Free A Witch's Path by N. E. Conneely Page B

folding the paper and stuffing it in my pocket. Baden had given me plenty to think about.
    In my apartment, I found Tiffany asleep on the sofa and Elron studying a picture of a willow tree hanging on my wall.  
    "Thank you for watching her," I said.
    "Of course."
    "Still, you didn't have to help." I wasn't used to us being friendly and helping each other.  
    "Can I be of further assistance?" He tucked a stray hair behind my ear. "You should rest."
    My cheek tingled where the back of his hand had brushed against me. "I don't think so. I'm going to make us some food, get more information from her, and then we're going to the police."  
    "Call for me if you are in need."  
    He was gone before I had a chance to thank him again. I'd been saying a lot of thank you's lately. These situations were supposed to have gone away when the trolls were captured. Here I was, faced with a missing friend and a crazy werewolf.  
    Tiffany was going to want to go charging after Amber right away, and I wouldn't agree. This was a matter for the police and shifters. I wasn't either of them, and I wasn't a match for an angry werewolf. My last brush with a confrontation had given me a clear view of my limits, and rescuing my friend from a crazy werewolf wasn't a skill I possessed.  
    "Tiffany, honey, you have to wake up," I told her. She mumbled, but didn't move. "We have to find Amber."
    She shot up, "Amber? Where is she?"
    "That's what we need to talk about."  
    Tiffany scrubbed her eyes. "I feel terrible."
    "I bet. It's going to be a little while before we can go back to the police. Where was the meeting?"
    "Up in Ellijay."
    "Which police department did you talk to?"
    "I talked to emergency dispatch."
    "Why didn't they believe you?" I asked. Tiffany should've spent more time with the police last night. I couldn't figure out why she hadn't been interviewed by several cops.
    "They thought I was making a prank call because I was fuzzy on the details. The other birds wanted to be left out of everything, which made telling a coherent story impossible."
    "But you told me the entire story, right?"  
    "Yes."
    "Good. Do you know why Adder wanted Amber?"
    "No," She started crying, "but I knew she was scared. I should've done more to help her."  
    "Sweetie, you did what you could. Let's go over everything again."
    We went over every detail of the night twice. I let Tiffany drift back to sleep while I found a change of clothes for her. After a brief debate over using the number Baden had given me, I pocketed it for later. I wanted to talk to the police before I did anything else.

Elron

    The bonsai worked as I'd planned. It alerted me when Tiffany got in a scuffle with the two door guards; those were an excellent addition to Michelle's security. Since the tree didn't see any evil intent, I stayed in bed, hoping the disturbance would pass. When the discord continued I hastened to her apartment, wanting to make sure she was safe.  
    I was playing a delicate game. I wanted to help, but it would be unwise to wear out my welcome. She wanted her independence and wouldn't enjoy my constant intervention. Besides, if I arrived every time something happened, she'd get suspicious.  
    I looked at her door before I went down for breakfast. Thanks to the bonsai, I could tell that she wasn't home. Downstairs, only residents were up this early, making it a small group. Landa and Mander were setting out food as quickly as they could, while Baden waited next to the plates. Paxton was already seated, sipping on a large mug of blood.  
    As soon as Landa set down the last dish, the four of us loaded our plates and started eating. After a moment of chewing, I asked, "Landa do you know where Michelle is this morning?"
    "No, I haven't talked to her today. Why?"
    "I thought she might have told you, considering last night's excitement."
    "What happened?" Landa demanded. She was protective of Michelle, seeing her as a daughter.  
    "Her friend, Tiffany, broke into her room.