Trick of Shadows (The Duskhunter Saga Book 2) by Sara Roethle (free e books to read .TXT) 📕

I leaned closer, my nose and mouth still covered by my sleeve, for what good it did against the stench. Judging by her skin, I didn’t think the rotting had occurred while she’d been submerged in water, more like she died, rotted, then had gotten wet far after the fact.

I straightened, giving the rest of the room a quick glance. Nothing stood out—other than Steifan looking close to retching in the corner. The dresser was tidy with only a few visible trinkets, just like in the sitting room. I would have liked to peruse the drawers, but had a feeling the duke would intervene. I didn’t want to let him know I suspected anything. Not just yet.

I motioned for Steifan to exit the room ahead of me. The duke still waited for us in the hall.

I searched his expression, looking for hints of guilt. If the guards at the main gate didn’t think she was killed by a vampire, did they perhaps suspect her husband? Either way, something was very wrong here. “I was informed she was found in her bed, deceased,” I said simply.

The duke puffed up his cheeks. “That is correct, this is where I found her. Her body was damp, but I do not know why.”

I cleared my throat, trying to rid myself of the clinging smell of death. Perhaps he was telling the truth. Maybe someone else put her there. “Do you have any enemies? Anyone who would do this to your wife to horrify you?”

Sweat shone on his brow as he shook his head. “Wealth breeds enemies, but I can think of no one in particular.”

I sighed. He was definitely hiding something, but what, was yet to be determined. “I’ll need a list of all of her friends,” I explained, “and any places she frequented. If she kept a journal, seeing that would be helpful.”

The duke’s tiny eyes went so wide they bulged. “Questioning her friends, I understand, but what use would you have for her journal? Is she not deserving of her privacy?”

Steifan stepped closer. “Often vampires will stalk their prey for days or weeks before attacking. Sometimes journals can reveal if the victim noticed anyone watching them, or if they recently met someone new. It might even provide a physical description.”

I gave him an approving look. He was learning.

The duke’s already thin lips thinned further, disappearing into his beard. “Well I,” he paused, “I don’t know where Charlotte kept her journal. I’ll search for it.”

I bet you will, I thought. And once you find it, you’ll burn it. Outwardly, I smiled. “That will be very helpful. In the meantime we’ll get started questioning her close friends. When did her two ladies go missing?”

The duke seemed to calm himself. “The first left us weeks before my wife’s death, the other shortly after. Their bodies were never found, so I don’t know if the vampire took them, or if they simply fled.”

I nodded, taking in his words. “And Charlotte’s friends?”

“My courier should be able to provide you with a list. He ran all of Charlotte’s errands and scheduled her outings. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to prepare my wife for her rites.”

Steifan and I both bowed. Steifan because it was the proper etiquette, and me to hide my calculating expression. There was something wildly off about Charlotte’s murder, and her husband’s behavior, and I fully intended to find out what that was.

For while my purpose was to hunt vampires, it was also to avenge innocent lives. I wasn’t sure what type of monster had caused Charlotte’s demise, but I would see that monster brought to justice, even if it was the man standing before me.

Chapter Three

The servant held the door for us as we walked outside, duteously avoiding eye contact. The young courier waited below the three steps leading down to the street. The guard who had escorted us was gone. Apparently he’d done his duty.

I looked down at the courier as the door shut behind us. “You are to give us a list of all of the duchess’ friends and places she frequented,” I explained. “If you know what her schedule was a few days before she was killed, that would also be helpful.”

The courier stepped back, looking to Steifan as if expecting him to dispute my words. When he didn’t, the courier nodded quickly, splaying short hair across his forehead. “I can escort you. The duchess had few friends. I can show you where they live.”

What was this, I thought, someone actually being helpful? “What’s your name?” I asked.

His flush hid his freckles. “Bastien Goddard, my lady.” He dipped his sandy head in a bow.

I realized then that he didn’t keep looking to Steifan because he was male and therefore in charge. I just made him nervous in the way many women make young boys nervous.

I smiled. “Pleasure to meet you, Bastien. We will follow your lead.”

Bastien lifted his head and was off like a colt.

Steifan leaned near my shoulder as we hurried after him. “That’s the nicest I’ve ever seen you be to, well, anyone.”

“Oh shut up,” I said, not wanting to embarrass Bastien.

My grin faded as we followed Bastien into another square, much smaller than the one at the entrance of the city. I’d realized why I found the boy’s demeanor charming. He reminded me of Elizabeth, the last person to find me worth interest. She hadn’t been frightened spending time with a hunter either, and it had gotten her killed.

Bastien stopped walking at the edge of the square and turned to us. “Lady Montrant lives over there.” He pointed past gilded carts bearing pastries, cakes, and meat pies. “But she should be out here soon, most of the noble ladies take tea at this time.”

I followed his finger as it moved to point at a gathering of wrought iron tables. Many ladies gathered there, and my first thought was how did they move in all that fabric? And how did their