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Don’t be like that, you’ll see things h, Ian said

Just leave ht the words instead of speaking them--another outburst would send Dorian and Kye into a tizzy

A strong gust of hipped my hair around my face and heavy footsteps approached "I don’t want to talk about it," I said as I turned around expecting to see Dorian or Kye Instead, atowards us I watched as he took a moment to catch his breath and then he spoke to the twoface, and his hands danced in front of hi them whatever the neas, he turned and hurried back towards the castle My eyebrows arched as I walked back to the two men "What was that all about?" I looked between Dorian and Kye Dorian looked almost bored but Kye’s features were alarain

"Two bodies were left at the front door of the castle with a letter," Kye said

I gasped "What did the letter say?"

"Challenge accepted"

9

"Where are you going?" Dorian questioned as I headed towards the mayhem

Kye was already half way back to the castle, where they’dI had little doubt the witches and warlocks were in an uproar, and I would be expected to be there

"Back to the castle," I said and took another step towards the path

Dorian stepped in front ofto do"

I wrinkled my forehead and frowned in exasperation "It’ll have to wait" I shouldered past hiroup of people huddled around the two bodies Holly, and three other council members, stood on the stone steps and worked to calm the crowd When we entlemen, please back away from the bodies so Gwen may see who killed them," Holly announced, her tone pretentious

The horde of people turned and stared at me expectant I frowned but stepped forward They backed away as I walked closer to the two bodies Sprawled out on the front steps were two men in their early thirties with their necks ripped out It was a nawed atout Blood caked the front of their shirts, and their faces were frozen in fear It was the most macabre scene I’d ever witnessed

"If you would please assist us in finding out who did this, Gwen" Charles said,towards the two dead men He was part of the council, but Holly was the voice, so he was rarely in the public eye

"Of course, I’ll need to get my cat," I told them Dorian said I could penetrate the spirit realm without Aura, but I didn’t want to use these two poor men as practice With Aura, I’d be able to read their -ups

"I’ll help," Dorian offered from behind me

I frowned but didn’t refuse his help, everyone was on edge fro answers We knelt in front of the bodies, and I placedat the feel of the gooey, coagulated blood undermy unease, I closed my eyes and focused With Aura’s help, I felt the streaic that connected

"It’s not working," I whispered to Dorian

He placed his hand on th of h my insides from our contact

"Connect with the death," Dorian whispered

I nodded and focused Sparks of light danced behind e home came into view

Thehis cell phone When his head ca was evident in his wide eyes and still body His eyes roa cautious steps, he moved closer to the ho to the side as he watched for danger

His friend, the other man who lay dead on the steps of the NAWC castle, stood just behind hier