“For now, we need to know why your scent has changed,” Dominic added. “Tell us about the colors.”
“I don’t know how to explain it, really. My magic has always been low-level, at most geared to adding a sense of comfort to my food. I can’t control elements or anything like that.”
“But the wards on your building are Level 7. What level are you as a mage?”
“I pay for those, to be honest. It’s a nice chunk of change out of the profits, but it keeps us all safe.”
Zoey smiled. “And we love you for it.”
“Love you too, girl. Most of the time. Except when you’re so … happy. Which is most of the time.” Zoey pretended to look hurt, but Kalinda ignored her. “Anyway, my magic has been funny since the portals have been opening up. Sometimes, it’s stronger than normal and flaring at odd times. Today, I panicked when they were all set to attack and I sent out calming vibes, but it happened during a time when my magic was flaring. Apparently, it pushed out gold and white lights from me, and everyone it touched got … um … frisky.”
Dominic blinked. “Say again?”
“I may or may not have started an orgy.” Kalinda cringed. That sucked even saying it.
“Remember when I first met you and threatened to eat you? That could still happen.” Romano’s voice was a sexy growl. “I’d like to join in on that action.”
Kalinda thought about slapping Romano again, but the last time she’d done that it only left her with a hurt hand and him stating it tickled. This time, she glared at him, ignoring how her panties wanted to melt—again.
The things must have been produced with edible material instead of fabric.
Romano leaned in, his hot breath sliding over her neck, and her pulse jumped. If she thought she was hot when her magic flared before, she was ready to ignite now. That easy. Just being in his arms and having his mouth so close to her skin was all it took for her to lose part of her brain capacity.
“I think you like that idea more than you want to show,” he whispered against her flesh.
No. Yes. Maybe?
Kalinda knew his type; they were all the same in the portal cities and in the world of normal humans. Men who flirted, who always joked … The women who took them up on it were just another notch in their belts. She had too much going on to be simply another go in the bed. It didn’t matter how sexy he was, she wasn’t one for games. She couldn’t take him seriously. What she could be, however, was annoyed with herself and her reaction to his obviously insincere flirtation.
“I can still try to kick you where the sun don’t shine. It would hurt, but it’s worth a shot,” she warned.
He chuckled, the sound rumbling deep within his chest. She only felt it because she was so close, not because it made her lady parts wet.
Right.
Dominic sighed. “Pipe down, children.”
“He started it!” Kalinda argued.
“Look, he jokes, a lot, but there is no better man when it comes to protecting my family, and with how Zoey feels about you, you’re family.”
Kalinda didn’t know how to respond to that, not really. She’d lost access to her family coming to the portal city, like many other mages caught up in the sweep. It made her feel … something she couldn’t quite examine immediately.
“Can we focus on the matter at hand? I think they wanted to kill me.”
“No, I think they wanted to take you, and that means they want something from you. Something we don’t know about, and I want to know why. The allergy thing was just a ruse to start something, but the question is what made them interested in you in the first place?” Dominic answered.
“I’m not inclined to call the Council in to find out. We saw what happened last time we dealt with them. We don’t know who’s trustworthy and who’s not,” Romano argued.
Dominic shrugged. “Then we use Zahara.”
Zoey sat up straight, excitement bubbling from her. “The witch doctor?”
“Why are you so excited?” Kalinda wondered if they were all crazy. She was the one in danger.
Zoey shrugged. “Haven’t really had a chance to meet her. I’d go for a chance to see what she can tell us.”
Zahara typically only worked with those who had enough money to afford her services. It wasn’t because she charged high for snake oil but because she was the real deal. From what Kalinda had heard, she was invited to join the Council of Mages but turned it down because of too many restrictions on her actions. She wanted to be able to freely use her gifts as she saw fit.
