The werejaguar had walked away from the circle. “Just need a minute.”
I felt better that a tough agent like Nick needed a minute. In truth, I needed lots of minutes to recover, but it would have to wait. Five lives taken. Five specific body parts. It was not what any of us expected to find.
Gray clapped Nick on the shoulder. “Take whatever time you need. We’ve all been there.”
I moved the light around the room for a final sweep and something shiny caught my attention. I hurried across the circle to see a familiar object resting outside the circle.
“I found the dagger,” I said.
“Bag it and tag it,” Nick said. “Then draw a preservation circle around the scene.” He turned back toward the bloody mess. “That’ll keep the evidence secure and uncontaminated until we get the team out here. We’ll bring the dagger back with us.”
“Do we tell Vera what was done with it?” I asked. Maybe she wouldn’t want her precious heirloom returned after all.
“I think we’ll have to,” Gray said. “This was a premeditated crime. It wouldn’t surprise me if there’s a reason the killer needed that particular dagger.”
Nick’s gaze lingered on the five bodies as he dragged a hand through his thick brown hair. “What a horror show. The sooner we figure out exactly what happened to these guys, the better I’ll sleep.”
“We already know what happened,” I said solemnly. “What we need to figure out is why.”
Chapter Two
“Have they considered a vengeance demon?” Declan asked. He crunched on an apple as we stood at the top of the academy turret, enjoying the view. The rooftop was our own private hideaway whenever he visited me at the academy.
“All theories are in play right now,” I said. The problem was that theories were plentiful right now. We needed to narrow them down or we’d never solve the case.
“Are they going to let you continue with the investigation now that it’s more than a stolen artifact?” Declan asked.
“They haven’t assigned the case to anyone else, so the plan is to carry on until someone stops me.”
“Are you sure you want to continue?” he asked. “It’s a nightmare-inducing case. I’m sure they’d reassign you.”
“I want to keep working with Nick and Gray,” I said. “I’m comfortable with them. Besides, this is a good experience for me. When I’m a Keeper of the North, I’m sure not every mission will be straightforward.” The more I exposed myself to unsavory events, the more prepared I’d be.
His arm encircled my waist and tugged me closer. “You have such a great attitude. The Northern Quadrant will be lucky to have you.”
I reached up and caressed his chiseled jawline. “And I’m lucky to have you.”
He leaned down and kissed me. “You say the most romantic things when we’re discussing a grisly murder.”
“You’re the hardened demigod of war,” I said, placing my hands on his chest. “You shouldn’t mind.”
He curled his fingers around mine. “Not hardened. Not to death or the destruction it leaves in its wake.” He kissed each hand before releasing them. “That’s not the way I was raised.”
“Your mother was a wise and caring woman,” I said. Although Declan was the son of Cicoluis, a god of war, he’d been raised by his human mother.
He smiled tenderly. “I’m glad you think so.”
“I’m waiting to hear from Robin. The agency is working on identifying the victims and he promised to let me know as soon as he has the names.” I was eager to find out whether they’d all been members of the Fraternal Order of Hermes.
“That might help you narrow down the theories, at least,” Declan said. He scratched the back of his dirty blond hair. “I mean, why five parts from five different bodies? It doesn’t make sense.”
“I guess it depends on why the murderer wanted the body parts,” I said. “If the intention was to sell them on the black market, I would think they would’ve taken all of them, not just a select one from each body.”
“Maybe someone is ill and they need multiple parts for healing.”
The bone marrow certainly supported that theory, but murder to obtain it was extreme. “Again, why not take all the parts from the same body, though?” I queried. “Or take all the parts from all the bodies.”
“Different parts from multiple bodies would enhance the taste of a nice stew,” Declan said. “Make it more flavorful.”
I cringed. “Declan! That’s a terrible thing to say.”
“I’m serious,” he said. “A Baba Yaga would make a stew like that to grow her power.”
I stared at him. “Power. Yes! One of the runes in the circle signified power.”
“Okay, that’s a start,” Declan said. “What about the others?”
“Robin is deciphering the rest.” I leaned over the edge of the turret. “I wish Cerys had been there. She probably would’ve known without any research.” Not that I wanted that horrible scene burned into her brain. It would give me nightmares for years to come and I wasn’t prone to them like she was.
“I might be able to offer insight,” Declan said. “You don’t wander the earth as a demigod of war without picking up a little rune knowledge along the way.”
I smiled despite my distressed mood. “For someone who hid his identity from me, you’re awfully eager to remind me of your demigod status these days.”
Declan grinned. “Could be I’m trying to impress you.” He inched closer.
“Could be?”
He nuzzled my neck. “Is it working?”
“It isn’t your DNA that impresses me,” I replied.
His soft lips grazed my cheek. “So something about me impresses you? Please don’t hesitate to share.”
My body shivered with pleasure. “Your heart impresses me. Your bravery impresses me.”
He wrapped his strong arms around me. “I’m so glad you said heart first.” I knew why he felt that way. As a demigod of war, bravery was expected. Strength was expected. Compassion wasn’t. That quality had been inherited from his mother—it was the reason he wasn’t hardened—and he held it in high regard. So did I.
“Great Goddess,” I said. “Purity.”
Declan pulled his arms away. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to overstep.”
“No, not me,” I said. “I just realized I recognized one of the other runes. It’s the one for purity.”
“That makes sense given that body parts were removed,” Declan said. “The murderer performed a cleanse of some sort.”
“That suggests a transfer,” I said.
Declan winked. “Or a stew.”
I gave him a playful smack. “You can track down local Baba Yagas if you’re so convinced. I’m going to start with the black market.”
“It could also be a way to absorb power,” Declan said “There are many ancient rituals that involve eating the heart or liver of your enemy in order to gain their strength in battle, for example.”
“I’m so glad you’re a modern demigod of war,” I said. “I don’t think I could’ve handled the ancient version of you.”
“I’d be too busy slaying monsters and wearing their skins to find time for love anyway,” Declan said.
My heart skipped a beat. “Love?”
Declan offered a soft smile. “Of course love. Did you think this could be anything else?”
Declan loved me. The hottest demigod in the four quadrants loved me. My heart fluttered so hard that it threatened to burst out of its cage.
“I didn’t really let myself think…” I stopped my insecurities in their tracks. The old Mia would have babbled nonsense about not being worthy, but not this Mia. This Mia fell silent.
“I knew we were destined the moment I saw you at Nonesuch,” Declan said. “I’d never felt more drawn to someone.”
“This isn’t just because an oracle told you that you’d meet someone special there?”
“You don’t really think that, do you?” he asked.
&n
bsp; No, I didn’t. My lips melted into a smile. “I love you, too, Declan.”
“Thank the gods.” He lowered his head to kiss me. Powerful emotions surged through me. If I never kissed anyone again for the rest of my life, this moment would be enough.
Declan pressed his forehead against mine. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“Body parts,” I murmured.
A slow grin emerged. “Glad we’re on the same page.”
“You can come if you want. I’m going to see the expert right now,” I said, and disentangled from his embrace.
He cocked his head, seemingly confused. “I’d like to think I’m the expert.”
“No, I know someone better.”
Declan folded his arms. “And who might that be?”
“Dani’s boyfriend,” I told him. “Peter Zilla.”
Declan volunteered to research rituals involving the power and purity runes while Dani and I went to see Peter. He insisted that we meet him at his mother’s house for dinner because she was making her famous thistle and rippleweed pie. They called it Druid’s Delight and, apparently, it was an offer we couldn’t refuse.
“Mom, we’re here,” Peter called, opening the front door without knocking.
His mother bustled into the room, wiping her hands on a checkered apron. She lit up when she saw me. “Mia, so lovely to see you again.”
“You, too,” I replied.
Mariana greeted Dani with a kiss on the cheek. “You get more beautiful with every visit. And how’s your fourth year going? Such a milestone.”
“I know,” Dani said. “I can hardly believe it’s almost over.”
“It’s bittersweet, isn’t it?” Mariana said. “On the one hand, you’re excited to start the next phase of your life—the one you’ve been working toward. On the other hand, you hate to leave behind your current life.”
“That pretty much sums it up,” I said. I tried to block thoughts of Declan and the future from my mind.
“It’s such a gorgeous evening. Come sit on the patio,” Mariana urged. “Can I get you a drink? I have lime fizz.”
“That sounds good to me,” Dani said.
“I’ll get it, Mom,” Peter said. “You sit with Dani and Mia.”
“I’ll help you, Peter,” I said. I stayed behind in the kitchen while Dani and Mariana continued to the patio.
Peter pulled a pitcher from the refrigerator and moved to the cupboard for glasses. “What’s up, Holmes? I can tell something’s on your mind. You do that squinty thing between your eyebrows.”
I touched the spot on my face. “I don’t feel anything.”
Peter shot me a lazy grin. “Trust me. It’s there.”
“I need your expertise,” I said.
Peter slapped his hands on the counter. “Finally, my knowledge of Star Wars is going to pay dividends. How can I help?”
I stifled a smile. “It’s not about Star Wars.”
Peter snapped his fingers. “Which expertise do you mean? The ways of the druid? Music from the 80’s? How about top ten Disney villains in order of appearance?”
“It’s of a more criminal nature,” I said.
He seemed disappointed. “Okay, I guess I can help you with that, too.”
“Great. I need help with body parts,” I said.
“Rating them? Because I don’t do that…anymore.”
Although I knew he was joking, I still groaned. “Not like that. You were a smuggler. What do you know about the black market for organs and other body parts?”
“I know trafficking is a very lucrative business,” Peter said. “Not one I ever had an interest in, though. Too gross.” He shuddered. “Not to mention the ethics. You get a lot of desperate volunteers. They’ve often fallen on hard times and need the money.” He scratched the back of his neck. “Some of them don’t survive.”
I wondered whether any of the victims in the forest expected to survive what happened to them.
“Are you aware of any traffickers that operate in this area?” I asked. “Maybe they lure their victims to a forest and perform a cleansing ceremony before taking the parts they want.”
“Cleansing isn’t unusual. They have to make sure the parts are clear of negative energy before presenting them for sale. A good healer can sniff out organs or other parts taken under duress. It increases the risk that a new body will reject them. If you’ve paid good coin for a transfer, you don’t want to deal with rejection.”
“Can you sniff out parts taken under duress?” I asked, more out of curiosity. Peter was only half druid, but he possessed healing skills. I’d seen them in action.
“I never honed that particular skill,” Peter said.
“So if I wanted to track a healthy heart or a brain, for instance, where would I go?”
Peter reeled back. “Whoa. A brain? Are you serious?”
I tilted my head. “Is that not a common one?”
“Not in my experience, since it’s obvious the one giving the brain won’t survive without it,” he said.
“Well, my crime scene involves a missing brain, among other things.”
“Brains, huh?” He whistled. “And they’ve assigned you to this? I thought you wanted Class A. Isn’t that tracking dusty old objects?”
“It was supposed to be a Class A assignment,” I said. “The murders were unexpected.”
Peter picked up the tray and nodded toward the pitcher. “Can you grab that?” I lifted the pitcher and we moved toward the patio. “I have a friend who might know more. Ashara. If I remember correctly, she has contacts in that particular business.”
“And where can I find Ashara?” I asked.
“Exactly where you think,” he said cryptically.
My gaze darted to him. “The Obscura?”
“Yep. Your buddy Gray knows it well. Tell him you need to go to the Painted Veil.”
“What kind of establishment is that?” I asked.
“The kind owned by Ashara,” Peter replied. “Bring a trinket. She appreciates shiny things.”
“Jewelry?”
“Anything that makes her feel pretty ought to do the trick. Her tastes are simple.”
“She sounds like Dani.” I paused at the patio door, thinking. “How do you know Ashara?”
“Relax, Holmes. We never dated. I’ve helped her out a few times, that’s all.”
“Thanks for the tip.”
We joined Dani and Peter’s mom at the patio table.
“Are you talking shop already?” his mother asked. “It’s only been five minutes.” She filled our glasses with lime fizz. “I hear you have a boyfriend, Mia. Why don’t you tell me about him?”
“Declan,” Dani said, smiling at me.
“A demigod of war,” Mariana said. “That’s impressive.”
“Sure. If you like that sort of thing,” Peter grumbled.
Dani pinched his cheek. “It isn’t Mia’s preferences you should be concerned with.”
“You know I only have eyes for you,” Peter said. The sincerity in his voice filled me with warmth. He and Dani were so happy together.
“Declan is wonderful,” I confirmed. “He’s one of the kindest, most compassionate men in the world.”
“I hope to meet him someday,” Mariana said. “Preferably before you all scatter to the four corners of the earth.”
“Mom,” Peter said in a cautioning tone.
She covered her mouth. “I’m sorry. I know I’m not supposed to mention it.”
“It’s not exactly a surprise that we’re graduating,” Dani said. “But you’re sweet to be so considerate.”
“It’s the end of an era,” Peter blurted. “Four years together. Four years of laughing, training, and saving the world. All gone in one lengthy ceremony followed by an evening of dancing where I impress the entire academy with my sexy moves.” He shot to his feet and shifted his hips from side to side.
Mariana gave him an amused look. “I thought we weren’t supposed to talk about it.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” I said. “The year isn’t over yet.” And now I had a trip to the Obscura in my immediate future to track down an organ trafficker.
“And we intend to spend as much of the remaining time together as we can,” Dani said. “We want happy memories to take with us when we go.”
“Change is a reality of life,” Mariana said, “but you witches are best friends. I have every confidence your relationships will survive separation.”
“Right now, it’s not separation I need to survive,” I said, the image of the five victims flashing in my mind. “It’s this investigation.”
Chapter Three
“Peter’s right,” Gray said. “The Obscura is a good place to start.” Gray, Bryn, and I sat at a booth in Stake-n-Shake the next morning at Bryn’s insistence. According to her, missions were best discussed over a large breakfast at the roller skating-themed vampire diner.
“I don’t speak the Vulgar Tongue,” I moaned. “They’re going to know I don’t belong there.”
Bryn and Gray exchanged amused glances. “And you think I knew the first time I went down there with this guy?” She hooked her thumb toward the vampire. “I had no clue what I was doing.”
“I’ll let Gray do the talking,” I said.
“This is the point of early assignments. Get your toes wet,” Gray said. “All agents end up in the Obscura at some point. It doesn’t matter which quadrant you’re in. That’s the beauty of a magical place. It has no physical boundaries.”
“A dark magical place,” I corrected him.
“It’s not all dark magic,” he replied. “What’s the name of Peter’s contact?”
“Ashara. She owns the Painted Veil.”
Bryn tipped her head up at him. “Do you know where that is?”
“Not without the address,” Gray said. “I don’t know Ashara.”
“I’ll come, too,” Bryn said. “Keep you company while Mia pounds the dark magical pavement.”
Part of me wanted my friend close by for support, but the other part of me knew I had to do this without her. Like Mariana had said, imminent separation was a reality I needed to accept.
Outgrow: Spellslingers Academy of Magic (Keeper of the North Book 2) Page 2
