Page 32 of Wolf Trap

“Well, it was in a room lined with bookcases,” I offered, narrowing my eyes at the suits of armour.

Darting into one room, no bookcases. We crept quickly to another. There at the back of the room was a closed door.

“I think it’s through there?” I offered.

Striding over, Lycaon gripped the handle, opening it slowly, peering around it. His voice was gruff, “It’s here. The bookcases, the secret passageway.”

Making a face, his forehead furrowed, Lycaon shook his head and said, “Allow me.”

Spying the scuff marks on the floor, Lycaon ran his fingers around the back of the bookcase, then pulled it forward. A gust of cold air blew over us. He crept inside. Standing behind him, he was looking into the darkness, up and down the corridor.

“Left, go left and follow it down,” I whispered.

He stepped inside the corridor, waiting with an outstretched hand. I took it, surprised it was so hot.

Pulling my phone from my pocket, I set it to silent, then clicked on the torch. I crouched as a large cobweb tangled in my hair.

Anthony whispered sharply, “No need. I can see. I can’t sense anything here, but still.”

Silently, we three trudged into the gloom as the slope descended deeper beneath the house. An icy chill shivered down my spine. The place seemed too quiet. Almost choking.

Eventually, we reached the bottom and Lycaon pushed open the door.

Stale and bloody air swept past us. Anthony recoiled, his hand to his nose.

It seemed like someone had rummaged through the basket filled with poppets, skulls, and phials of blood.

Broken bones and shattered glass crunched under our boots. Shuddering, I noticed that everything was strewn across the floor. Some of the poppets had been torn to shreds, and books with pages ripped out thrown across the room.

“Lookslike we aren’t the first to get here. If there’s something hidden, I doubt it will be in plain view,” I offered.

“We could combine magic, but it would help if I knew what you hoped to find?”

I shrugged, eyeing the place.

“A clue. Anything to give me more information. They used liquid silver bullets, so anything like that. Names, covens, packs?”

“Ah,” Anthony sighed, his hands slung into his jeans pockets. “I doubt that would be here. Your coven’s sigil was on the poppets, and you said Mattie was a part of this. How about Marrock? He dabbles in magic, though from what I’ve heard, it’s rather… amateur. He could be double bluffing you.”

“And kill his own kind? Never. I will vouch for him. He’s one of my own, though not a direct descent, not my progeny.” Lycaon eyed the vampire, a flare of anger in his voice.

Anthony shrugged. “If you say so.” As Lycaon stomped around the basement, Anthony shot me a glance. Seems he felt less trustworthy of Marrock. But Marrock had his reputation, and we all knew about it.

But then the memory of Marrock carrying the severed head of his pack member flashed back. Before I realised, I muttered, “Marrockisshady. I mean, he killed one of his pack for like, no reason other than losing his temper. He has money, so isn’t it at least possible? I never thought Mattie had money, though.” Iglanced about, picking up some pages from the floor. “Perhaps she hides her wealth?”

I felt Lycaon’s gaze burn into me. He let out an involuntary grunt.

The vampire twisted around, eyeing me, my face. “And money is important, how?”

I glanced around the room. “All this, the manor, the mirrored masks, the human staff… It doesn’t come cheap. I would guess you’d have to be somebody to become part of Adara.”

He wet his lip with his tongue. “Indeed. Marrock hardly makes a legal living, from what I hear. Drugs, guns… You said Adara used liquid silver bullets?”

Lycaon leered, “Watch your tongue, vampire!”

Now I levelled up to Lycaon. “Look, face the facts. You’ve been away for like, well, forever. Not every shifter is as honourable as you. You know of Marrock’s reputation. We’re not saying he’s responsible, but his past actions, his savage nature, should at least make us cautious. Not blindly trusting because he’s a werewolf.”

“I’m not blind, woman. But I trust my gut. Don’t question me.”

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