Scapulimancist (Seven Forbidden Arts Book 7) Read online

  “I’m going to get Sara out.” He said it more for his than her benefit. He had to convince himself.

  “I’m sure you will.”

  With a small wave, she was gone.

  “How are you going to do that?” Dumile said. “If government’s involved, you’re going to need an army.”

  “Then I’ll get one.”

  Dumile shook his head. “I don’t understand you, West. You give up everything you have to save this women, yet, you don’t trust her.”

  “I do trust her.”

  “Then you better tell her, before it’s too late.”

  “Don’t talk like that,” he bit out.

  Dumile said nothing.

  It wasn’t until much later that Eugene returned. “I paid your bail. You’re free to go, but don’t skip town.” He waited for Mulder to unlock the cell. “Can I give you a ride somewhere?”

  Mulder handed Wayne his phone and wallet.

  “Just take us to Bella. It’s closer. She’ll give us a lift home.”

  Outside, Wayne and Dumile got into the rental that Eugene pointed out. Wayne hated leaving Sara behind. Worse, he had no plan yet, other than holding Mulder up at gunpoint. He was still brooding over the problem in the backseat, anxiety eating a hole in his gut, when Eugene’s soft curse drew his attention back to the road. The orange glow on the horizon had his body break out in a cold sweat. Bella’s house was on fire.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Before Eugene could bring the car to a complete stop, Wayne had his door open and was running toward the house. Fire trucks were parked on the perimeter, the firefighters pointing hoses at the flames that leapt into the sky. Bella stood on the edge with her arms wrapped around herself, a black silhouette against the angry red that devoured her home.

  “Bella!” He sprinted toward her.

  At the sound of her name, she turned her head. Her expression was hard and her mouth pulled into a thin line.

  He stopped next to her, out of breath. “What happened?”

  She looked back at the burning building. “Arson.”

  There was the sound of splintering glass as windows exploded. A metal roof plate shot up in the air and landed on the beach. Smoke polluted the sky as the firemen drenched the flames.

  Eugene and Dumile caught up with them, both men staring at the damage with grim faces.

  Wayne put his arm around her. “Who did this?”

  “I’m guessing someone who didn’t want me to pay your legal fee.”

  This was because of him. How much more damage did he have to be responsible for?

  Eugene stepped up. “What are you saying, Bella?”

  “I came back to get the money for West’s bail and found my house on fire. My housekeeper said someone called her thirty minutes earlier and told her I’d been in an accident and was in a critical condition in hospital. Whoever called, lured her out of the house and set it on fire. Someone who knows I keep my money in the house.”

  “Why isn’t your money in a goddamn bank?” Wayne said, angry that Bella could take such a risk. Thieves killed people for less than two bucks, these days.

  “It’s illegal money,” Eugene said. “She couldn’t declare or bank it.”

  “I’m sorry,” Wayne said. “I swear I’ll make this right.”

  “I don’t care about the house or the money.” Bella gave him a level look. “I only care about catching the bastards who did this.”

  Dumile spoke up in a quiet voice. “Nobody knew you were planning on paying Wayne’s bail money, except for us.”

  She looked at Eugene. “And Mulder.”

  “Why would Mulder rat about the bail money?” Wayne asked.

  Eugene regarded Bella solemnly. “The question is who wouldn’t want Bella to cover your legal fee, West?”

  “Clive Theron,” Wayne said, a nasty suspicion settling in his mind. “He’s been wanting that last piece of land ever since he got his hands on my farm.”

  “He needed to make sure Bella’s money couldn’t save you so you’d sell out—to him,” Dumile said.

  “Speculation.” Eugene’s eyes scanned over the commotion around them. “I still don’t like it.” He faced Bella. “I don’t want you on your own until an investigation has been made. Do you have someone you can stay with, someone who can protect you?”

  “Christian,” Wayne said. “He’ll keep her safe.”

  “Does he know how to use a gun?” Eugene asked.

  “Better than anyone I know.”

  “Good.” Eugene frowned. “I have to get back to Cape Town. I’m in court first thing tomorrow. I know Bella trusts you, West. Can I trust you with her life?”

  He nodded. “Dumile and I will take Bella to Christian’s place.”

  “Call me if there’s anything, Bella, and take care of yourself.” Eugene gave Bella a kiss on the cheek. “West, Dumile, I’ll call you tomorrow to start working on our defense.” He walked to the rental, waved, and left.

  “I’ll go check if the fire chief needs me,” Bella said, a visible shiver running over her body, “and then I want to get the hell out of here.” She walked off to where the fire chief was directing his men.

  Wayne needed to make the call he couldn’t make in front of Eugene. He looked up the number for the parks board head office. Thankfully, Odier’s cell phone number was listed. Despite the late hour, Odier took the call.

  “Wayne West, here.”

  Odier obviously knew who he was, because he said, “Mr. West, this is a surprise. What can I do for you?”

  There was no time to beat around the bush. “Sara’s in jail.”

  “What?”

  “She was arrested for murder.” He closed his eyes briefly.

  “What the hell is going on there?”

  “There’s a hunting party. One of them was bitten by a snake. The townspeople believe Sara is responsible.”

  “You know about her art, then?”

  “I’m afraid everyone would’ve figured it out by now.”

  “I’ll be on the next flight.”

  “Can you help her?”

  “I’ve got connections,” he said, his voice tight. “I know how people react to her kind. Can you make sure they don’t kill her before I get there?”

  “They’ll have to kill me first.”

  “Can I get hold of you on this number?”

  “Yes. Let me know when you arrive. I’ll fetch you from the airport.”

  “That won’t be necessary. I’ll hire a car. See you soon.”

  The line went dead.

  “We can go,” Bella said, jogging back to them. “There’s nothing more I can do here.”

  Wayne gave her a quick hug. “I’m sorry, Bella.”

  She sighed. “Not as sorry as I am.” She didn’t look back at the house as they walked toward her car.

  * * * *

  The room in which Sara woke was windowless. It wasn’t a prison cell, because it was filled with filing cabinets. Her head hurt, and there was an egg at the back where Mulder had hit her. Where was Wayne? What had Mulder done with him? She tested the door handle. Locked. They were going to kill her. She probed around for a connection to life, but there were only a few birds outside. She was trapped. After pacing the floor for a while, she gave up and leaned against the wall. There was no choice but to wait until someone unlocked the door.

  She had to wait almost an hour before the key sounded in the lock, and the door opened a crack. Lunging forward, she tried to throw her body through the doorframe, but a strong hand slapped around her wrist.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Mulder asked.

  “Let go! Where’s Wayne?”

  The door opened wider to reveal a second man. In an instant, she knew he wasn’t human. Not completely. There was something odd about the dull shine of his eyes and the scruffiness of his skin. A pungent odor of rotten fish filled her nostrils.

  She backed away. “Who are you?”

  “You sure this is her?” the
man said to Mulder. “She looks … skimpy.”

  “That’s her, all right.”

  He shrugged and reached for her, but Mulder held him back. “The money first.”

  The man grinned. His teeth were crooked and sharp. A bolt of shock jolted through her. He was a shifter. Gila. One of the most vicious on the planet. This could only mean one thing. He was a gift hunter. He was half-human, but he was also half-animal. If she could manipulate him… She tried with all of her might, but there was no connection.

  The man gave a cocky smile, as if he knew what she attempted. “Can’t control me? Won’t work on a shifter, baby.”

  Crap. He’d be strong, and his bite was lethal, but once they were outside she’d have a better chance at defending herself.

  The man grabbed her arm and pulled her from the room. “Let’s go.”

  “I said the money first,” Mulder repeated, louder this time.

  The shifter turned his glassy eyes on Mulder, contempt marring his features. “You’re too trusting.”

  Without warning, he grabbed Mulder around the neck and lifted him off the floor. Mulder gurgled and kicked, his eyes bulging and his mouth pulling into a big O.

  “Let him go!”

  Sara tried to pry the shifter’s arms away, but he didn’t budge. He grinned as he squeezed harder, evoking a muffled cry from Mulder. She dug her nails into his skin and left bloody traces in his cold flesh, but he only seemed mildly annoyed. When she started beating him with her fists on his back, he swatted her with a backhand that sent her stumbling backward. Only then did his patience seem to snap. He opened his mouth wide and clamped down on Mulder’s neck. Mulder’s eyes flared even wider, and his arms flailed helplessly in the air. There was the sickening sound of flesh tearing and bone crunching as the shifter tore his windpipe from his throat. Blood gushed from the wound, squirting over Mulder and the shifter. Slurping noises followed a low growl. Mulder’s dead body had gone slack, but the shifter still held him up by the neck, tearing pieces of meat from his throat with his sharp teeth while gulping and swallowing in between.

  She battled not to throw up. Shock sent a burst of adrenalin through her body, giving her the strength she needed to fight. With the shifter distracted, this was her only chance at escape. She moved back toward the door at the far end of the room, keeping her steps quiet, but as she reached for the knob, the monster twirled, pinning her with his eyes.

  He wiped his bloodied mouth on his sleeve and smacked his lips. “You won’t get far.”

  She wasn’t going to stand there and wait for him to catch her. She jerked the door open and ran into a reception area. Another closed door stood between her and freedom. She hoped to God it wasn’t locked. Her mind rushed ahead of her body, trying to locate an escape mechanism she could use in her defense. The only other usable living force in a five-mile radius was a dog roaming the street. He was big and strong, but not strong enough to take on the gila. The shifter would rip the poor dog apart. By the time she had the door to the street open, the shifter had grabbed her by the hair.

  Pain assaulted her scalp as he tugged on her ponytail. With his hand in her hair and the other reaching for her arm, his legs were open targets. By the time he’d pulled back hard enough to make her body collide against his chest, she’d taken over the mind of the animal. The vicious dog made no sound. He gave no warning as his teeth sunk into the soft flesh of the shifter’s ankle. For a moment, her captor stilled, and then he seemed more than a little pissed off. He kicked at the dog, but the animal easily dodged the man’s shoe.

  “You bitch,” the shifter said through crooked teeth. “Let that beast go or I’ll kill him.”

  The dog went for the fleshy calf of his other leg, managing to get in a bite.

  “Fucking cow.” He yanked her hair so hard her neck arched, and her eyes watered. “I said back the fuck down.”

  “No chance in hell.”

  He kicked with his metal-tipped boot, but the dog retreated to the far perimeter, out of reach. Each time he moved, trying to pull Sara back into the room, the dog attacked. Her hope rose. Maybe she could tire him. He wasn’t going to kill her, or he would’ve done so, already. Her art was worth too much. He was probably hoping to sell her to the highest bidder. A howl tore through the air as the dog clamped down on the shifter’s heel. He kicked with his free foot so she had to let the dog back away, the animal’s body crouched in an attack position.

  “You’ll pay,” the shifter hissed in her ear.

  Seeing her opportunity, she let the dog bite him in the back of his knee.

  “Son of a…! Fuck!” His spit fell over her face. “I’m going to wring your little neck.”

  “Call off the dog or I shoot,” a voice said.

  Dammit. This couldn’t be happening. Thinus stood in the parking lot, a shotgun aimed at her. She didn’t have a choice. The dog ran off with his tail between his legs. His yelp sounded from around the corner, and then he was gone.

  “Who the hell are you?” the shifter said, giving the double barrel a wary look.

  Thinus’s gaze lowered to the shifter’s torn pants and bloody legs. “Someone who can save you that kind of trouble.”

  “Yeah?” The shifter cocked his neck, cracking a bone. “This should be interesting.”

  “I know how to make her art useless. I can put her temporarily out of action.”

  The shifter’s eyes darted between Sara and Thinus’s weapon. “How?”

  “Information like that must be worth a lot of money.”

  “How much do you want?”

  “A hundred grand.”

  The shifter laughed. “You’re joking, right?”

  “I know what she is and what she’s worth. You’ll get millions for her. What’s a hundred grand between business associates?”

  The shifter’s mouth curved into a lazy smile. “You did your homework.”

  “’Course. A man with knowledge is a man with power.”

  “Fine. You have yourself a deal. Now, tell me what I want to know before I break your pathetic neck.”

  Thinus made a tsk sound and shook his head. “That’s asking a lot of a man, goin’ on trust alone, and here we,” he motioned between him and the shifter, “don’t even know each other.”

  The shifter made a hissing sound. “Tell me, you little fuck, or you’re dead.”

  Thinus made big eyes. “No need to threaten me. I thought we were getting’ to know each other, gettin’ to be friends.”

  “Fuck you, you idiot. This is your last chance.” He moved Sara to the side without letting go of her arm, looking like he was ready to strike.

  “All right, all right.” Thinus leaned in. “Come closer,” he whispered, looking around.

  Sara gasped. “He’s lying. He’s trying to fool you.”

  The shifter shook her hard. “Shut up.” He grabbed Thinus by the front of his shirt with his free hand. “Spit it out.”

  “You have to drug her,” Thinus said.

  The shifter narrowed his eyes. “Are you bullshitting me?”

  “Nah.” Thinus shifted the shotgun to his left hand and produced a syringe from his pocket. “I came prepared. Let me give you a demonstration.”

  Understanding his intent, she pulled away, but the shifter held her in place.

  “With this,” Thinus said, “she’ll be out of action for hours. You can safely take her anywhere you want, and she won’t be able to command a single fucking fly. Plus, you can resell the information for money, which is fine by me, as long as I get my ten percent cut.”

  “Do it,” the shifter said, “but if it doesn’t work like you say, I’ll swallow you alive.” His lips stretched wide. “In the most literal sense.”

  “Relax, man. It’ll work. You’ll see.”

  “No.” She tried to pull free but it was useless. Thinus had already placed the needle on her arm. It burned where it pierced her skin. The liquid seemed to heat as it spread through her body. She fought it. She tried not to let it affec
t her, but her limbs turned heavy and her brain fuzzy.

  Thinus laughed. “She trips heavy. May even have some fun with her before you sell her.”

  “What’s in the injection?” the shifter asked.

  “Magic Mushrooms. They work like a charm. Got my supplier to make a liquid formula to inject straight into the bloodstream. If you eat them, it takes longer.”

  “Give me the formula.”

  “Got it right here.” Thinus reached inside his other pocket, but instead of handing over a piece of paper, he produced another hypodermic needle and plunged it into the shifter’s neck.

  The shifter touched his neck in confusion, and then his pale eyes turned dark with rage. He was going to rip Thinus apart. Instead of attacking his rival, as she’d expected, he let go of her to clutch at his throat. His knees buckled. With a thud, he went down to the floor.

  Sara took a step back, her intention to flee, but Thinus waved the gun in her face.

  “Stay put.” He stepped over the convulsing shifter on the floor. “Who’s the fuck, now, eh?” He kicked the man in the ribs. “Who’s the winner, now, you fucking lizard? Can’t trust a fucking snake. You think I don’t know you weren’t gonna pay me? You think I was born yesterday?” He kicked him again. “That’s for fucking me over.”

  “What did you do to him?” Sara said, trembling all over with a cold fever. Already, nausea pushed up in her throat and perspiration beaded on her brow.

  “Gave him some of his own medicine,” Thinus said with a smirk. “Gila venom. Yeah, I did my homework, shifter.” He spat out the last word like it was a curse. “I know what kills your kind.”

  When the man went quiet, his eyes wide and cold, Thinus pushed the barrel of the gun against her ribs. “Get into the truck.”

  She battled to stay focused. “How did you know what he was?”

  “The agent who was supposed to come for you sold you out. Wasn’t difficult to buy the information.”

  God, was everyone in this country corrupt? “You won’t get away with this.”