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Daphne had pretended to not notice the men trailing as she made her way to the lake and the man brooding on its edge. Per her prediction, Baptiste had refused to help, and so she let his uncle do the convincing. She remained nearby but out of sight, keeping an eye on things in case he needed her to rescue him.
Turned out he didn’t. The man might whine and complain, but the wolf? He was impressive. He handled his foes with ease while the cowardly uncle fled.
Just in case she gauged wrong, Daphne kept an eye on Baptiste as he headed for town in his wolf form, the four legs making rapid work of the miles. When she lost sight of him because her own two legs weren’t as quick, she relented and called for a ride using the dreaded phone Nelly had loaned her.
The next morning, she joined Baptiste in the truck.
She waited until they exited the town boundaries before saying, “You smell much improved.” Nice actually. Turned out the man had a pleasant musk to him that she didn’t mind.
“I’d say you’re welcome, but I’d be lying. Any idea where in Wyoming we’re going? It’s a big place.”
“The Mother will let us know as we grow near.”
“What exactly is this mission?”
“Apparently, there is a witch of uncommon power who has been dabbling in dark magic. While the Mother usually wouldn’t care, as dark and light are required for balance, this witch’s experiments are poisoning the land and starting to spread.”
“Why send you? Why not notify the Cryptid Authority?” The agency governed those with magical gifts or nonhuman traits.
“They are aware, but rather than counter the witch’s doing they have declared the area off limits.”
“Whoa. They gave up? That doesn’t sound right.”
Daphne shrugged. “The Mother is also perturbed by their unwillingness to act. Apparently, some agents sent to deal with the witch haven’t returned. It is possible the witch might have taken them hostage and is using them as leverage.”
“If this witch is so dangerous, why is the Earth Mother only sending you?”
“Only?” Daphne took offense as she saw it for the insult that it was.
“I mean, yes, you’re tough, but let’s be honest, you are one petite woman with daggers against a witch that has supposedly managed to capture seasoned agents with guns, spells, and more.”
“What is it with males constantly assuming females are weak? Do you think that of Nelly?”
“I’ve seen Nelly with a gun. She’s got an affinity for weapons that makes her formidable. You have a pair of daggers. Ain’t going to do you much good against something with armor or a fireball.”
“Then it’s a good thing your beast is good in a battle.”
“How would you know?”
“I saw you fight yesterday.” She wasn’t one to lie. “Your uncle should have brought more men. It was an insult to your beast.”
He didn’t immediately respond, but when he did it was to accuse. “You told my uncle where to find me.”
“I didn’t tell. He just happened to follow.”
“You manipulated me into coming.” His hands gripped his steering wheel so tight it creaked.
“Would you have preferred the torture?”
“I would have preferred you leave me alone.”
“How long are you planning to self-flagellate?”
“None of your business,” he growled.
“Would it help if I said you might very well die helping me take out this witch?”
He sighed. “This might be hard to believe, but I don’t want to die.”
