Page 34 of Freed By the Witchbone Knife

That made his insides go hot.

“Was it like this when you bought it?”

“What? No.” He leaned away to regard her. “I built it.”

“You—oh my, God. You…built this? Like, yourself?”

“Is that a compliment or an insult?”

A laugh burst from her chest. “A compliment. Totally a compliment. It just seems like a lot for someone to take on.”

“I have nothing but time.”

“Oh. Right.”

“Come on. Let’s get the bunnies inside and get you settled.”

He cut the ignition and climbed from the truck. They shuffled her things to the porch. Before he opened the door. He reached for her arm, then quickly pulled back. “Set their carrier down for a moment and come with me.

“Okay?” She looked skeptical but did as he asked. He led her away from the house, across the drive to where the forest trees began. He led her through a few then stopped. “See this mark here?”

It was dark, so she had to squint when he used his cell phone flashlight. “The cross thingy?”

“Yes. It’s a marker. It marks several trees around the perimeter as a distance indicator.” Her brow furrowed. “You’ll be safe here. No one who intends you harm can cross the ward of protection, which ends at the indicated markings.”

“Like a bubble of protection,” she mused. “I’m familiar with witch wards. But I thought you didn’t like⁠—”

“I don’t. And this wasn’t cast by a witch. I’d die before I let a witch work magic on my property.” She lifted her brows so he quickly amended his words. “You’re an exception, obviously.”

“Obviously.”

“It’s an artifact. One that cost a small fortune. But is worth its weight in gold.”

“You have an artifact? Can I see?”

“Yes and no. All you need to know is that as long as you stay within the perimeter, you’ll be safe from Blackthorn and anyone he might send after you. Not that I won’t be here. But, you get my gist.”

“So that’s why you offered your place knowing he has the means to use magic against you.”

“He can’t do shit if we’re safely in the bubble of protection.”

“And when we’re not?”

“You won’t give him the opportunity to be alone with you. It’s a breach of supernatural law to perform magic in front of humans. I don’t think he would be so careless. But you shouldn’t underestimate him, regardless.”

“You’re telling me,” she muttered.

“Good. Then come.”

He led her back to the house, then braced himself as he fit the key into the lock, knowing that for the first time in decades, he was letting someone into his world.

10

Iset Basil and Sage’s carrier down just inside the door, then straightened, taking it all in. Axel’s home was nothing short of breathtaking. Dark wood, luxury materials, cozy furniture. A massive fireplace extended up one wall, made of river stones.

I know I was gaping but…

“You really built all this.” It explained why he always smelled like woodsmoke and sawdust with a little something more mixed in. But there was another scent in here. One that instantly calmed me. Leather and…cinnamon? I took a deep breath, then let it out slowly.