Page 57 of Kiss of Magic

“But it’s a crystal. Like Nush’aldaam’s viewing crystals. Maybe this one acts like a GPS instead?”

“A locator crystal. Makes sense. Here, let me have it.”

She handed it over and he dropped it to the floor, crushing it beneath his boot. Dani glanced at his face. It was dark with anger.

“At least we found it.”

“It should never have been there in the first place. I was sloppy.” He forced his shoulders to relax. “It’s one thing after another, isn’t it? Like I said before. The weirdest bounty ever.”

There was an awkward silence.Fuck, she thought.I’m going to have to mention the elephant in the room, aren’t I?She cleared her throat.

“I suppose I should thank you.” She looked away, not quite able to meet his eyes. “For not taking advantage of me while I was under the influence of that lust potion.”

“I told you. I’m not that kind of bastard. Though I’ll be honest. It wasn’t easy.”

“It wasn’t?”

“Not when you were demanding to have me inside you.”

She swallowed, mortified.

“I’m grateful you kept it to the… the bare minimum,” she said stiffly. “It was my own fault for trying to spike your drink. I hope my behaviour wasn’t too bothersome for you.”

“Hm. ‘Bothersome’ is not the word I would use.”

She looked at him from beneath her lashes.

“It isn’t?”

“No. Most decidedly not.”

Dani wasn’t sure how to react. Her heart thudded in her chest and she moistened her lips nervously. Blake’s gaze lingered.

Now was not the time or place, he thought wryly. But damn, he wanted to kiss her.

Needing a distraction, he bent to retrieve the little blade from his boot and handed it to her.

“Here. Can you cut me free?”

She sawed at one edge of his bindings, careful not to slice his wrist. The rope was thick, the kind used on boats, and she had to press hard just to make a dent.

Footsteps sounded from outside the room. Blake took the knife from her and slid it through his belt, pulling his shirt down to cover it.

The door swung open. A woman came in, coolly examining them with eyes the colour of lime drops.

“Ah, good. I see you’re up.”

Twenty Five

Arjhan

“Go,” Kam ordered. “Leave, now!”

The witches didn’t move. They carried on chanting, faces pale and terrified as they watched the thing at their feet trying to get out.

Kam didn’t understand why they weren’t moving until a figure appeared beside him. It was Cassia, the oldest witch in Nush’aldaam and leader of the Witch Council. Kam nodded respectfully.

“Your wiccans need to get out of here, Cassia.”

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