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I sighed heavily and turned over Maybe counting sheep would help – except that reminded me of what had happened up in Scotland just last month and only exacerbated my sleeplessness A hot milky drink was supposed to be another helpful remedy – or so I’d heard Unfortunately, the only ned for tea and coffee Even if I could work out a way to heat theic, they’d provide little le mouthful

If Winter were awake, I’d have asked him to bespell me but he was fast asleep His jaas slack and, for once, he was utterly at rest I screwed up my face This was ridiculous: Ivy Wilde did not suffer fro to do with the latent necroht hadinto a cold sweat

I got out of bed and padded naked into the bathroo it dry with a tohen I heard the sound of an engine outside That couldn’t be right; it was three o’clock in theand ere in the et up this early

I checked on Winter, who’d not even stirred, and grabbedwhat no one should ever do when it’s the ht, there is a serial killer on the loose and hosts to contend with, I slipped out

The pub was silent inside but I could hear voices outside Frowning, I walked over to the front door and put ainst it

‘We should just ring the bell’

‘Or spell it open and find rooms for ourselves We can settle up with the owners tomorrow’ There was a pause ‘I mean, today’

‘We will do no such thing,’ the fa one – said ‘There is plenty of room in the car Besides, we’re not here to sleep’

‘We can’t investigate anything while we’re out here’

‘Honestly, I never kneitches could whine so et back to the car You can sleep in the boot Masters and Houseman can have the back seat The other two can take the front’

‘What about you, sir?’

‘I’ for a walk I want to see this wood’

There were a few audible intakes of breath ‘But it’s the erous!’

‘I rather think,’ the Ipsissi in a pothole As I can use ht the way, that will not be an issue Go on, you young folks, get your rest I’ll see you in a few hours’

‘I’ll go to the wood!’ Tarquin burst in ‘I don’t mind I’m not tired anyway’

‘I’her rank than you, Villeneuve,’ another voice said ‘I’ll go You stay here with the Ipsissiht not be safe for you’

‘I’ after myself’

‘Hu to corinned to myself It appeared that he was a ht It probably would be better if more than one person went to the wood I tell you what, you lot go and investigate then report back to me I’ll stay here’

There was a moment of brief and, to my mind, sullen silence then the witches acquiesced with a series of quiet mumbles I listened as their footsteps dreay I could learn a lot from the Ipsissimus, I decided

‘Are you going to open that door, Ms Wilde?’ he enquired

Startled, I drew back My srew and I unhooked the chain and let him in The other witches, Tarquin included, had already been sed up by the night