Demons kept their powers and abilities to themselves, so not many people knew that locks were completely useless against them. They could open them with a mere thought, so if you wanted to keep a demon out, wards and salt were your best bet.
We all stood, and Sandy snatched one more cookie off the platter. That was the thing about sprites—they had voracious appetites but insane metabolisms, which allowed them to eat whatever they wanted and stay wafer-thin. I would have to warn Declan or Sandy would eat him out of house and cookie.
“Hold up, everyone,” I said, using enough authority in my voice to get them to stop. “Let’s go in through the back door. We don’t need all of Ravenstone watching us go into the building. That would for sure get tongues wagging.”
We changed direction and headed for the back door. When we stepped into the alley, Declan stopped and looked around. “What about Eugene?”
“He’ll meet us over there. He doesn’t need to use doors like the rest of us.”
“Then how will he get there?”
I shrugged. “Air vents are my guess, but who knows. Shadows can slip under doors or through keyholes.”
“Okay, good to know.”
I leaned down and brushed a quick kiss across his lips. “It was nice of you to think about him, though. Most people forget he exists.”
“I can see how that could happen, but that just means we need to make more of an effort, right?”
“Right. Now let’s catch up with the others.”
The group was waiting for us at the back door, and when Az saw us, he rolled his eyes. “There will be time for that later. We’re on an important mission here.”
Declan blushed, but I just ignored him. Saying anything back would only feed the fire, so I made a get on with it motion with my hand, and he rolled his eyes at me. Then he gripped the knob and whispered something none of us could hear before turning it and pushing the door open.
He stepped back and bowed slightly at the waist. “After you.”
We all traipsed into the building, flipping on lights as we went. As a group, we moved through what had been a storage room out into the main storefront. I reached to my right to flip on the light when Hazel gasped and took a few steps back. I turned to see what had frightened her, expecting to see a large rat or something.
What I didn’t expect to see was the second dead body in a week.
Chapter Fifteen
Oh no. Not another one.
Declan
I was still a little dazed from Gideon kissing me again, so I’d stayed at the back of the group when we’d first entered Winston’s building. I needed my cheeks to cool down a little before everyone saw how red I must be.
Josh had never been much for public displays of affection, so I wasn’t quite sure how I was supposed to react. Not that I was complaining. I liked it. A lot. In fact, I suspected it would be incredibly easy to fall for Gideon. I’d only just met him, but I felt like I was well on my way already.
But we had a murder to investigate. Winston’s killer needed to be caught. After that, Gideon and I could explore whether this spark between us could develop into something more. When we first stepped inside, some of the others had been muttering about how we were missing something. Which was true. If we weren’t, then we’d know who the killer was. But I alsowondered if my supposed magical baking had triggered a deeper awareness. Wouldn’t that be cool?
And then suddenly everyone stopped talking and walking.
“Why is everyone standing in the storage room?” I asked, pushing through.
Last time, I’d been too shocked by Winston’s dead body to pay any attention to the crime scene. I had questions I needed answers to. I wasn’t going to get them standing in here.
“Declan, stop,” Gideon said.
But it was too late. I’d stumbled to the front of the group and finally figured out what had everyone spooked.
“Oh no. Not another one.” I stared at Jim—or, rather, at Jim’s very dead body.
In many ways, Jim looked a lot like he had when we’d spoken to him this morning. He was wearing the same clothes. His face was frozen in what appeared to be the same irritated frown he’d worn earlier, too. But the blade sticking out of his chest, right up to its ornate hilt? That was new.
Unlike with Winston’s body, this time there was blood.
