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She gave them a polite smile. “Thanks, but I’m good as I am.”
Grouch stared at her for a long moment. Then he puffed up his chest, his brows snapping together. “You’re not serious.”
“Uh, I really am.”
Annette perched her hands on her hips. “We’re the best blacksmiths in this town.”
“So I’ve heard,” said Wynter. “You must be super proud.”
“People come to us all the time looking for work,” Annette added.
“I’d imagine they do,” said Wynter. “Everyone wants to work with the best.”
“Except you? What, you’re bitter that we didn’t hire you before?”
“Bitter? Not at all. I was disappointed initially, but I’m now glad you turned me down. If you hadn’t, I might not have started this shop with my crew. It’s doing pretty well.”
Grouch glowered. “You’re cutting into our profits.”
Wynter shrugged. “That’s just business.Youcut into the profits of the other blacksmiths, but I’m guessing you’re fine with it.”
His nostrils flaring, he snapped his mouth shut.
“Look, I understand your issue,” said Wynter. “People aren’t so bothered about going to the best blacksmith or purchasing the best weapons, when they can buy something cheap and have it enchanted to improve it. They also don’t need to buy a new weapon in order to have a different enchantment—I can change runes at any time. All this affects your business, I know.
“But I warned you that you’d lose custom. You didn’t listen to me. You laughed at me, insulted me, pointed a sword at me. And then you lied that I was going to hex your shop so that I’d get in trouble with Cain. All that considered, did you really think I’d jump at your offer? Really?”
“So youarebitter,” said Annette.
Wynter shook her head. “It’s not bitterness. I simply have no reason to like you. I don’t want to work for you. I don’t want to work for anyone. Like I said, I’m good as I am. But thanks anyway. I appreciate the offer.” Not really, but whatever.
Annette’s face hardened. “You’ll regret this.”
Wynter pursed her lips. “I don’t see how.”
“People think you’re all badass right now,” said Annette. “They’re forgetting what else dark magick can do. I’ll be happy to remind them.”
“Well, I wouldn’t dream of getting in the way of your happiness, so …”
Annette’s mouth tightened. “There’s something else you’re not considering. We’re not the only business owners who aren’t too fond of your little shop. Together, the group of us can cause you some serious aggravation.”
“That would be a very big mistake,” said a new voice.
Everyone momentarily froze, and then the rapidly paling berserkers spun to face the newcomer.
Annette took a step backwards and nervously wiped her hands on her thighs. “Cain, we … I mean, I—”
“No excuses, no lies.” He took a slow, aggressive step toward the berserkers. “Now listen to me very carefully. Every person in this shed wears my mark. That alone should be enough reason for you to watch out for each other. I see that it isn’t. So let me be very clear—if you make any trouble for Wynter, her coven, or her shop, you will pay for that in blood. Nobody fucks with what’s mine and escapes punishment. Is that understood?”
“Yes,” Grouch immediately blurted out while his daughter nodded.
“Good.” Cain carelessly waved a hand. “Now get out of my sight.”
The berserkers gave him a wide berth as they scurried around him and out of the shed.
Cain closed the door, his gaze fixed on Wynter. All the intensity in those unfathomable eyes hit her in her core.
“Pay for that in blood?” she repeated. “You don’t think that’s a little excessive? I mean, it’s not like they threatened to kill me or anything.”
