Page 19 of Magic & Secrets
Calla’s voice brushed against my skin like a cool breeze on a warm day. I had no idea what spell she had me under, but I couldn’t stop staring. My fingers tingled.What would her skin feel like?
To regain control of my thoughts, I closed my eyes and imagined myself in my favorite place. I stood at a mountain plateau with the sun on my skin. The scent of newly bloomed spring flowers filled my nostrils. I heard the wind dancing across the untouched land. The first time I felt truly free was on that plateau.
Opening my eyes, I found Calla wearing a curious expression.
“Is the answer a secret?” she whispered, and I realized I had fallen into silence.
“I won’t miss the mountain until our hunt is finished.”
“Who will you hunt next?”
“The Lion Shifters worked with Wolf Shifters and Vampyres. Magic men were involved, too. We already killed the Necromancer in their group.”
“We located the Chauve Vampyres at Emerald Outpost,” Calla said, watching me intently. “They had a strange beast with them.”
“Strange how?”
“A bigger, stronger, twisted version of a Chauve Vampyre.”
“And you triumphed over this creature?”
Calla offered a little smile. “I nearly cut his head off. It was nothing.”
Her expression froze as she took notice of her sisters shooting daggers at her from across the table. Calla exhaled softly, suitably scolded for her words.
“We learned the Wolf Shifters and a Sorcerer are within a day’s travel,” Calla said in a stonier voice when her gaze returned to me. “They will be our next target.”
“And who is paying you to hunt these threats?” Koda asked.
Though I frowned at how he dared to speak to Calla, I realized his question was directed at Enya.
The redheaded warrior glanced at him and said, “The who and how behind the warrants aren’t explained.”
“Let me see your warrants,” Koda insisted and held out his hand. “They likely state the names of the people paying for the bounties.”
Enya looked him right in the eyes and lied, “We lost them during the battle with the Chauve Vampyres.”
“Of course, you did,” Koda replied, wearing a steely grin. “You claimed these vermin attacked other locations. Care to name a few?”
“No,” Enya answered immediately. “I receive my orders from others, not you.”
Calla turned her attention from her sister back to me. “I would like to order a meal and brew. Would you care for something?”
“I'd better go with you,” I said, standing when she did. “I don’t want you to slip something in our food.”
“Why would I do that?” Calla asked sweetly. “Everyone knows blowing a potion directly into your victim’s face works best.”
I smirked at her teasing and followed her to the bar top. The local men weren’t blind to her appealing curves. I glared at them until they fled.
“I’m ordering food and brew for the table,” Calla told the bartender and rested Elven Empire coins on the bar top.
The bartender waved away her money. “Bane Shifters dine for free in Opal Outpost.”
I offered him an appreciative nod. Once Calla smiled at him, I growled at the human male without thinking.
“Are you hungry?” Calla asked me. “Is that why you keep growling?”
Narrowing my gaze, I studied her flawless face. No creature should be so perfectly formed. There must be a trick behind this warrior’s power over me.
