The air tastes like dust and grief.
My beast doesn’t like it, and neither do I.
Behind the counter stands a woman in a red dress.Moira Vale looks human at first glance.Pale skin.Black hair cut blunt at her chin.Red mouth.Slender fingers resting on the glass counter.
Then she smiles, and every light in the shop flickers.
“Krishka,” she says.Her voice is beautiful, that’s how I know it’s dangerous.
“Moira.”
“And you brought bulls.”Moira’s dark eyes move to Cruz, then me.“How thoughtful.I was running low on poor decisions.”
Cruz opens his mouth, and Krishka steps on his foot.He closes it instantly.
Moira laughs softly.“Still collecting violent men, I see.”
“Only when they prove useful,” Krishka says.
The banshee’s gaze drifts to me.It lingers on where the bandage was around my hand.Her nostrils flare, and my beast goes still.
“Well,” she murmurs.“That’s interesting.”
I take one step forward.Krishka’s hand snaps out, catching my wrist, not stopping me, reminding me.
No threats.
No breaking.
No names.
I force myself still.
Moira’s smile widens.“So much fury in one body.It must be exhausting.”
“You have no idea,” Cruz mutters.
The banshee ignores him.Her eyes remain on me.“And beneath it, fear.Not for yourself.No.Men like you rarely fear death.You fear doors.Locked rooms.Teeth near pale skin.”
The shop goes silent, and my vision darkens.
Krishka’s grip tightens.“Careful,” she says, low enough for only me to hear.
There’s that word again.This time, I obey it.Barely.
Moira tilts her head.“Ah.There she is.”
I move before thought.Cruz catches me around the chest from behind, and Krishka slams a palm against my sternum.Magic punches through me, cold and binding.Not enough to hurt, just enough to hold.
Glass rattles on every shelf, but Moira doesn’t flinch.
“Don’t reach for what is not offered, banshee,” Krishka says.
Moira’s expression shifts for the first time.Irritation, sharp and quick.“Then keep his fear out of my shop.”
I breathe hard through my nose.My skin feels too tight.My horns press beneath the surface.
Cruz mutters near my ear, “Not here, brother.”
