Ahead of the Curse (A Cursed Witch Mystery Book 1) by Elle Adams

Author:Elle Adams [Adams, Elle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-02-14T16:00:00+00:00

10

Callum, Maurice, and I left the woods behind and walked back to the police station to meet Tam. The walk took less than ten minutes, which reminded me how close to the rest of the village’s inhabitants the attack had taken place. No wonder the streets were so quiet. Everyone with any sense was hiding away until they felt safe to come outside.

It might take a while at this rate. I had two suspects but zero proof, while our team dynamic was on shaky ground. But for everyone’s sake, we had to get rid of the monster and ensure its summoner ended up behind bars where they belonged. No pressure.

Callum led the way to the police station. Through the glass door, I spotted Tam near the desk, talking to Janessa and one of her scowling subordinates. Nearby, Farley waved and beckoned for us to come in.

Janessa tutted when the three of us attempted to crowd into the already pocket-sized office. “Back already?”

“What did you find?” asked Tam. “Did something else happen?”

Yes, we met a certain unfriendly local, and our resident vamp got a bit too overexcited about all the blood. Also, one of them is probably the culprit. I surreptitiously cast a look at the vampire, but he didn’t react as if he’d heard my silent response.

“No, but we looked around the area,” Callum replied aloud. “There weren’t any strange scents or footprints, but there were some strange markings on the ground. I think they were left by the creature, but they don’t look like any I’m familiar with. I didn’t detect the scent of a predator, either, which is odd.”

“Something killed a man,” Janessa said sourly. “Unless you’re claiming that an invisible ghost was responsible for ripping his heart out.”

For the afterworld, that wasn’t entirely unheard of, but her dismissive tone made it clear she wouldn’t believe any of our theories until we brought cold, hard evidence. As for a certain forest-dwelling local…

“Not a ghost,” I put in. “A flesh-and-blood creature summoned with the aid of a human, who committed the first murder.”

“Which left no footprints, allegedly,” said the officer. “I’m not buying it.”

There were footprints around the scene now, thanks to Stanley, but pointing that out would probably lead them to pin the blame on us for not stopping him. If in doubt, blame the outsider. I see how it is.

“It left markings,” said Callum. “I can compare the photos with our resources back at the tower to see if they match anything the Wardens have dealt with before.”

“Exactly,” Tam said to Janessa. “I don’t think there’s anything we can do for the victim at this point, but I offer my condolences.”

“Easy for you to say.” She sniffed. “Never seen anything like it in all my years of running this department. Invisible beasts indeed. And you say it came to your tower, did you?”

“Yes, but it fled as soon as we tried to get a closer look,” said Tam. “It seems to favour lone victims. I’d advise the locals to stay indoors at night and to avoid going near the forest at all until it’s caught.

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