Page 52 of Wrongfully Magicked
“On these bodies, there is no trace of magic left in them.” He gives me a pointed look. “There is no hint of taint. Whatever happened to them, it wasn’t done because of magical poisoning. All we know is their magic was ripped from them.”
I spear my hands into my hair, dragging the strands away from my face as I begin pacing, frustration getting the better of me. “So we know how many failed attempts they tried. Do we know if there were any people taken with my genetic makeup who are still alive? Do we know if they’ve ever succeeded and got what they wanted?”
“We have no way of knowing,” Darby answers, not looking any happier at the news.
“Obviously, whatever they are doing didn’t work.” Cassius waves a hand around the crime scene. “Otherwise, why keep experimenting?”
“There is no point in speculating. Maybe more than one demon is doing tests. Maybe they are trying to build an army.” Porter pulls out his phone and starts snapping pictures. “Let’s contain the scene and get the fuck out of here.”
The guys don’t argue, none of them wanting to be in the borderlands longer than necessary. While the stench of death might keep the occupants of the forest away for now, the more daring ones won’t be able to resist checking it out.
I, for one, would like to be long gone by then.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CASSIUS
We finished containing the crime scene two hours later and reported the findings to MID—though we kept our theories to ourselves. We only relayed the strict facts about what we found, then we disposed of the body as per MID regulations. Meaning we torched the area.
Since most of the clearing has already been scorched, thanks to Anita, it’s a great cover.
In under three hours, we’re heading back to town.
Anita has been quiet almost the whole time.
I don’t trust it.
The woman is anything but meek and mild.
No, she’s plotting, and I don’t like it. I don’t bother to stare out the window, I just stare at her. I want to say it’s in hopes that it will make her so nervous that she’ll blurt out her secrets, but I know better.
She won’t break.
No, I stare because she fascinates me.
Even though I know better.
She’s wearing another set of clothes that Porter stashed in the back. Which is good, since we don’t need the distraction of her running around naked again. And yet I miss the way the shadows clung to her curves, moving over her skin like a caress. The way the darkness played peekaboo with her flesh, giving us delicious glimpses of tan skin.
Once again seated next to her in the truck, my beast coils inside my chest, content just to be nearby. Though she might annoy me to no end, I can admit that it’s nice not to constantly be fighting myself every second of the day.
I’m not sure I trust my beast’s reaction to her. It’s like she somehow hypnotized my basilisk instead of the other way around. I’m desperate to learn what makes her tick, and it’s all I can do not to demand she tell me how she’s able to control my beast.
Unfortunately, I suspect it’s some sort of fluke.
If I want answers, I’m going to have to keep her close and study her.
Anita turns suddenly, taking me by surprise, and I lurch back, my cheeks stinging as heat fills my face at being caught.
“What do you want?” She doesn’t sound mad, more like she’s just exhausted by the events of the last few days.
I can’t say I blame her. I hesitate for a moment, then decide to be honest. “You’ve been quiet. I’m curious about what’s running through your head.”
She purses her lips, searching my face, and I hold perfectly still, suddenly incredibly nervous. It’s all I can do not to fidget.
Reaching up, she rubs the tips of her fingers between her brows and closes her eyes. “I’m trying to think of what a demon could possibly want with someone like me.”
I lean forward, curious what conclusions she’s drawn. “And what did you decide?”
