The Witch Who Enchanted Me by Vivi Anna

Author:Vivi Anna
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: paranormal romance, paranormal suspense, paranormal cozy mystery, new adult paranormal romance, paranormal, vampire romance, witch romance, witch cozy mystery, werewolf romance, shifters, shapeshifters, cozy mystery series, mystery, otherworld crime unit, crime scene, crime novel, romantic urban fantasy, romantic suspense
Publisher: Vivi Anna
Published: 2021-08-12T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Lyra’s stomach lurched into her throat as Caine pulled onto the curb behind Mahina’s unmarked sedan in front of New Destiny.

While the others jumped out of the SUV, she stayed behind. She felt cold inside. Her limbs were freezing from the inside out and she couldn’t move from her seat. It was if she had rigor mortis.

Caine opened her door. “Do you want to stay in the vehicle?”

She shook her head, hating being coddled. She’d been doing this job long enough to see all manner of death and destruction. Another body, whoever it may be, was just another case. She had to remember that.

Even if she did just see the victim only hours before.

Taking in a deep breath, Lyra slid out of the vehicle, went around back and grabbed her kit. She followed Caine and Eve into the shop. The officer stationed at the doorway nodded to them as the passed.

Inside, it looked the same as how she left it earlier. There didn’t seem to be anything broken. No blatant evidence that a fight took place. The only difference would be the smell that permeated the store, overcoming the patchouli.

The scent of death.

There was no other odor as pungent.

“It’s a mess,” the police captain said, licking her lips. “I haven’t come across a scene like this in years.”

“Who called it in?” Caine asked.

“Anonymous tip.”

“Hmm, I’m thinking not so anonymous,” Caine said as he peered through the hanging strings of beads. “Too convenient.”

Mahina grunted in agreement as Caine swept the curtain aside and stepped into the back office. Eve followed him through, Lyra at the last, snapping on latex gloves.

She tried to avert her eyes, forcing them to the floor to look for evidence, but no matter what she did, Lyra couldn’t help but stare at the witch sitting in the chair she’d been in only hours before. Lyra had to put a hand to her mouth to stop the gasp of revulsion.

Black candles stuck out from where Claire’s eyes should have been. The wicks had been lit and still flickered with tiny flames. Blood and entrails pooled beneath the table and chair. The poor woman had been gutted.

After the photos were taken, Caine and medical examiner sat the body up so he could take a body temperature reading to determine time of death.

Sliding the thermometer in, Givon read the gauge. “According to liver temp, she’s been dead from four to eight hours.” He took it out and gestured to the victim’s stiffening arms. “Rigor is settling in.”

“I was here maybe three hours ago,” Lyra interjected.

Givon frowned. “Are you positive?”

Lyra nodded.

“Then, I’m leaning more towards the three as livor mortis is almost fixed along her legs and buttocks where she’s been sitting.”

Caine locked eyes with Lyra. He knew she had been here following a lead, but she hadn’t had the chance to tell him what she had learned from Claire. Despite the lapse, Lyra knew exactly what Caine was thinking. This was another warning—to her.

She heard it loud and clear.

The witch had died horribly because the killer thought she had told Lyra something.

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