Page 10 of Death Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Lucinda’s eyes narrowed. “You keep saying you did not feel it.”

“I keep saying it because it is important,” I shot back. “If it were ley line powered necromancy, the residue would be thick. It would coat the town like smoke. This feels… filtered.”

Carnell leaned forward slightly, interest flickering. “Filtered how.”

I searched for the right comparison, which was difficult because it felt like being lied to by the universe.

“Like someone wrapped the spell in something else,” I said. “Like they put a blanket over it. You can still see the outline, but you cannot make out the details.”

Nishi’s eyes went distant for a moment, as if she were looking at my words in color. “Masking.”

“Yes.”

Hunter’s jaw tightened. “Who can do that?”

Caton answered too quickly. “Someone skilled.”

Faith snorted. “Thank you, Captain Helpful.”

Caton’s twitch fired, and his gaze snapped to her. “Do you have a name, then?”

Faith’s voice stayed flat. “I have a list. That is not the same thing.”

Eve’s fingers tightened around her necklace. “It could be an artifact.”

Lucinda’s eyes flicked to her. “Explain.”

“A relic that stores death energy,” Eve said. “Something that does the heavy work for the caster. That could explain the masking. The signature might be the object’s, not the person’s.”

Caton’s expression tightened. “And where would someone get something like that?”

Eve’s smile was thin. “Your friends collect all kinds of things.”

Faith grunted again, and this time I knew exactly why. Caton’s entire life was a network of useful people, many of whom were the sort you would not invite to a potluck unless you enjoyed poison as a surprise ingredient.

Lucinda steepled her fingers, eyes cold. “Or it could be deliberate theater. A distraction.”

Alex nodded, thoughtful. “That is possible. If someone wanted to pull resources away from something else.”

My stomach sank. “Like what?”

Lucinda’s gaze flicked to the board, then to the doors, then to the room itself. “Like the council chambers. Like the pack lands. Like Scorchwood.”

Hunter’s shoulders went rigid. “They would not get far on pack lands.”

Lucinda’s tone showed her irritation. “Do not assume that. Whoever is doing this already broke a rule most sane people adhere to.”

Carnell’s expression turned amused. “I do enjoy a bold villain.”

Faith looked as if she wanted to throw him through a column.

Alex held up a hand, re-centering the discussion. “All right. Potential causes—ley line interference, artifact, skilled necromancer with masking, distraction tactic, or infection vector. Anything else?”

Nishi spoke quietly. “Possession.”

Everyone paused.

I blinked. “Possession.”