Page 68 of Hellfire

I caught her hand and stopped her. “We are who we are, Princess. We can’t change that. The markings mean nothing. They don’t speak of our character.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right.” She tugged off my spare riding jacket, folded it over her arm, and switched topics like lightning flashing. “Should I be jealous that he dreams of you?”

“He can’t help it. I’m charming and irresistible.” I slung the pack full of plant material over my back, hooked my arm around her neck, and steered her to my shop, unlocking it, getting us inside.

“Modest, too,” she laughed as I locked the door, checked behind the curtains for any lurkers, coming back to her when I was satisfied we were alone and safe.

I dumped the bag on my shop’s counter. We’d hang the sprigs up to dry and pack the rest away when I relieved Castor of babysitting duty.

“I’d love to see my princess jealous and catfight with a wolf. Or is that snakefight?”

“Something tells me it wouldn’t be a fair fight.” She juggled a ball of pink magick on her fingers.

“You’re right.” I clapped her ass. “He’d eat you.”

“Oh, yeah?” Luna pinched and poked me.

We laughed all the way back into my apartment, where Mary and Castor lounged on opposite sofas, warming by the wood heater along the wall by the TV, Castor flicking through one of my books, a grimoire I acquired from a private collection through less than legitimate means.

“Princ.... Luna.” Mary snapped off her headphones, shot out of her seat and bowed. She’d taken to listening to podcasts that I shared with her on history, the world at large, science, and other interests.

“Hi, Mary,” Luna greeted my sister, going to her side, hugging her, and delving into small talk.

“Warlock from another mother!” I clapped the enforcer’s hand.

“Warlock,” he clapped me back.

“Thanks for today.” It went without saying that I was grateful for looking out for Mary while I was gone.

“Get what you need?” he asked, separating his ass from my sofa and standing.

I produced a bag of seeds he specifically required. A little bargaining chip to sweeten the deal. “And more.”

“Excellent.” Castor accepted the pouch and tucked it inside his jacket’s jetted pocket. “I better get back to my mate.”

Ah. That was right. The infamous avatar of Isis, goddess of magick. “When do I get to meet your new lady?”

Castor smirked, a sign that a quip was coming. “Never, if she knows what’s good for her.”

“Here I was thinking we were friends.” I patted his arm.

“Take care of yourself, Mary and Luna.” Castor tipped his head at them, and they murmured their goodbyes.

He jerked his head, gesturing for me to take a walk with him, and we went back into my shop, pausing by the door.

“I found something the other day in the Library of Thoth,” he began, “and confirmed the meaning of the language on your friend’s arm.”

Blaze’s serpent enchantment.

“Yeah?” I held my breath. “Still a slave?”

The enforcer’s downturned mouth said it all. “Unfortunately.”

I scrubbed my itchy eye with my palm, set off by discussing dark magick curses. “Is there any way to erase it?”

“Yes, but it’s not easy.”

Difficult spells didn’t bother me. I was always up for a challenge, and I was sure he was too. “Hit me with it.”

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