Page 55 of Fang Fatale

A sip.

"Curiosity."

Another.

"New girl turns up in the Forbidden Forest. Rumor says she's connected to Thistlebrook."

He shrugs again.

"People notice things."

"Especially bounty hunters?"

His smile doesn't move.

"Freelance these days."

"The right people know how to find me."

A pause.

"Like your friend Leland Brooks."

Ice slides neatly down my spine.

"He's your client?"

"My retainer."

He rotates his glass.

"He likes pretending he's my boss."

A grin.

"I admire ambition."

The realization settles heavily in my stomach.

Leland hired another hunter.

Either he expected competition...

...or he stopped trusting the first one.

Neither possibility improves my evening.

"She's not what you're expecting."

The words leave my mouth before I've decided whether they're a warning...

...or a challenge.

Mason leans closer.

"I figured you wouldn't hand over a witch."

His voice stays conversational.