Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 71312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
“Right,” I say, hearing the unspoken request to not mention this to Ethan. David is right in saying that the Order won’t stop using Ethan as promo, and it will piss Ethan off to know the Order has been using video clips of him.
“If the Order didn’t frame Ethan, then who did?” Nik asks.
“I have no idea,” David says with a sigh.
“What about another hunter?” I suggest. “Someone who’s mad Ethan left the Order and is dating a witch?”
“It’s a possibility, though no one loyal to the Order would reopen a case like that. They’d find another way to get back at him, or they’d go after you, Anora.”
I raise my brows and nod as I talk. “Yeah. That makes more sense. Unless…” The words die in my throat, not wanting to say them out loud.
“Unless they knew they couldn’t take on a witch,” Nik finishes for me. “And they knew going after the one person she loves more than anyone would hurt the most.”
“We will look into it. Julia is getting information on the new couple in the apartment as we speak.”
“Good,” I say and a few seconds of silence tick by.
“Ethan will be released,” David assures me. “Carl is good at what he does, and the security camera footage proves there is no way Ethan was in the barn in Thorne Hill and in Chicago murdering Patrick at the same time.”
“I know,” I tell him, trying to fully believe it myself. Ethan has an alibi, yet I can’t shake the bad feeling that’s settling down in the pit of my stomach.
“Try not to worry. I know that’s easier said than done. I’ll keep in touch, okay?”
“Okay. Thanks, David,” I say and then end the call, letting out a slow breath. Nik turns the music back on and I open my window. A cool breeze blows in, making me shiver, but it feels good right now. It’s a typical spring day here in the Midwest. The sun is warm, but the breeze still has the chill of winter on it, reminding me that we’re not completely out of the woods when it comes to being cold just yet.
“It’s only a matter of time before he walks through those doors,” Nik says.
“Yeah.”
“But I think we really should consider what I said.” Nik’s brows push together with concern.
“You said a lot of things.”
He gives me a lopsided smile. “I typically do, but I’m talking about someone going after Ethan to get to you. I mean, look at you: you’re rattled, tense, upset—obviously, of course. But you’re distracted with your guard down. If I was going to attack you or curse you, this would be an ideal time.”
“Seems like a lot of work to go through just to go after me.”
“Well, you’ve been surprisingly resilient when it comes to facing the darkness. You’re a witch, who, until recently, had no memory of being one and in just a few months, you’ve fought and killed several demons, became a leader of reapers, and went into a demonic prison and came out unscathed. Whoever framed Ethan has been watching to know that there was a connection between Ethan and Patrick in the first place. They probably know you’re not so easy to mess with.”
“That is true, though you’re making me sound way more badass than I am.” I wrinkle my nose. “I didn’t really know what I was doing while fighting any of the things you mentioned.”
“I’ll argue that makes you even more badass.” Nik playfully elbows me. “You’re a talented witch, Anora.” He rests his head back against the seat. “Why your aunt bound your powers is beyond me. You’re catching up fast, but think of where you’d be if she hadn’t.”
“Yeah,” I say again. “I think I need to come to terms with the fact that I’m never going to know why she did it.” I push my hair back when another gust of wind blows in the car. “You know it’s basically haunted me since I found out about it. At least I remember pretty much everything now.” I shake my head. “Which is weird as fuck on its own. The memories are there, but it’s more like memories of watching a TV show and not of something happening to me.”
“Hey, at least you didn’t go crazy when your past got altered in your mind like that.”
“That is one heck of a silver lining.”
Silence falls over us again and we both stare at the doors to the police station. My heart starts to beat faster as each minute passes. What the hell is going on in there? Is the alibi not good enough to stand up against the evidence? Do they have more evidence they didn’t tell Carl about?
“The new barn should be ready soon,” Nik notes, and I know he’s bringing it up for my sake. If there’s one thing that can distract me no matter how bad things get, it’s talking about horses.