Page 3 of Before the Bond Breaks
Winter typed on her tablet and walked around the body. There were signs that more than one person was in the area. Whether that was before or after Jess’s murder, I wasn’t sure. It might have been the witch who found Jess.
“Who found her?” Winter asked.
“Local witch called Mitch directly.”
When Mitch called me, I was in my office at the Valen Protection Agency HQ in Pepper Glen, which is the twin town of Briar Glen right beside it, so it didn’t take me long to get here.
“There’s ritual magic all over her.”
The fury I’d had a tight lid on since arriving on the scene flared. “I know. I also scented a shifter.”
“More than one,” Winter added and typed on her tablet. Then, she started taking pictures of the scene.
I knew that too, so I didn’t comment. Most of the time, when Winter talked out loud as she processed a scene, it was more for her benefit and didn’t need a reply. She also dictated a lot of her notes.
Letting her work, I moved toward the trail just as the Sheriff and a deputy I’ve never met before rounded a curve in the pathway. Mitch was a tall and fit man in his mid-fifties. He was what the local humans called a silver fox. He was also married, with three teenagers, who kept him just as busy as his job as Sheriff did.
Mitch gave me a single nod in greeting, then introduced me to the deputy. “Mazelina Valen, this is Deputy Brian Harris.”
I held out my hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Brian looked like he could be in his late twenties. His brown hair was cut in military style, and his light brown eyes told me he’s seen more than a human his age should.
The deputy shook my hand. His touch was firm, friendly, and contained a tiny bolt of magic. That was interesting. “Wish it was under better circumstances.”
I gave him a tight smile, then spoke to Mitch. “Winter and I will take Jessica with us.”
Mitch sighed as he met Brian’s concerned gaze. “Go see if Winter has questions.”
Brian nodded and walked over to where Winter stood, talking on her phone. He stopped in front of her, and she frowned at him and held up her finger for him to wait a minute. Winter was probably talking to Candra and Nicky, who were the only two at the office.
Mitch watched me for a moment. “You know what killed her?”
“No, but it wasn’t human.”
“One of the men from the Steele Clan called me right after Freya did. They come up here to let their animals run wild.” Thesheriff looked at Jessica, then at Winter, and then at Brian. The deputy stared at Winter with a dreamy expression, while Winter continued to frown.
I should save the deputy from heartache. Like the rest of the Valkyries, Winter had a mate out there somewhere. She wasn’t interested in any kind of relationship until we repaired ours with the shifters. Which meant I’d have to grovel to my mate and convince him to complete our bond. Once Talon and I were mated and our magics merged, the rest of our people could find their fated mates. It was time to complete the soulmate ritual that the Prime Matron had started over two hundred years ago. Right before her consort murdered her.
I wasn’t looking forward to facing Talon. But that was exactly what I had to do if I wanted to solve Jess’s murder. When we merge our souls and magics, both our clans will be stronger than ever. It was one reason my mother wanted to do it. That and the soulbonds would help stabilize the shifters’ animal and magical halves.
Turning to the Sheriff, I asked, “Why did you bring the deputy out here, knowing we wouldn’t let your team investigate?”
“Brian’s new, and I thought it would be good for him to meet you.”
I smirked. “We’ll be sure to break the rookie in for you.”
Mitch chuckled and shook his head. “He also knows about magic and all the other nonhuman creatures. His grandmother is a witch.”
So that was why I felt magic in his handshake. It made things easier for Winter and me. “After Winter is done processing the scene, we’ll take Jess home.”
We would open a portal. It would be easier than carrying her down to the trailhead where I parked my car. Since I had to go into Briar Glen to confront my mate for the first time in centuries, I would portal back to the trailhead.
“Let me know if you need anything.” When I nodded, he called out to Brian that it was time to go.
After the Sheriff and his deputy left, I walked over to Winter. “Are you ready?”
She nodded once, and I lifted Jessica’s body in my arms. Winter created a portal to HQ. One of us would come back for my car after we got Jessica home.
