Page 29 of Kiss of Magic

Dani kept her eyes on her food as she considered her options. She couldn’t run, obviously. Even if she knocked him out, the binding spell would still work. They were vicious little enchantments.

No, she couldn’t escape unless she got the bangle off. The fucking thing was keeping her tied to the neanderthal and muting her powers. But removing it was impossible.

She’d already spent ten minutes in the bathroom while he waited outside, trying to pull it off. No amount of soap worked. Dismally, she realised the only way to remove it was if Blake said the release words.

Bastard.

His sharp eyes had seen the welts on her wrist when she emerged from the bathroom but he hadn’t commented. Just told her to order what she wanted.

Moodily, she jammed another fry in her mouth. She would have liked to tell him where he could shove his food but her stomach had been growling.

If she couldn’t run, and she couldn’t use her magic, that just left seduction. Could she win him over to her side? Make him help her escape instead of handing her over to the coven?

She shot him a look from under her lashes. It wouldn’t exactly be a hardship. Irritating as he was, he was definitely easy on the eye.

But he was also a hunter. They probably got taught to resist feminine wiles at Hunter Academy, or wherever they trained.

She pushed her empty plate to one side. If only she had access to a few ingredients. Making him desire her would be a piece of cake with the right potion, and the barrier spell wouldn’t protect him from anything he ingested.

And when he was on his knees worshipping her, she’d humiliate him. Make him beg for her. Make him sorry he’d ever come after her. Make him grovel like a…

He interrupted her daydream.

“What did the old witch mean when she asked if you could hear the spirits? I’m assuming she wasn’t speaking metaphorically.”

“She meant the demons,” Dani said shortly. “I can hear them.”

“You have some kind of connection to them?”

“Like you care.”

“Just trying to understand what’s going on. Why did she call you the key?”

“Because that’s what I am. A tool. Nothing but a living, breathing tool for others to use.”

“Why you?”

Dani shrugged.

“Luck of the draw. My ancestors were all keys. Have been for thousands of years. Any one of them could have been called to duty. It just happened on my watch.”

She picked up a coaster and started to shred it. He watched, curious to know more about her despite his better judgement.

“Being a chosen one is tough. But surely you were prepared for it? Knew what it entailed?”

“Oh, give me a break.” Her eyes flashed angrily. “You make it sound so simple. You know why humans smoke cigarettes and eat cream cakes?”

“Because they’re stupid?”

"Because they don’t really believe lung cancer and heart disease will get them. Oh, they know itcouldhappen. They just don’t think it ever will.” She ripped up the coaster and threw it on the table. “That’s how I thought too. And now here I am, being forced to face my destiny whether I want to or not.”

“I still don’t get why it means you’ll die.”

“Because that’s the way it was designed. The power of the key is hidden away in my blood. Releasing it will destroy me. Neat, huh?”

Blake didn’t answer. Suddenly, he didn’t want to know any more. He couldn’t afford to feel any sympathy for Dani. He had a job to do.

“Do you want anything else to eat?” he asked shortly. Her lips twisted.

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