Page 26 of The Forty-Year-Old Virgin Witch

I blinked in confusion at Quinn, but Karl merely snorted. Then it hit me.

“Oh, you want us to fight and blame the surge on us.”

Quinn brushed himself off and checked to ensure all his weapons were in the proper place. “They’ll chastise you, you act like your charming selves, and everyone moves on without knowledge of your little witch’s existence.”

I didn’t like the calculating gleam in his eye. In fact, I wasn’t quite sure I liked him being alive anymore, if it meant he was another person who knew where to find Aggie. By the look of consternation on Karl’s face, I wasn’t alone.

The scream of a falcon cut through the air, and Quinn sighed.

“Incoming.”

All around us witches appeared, dressed for business in fighting leathers and dark cloaks glowing with magick. Five of them appeared in a blaze of violet fire, surrounding us in a semicircle. I felt nervous, having never been around so many witches before.

The leader stepped toward Quinn, shooting Karl and I the evil eye. “I’m guessing this was the disturbance?”

It was astounding how easily Quinn turned on the charm, pinning the head witch with a dazzling grin and flirtatious gaze.

“You guess correctly, as usual.”

A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips before she reigned it in. Her eyes shot to Karl and me, her gaze pure silver. I gulped, feeling the raw magick radiating from her. It made my inner wolf twitchy and anxious in a way Aggie’s hadn’t.

“Wolf. Vampyre. What is your business here?”

I snarled, baring my fangs at the haughty way she spoke to us. Karl shoved in front of me, one hand pushing down on my face. I felt an invisible nudge against my temple, and then suddenly there were thoughts in my head that weren’t my own.

Let me handle this. We have one shot to NOT fuck this up. For Aggie.

I growled but agreed mentally. Karl’s presence slid out of my mind as fast as it had arrived.

“My apologies. Just a little spat that got out of hand. Nothing more.”

Karl was the picture of a respectable gentleman in his dress slacks and shirt, bowing over the head witch’s hand. Her eyes narrowed, but she allowed him to grasp it and kiss the air over her knuckles before drawing back.

“There are no packs or clans nearby to explain your presence.”

I snorted, but Karl talked over me again.

“We met by chance in the local pub. I was on an errand for my Elder, and the wolf—well, who knows what he was up to?” Karl raised an eyebrow in my direction. I licked my lips and stuck to the truth.

“My human aunt lives in the village. I’ve been traveling abroad looking for a mate.”

The witch’s eyes never left mine. “Pack of origin?”

I flushed, but it was a legitimate question. “Tatra.”

She nodded then, tossing a lock of black hair over her shoulder. “Mountain near Slovakia, yes?”

The question was directed at a witch to her right, who nodded discreetly. The witch’s gaze shot to Karl.

“And your Elder?”

Karl’s eyes narrowed to match hers. “My Elder would drain you for such impertinence.”

Her nostrils flared, and magick sparked along her skin. “Your Elder is not here. And if you don’t want us contacting the council, I’d be a bit more polite.”

Heat crept along my neck at such a dangerous threat. The council was no joke. They terrified every supernatural creature, not just vampyres. Karl kept his composure, even managing to look bored.

“Such uncivilized behavior. The wolf and I will finish our quarrel on the mountain, and then go our separate ways.”

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