Page 9 of Charlotte's Story
“Right, but I still need to hear you say it.”
I blew out a breath and pointed to Firth. “I married him today and half of the town was there, so can you please stop being ridiculous so we can figure out what happened tonight?”
Firth’s mouth fell open. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m saying we need to figure out what happened tonight and prove if you did or did not kill Dahlia.” I folded my arms.
“No, not that part, although I’m sure I didn’t kill Dahlia. I don’t even know anyone named Dahlia, and I would never kill someone.” He blinked hard as if rewinding a mental tape. “But us married? That doesn’t make sense. I’d never forget something like that.”
My mouth fell open, and my chest twinged. How could he say that after this afternoon?
He’d kissed me just hours ago, and now he was looking at me like I was a stranger.
Firth turned to Tessa. “I don’t know what’s going on tonight, but believe me when I say that I am not married to this woman. I don’t even know why she was in my house.”
My face flushed. “Of course we’re married. You had Brexton do the ceremony.”
“A man wouldn’t forget a wife like you.” His gaze lingered on me a beat too long, though he never fully made eye contact with me.
Even still, my cheeks flushed.
The older officer rubbed the bridge of his nose, and Tessa gestured for me to step away with her. She glanced back atFirth once more, then met my gaze. “It would appear that your husband has amnesia.”
Chapter 3
IblinkedatTessa,then at Firth. “What do you mean he has amnesia? How could that have happened? I just saw him like two hours ago, and he was fine.”
“We believe that the victim hit him with a spell before she died,” Officer Hernandez said. “I don’t know if amnesia was the intended effect or just a side effect, and it’s difficult to track since the victim’s magical trace is disappearing as we speak, but there’s a lingering magical resonance on your husband. I’m assuming it isn’t yours.” He raised a dark eyebrow.
“No, of course not.” I tucked a strand of black hair behind my ear.
“Charlotte is Unmarked,” Tessa explained.
“I see.” He rubbed his scruffy chin.
“Did they say amnesia?” Lenora said too loudly. “Did you hear, Fern?”
“Pipe down,” the sprite’s trilling voice sounded. “I can’t hear a thing with you yapping next to me. Now I’ll have to send some magic over if we’re going to hear anything.” A second later, tinyglowing balls of light, like iridescent fireflies, made their way to us, crackling softly.
Officer Hernandez sighed and shook his head, tugging his cap lower. “We’re going to need to take your husband to the station while we get things figured out. We’ll have a bit more privacy, and I think it’ll be better for everyone.”
“I understand,” I said numbly.
“I’m sure this isn’t easy for you.” Tessa took my hand, her grip gentle but her tone sharp.
“Can you tell me what happened?” I clung to Tessa’s hand.
“Not exactly. Things are pretty confusing.” A line appeared on Tessa’s brow. “Before the magic faded completely, we picked up traces of his magic on her, and her magic on him. There’s even a marking of some sort on his hand, but we’ll have better luck identifying it at the station.”
“We’ve also found traces of fibers on Dahlia that appear the same color as your husband’s jacket,” Officer Hernandez said.
“With Pastor Collins’s memory missing, it makes things a bit trickier, but we’ll figure out the truth,” Tessa said.
The officer who’d gone into the house came back and nodded toward Officer Hernandez. “I was able to confirm her story. There are traces of her all around the house.”
I perked up. “Can you use your magic to confirm Firth’s innocence?”
“I’m afraid not,” he said with a frown.
