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Kane cocked an eyebrow. “Strapping’s your type, is it?”
“Strapping is everybody’s type.” I smiled sweetly. “How about it, Kane? Would you like to nibble one of my cookies?”
He gave the tray a cursory look. “My tastes are a bit more refined, most of the time. West is more of a homemade cookie guy, as you seem to have discovered.”
Kane Sullivan, master of mixed messages. It was as though our intimate conversation never happened, which was probably for the best. Getting involved with anyone, let alone a demon prince of hell, was a recipe for disaster.
He brought the beer bottle to those soft lips, and my body tingled, remembering with disappointingly vivid clarity how they felt on my skin. It took me a moment to realize that the tingle was actually in response to the activated ward.
Nana Pratt’s imitation of a doorbell broke through my lust-filled haze, and I shoved the memory to the back of my mind.
Saved by the bell.
CHAPTER 17
Bluebeard’s Castle hadn’t hostedthis many visitors since its last party during the Gilded Age. It felt uncomfortable and overwhelming to open my home to them, but it was all for a good cause.
I ended up deactivating the ward temporarily when my skin started itching like crazy. I now sported red streaks on my arms from where I couldn’t stop scratching.
Kane, Dantalion, and Josephine were currently gathered in front of the fireplace in the living room. Ray had the foresight to light a fire, which meant the room was now a comfortable temperature for guests. Nana Pratt busied herself in the kitchen, somehow producing dozens more freshly baked cookies. I wasn’t even aware that I had the ingredients.
West was next to arrive—again, along with six pack members and Sage—short for Savage according to the blond fae.
Gunther, Camryn, and Vaughn arrived together. I wasn’t sure whether Kane had issued a demand or a request to members of the guild, nor did I want to ask. I didn’t want togive the impression that I wasn’t grateful for the number of participants he managed to rally.
Upon entry, Gun motioned to the coat rack, now covered in the outer layers of the visitors. “Good thing I bought that for you, or all these coats would be dusting the floor.”
“It was a timely purchase,” I agreed.
He peered into the living room. “Interesting cast of characters. Where’s your cursed friend?”
“Otto didn’t feel comfortable running around in the snowy woods in search of animals he can’t see.”
“That’s fair.”
“I’m glad you got back to town in time for all the fun.”
“I did, but most guild members are out of town on assignments,” Gun replied. “I’m afraid it’s only the three amigos.”
I tried not to dwell on the number of murders happening as we spoke. Not my assassination circus, not my guild monkeys. “We’ve got plenty of help. Between all of us, we should be able to capture the rest of the animals.”
Now that we were all assembled, I called the meeting to order.
“We’re looking for a lion, a wolf, a serpent, a wild boar, a goat, and a large snake.”
Kane frowned. “Not the goat. You have the goat.”
I swallowed hard. “About that… It seems this one is a regular goat. The godly goat is still out there.”
Kane stared at me with a look I couldn’t pinpoint. “I see,” was all he said.
“And where are we keeping this cirque du so-freaks once we catch them?” Josie asked.
“Right here in my house with the others,” I said. “These animals can affect supernaturals. Chutney is evidence of that, which is why the mages will use protective magic on each of us.”
“What about capturing the animal?” West asked. “If youdon’t want us to kill them, how do we subdue them without injury?”
“By pairing you with a magic user.” As expected, I heard a few audible groans.
