Alpha Asher by Jane

Read Alpha Asher by Jane Doe Chapter 118 – I had never been good at sugar coating things, but I tried to tone down the details as I told her what I knew. There was a nervous flutter in my chest because she hadn’t turned and bolted up the stairs. She was still here, listening even though her eyes were somewhere far away.

“Her name is-was Carson, she went to the University in town and ran one of the sororities. She had friends and a family.” I explained, “I know it’s a long shot, but I had to ask. I know you weren’t aware of our father’s plans, but this was how it started before. She’s the first, but there’s too high a chance she won’t be the last.”

Holly was silent for so long that I wondered if coming here was useless. She was unnaturally still. Tristan was the only one who wasn’t on edge, leaning against the wall as if this was common occurrence.

“I don’t always see things, sometimes its sounds or feelings.”‘ Her voice was soft and a few octaves higher than mine.

I met her gaze unflinchingly, “Anything that could tie into last night? There was a party at a lake in the middle of the forest, then another at a frat house in town.”

She paused, and something in my chest jumped as I registered the thoughtful look on her face. Part of me was giddy, this was the most we had spoken in weeks.

“I haven’t slept much these last few days.” She admitted quietly, not looking Tristan’s way. No matter what she gave me, I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed. “I could smell something sweet, but it was a different kind of sweet than what vampire’s smell like. I also heard a girl laughing, but it wasn’t nice laughing. Red hair, but now I think that’s because it was covered in blood. That’s…that’s all I remember.”

I believed her, reading the guilt in her eyes. My nightmares were few and far between compared to hers, but they also made little sense. I knew how disorienting they could be and wanted to give her the same shred of hope that I carried.

“Rowena, the witch that got here yesterday, she said that training will help you. It’ll give your magic an outlet, so it doesn’t have to show itself in other ways. You’ll be able to get some sleep for a change.” I told her, relief building in my chest as the smallest of smiles crossed her face.

While Tristan and Giovanni got in touch with their contacts, Asher and I went back to the crime scene. After a quick phone call to Cordelia and Rowena, the two were on their way to meet us.

There were only a handful of warriors left combing through the lake and surrounding beach, the rest having taken up patrol duties for the rest of the day. Asher spread the word to expand the perimeters another five miles. Far enough to search the land without straying too far from home.

The crowd of college students had been chased away, giving us four the privacy to speak freely.

beach and make our way to where the body was found.” Asher said, his hand on the

feet carried us down the beach, to where I had run into Devin. Just a few feet away was where Zeke and Carson were, where we had taken

can only imagine how her family feels.” Rowena’s voice was

flicker of wisdom as grandmas, “If there’s anything here to pick up, we’ll find it. I’ll light a candle for Carson tonight, and for

continued through, sticking to one of the smaller trails I had taken in my search for Asher. It was silent apart from Cordelia’s soft humming and the occasional snap of a branch. Neither said a word until

ahead, eyes darting down to the large spot of dried blood. The grass had gone from emerald, to crimson,

time

said Carson got in the uber a little past midnight. It’s a half hour drive to the lake from there.” Asher

her auburn hair and slacks, and Cordelia, hair streaked with grey and clutching the pendants around her

the first to speak, “This is not helpful or comforting, but I sense

feel that?” Cordelia frowned, growing

in front of the tree Carson had been sitting against. Dried blood turned the roots black, making the tree look infected. Her fingers grazed

asked curiously, her mossy eyes locked on

hoping desperately for some clue that would point us in the right

All magic leaves a trace, doesn’t matter what kind it is. There’s spells to cover your tracks, but if you know what you’re looking for, they can be unraveled.” She explained, looking down at the dried patch of blood. Her eyes were more than troubled when she spoke, “Whatever this is, it wasn’t a spell meant to cover tracks. It’s like what happened here has been

this, there are witches involved.” I swallowed, feeling the looming

from the tree and murmured something softly, “I think it’s safe to say that, yes.

locked eyes with the other witch, both had identical looks

difficult than ever. I had finally succumbed to

a solid fifteen minutes brushing the knots from

called out to Asher,