Chapter 25 An Intruder
\[Tabitha’s POV\]
When we arrive at the location of the most recent murder, my heart lurches in my chest. It was in the alleyway directly beside my apartment, and I just knew that this was an intentional move to show me that whoever was behind this knew exactly where I lived.
Shivering, I make to get out of the car, but am stopped by Anthony’s hand pressing on my thigh.
Frowning, I pointedly look down at it before snapping my gaze to his.
“I think you should consider quitting this case," he announces when I don't speak. "It's starting to get extremely sketchy. And it is becoming increasingly clear that whoever is behind it is intentionally targeting you. What if you're the next victim?"
Eyes widening, I take Anthony in as if he has grown a second head. Was he really saying something like that right now?
“I'm not that weak,” I hiss, shoving his hand away. “If anyone should be on this case, it is me since it is clear it is me they're playing with."
Even though I knew Anthony meant well, I couldn't stop the hurt I felt toward him, thinking that I was so weak that I would let something happen to me so easily. Especially after all our years together in the church.
“You heard her,” Atticus chirps from the backseat. “Quit fucking hovering.”
“Stay out of this, ice-man,” Anthony warns, shooting him a glare. “Unlike you, I’m worried about her. Whoever is behind this is clearly playing games with her.”
“And?” Atticus shrugs. “Are you saying that she should do exactly what they want and hope that they don’t come after her? Either way, she is a sitting duck, don’t you think?”
For a moment, Anthony doesn’t speak before he lets out a huff of defeat.
“Then I at least think you should go stay at the church again until things are settled.”
“Like hell, I’ll do that,” I snap. “I’m fine where I am; I can..."
Before I can finish, images of the vampire twins appearing at my apartment unannounced appear, and I find myself thinking maybe he was right. But I refused to go back to the church. That was a whole town over, and I would be under watch 24/7 there.
“If you won't, then come stay with me,” Anthony continues, causing my eyes to widen in shock. “It’s safer than being alone.”
“She can stay with me,” Atticus counters. “Clearly she doesn’t want to be stuck with you.”
“You’re dangerous too,” Anthony sighs.
“Thank you.”
“That’s enough,” I sigh, realizing that the two men were getting off track. “This isn’t the time for this; we have a murder to investigate.”
Not waiting for a response, I hop out of the car and make my way to the alley, which is taped off for pedestrians, like it actually stopped them, but at least it kept them away from the body so that it wasn’t tarnished by their energies.
When I reach, a few cops stand around waiting for us, and they look relieved when their eyes come to rest on me. Normal police didn't like being involved in supernatural cases, and they didn't bother hiding that fact ever.
“We’ll take it from here,” Anthony announces as I drop to my knees and take in the woman who has been left in the same condition as the others until I find it. “Please do something about that crowd.”
As he orders the cops around, I slowly reach out and grab the small piece of paper that is lodged between the woman’s ribs. Holding my breath, I open it and take in the four words that are written on it.
The game has begun.
Four simple words, but they slam into me like a ton of bricks. My assumption had been right. This was done here to warn me that they knew where I was and when.
“What does it say?” Atticus asks, kneeling down beside me. “Let me see.”
Not arguing, I pass it to him as I gently touch the woman’s arm and then close my eyes so I can begin to draw on my power until I start to get a glimpse of the murder as it happened, but it’s so damn blurry I can’t make anything out aside from blobs.
Frowning, I pull away and take the woman in, finding the tale signs of her being a crack addict. Fuck, I wasn’t going to be able to get anything off of her.
“Well?” Anthony asks, oblivious to my frustration. “What did you see?”
“Blobs.”
That was the only way to describe it. This woman would be no help to us.
Standing, I take in the two men that are watching me with curious looks on their faces and motion toward the woman’s face, which is covered in sores.
“Does she look like someone who was coherent when they died?” I push.
Letting out a huff of frustration, I head back to the car while Atticus and Anthony finish examining the body before coming to join me.
“What now?” Anthony asks when we begin to move. “Wait for another murder?”
“Unless Bonnie has managed to find a lizard-shifter,” I sigh.
So far, that was the only common denominator among all the murders. It was the same creature that killed them. Aside from that, the only other things connecting them were the notes and the missing organs.
When we arrive back at the precinct, I clock out and prepare to leave, but before I reach the door, Anthony reaches out and grabs me.
“Let me take you home,” he offers, causing my heart to squeeze painfully. “We can pack you and your bag and find you somewhere else to stay.”
“Not interested,” I sigh. “Now could you let go of me?”
I was exhausted and sore thanks to that bastard Atticus. All I wanted to do was go home, shower, and cuddle with Titan until I fell asleep. I would worry about moving the next day.
“Tabitha, please.”
“No!” I snap, yanking my arm free. “Now go bother Holly.”
Finished speaking, I head out while Anthony watches me.
When I arrive home, I feel my anger spike due to more notes being plastered on my door by that bitch, Holly. I could only assume she didn’t take me seriously, and if I had to, I would repeat the whole fucking thing, but this time I would invite her over so she could see.
Sighing, I pull out my keys and start to unlock my door, but before I can, it is yanked open, and I’m being drawn inside and slammed against the wall.
Eyes widening, I stare straight into bottomless pits that make my heart and my core lurch with fear and anticipation.
“About time,” Vance hisses, wrapping a hand around my throat. “I was beginning to think that you were avoiding me.”