Free Bound by Light by Anna Windsor

Jake help her walk toward Charlotte’s body and the grieving coven.
    "Her people arrived at the same moment we did," he explained, his stormy blue eyes reflecting concern as he studied her. "Came in through the back and turned on the lights as we were coming through the front, but the priestess was already dead. Looks like suicide—but ritualistic. What do you think?"
    The sirens drew closer.
    Backup. Jake had radioed for backup before they entered. She remembered that much, at least.
    Merilee noticed Jake didn’t ask what had happened to her, or make a big deal over whether or not she was okay. He just got right back to business and treated her respectfully, professionally, which she appreciated—though she could tell from the questioning look on his handsome face that they would have to discuss her little "breakdown" later.
    For now, there was work to do.
    Jake’s calmness washed over her, into her, and Merilee collected it like errant wind. She drew it into herself and battled back her grief over Charlotte’s death, and regained another measure of her own focus.
    Duty. Work. Yes.
    It was time to clean up this mess.
    Merilee gestured to the coven members, who moved back to allow her to study the protective design drawn on the floor around Charlotte’s body. Sea salt mingled with human blood, definitely designed to repel anything evil or ill intentioned. Since Charlotte’s coven had easily crossed the unbreakable elemental barrier she had established and sealed with her own blood and death, and since they were obviously receiving Charlotte’s final gift of temporary powerful protections, Merilee had to assume they were clean, or at least not involved in whatever happened here.
    She returned her arrow to its quiver and slung her bow over her shoulder. "This makes no sense, Jake." She told him about the pattern’s meaning, but added, "Charlotte was one of the most positive, upbeat people I’ve ever known, and she had real talent, a deep sensitivity for all sorts of elemental energies. She would never do this to herself."
    Yet, even as she made that pronouncement, Merilee had a flash of the walking statue man, the creature that had . . . touched her . . . and turned her blood to frost.
    Jake remained silent as Merilee gazed at the pattern surrounding Charlotte’s body and took another deep breath of pungent absinthe.
    Truth settled on her shoulders like a weight as she realized the Stone Man had been coming here, likely for Charlotte herself—but the pagan priestess’s ritual and sacrifice had thwarted him, and offered her coven some fierce though transient protection as well.
    And me, and Jake, too.
    Had Charlotte known she was a target, that the man of stone was coming this night, for whatever purpose?
    Is that why she chose death?
    But what did the Stone Man want with Charlotte?
    And what does he want with me?
    The sirens grew unbearably loud, then abruptly shut off. Merilee heard tires squeal as cars stopped outside. Flashing lights blazed off and on, painting the faces of Charlotte’s coven members eerie shades of red.
    Merilee shivered again. "We need to question all of them and search the place for any journals or information Charlotte might have left behind. I need to know if she was having bad dreams."
    Once more, Jake didn’t question her. Instead, he greeted incoming OCU officers, made arrangements for the processing and removal of Charlotte’s body, and requested that the descending crime scene techs clear at least one room where statements could be taken and interviews conducted immediately.
    Grateful for the extra time to get over what had happened earlier and accept the reality of Charlotte’s death, Merilee stood to the side and let him work. His efficiency impressed her, and she kept having to remind herself that Jake was a demon. Not a half-breed, either. A full-blooded Astaroth who just happened to be as calm and decisive as any Sibyl or police officer she knew.
    Keeping her attention on Jake