“Well, that’s a lie.” His gaze flicked towards the cottage as if he could sense something hidden within its walls.
“Every witch has a familiar.”
“Not me,” I interrupted. Not a lot to do anymore.
The cool air had become frigid, abruptly making me conscious of how little I was wearing—a thin satin nightgown, with my bare feet pressing into the dewy ground. Here I stood in front of a blood mage, whose face was unfairly handsome for someone I already despised. It had been years since I had spoken to anyone other than the werewolf who helped me train.
He clicked his tongue, his crimson eyes dragging over me like a predator sizing up its prey. I straightened, my hair spilling over my chest like a shield.
“I’m not a threat to you,” he murmured, his voice smooth, coaxing. “You can put your dagger down and these vines.”
I arched my brow.Is he serious?
“You just attacked me.”
He just laughed, dark and rich, as if I had said something amusing. “I didn’t kill you. And trust me, if I wanted you dead, you’d be dead.”
“But I’m not,” I pointed out, ignoring the dull ache creeping into my skull.
“Yet.”
His lips curled into a slow, knowing smile as he reached out, tapping one of my vines. The plant recoiled, hissing as if offended. One second, he was several feet away. The next, he was right in front of me, his hand snapping around my throat like a collar.
I gasped, my fingers tightening around the hilt of my dagger, but I didn’t get a chance to use it. His grip wasn’t crushing, just firm—controlling. His body pressed close, heat and something unhinged radiating from him like a live wire. His fangs gleamedas he tilted his head, inhaling deeply like he was savouring the scent of something rare.
I barely moved, but his grip flexed in warning, a smirk curling his lips.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, little witch. Your heart is already beating fast enough—it’s making me hungry.”
Clenching my jaw, I forced myself to remain still. My vines twitched but didn’t strike. If he were indeed a threat, they would have torn him apart by now. Either they sensed something I didn’t, or he was just good at playing the part of a man who wasn’t insane.
His eyes darted to my shoulder, zeroing in on the faded vampire bite. His thumb ghosted over my pulse. “Tsk, Tsk. You’ve already been bitten? How tragic.” His eyes snapped back to mine, and his smile widened, teeth sharp, “I hate sloppy seconds.”
Then, without warning, his tongue traced a slow path up the column of my throat, his voice was a dark whisper against my skin, laced with possession.
“Good thing I’ve already claimed you.”
A shiver crawled down my spine—not from fear, though I told myself it should be, but from something far worse. Something I didn’t want to name. I hated the way my body reacted, the traitorous heat coiling low in my stomach, the way his voice sent a shudder through me that I wished was disgust—but wasn’t.
He let out a low, satisfied hum, as if he were indulging in some forbidden delight, enjoying my existence like a sip of fine wine. And, gods, I despised that—yet for the briefest, most shameful second, it almost felt good. Just as quickly as he had grabbed me, he released his hold, stepping back with a lazy grin and tilting his head, watching me with childish amusement.
“I wish I didn’t have to leave, because this was fun, little witch.” Something dark flickered in his eyes, “Next time youcome outside, make sure you’re covering that beautiful body of yours. I’d hate to have to rip out their eyeballs and pop them… kidding, I would very much enjoy it.” He winked, and then vanished, as if he hadn’t just claimed me, licked my throat and threatened the popping of someone’s eyeballs like a deranged psychopath.
He disappeared into the trees, his laughter lingering in the air like a haunting melody.
I exhaled slowly, rage and unease winding in my gut, and a little turned on. My headache pulsed behind my temples, only worsening.
Fucking lunatic.
I needed to prepare for my trip tonight and catch some mice for my greedy dragon.
Chapter 3
RAVENA
Standing on the outskirts of the whispering woods, I exhaled slowly, my breath curling in the crisp night air. Beside me, Xarothar shifted restlessly, his sleek, onyx scales glinting under the moonlight. His silver eyes were far too intelligent for a creature who was just supposed to be my companion, and they were locked onto me, his tail lashing behind him in agitation.
“I don’t like this.”
