Witch's Bell Book One

trees, crypts, and the like to cover – I don't want people being attacked from behind. If anything decides to jump the walls, we'll deal with it. But the main team will have to make their own way to the crypt.'
    Ebony began pulling her hair from her face, trying to gather it into a bunch so she could have half a chance of running without wet tendrils slapping against her eyes and obstructing her view.
    'Once inside, head straight to the crypt. If you meet ghosts,' he shrugged, 'try to be polite. Don't shoot if you don't have to. But if you do...' his voice trailed off.
    If they did, Ebony picked up the abandoned sentence in her mind, she'd have to answer for it later. It wasn't just her duty after all, to protect herself, the police, and the citizens of Vale – wherever possible, a proper witch had to protect all magical creatures in need. It was all about keeping the balance – protecting the legitimacy and sanctity of the stories of all life.
    'We don't know what else might be out there,' Ben now stared directly at her, paused, then licked his lips, 'could be anything. Now this I don't have a problem with, anything unidentified comes your way – use your discretion. But I'm telling you, if it's got ten tentacles and flaming eyes, I doubt it’s just going to stop you and ask for directions.'
    Nate nodded. It was a quick nod, but it wasn't nervous. It had tension in it, sure, like a spring under pressure, but it wasn't erratic. It was perfectly controlled. Ebony tightened her lips around her teeth, once again it seemed, the Detective was completely okay with the situation. While she was sweating, even while being pounded by a downpour, Nate was taking it in his stride.
    'You go to the crypt, Eb removes the protection spell, and...'
    'I go inside alone,' Ebony finished.
    'What?' Nate's voice was harsh. 'You aren't serious?'
    She nodded, head so wet the move sent water cascading off her nose and chin. 'I go in first, and you wait till I give the all-clear.'
    'Why?' Nate obviously wasn't going to give this up. For all his painful arrogance and sarcasm, he still fancied himself a chevalier underneath. And knights might stare down at the world from atop their dazzling steeds, but they don't leave women alone in danger. 'That's unacceptable.'
    'It's the only way. I go in first, in case our madman has succeeded and is midway through a chat with Death itself.'
    Nate's expression stiffened.
    'And believe me; you don't want to interrupt Death. I'll do that bit. But when I give you the all-clear, you get to rush on in and take down the bad guy. If I haven't already done that myself, that is.'
    'Okay,' Ben cut in immediately, 'so we're clear now. The team is going to consist of Eb, Officer Andrews, Phil and Grant from the Special Weapons and Tactics Unit, and me.'
    It took barely a second for Nate to realize he hadn't been picked for the team. 'Hold on, why not me?'
    'Because you've never done anything like this, and we need experience right now,' Ben sucked in his bottom lip, his chin dimpling with the move. 'But you'll get your call, one day.'
    'With all due respect, I'm the best shot in this department-' Nate's hands had stiffened by his sides.
    'You've never dealt with anything like this. Accuracy doesn't mean anything if you come up against something that snatches your gun from you.'
    Nate took a breath, obviously readying for another volley.
    'That's enough,' Ebony cut in, hand rising with the speed of a cobra strike, 'let him come, Ben.'
    Ben turned to her, face muddled with confusion.
    'Look, the team's there to get me to where I need to be. So I should have a word about who goes. Just let him come. He's annoying, but he is still a good shot.' Ebony couldn't quite believe she'd just said what she had. She'd just stood up for the annoying Detective when she could have equally left him hanging. But she couldn't shake that niggling feeling that, regardless of the fact he thoroughly irritated her, she still wanted him by her side on this one.
    'If you're sure, Eb, then you're sure.'
    'I am, but we don't have much time,' she took a hesitant look at the almost black clouds above them. 'We need to do this before this storm breaks completely. Powerful storms, graveyards, and pointless magic is never a pretty mix.'
    It barely took three minutes for Ebony to strap the bulletproof vest around her, grab a gun, and be waiting at the mouth of the imposing iron gates of the cemetery. She'd taken the vest, even though she knew it