Page 80 of Sanctuary of the Shadow
Mal frowned. “In case you haven’t noticed, Harrow’s not here.” There was no point hiding Harrow’s identity—it was obvious the snake already knew everything. “What did you plan to achieve by coming here?”
He just sipped his whisky, face remaining carefully blank. “You’ll see. Won’t be long now.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
He sipped again.
“Fine. Say nothing.” She refused to play his little game. “But you do realize that with Salizar gone, tonight’s the perfect night for me to sneak out and visit her. Who knows, maybe you could have managed to follow me. But you won’t get to her if I’m waylaid here.”
“I don’t need to go after her.”
“Why not?”
He sipped again.
Malaikah actually growled at him. “Why don’t you just tell me what the fuck you’re doing in my caravan so we can get on with it.”
He smiled. “I do appreciate a direct woman.”
Was he…flirting with her? She didn’t know whether to be flattered or disturbed.
“I’m not buying it.”
His smile widened, and there were those lethal fang tips again. She wondered if he was venomous. Not all snake Hybrids were, but this guy? It would surprise her if he wasn’t.
“I mean you and the Seer no harm. As for the rest, just wait and see, like I said.” He downed the rest of his whisky in one gulp and then stood suddenly.
Malaikah jumped up beside him. “You’re leaving?”
“Not yet. But soon. Any minute now, actually. And you’re coming with me.”
She cocked a brow. “Yeah, that’s not looking very likely. Unfortunately—”
And then she scented it.
Her words dried up, and she stared at him. “How did you…?”
All playfulness was gone from his expression. “Here’s what’s going to happen. When she knocks—”
“You bastard!” Forget his sexy fangs; Mal was going to kill him! “You knew she was coming here.”
“Aye.” He didn’t even try to deny it. “And when she gets here, you’re both coming with me.”
“Over my dead body,” Malaikah hissed, flexing her claws.
He eyed them with a raised brow but had the good grace to look a little wary. “I thought we were past this, Malaikah.”
“You set me up to trap my best friend! I’d rather die than give her up. Or better yet, I’ll just kill you instead.”
“No one’s dying. I told you I mean you no harm.”
“And I’m supposed to just believe you.”
“Doesn’t matter to me if you do. Now listen. The Seer’s going to knock on the door in under a minute.” Mal scented the air and came to the same conclusion. The snake’s nose was good, but then, that was no surprise. “When she does, you’re going to let her in.”
“Not happening.”
He sighed. “Look, I really want to keep this civil, but I have a lot to do tonight, and I don’t have time for this. Tell me you’ll behave, or we’ll have to do things the hard way.”
