Free Witch Blood by Anya Bast Page A

a false alarm.”
    Isabelle slumped her shoulders. “When I tune in remotely to him, using the water in his body, he doesn’t feel like anything more than a non-magickal human male.” She paused and looked morose. “Not even a witch.”
    Thomas nodded. “If he were the demon, you’d know it.”
    Adam pulled his headset off one of his ears. “And I don’t think he’d be watching Wheel of Fortune , if this was our guy. I don’t think demons like Pat Sajak.”
    Isabelle sat up a little straighter. “He could just be playing with us. The demon has to be able to seem convincingly human. Otherwise witches would be spotting him all over the place. Maybe he knows we’re watching and he’s masking. Or maybe he’s become humanized during his stay here and he’s grown to like TV game shows.”
    Thomas and Adam only stared at her. “I think you’re reaching,” Thomas said finally.
    â€œI’m just trying to think outside the box here, guys.”
    Adam leaned toward her. “Isabelle, I think outside the box with the best of them, but I still suspect he’s a non-magickical human male just home from work with one hand down his pants and a beer in the other.”
    She tossed her headset to the table in front of her with force. “Damn it!”
    Thomas considered her for a moment. “It’s not over yet. Mira heard this man’s name for a reason. He could be connected in some way with the demon.”
    â€œMaybe.” Isabelle chewed the side of her thumb and slumped in her chair.
    â€œI need to talk to Isabelle alone, Adam.”
    â€œOkay. I’ll keep listening to Wheel of Fortune ,” said Adam with a sarcastic thumbs-up and grin. He placed the headphones to one ear. “I think I know this puzzle. Buy a vowel!”
    â€œLet me know if anything unusual happens or if he leaves.”
    Adam nodded. “Sure thing, boss.”
    Isabelle looked confused, but Thomas led her into the other room anyway. Only a long worktable stood in what would be the formal dining room. Wadded up painter’s drop cloths lay discarded in the corner. She stood near the table, crossed her arms over her chest, and looked at him expectantly.
    â€œI just want to make sure you’re okay with all this,” Thomas said. “I know you’ve been traumatized by the death of your sister and I need to make sure that you’re not going to—”
    She raised her eyebrows. “What? Freak out? Break down and cry at a critical moment?”
    â€œI don’t think you’re the hysterical weeping type. I just want to make sure you’re all right.”
    â€œI appreciate your concern, I really do, but I’m fine, Thomas. In fact, I’m more than fine now that I’m aligned with the Coven and helping to find this demon. And we will find him. This Alexander guy might be a dead end, but that doesn’t mean we won’t have other promising leads.”
    Relief swept through him. It was nice to hear her being positive. “I’m glad you feel that way—”
    She uncrossed her arms and her expression softened. “Now what’s with your hair?”
    He blinked at the abrupt change of subject. “Excuse me?”
    â€œI’ve established that you do, indeed, possess pupils, but what’s up with the hair? I mean, it’s beautiful. It’s so long, glossy, and sexy. I want to thread my fingers through it every time I see you. But it seems strange on a man like you because you’re all about work and never about play.”
    He blinked again. “My hair is about work, actually. It holds power for me. Earth witches don’t hold magick in the center of our chest the way fire, water, and air witches do.”
    â€œI’ve dated earth witches, so I know you guys do that but I’ve never really understood how.”
    â€œMy hair is charmed to hold a reserve of power for