe-curling thoughtdoes that mean I’ll get to see him again?

What was I? Fifteen? Ridiculous.

“You, Marin Girard, are trouble.” He shook his head.

Trouble. That sobered me. “I found an empty hidey-hole in the office. I think the tan leather grimoire I was meant to find might have been in there.”

“You said it was empty?”

“Yes. I hope your officers find that grimoire. If it isn’t there. Who has it?”

“A problem for another day.”

I almost mentioned they should have Dad check for my magic, but then Aidan spun the stool like a kid. Round and round he went, his grin mischievous, slightly arrogant, and extremely dashing.

Toes-curling beneath the covers, I volunteered, “If you need me to check for any more of my spells, I mean after the crime scene is processed and whatever else you need to do in there, I’m happy to help.”

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