“Whoever did this took a risk coming here. Any paranormal could’ve been in the area and come to investigate. The humans had their memories wiped, and I’m pretty sure I know who’s responsible.”
“Beatrice. You think she used witchweed to do this.”
“I do.”
It was the first lucky break I’d had. If I hadn’t asked Gary about Mary, we wouldn’t have a clue who’d managed to wipe so many memories at once.
I rubbed at my temple.
“If she did this, she obviously had help. We need to figure out who she’s working with and what motive they have for killing demons. There’s some end game here that I’m not seeing.”
My head pounded, and even Vas looked wrung out. Both of us were having an exceptionally shitty day.
May as well make it worse.
I sighed. “Time to talk to the witches.”
“Which ones?”
“As many as we can. I have a few we can start with. First up is a witch named Hannah…” I trailed off and Vas raised his eyebrow at me.
“When I… liberated Samael’s dagger, a witch helped me with a look-away spell.”
Vas’ dreamy eyes sharpened. “I wondered how you did it. The spell hid you from the dragon?”
“Kind of.” That little interaction between the dagger and I, and the resulting power it had used, was my business. I had no doubt that if Samael suspected the dagger was occasionally sentient, he’d take it back from me before I could even blink.
Vas’s expression was carefully neutral as he watched me. He knew I wasn’t saying everything, but he didn’t press. Because if Samael asked him, he’d have to tell him everything I’d said.
“Anyway,” I said into the awkward silence, “The witch I paid for that little spell is powerful. And she’s a black witch. If Samael finds out who helped me, her life could be in danger. But she’ll know if it’s possible for a witch to harness demon power, and she might even know where we should look.”
Vas studied me, then finally sighed. “If visiting this witch can help us narrow down our suspects, I won’t say anything to Samael unless he specifically asks.”
“Thanks.”
Vas merely nodded and walked me to my car, flying above me as I drove toward Trinity Park.
Most white witches lived in covens simply because it was safer that way. Black witches were not to be trusted for many reasons, but their lack of scruples was at the top of the list. One never knew when your sister-witch would go full-dark and attempt to steal your powers. If that witch knew you had a coven of witches ready to back you up, she’d usually think twice.
Usually.
When the portals opened, black witches quickly learned that sacrificing a human did incredible things for the amount of power they were able to channel.
Luckily, the Mage Council had quickly laid down the law when they came into power. If a black witch stepped out of line, she’d have the Mage Council to contend with. And if they didn’t handle it, Samael’s demons would.
I was sure most of Hannah’s neighbors would prefer for her to not live in their territory— my sister’s coven lived just a few streets away, and I grinned at the thought of them brainstorming ways to drive Hannah out.
Hannah lived a few blocks from the gas station where the demon had been found, in a mint-green bungalow with a sizeable front yard. The roses she’d been deadheading the last time I was here were now in full-bloom, their sunny yellow color luring visitors closer for a sniff.
“I’d expect black roses,” Vas muttered.
“That would be a cliche, don’t you think?” The voice came out of nowhere and I tensed, my hand sliding toward my Nim Cub.
If I’d thoughtIwas tense, I had nothing on Vas. The demon jumped and I couldn’t help but grin. It was the first time I’d seen him truly startled. He narrowed his eyes at me and I attempted to lose the grin. I failed.
Hannah raised her eyebrow at me. She’d obviously been out for a walk, her curly white hair covered by a wide-brimmed hat.
The lines around her eyes deepened as she scanned Vas before glancing at me. “Interesting company you’re keeping, halfling.”
