Page 32 of Oohs, Ahhhs, and Orbs

“I can’t tell you who did it, and I can’t tell you who they called on without knowing what the symbols mean. What I can tell youbased on this one,” I pointed to the symbol for power, “is that their goal was to steal her magic. She was a sacrifice for power.” I looked at the men again. “I don’t have to tell you that this kind of sacrifice is forbidden. ‘Harm none’ doesnotmean murder one of your own.”

“Are you saying,” Logan asked as he took my hand and laced our fingers together. “That the person who did this murdered one of the strongest witches in town to steal her magical power? And they’ve already done it again?”

I slowly nodded my head as icy cold dread ran down my spine. “Yes.”

“They are getting stronger?”

“If their ritual worked,” I whispered.

“I have to ask,” Mac began, making Logan and me turn in his direction. “How powerful would someone have to be to perform something like this in the first place?”

I looked back down at the pictures and remembered Logan’s questions from the other night, asking me if someone could bind someone from moving, or move them without touching. I’d told him then it would take someone strong in magic. There were no scuff marks in the chalk, indicating that the body had been slid across the floor. There didn’t appear to be any indication of struggle since she wasn’t bound in place with ropes.

“Pretty powerful,” I murmured.

I reached over and flipped the other folder open to see similar pictures, only the victim was of someone I had known a little better than Mrs. Brooks. “Oh, Hillary,” I sobbed. I wiped at my eyes furiously and glared up at Logan. “She was on the list I gave you.”

“She was. We spoke to both her and Simone Donaldson last week. She was a lovely woman.”

“She was sweet and kind. She didn’t have any children, but she treated all the young witches like a big sister.” I closed myeyes. “She probably knew it was going to happen. Did she say anything to you when you talked to her?” I opened my eyes and turned back to Logan expectantly.

He stared at me intently, an emotion I couldn’t read hiding there in his eyes. “She told me that all the best things in life are worth the effort.”

I nodded and looked down at my hands. “Mrs. Donaldson is going to need protection. Oh my Goddess, Grandmother!” I squeezed my eyes closed and reopened them to see Logan staring at me knowingly. “I’ve never been so thankful that she is gone right now!”

“I’m not letting you out of my sight,” he warned, and I didn’t know why I was surprised that he had already jumped into protective mode so quickly.

“I’m stronger than them, Logan. This monster won’t be able to take me so easily.”

“I don’t care.”

“I’ll be ready. I am prepared and know what to do.”

“I don’t care!” His fist slammed down onto the table, and I stared down at it unblinking. “If this person is stealing magic, they could very well be stronger than you by now,” he fumed. “Would you be able to keep them from binding you? Can you stop them from stabbing you through the heart if they are stronger?”

I stared at him with my chin raised. “I’m stronger.”

“How can you say that?” he yelled “This person was already strong enough to hold two magically gifted women and steal their power without a single struggle. How can you say you’re stronger?”

I leaned in until we were practically nose to nose. “I. Am. Stronger.”

I sat back and didn’t say out loud what was running through my head while knowing that my mate was scared for my life. If he knew, he wouldn’t be able to sleep at night.

Iwantedthe killer to come after me.

Mac stood up and gathered the pictures together, sliding them back into the folder. Then he closed both case files. “You have been a lot of help, Bridgette.”

I stood up as well while Logan sat in his seat, clenching and unclenching his fists. “I wish I could do more,” I admitted. “It doesn’t help when we don’t have a name.”

“No, but we are several steps closer. Knowing a motive always helps.”

I shook his offered hand and heard Logan finally stand up behind me. “I’m glad. But I will keep doing research on my end. I’m not sure if finding out what those symbols are will make any difference, but I won’t stop looking.”

I turned to leave but paused at the door. “Tell your wife I would love to meet her and have dinner. She’s welcome in my shop any time.”

I walked out of the door and past the desks that seemed to have more men and women working at them than there had been when I’d first arrived. I smiled at the ones who made eye contact and noticed that a couple of the men looked behind me and lost their smiles completely, sitting down and pretending to be engrossed in their work.

When I made it to the elevator, Logan’s hand reached out and pushed the call button. “I’ll walk you down.”

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