Witch Wolf Page 22

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  It is not an easy thing to take another’s life, no matter how many crimes they have committed. No matter how many people they have killed. Ridding the world of some small evil does not ensure a good night’s sleep. Neither justice nor vengeance comes with a guarantee that you will not doubt yourself.

  What helps is that I know I did what I could for the victims and their families. That I ensured Lukas Morris would never again hurt anyone else.

  There wasn’t anything I could do about Sheila Morris. I didn’t like her, but since Lukas was trying to dethrone her, she hadn’t been involved in his little murder escapades. I still didn’t trust her, though. There was something about her that I saw in her brother. Not the insanity bit, as Sheila didn’t seem like a complete whack-job like her brother, but there was a darkness there that I don’t think either of them dealt with in healthy ways. I thought about giving the name to Arthur. That way, he could take her in for questioning. But then I decided that in the future I would keep watch on her myself. If she was innocent, why expose that she’s a lycanthrope? It could potentially ruin her life. I only ruin the lives of those that deserve it, when I’m sure they deserve it.

  It was the night of the autumnal equinox, a time to prepare for the cold winter months ahead. I would pay my respects to the waning sunlight and honor the moon lady. Soon, her cold fingers would coax the leaves off the trees. The ground would fall asleep under her cloak of frost.

  For tonight, everything was in balance.

  Arthur pulled up by the gate. “Nice,” he said. “I’m starting to see what you see in Vampira.” He grinned.

  “Arthur,” I unbuckled my seat belt, “shut up.”

  I got out of the car. My entire body felt like I’d been hit by a semi truck. It was a dull ache, which was good, because it meant that the damage done to my body was healing properly. Werewolf or no, I was exhausted, but some exhaustions are of the mind rather than the body. I forced myself to keep my carriage straight as I went to the keypad.

  Lenorre had saved my life. Rosalin and Carver had helped her, but I knew without a doubt that she had been the mastermind of my rescue.

  The gate opened and I stumbled over a rock. It was a small rock, but one of those little jagged rocks that slip beneath your heel. Usually, I’d notice something like that. I cursed under my breath.

  I made it as far as the driveway when the front door opened. Lenorre was suddenly beside me, slipping an arm around my waist.

  A muscle in my back spasmed. Sometimes, healing so quickly can be uncomfortable.

  “You just did it again,” I said.

  “Did what?”

  “You remember the poof thing we talked about?”

  Lenorre shook her head. “I come to help you, and you are more worried about me poofing to your aid than the actual aid itself. Are you truly complaining?” she asked.

  I looked up into her misty gray eyes and smiled softly. “No,” I said, “I appreciate the aid, whether you poofed to give it or not.”

  The ground moved out from under my feet. Lenorre cradled me in her arms, holding my body against hers.

  “I didn’t say you had to carry me.”

  She gave a slow blink that showed off the richness of her eyelashes. As if that was her response, she began walking toward the house. I let out a deep breath and relaxed. If she hadn’t saved my life, I would’ve gone apeshit for being picked up without warning, for feeling like I was being coddled like a child.

  The Countess of Oklahoma carried me into her home, and I knew she wasn’t coddling me. She held me not because she wanted to bend me to her will or keep me as a pet.

  I looked at her and knew that she held me because she cared.

  I rested my head against her shoulder and inhaled the sweet scent of cinnamon and cloves and the smell of crisp night air.

  “It is like your detective friend said,” she mumbled and I felt her lips moving against the top of my head.

  “What is?” My voice was a tired whisper.

  “Mmm,” she said, “something about doughnuts.” I looked up into her shining face. The corner of her red mouth twitched.

  I gave a short laugh. “That from a woman who could probably pick up a truck and throw it.”

  “You are amazingly light compared to a truck.”

  “That’s good to know.”

  I sank back into the feel of her.

  “How did you know?” I asked.

  “That you were missing?”

  I nodded, not bothering to look at her.

  “Rosalin informed me. I told her to search the area. She found your phone.”

  “What about Carver?” I asked. “He was my suspect.”

  “He offered to help,” Lenorre said. “Mayhap, to prove a point. Who is to know? The fact of the matter is that he did help.”

  “True,” I said. “I owe him an apology.”

  “You do,” she said at length. “Though I do not blame you.”

  “I do, a little,” I said.

  “Why?”

  “I knew when I met Lukas something was off about him. I just didn’t pay attention to it.”

  Lenorre helped me to my feet before opening the door that led to the basement levels. “Mistakes are a part of life,” she said, slipping an arm around my waist as we descended the stairs. “Be grateful your mistake helped you to find and save Henry Walker.”

  “I am,” I said, and meant it.

  Lenorre laid me down on the bed and I sighed as I sank into the deep silk bedding. I watched her get undressed. She slid into bed next to me and curled her body around mine.

  My muscles eased and my skin warmed where her cold body touched it. Ironic, I thought as I drifted to sleep. I would still have to deal with the crazy shit going on in my life. But for now, I was right where I wanted to be.

  About the Author

  Winter Pennington is an author, poet, artist, and closeted musician. She is an avid practitioner of nature-based spirituality and enjoys spending her spare time studying mythology from around the world. The Celtic path is very close to her heart. She has an uncanny fascination with swords and daggers and a fondness for feeding loud and obnoxious corvids. Winter currently resides in Oklahoma with her partner.

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