Page 95 of The Monsters We Are

Sighing, she looked at the witch carefully stirring her bubbling cauldron while seeming overly casual. “Anabel, want to tell me what happened?”

The blonde whirled with a soft curse, wringing her hands. “Why would you automatically assume it was me?”

“Because it was you. When it comes to fires and burns and scorch marks, it’salwaysyou.”

“You and logic,” Anabel grumbled. “I’ll get rid of it, I swear.”

Wynter went to question her further, but then a cup of tea was pushed into her hand. She smiled. “Thank you, Del.”

“You’re welcome, dear Priestess.” Delilah looked from her to Cain. “Since you’ve both got a well-fucked air going on, I don’t have to ask why you’re late.”

“Almostlate,” Cain repeated.

Pulling a face, Delilah shrugged one shoulder. “It’s sort of the same thing, though, isn’t it?”

Anabel frowned at her. “No, it’s not. There’s late. And there’snotlate.”

“There’s normal. Then there’syou.” Delilah gathered her stock of cosmetics out of a cupboard. “I don’t know how you cope with yourself.”

“I could say the same to you,” the blonde shot back.

Cain drew Wynter close and pressed a soft kiss to her mouth. “I’ll come see you at some point today.”

Xavier held up a hand. “I’ll be standing guard over her the whole time.”

Cain gave a satisfied nod and then tapped her nose with his finger. “Be good.” He gave her another quick kiss. “I’ll see you soon.”

Wynter watched him leave, taking a moment to admire all that latent strength and raw sexuality stalking through her home and out of the door.

“That ass . . .” Hattie let out a dreamy sigh.

Wynter whirled on her. “Seriously?”

The old woman lifted her shoulder. “Can I help it if he has such a fabulous behind that there’s no ignoring it?”

“Just be glad she hasn’t fondled it,” Delilah told Wynter. “If I didn’t find him so terrifying, I’d be jealous that you have him in your bed. Well, at least someone’s getting laid.”

Hattie frowned. “I get laid all the time.”

“No need to throw it in my face,” said Delilah.

Popping a cork into a vial of potion, Anabel turned to the Latina. “You know what your problem is in this department?”

Delilah shrugged. “Enlighten me.”

“You’re too picky,” said Anabel. “No guy quite meets your standards. And you do that typical cat thing where you let only ‘the chosen’ close. Everyone else? You look upon them with pure disdain most of the time.”

“It’s true, Del,” said Wynter. “Although . . . I have seen you slide Dantalion the occasional look when you’re sure he won’t notice.”

Delilah snorted. “The man rarely notices anyone but the other Ancients. I wouldn’t get involved with him in any case. The Ancients make me too nervous. No offense, Wyn, but I still don’t understand how you can relax enough around one to have sexytimes with him.”

“They make it worth it.” Or Cain did, anyhow.

Delilah smiled. “Hmm, I’ll bet.”

The workday went like any other. Wynter had gotten used to having Xavier with her, and it was actually nice to have his company throughout the day. They had a blast exchanging smack talk. The dude plain made her laugh. More, he made her forget justwhyhe was there.

Cain came to see her at noon. He ate lunch with her and her coven before then heading off to attend to more business, promising he’d return when it was time for her to walk to his Keep.

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