Page 68 of First Ritual

My eyes widened.

Summoning my harvesting boline, I whirled, setting the tip to the person’s torso in readiness of spilling their innards against my white sheets.

Wild had both hands raised, though he didn’t seem at all concerned. “I was just leaving.”

I spluttered, “Just leaving! Why are you here?” I thought back. “You left last night.”

He scanned the room. “I have no idea how I got here.”

My nose wrinkled at a subtle hint of sulfur in the air. “A portal. Using sulfur, no less. Now who’s old-school.”

“I don’t use sulfur in portals.” He pushed the cover off to reveal low-slung black track pants.

My mouth dried. Yum. “Well, you did last night.”

“Clearly.”

“Uh-huh. You don’t get to be pissy when you ended up unannounced in my bed.” I bounced off the other side, not even my side. Not only did he have the gall to portal into my bedroom, but he’d stolen my side of the bed.

His focus dragged up my bare legs to my white panties. And boobs.

“I don’t wear a top to bed,” I snapped.

Wild smirked and lifted both arms to cradle his head. “You don’t get to be pissy because you choose to sleep half-naked.” His attention drifted to the V of my thighs. “Well, nine-tenths naked, more accurately.” He looked at my boobs again. “I can see why you leave them uncovered, though. They’re incredible.”

I glanced down. “You think? Thanks. And get out. Don’t come back.”

“We can only hope,” he muttered.

Shoving back the blanket, he stalked to the door and left, leaving the entrance wide open. And the bed unmade.

A young woman blinked at me through the doorway. Topless me.

I ground my teeth together, shoving out my magic to shut the door. He totally left the door open on purpose. Ass.

Dressing quickly in a two-piece white and ribbed outfit, I walked to the door while tugging the shoulder of the long-sleeve top into place. A quick wriggle in the entranceway settled the waist hem so the skirt piece was aligned under the top with a sliver of my stomach exposed.

The tense buzz at breakfast took a minute to decipher.

Of course, Caves day. Ugh.

Rooke waved me down. “Sexy outfit.”

I glanced at my attire. “You think?”

“I really like your clothes. They’re different to ours.”

They wore a lot of linen and hemp. I preferred cottons and bamboo, but couldn’t say no to some jeans in my closet. “We’re about the same size. Borrow what you like. Just go in and grab it.” I took a bite of honey and butter on toast.

“Really? Thanks!” She eyed me. “How are you this morning?”

I looked up. “Can you tell I’m irritated?”

“Yes.”

I sipped at my orange juice. “I missed my dawn stroll.”

“You go out that early?”

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