Free Something Wicked by Michelle Rowen

and that charming dimple sprang to life on his cheek.
    Darrak glowered.
    Hate him.
    “What’s going on?” she asked. “Why are you here?”
    “I’m here on business.”
    “Business?”
    He nodded.
    “ Police business?” she clarified.
    “What other business is there?” His smile held.
    Darrak stood so close to Eden that he was literally touching her, ready to protect her if he needed to. Ben made no overtly threatening moves. Smart guy. Darrak was ready, willing, and able to physically throw the cop out of the office if necessary. Or even if it wasn’t necessary.
    “What can I help you with?” Eden asked. She was smiling now, and leaning against her desk next to him, but there was a tightness to her mouth. Darrak retrieved his blob-heart donut again and took a bite in an attempt to look at ease. It didn’t taste quite as delicious as it had before.
    Ben had a manila envelope under his arm, and he pulled a picture out from inside. “Have you seen this woman recently? Her name’s Selina Shaw and she’s gone missing while on a book tour here. She hasn’t been seen in well over a week.”
    Darrak stopped in midchew. The photo was of a very recognizable dark-haired beauty. Selina was the black witch who’d originally cursed him—although she’d chosen not to use her magic very often in favor of saving her soul.
    Selina had grudgingly agreed to help Darrak and Eden, recognizing that Darrak had changed over the years as much as she had. She was to break the curse and help Eden deal with the black magic they both shared. But before anything could happen, a power-hungry member of the Malleus murdered her. A simple dagger through Selina’s heart was all it took to part the witch from her immortality.
    Darrak’s hands clenched at his sides at the memory. He didn’t mourn the witch. Their history hadn’t been a pleasant one. But he mourned the chance to have his curse broken and save Eden.
    When a black witch died, her body disintegrated—not unlike the wicked witch in the Wizard of Oz . So, no body, no evidence, no potential murder investigation.
    Sorry, Ben.
    Even Selina’s clothes disappeared shortly after her body had. The only thing that remained of Selina was the amulet Eden now wore. Any witch who cared about the state of her soul would wear a similar one. Eden’s, however, was thankfully covered by the green sweater she wore today.
    “I know her,” Eden said evenly. “I went to her book signing, and we met the next day for coffee.”
    Everywhere they would have been seen together. Ben couldn’t accuse her of lying. Very good. Darrak’s eyes narrowed on the cop to study his reaction.
    “Did she say anything that would indicate if she was going anywhere? Or if she felt threatened in any way?” Ben asked.
    Eden shook her head. “No. Sorry. I wish I could be more helpful.”
    “You’ve been helpful enough,” Darrak said. “We’re done here. Wonderful seeing you again, Ben. Bye, now.”
    Ben smiled thinly and his eyes flicked to Darrak. “You sound a bit defensive. But I’m just asking questions today, nothing more. I’m sure Ms. Shaw’s disappearance has nothing to do with you, does it?”
    Somehow he managed to make the sentence sound like a direct accusation.
    “Of course not,” Darrak replied. “She probably went on vacation and didn’t tell her handlers. She’s a famous author, after all. They’re very flaky.”
    Ben’s eyes narrowed. “Of course. And I take you at your word. I know you’re very trustworthy.”
    “I appreciate it, Detective.” Two could play the double-meaning game. It was big fun.
    Ben’s smile didn’t cover up the overt hatred in his eyes. He’d seen Darrak’s demonic visage, and it was obvious he hadn’t forgotten a horn or talon. After a moment he tore his gaze away from Darrak and turned to Eden. “There’s something else here I want you to look at. Do you know this man?”
    He pulled out another photo. A headshot of the guy Eden had been talking