What We Found (30 page)

Mom was squeezing Ricky, who looked half embarrassed and half pleased. She saw me, gave a little cry, and reached one arm out without letting go of my brother. I slipped away from Kyle to join them in a hug. Over Mom’s head, I saw Nancy, with the falcon still on her gloved arm, and Daniel. I grinned at them and they beamed back.

I eased away from Mom and went to stand beside Kyle. Mom watched with a slight frown, but then she met my eyes and gave a resigned smile.

“Well?” Nancy’s gruff voice rumbled. “Is anyone going to tell us what happened? Who got shot?”

“No one,” I said. “Except Thomas Bain with bug spray in the eyes. But I think it’s safe to say that we know who killed Bethany, and we can prove it.”

A moment of silence followed. The victory was bittersweet. It wouldn’t bring back Bethany. But maybe those who cared for her could take comfort that some kind of justice would be found.

“Oh!” I suddenly remembered the phone still in my front pocket. I pulled it out and checked—still recording. I ended the recording with a grin at Ricky. “Nice trick. I got it all on tape.”

Kyle laughed and pulled me closer to his side. “That’s my girl!”

Movement caught my eye, and I turned to see Lia Bain hesitating where the side path entered the clearing. She ducked her head and started to skirt our group.

“Wait!” I said.

She pressed her lips together and her chin trembled, but she managed to lift it in that little act of defiance as she looked up.

“Thank you,” I said. “You probably saved our lives.”

She blinked rapidly, her eyes shiny with tears. Had she really thought we would blame her? Maybe she’d lied at first, and had accidentally led me into danger, but she’d been willing to stand against her own father when she knew he was wrong. She’d done what had to be done.

Nancy and Daniel converged on the girl. “Then we owe you our thanks as well,” Nancy said. Daniel, give her your handkerchief.” Lia cringed away from the falcon, but Nancy soon had her talking about it, and Lia even ran a finger lightly down the bird’s wing.

I leaned into Kyle. “Maybe Nancy will take her hunting some time. It might be good for her. I know it’s been good for me.”

His arm tightened. “We’ll do whatever you want.”

I turned to face him and put my hands on his shoulders. “Does that offer last until tonight?”

His eyes gleamed. “At least.”

I brushed my cheek against his to whisper in his ear. “Good. Because I’m starting to figure out what I want. And I’m ready to go after it.”

Tomorrow would be soon enough for scientific method, for testing and hypothesizing. Tonight I only wanted to touch the magic of this ancient world. I closed my eyes and tried to feel some ancient presence, to hear whispers from the past. The air seemed to tremble with possibilities. If only I believed in magic—

A shout slashed the air. I twisted so fast I tumbled onto my backside.

I gaped up at the man towering over me. Bare chest, muscular and bronzed. Black hair pulled back from a face full of sharp planes and angles. Dark eyes fierce under scowling brows.

My heart jolted painfully. I’d come face to face with an ancient warrior. He was gorgeous.

And furious.

At me.