Page 35 of Sticks and Stones and Broken Bones

“Why not? She has no idea what her magic can do and no idea what she’s capable of,” I hissed. “She’s a liability.”

“Casimir?” a soft voice said from behind me.

Fuck.

I turned and saw Raevyn in the doorway flanked by Hawk and Nox. If looks could kill, I’d be dead.

“A liability?” she seethed as she marched towards me, not stopping until she was toe-to-toe with me. She jabbed her finger in my chest. “Is that what you think?”

“Yes. Isn’t it obvious?” I draw out my words, the tone harsh and cruel, but it had the effect I intended. She was fucking seething. Part of me felt bad, but the hidden, darker part of me was lapping it up.

“Not to me.” She stepped closer.

“Why do you think we work on our own, huh?” I sneered. “Because people who don’t know what they’re doing end up dead.”

“Wh-what?” she gasped and visibly flinched.

I stepped right into her personal space, crowding her. “Now why don’t you fuck off and let us get on with our jobs.”

“Casimir… I…” She reached her delicate hands out to me, and that was the last thing I needed. I was barely controlling my other half as it was. One touch from her and he’d be on a rampage.

“I said fuck off. Don’t make me say it again.”

Emotions flittered across her expressive eyes. Hurt. Pain. Empathy. Sorrow. Anger.

It was that last one that had her pushing herself forwards until her breasts pressed against my chest.

Fuck. Her nipples were hard.

“Now you listen to me, dickwad. I might be new to this, and I’m sorry I’ve disrupted your little happy place, but I belong here. With them and with you. So you’d better get used to it because I’m coming with you to hunt ghosts. There’s no way you’re leaving me behind.”

There was a moment of silence as she stared at me, her violet eyes sparking with fire. And for a second, I thought about pressing my lips against hers. But before I can put that thought into action, Nox slid in behind her and pulled her backwards a few paces.

“Leave him alone, pretty girl. He doesn’t know how to play nice.” He muttered the words by her ear, and I didn’t miss the way she shivered.

Raevyn made to leave his arms, but he pulled her tighter against his chest. I didn’t like where this was going. His hands trailed across her bare stomach towards the band of her leggings and my dick lengthened in my pants. Not that I would tell them that.

“Besides,” Nox drawled. “I’m pretty sure he’s just upset he didn’t join us in the training room.”

My nostrils flared as I saw the heat flash in her eyes. You could cut the fucking tension in here with a knife.

“Do you like the sound of that, pretty girl?” Nox hummed, rolling his hips obscenely behind her. “Want Casimir to join the fun?”

Her eyes blew wide, desire practically pouring from them, but I refused to drown.

“Nox,” I warned. “Knock it off.”

“See, Raevyn. He’s jealous,” Nox crooned.

“Enough,” Hawk barked, breaking whatever that was between the three of us.

“Hawk’s right,” Korbin added calmly. “She needs to come with us, Casimir. There is more at stake than mere ghosts.”

I knew he was right. He was always right. But that didn’t mean I had to like it.

“Fine,” I grumbled. “But keep her away from me.”

That way, I wouldn’t see if anything went wrong.

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