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Theparanormal currents are not nearly so strong outside the walls but they nevertheless affect the foliage in the vicinity.”
    He did not add that the power of the spring had been growing in the past two years.
    “How did Hobson get into the cottage?” he asked.
    “The kitchen door,” Evangeline said. “He forced the lock.”
    “Let me take a look.”
    They walked around to the back of the cottage and made their way through the kitchen garden. There were no vegetables or lettuces in the ground. The small space, like the front garden, was a miniature fern jungle.
    When they reached the open door Lucas struck a light, heightened his talent a little and examined the broken lock.
    The dark miasma of Hobson’s anticipation of the kill seethed in the atmosphere.
    Lucas shut down his senses before the psychical residue could cause his own talent to flare in response.
    He straightened and moved into the kitchen. “He was not even trying to silence his approach.”
    “No,” Evangeline said. She followed him across the threshold. “He was very sure of himself. Looking back, I think he wanted me to hear him.”
    “The bastard wanted you to have time to be afraid.”
    “How did you know that?”
    “It’s there in his prints.” He gestured back toward the broken lock.
    Evangeline looked at the muddy boot prints on the floor. “You can sense his intentions in his footprints?”
    “Not his footprints. I can read the psychical residue that he left here.”
    Evangeline turned back to him, eyes widening. “The ability is an aspect of your talent?”
    “Yes.”
    She thought about that for a few seconds and then nodded, once, accepting the explanation. “In the end, he was the one who knew great fear.” She shivered. “I heard it in his final scream.”
    “He very likely pricked himself on one of the Blood Thorns,” Lucas said absently. He turned up the wall sconce. The gaslight illuminated the small kitchen. “According to my uncle, the poison induces terrifying hallucinations and panic. Hobson probably started running. That is never wise inside the maze.”
    Evangeline gave him an odd look. “I’ll try to remember that.”
    “You won’t be going into that maze,” he assured her. “No one will enter it except me. It is far too dangerous. Usually the gate is locked. The only reason it was open tonight is because I was inside when you and Hobson arrived.” He glanced back at the door. “I’ll send someone around to repair that in the morning.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Wait here,” he said. “I’ll have a quick look around before I leave.”
    “I’m sure I am quite safe now that Hobson is dead.” Evangeline paused. “At least for tonight.”
    “I agree. But I will send Stone down here to keep watch until dawn. That is not far off.”
    “Oh, really, that is quite unnecessary.”
    “There is no cause for concern about Stone. He is utterly reliable. In any event, he will have instructions to remain outside the cottage.”
    “Mr. Sebastian, I am trying to tell you that there is no reason to post a guard on this cottage.” There was a steely edge on the words. Evangeline did not take orders well, he noted.
    He smiled. “Have you considered that I might be doing it for my own peace of mind?”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “I would like to get some sleep tonight myself. That will not be possible if I am worrying about your safety. As your landlord, I am responsible for you.”
    “For pity’s sake, sir, this is ridiculous.”
    “Not to me. I would like to get some rest. I will not be able to do that knowing that you are down here all alone.”
    She opened her mouth but immediately closed it again. Her eyes narrowed faintly. Evidently she realized that further protest was useless.
    He moved through the tiny parlor and went along the short hall past the bath. When he reached the bedroom the sight of the tumbled bedclothes and the open window sent another flash of ice-cold fury through him.
The son of a