Page 3 of Moon Tamed

“That somewhat limits what you can do with the Hunters. As I don’t date Hunters, nor will I select their faction, I try to avoid them. I’ve had one contract with them. They’re not bad to work for, but they’re definitely intense. I’ve seen the faction leader and his son, though. Watch out for your panties. They’re hot. I put in some serious thought about selecting the Hunters after seeing that heir. Let me tell you something, Coraline. Calden Stephans is delicious. I’d melt chocolate on him and eat it off without hesitation. The best part? He doesn’t even really have abs. He could have abs if he flexed those muscles a bit more, but he’s a whole lot of smooth man. I got to see him with his shirt off. There’s not a scrap of chest hair to be seen, and you know how I feel about chest hair.”

Yes, I had unfortunate knowledge of how much she hated picking out chest hair from between her teeth. As Sila lived and breathed for her next bedroom conquest, I opted to ignore her opinion about Moonriver’s most influential men, especially Calden, the reigning eligible bachelor of Moonriver. “I’ll make sure my panties remain intact and on.”

“You are no fun.”

Thanks to our boss’s foresight plus his planning and preparation skills, he churned through the line, handing out envelopes with the contracts and assignment details. Mine ranked in on the heftier side, a common problem with Legacy assignments, although the various artisan factions also had lengthy contracts.

Sila also received one of the thicker envelopes, and hers had the crescent moon and yew symbol of the Moonward faction on it.

“Good luck with that.”

“They’re really not that bad. It’s usually playing courier or taking notes with them. They even give magic lessons on slow days. Try it again some time. I bet you’d be a great witch.”

I had learned a trick or two the last time I’d worked for Moonward, but I wouldn’t tell Sila that. “Pass. Break a leg.”

“You, too—and text me if you get something juicy, like a boyfriend.”

“Should I mystically acquire a boyfriend, I will let you know.”

Laughing, my friend headed into the maze of smaller offices and cubicles, leaving me to venture the other way. Ten years of working for the temp firm meant I had one of the better offices, which was located near the doors leading to freedom.

I tossed the packet onto my desk and began my morning routine, which consisted of following up with prior contracts. Nobody had contacted me. That worried me, much like the calm before the storm tended to put me on edge. Before I could become unnerved, I picked up my envelope and pulled out the contract.

According to the cover page, I held the dubious honor of being the lamb sacrificed to the Hunters of Moonriver. The cover page indicated the faction leader required a skilled secretary to handle a sensitive matter.

Relief flooded me. I could handle working as a secretary, even for the ruler of the city. Dealing with the same contract for longer than a week would test me, but I would endure.

How bad could it be?

Groaning, I rested my head on my desk. Within a few hours, I’d find out.

At ten sharp, I stepped into the lobby of the Hunters’ headquarters. Designed to resemble an oversized hunting lodge, it married country charm to an unchecked taxidermy obsession. Lions, tigers, and bears decorated the polished hardwood floors as rugs. Numerous species of deer hung from the walls, keeping a collection of rabbits and birds company.

Lovely. I was about to spend at least a week with a bunch of glassy-eyed, dead animals staring at me.

“Are you Coraline Patten?”

I was so focused on the entry I hadn’t noticed the man lounging on an armchair with a tiger rug at his feet. He matched what I expected of a member of the Hunters of Moonriver, fit enough to battle animals with his bare hands while somehow maintaining an almost feline grace.

His face suited any of the artisan factions; if he were to be put on display for the enjoyment of women, he’d bring in a fortune. After a moment, I realized I recognized him from television. In the flesh, Calden Stephans was somewhat tall with brown hair, darker eyes, and a confident air about him.

Sila had been right to be concerned for my poor panties. He could start fires walking into a room.

How unfair.

No matter what, I could not be caught drooling over the heir of the faction I needed to work for. A week or longer would test me, but I would survive. I would leave the building with a few pleasant memories, an unexpected perk of the contract.

I expected the man would occupy my dreams for a while.

One day at a time would get me through the assignment with my sanity intact.

As I refused to be anything other than an immaculate professional, I held my briefcase in front of me, bowed my head, and replied, “I am, Mr. Stephans. I’ve brought the signed contract from the firm. How can I be of service?”

“Tell me what you think of the lodge.”

Oh, dear. I’d plunged right into hot water within a minute of stepping through the doors. “Do you want my personal opinion or a professional response, sir?”

“Personal opinion.”

---