Page 69 of The Witch and The Blood Oath

Freya shifted in her seat. “If there’s any knowledge about the chimera you could offer, however, that would be—”

Marie chuckled. “I was wondering how long it would take you to ask.”

Freya said nothing but held the witch’s gaze.

“This younger generation knows nothing of patience,” called one of the ancient witches from the couch. Marie nodded her agreement.

I guess some things are universal,I thought and barely contained a laugh.Old peoplelovecomplaining about our generation.

“We’re working under a bit of a time limit,” Cady said. “So yeah, breakfast was great, but we’ve gotta get moving.”

I tensed and prepared to protect my sister, but Marie smiled.

“Fair enough,” Marie relented. She looked at Freya. “The chimera is aboard a ship with its guardians. They left the harbor yesterday at eight o’clock, just before your arrival here.”

“The ocean,” I remembered. “The tracking spell showed us the ocean.”

“If we left earlier,” Ryder grumbled, “we wouldn’t have to journey across a giant body of water.”

“What’s wrong, wolf?” I taunted. “Can’t get your fur wet?”

He growled, but I grinned, and the witches chuckled.

“We also would’ve faced Madame LaLaurie with even lesser reserves,” Freya sniped. The other witches hissed.

“Don’t say that name here,” Marie warned.

Time for a subject change.

“So,” I said. “Any tips on how to catch the chimera?”

Marie considered my question and took a sip from her piping hot cup of tea.

“It does not yet know the full extent of its power,” she finally offered. “I would suggest catching it before it learns.”

I gritted my teeth in frustration. “Is it some kind of witch-code to be purposely vague?”

Marie’s magic flared, but Ryder grumbled his agreement. My own magic heated my veins in response.

“Does it have a human form?” Freya asked.

Marie’s lips twitched. “You saw it.”

She did?

“I think it’s what led me to that goddessdamned mansion,” Freya grumbled.

I barely contained my shock. She had mentioned no such thing to any of us, though I hadn’t thought to ask her why she’d left us. Her injuries and her nakedness had thoroughly distracted me.

“It’s a clever thing,” Marie said, “and a beautiful one. My advice—don’t let it make a fool of you twice.”

Freya gritted her teeth and nodded.

“Which direction was it heading?” Cady asked.

“They were going south,” Marie answered and sipped her tea, “and they spoke of visiting the wilds of Africa.”

“What kind of ship?” Ryder asked.

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