Yep. Dry cleaning won’t be getting these stains out.
Chapter Two
“Come on, buttercup. As much as I’d like to see you falling at my feet, I’d much rather it be done because of me.”
The world was hard, warm, and smelled of deep woods. It was a … comforting scent. Kalinda had never really thought of the woods as comforting, but right now, in this darkness, her body drained and her mind going haywire, she clung to it. She curled her fingers into silken earth, scrunching her face when dirt didn’t crumble between her fingers. But even that thought shattered as quickly as it came. She held on to the anchor, pulling it closer, inhaling deeply.
Darkness gave way to fire, burning and sizzling along her skin. The sky was dark, pitched with billowing smoke, and an acrid taste lined the back of her throat. She hated it. A failure. A loss. Tears welled up in her eyes. Here, on this land, lost to the blue-purple blaze of the dragon, she’d failed to save any of them.
“Hey, baby. We’re here. It’s okay.”
That same voice again, baritone and rumbly. That wasn’t right. She felt it even before she heard the words. The ground vibrated under her with each sound. She liked the way it soothed the charred edges of her nerves.
A warm thumb caressed her cheek and she—
Thumb?
Kalinda jerked awake, groaning when she knocked forehead first into the most annoying man she’d met in her life.
“Don’t touch me,” she warned.
“Well, hello to you too, sunshine. And warn me after you detach yourself from clinging. Or you could stay right where you are. I’d prefer that option.”
In three seconds, she realized where she was and what was going on. She also realized a few other things. One, she was outside of Rock Landing with the gold and white lights all gone. Two, Zoey grinned at her like a loon, rubbing her rounded belly at the side of a massive white wolf—Dominic, her mate and the Capo di tutti Capi of the Lombardi Pack. Three—and this one really annoyed her—she was in the arms of his scarred Capo, Romano. He held her off the ground as if she weighed nothing, and he wore the same grin he always did when he saw her.
Oh, and lastly, he was absolutely correct. She had her arms wrapped around him, her fingers twisted into the material of his suit jacket over his back, like a vine. Woohoo! That’s just brilliant. Embarrassed and face flaming, she detached herself and waited for him to put her down.
She should have known better.
Instead, he cocked his head to the side for a moment and watched her, his ever-present smile plastered on his face. His grin pulled his scars tight, nearly white on his face. Romano was a gorgeous man, there was no denying that. He was taller than her, and that said a lot at her height, with dark hair and swarthy skin. As Dominic’s enforcer and a warrior-class wolf, he was built as big as an oak tree. Most striking of all was the multitude of scars up one side of his face. They didn’t detract from his looks at all. Instead, they enhanced them, giving him an edge of danger and power she couldn’t help but notice.
The panty-melting kind.
As if reading her mind, his nostrils flared and he took a sniff before his smile widened.
“Anytime, beautiful. Anytime.”
Kalinda rolled her eyes. She hated that word. She wasn’t the type to be beautiful and not recognize it or not like being acknowledged. She’d been courted to be a model for most of her life before they found out she was a mage and kicked her out of human society. But what bothered her was it was all people saw first. Not her skill level, the pain of losing her mother, her work ethic, or her need to care for others. No, they saw a trophy, and she’d be that for no one.
“Lines are annoying and uncouth. Put me down, please.”
Romano opened his mouth to say something, but the doors to Rock Landing burst open behind her and Roxi and two other lionesses rushed out. Romano’s demeanor shifted, all smiles and laughter gone in an instant before he lowered Kalinda to her feet and pushed her behind him. She’d never seen him so serious.
“We want the mage. She attempted to kill our Leo. And she spelled us. The penalty is death.”
Romano … rippled. She didn’t know how else to describe it. The air around him stilled as his skin rolled for a moment, black fur flashing for an instant.
“You will watch your mouth when you speak about her.”
The lioness hissed. “It’s our right.”
Kalinda stepped around Romano to address Roxi. He stepped with her but allowed her to be partially seen. “I already proved the meal was signed for and was given as ordered. Besides, how could I have given your Leo something he’s allergic to without your wonderful nose picking up on it?”
“I would have to agree,” Romano added.
No, she didn’t feel warm and fuzzy at his support of her at all. People say they have your back, but it never lasts, does it Kalinda?
“We haven’t finished investigating yet, and that doesn’t address the fact you used your magic on us. Come with us, mage.”
