Page 61 of Dead to the World

“Exactly.”

“Have you tried a locator spell?” He tucked the bracelet into the front pocket of his jeans. They were so tight, I wasn’t sure there was room for anything else.

“Yes. Didn’t get anything.”

“Fae or witch?”

“Witch. I find fae magic less reliable when it comes to locator spells.”

He nodded. “Agreed. I’ll send my trackers out tonight and report back to you.”

“Thank you.” I paused. “You don’t want anything in return?”

West cleared his throat. “I’ll be honest, Miss Clay.”

“Lorelei.”

“I’ll be honest, Lorelei. Your presence here is a problem.”

“Why is that?”

“Whatever you are, you’re powerful. There’s no use denying it. You had two of my wolves on the ground crying like babies without touching them. I can sense you the way I can sense a storm brewing. You’re going to upset the balance in Fairhaven. There’s a natural order of things, and you’ve gone and messed it up.”

“Sounds like whatever is eating local cops has already upset the balance.”

He met my gaze. “How do I know that something isn’t you?”

I blew the air from nostrils. I wasn’t about to put myself on trial. “I have no desire to upset anything. I plan to live in this heap of blue rubble and keep to myself.”

“But you’ve already strayed from that plan, wouldn’t you agree? You’re demanding trackers.”

“I’m not demanding.”

“Doesn’t matter. You asked, and I suspect I’d be a fool to deny your request. That’s why I didn’t ask for anything in return.”

An uncomfortable knot formed in my chest. “This is why I prefer solitude.”

“Have you considered the mountains?”

“The Poconos don’t count?”

“There are more remote places.”

I cocked an eyebrow. “Is that a suggestion?”

“No, ma’am. Wouldn’t dream of it.” He held up the empty glass. “I’ll put this in the sink on my way out.”

“Thank you.”

I remained on the balcony, gazing at the horizon. I watched West exit the house. He didn’t look up as he crossed the bridge, not that I expected him to. He passed through the gate, and turned in the direction of the woods, where I assumed he’d shift to run home.

“Do you think the wolves will find her?” Nana Pratt asked.

I hadn’t realized she’d joined me on the balcony. “I don’t know.”

“He didn’t seem to like you very much. Why not?”

“Because he’s right about me. I upset the balance. They have a nice thing going here, and I could ruin it.”

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