Page 365 of Castings & Curses

Kate meant to shove her away. This wasn’t something she wanted to share in front of anyone, especially, after seven years of silence and guilt, worrying that she tried to trap the one thing that was good in her life.

But the warm and spicy scent of her lover filled her with happiness and a groan slipped from her lips, despite trying not to react.

Devi was the first to draw back.

“Hi.”

“Hi, yourself.” Even to her own ears, her voice sounded breathless. But then she let herself see. “The ground is…” she couldn’t even form the words.

Nodding, Devi sighed. “It looks like someone lured them here and took their power.”

“Not to mention murdered them all,” the vampire interjected, her gaze still radiating hostility.

“I should go look for Kendall.”

“No.” Devi swallowed and blocked her way. “If she’s there, she’s gone.”

Tears prickled the corners of her eyes and she angrily brushed them away. “Who would do this?”

“You’re the witch. You tell us.”

“I don’t know. But I’m going to find out.”

CHAPTER11

Devi swallowed,still staring at Kate.

She was here.

The blade in her pocket pulsed, recognizing its twin close by.

“There are police already here. And dead. What happened?” Kate peered at the bonfire, wrinkling her nose in distaste as the wind shifted direction and she caught the smell of burning flesh.

“Have you heard anything from the witches?” Devi asked. Goddess, but she had to try and focus on the case.

Nodding, Kate rubbed her hands on her jeans. Her eyes looked tired, Devi realized.

“I just left the store. You know, the one we talked about opening? Well, I met with some of the girls at Lucia’s and there was talk about something going down.”

“Lucia’s?”

“Used to be the old bar on Main. I’ll have to show you. If you’re in town long enough…” her voice trailed off.

“So, even though they told you something was going down, you decided to come and check things out on your own?” Cappelli’s eyebrows lifted.

“Kendall, one of my employees, didn’t show for work. I sent out a finder spell, and it led me here.”

“I felt you. At the last crime scene. The scent carried over the water.” Devi was almost embarrassed to admit it.

“I got your text.”

“You texted her? Are you nuts?” Cappelli growled. “What if she was a part of it?”

“Ladies. We have company.”

A swirl of wind skittered around Kate, her chestnut hair swirling around her face as her element gathered strength. Her gaze shot to the darkness of the woods and Devi heard the crashing of brush and branches as a wolfen beast crashed into the open, heading straight for them.

“Kate!”

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