Heart of the Witch Read Online Free PDF Page B

magic.
    The situation was quickly defused by Detective Mungia. "I apologize for my partner's insensitive remarks, Miss Skyler. This case has been very hard on all of us. We're under a lot of stress, a lot of pressure to catch the killer, so we'll attribute his bad behavior to that." His gaze swung over to Harris. "I'm sure Miss Skyler would appreciate an apology."
    Harris stared mutinously at Mungia, his lower lip protruding in a childish pout. After a moment, he turned to Ravyn. "I apologize. I meant no disrespect."
    Though the words of contrition were clearly grudging, Ravyn gave a slight nod and turned back to Mungia. "Is that all, Detective?"
    "Actually, we'd like you to get with our artist. We'd like a composite sketch of the man who attacked you."
    Reluctantly, Ravyn nodded. "Sure. Okay."
    "Wait right here."
    Ravyn's eyes flew to Harris, afraid Mungia would leave them alone, but both detectives left the room. In moments, Mungia and Harris returned, followed by a man who looked to be in his fifties. He had a ruddy complexion and thin, graying hair.
    "This is James Coloran. I want you to describe the suspect for him," Mungia said.
    Ravyn did, and the artist sketched quickly. She watched the paper as he drew, correcting him a few times on the size of the nose and thickness of the beard. When he was done, Ravyn stared at the drawing. It was strange, but she was realizing that her image of the killer was really more of an impression. Maybe this was a combination of the drugs and the trauma, but she couldn't get a clear picture in her head. This drawing could be him. But it could be almost anyone.
    "Is that all?" she asked Mungia after the artist left.
    "Yes. For now. Please contact us if you think of anything else," the cop replied.
    "I'll do that," Ravyn promised. Then she shook Mungia's hand one final time, pointedly ignoring Harris.
    As she left the police department, she found herself shivering. She was almost as disturbed by what she'd learned about Harris as by her time with the Tin Man. The detective couldn't be trusted. He was almost as evil as the monster he was hunting. She would have to take matters into her own hands.
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Chapter Seven

     
    Ravyn stood in the clearing outside the home of the coven's high priestess, Vanora. The power was greater here, in the secret place where the coven held rituals and cast spells. Her coven practiced white magic, using their powers for good, for healing and protection. Even though the outside world wasn't aware of it, many disasters were averted and people were helped due to the incantations of covens like Ravyn's, which were scattered throughout the world.
    The other coven members didn't know she was here now; this was something she had to do on her own. She would invoke a spell to track the killer and… then what? Confront him? Capture him? Kill him? No, of course she couldn't kill him. But if she could figure out who he was, she could let the police know. They would take the matter into their hands, then, and she would have no more reason to feel guilty. She would have done her part.
    Or maybe she could just render him paralyzed. The rule said she couldn't harm anyone. But paralysis didn't hurt, right? She'd start with his tongue, so he couldn't tell people what she'd done.
    She shook off the thought. Paralyzation wouldn't work. She knew what she had to do, even if she didn't want to doit.
    On the ground a cauldron bubbled, and the scents of sage, rosemary and other herbs tinted with the fragrance of sweet alyssum wafted in the air. Ravyn lit two black pillar candles and two purple ones, placing them on the altar. She closed her eyes and began to chant. The words tumbled from her mouth, and she beseeched the goddess to reveal the killer's identity. A shiver ran through her as the enormity of what she was doing sank in. Never before had she been touched by such evil. Never before had she used her magic to bring her close to someone so vile, so reprehensible.
    The Tin Man's