Page 110 of Ravenous
More likely, Ditch had simply changed the rules of combat. Meera could practically hear the demon-witch saying dryly,Yes, young witch, I call it fuck-fighting. We body each other, and orgasms are the spoils.
Meera sighed and tugged at the waistband of her skirt as she walked. The top button pinched. Her sensible flats pinched. Everything pinched. She wanted nothing more than to curl up with Nettle, finish their leftover pie, and order a larger wardrobe from Umber.
But she needed to conserve rations. And solve the coven’s food crisis. And figure out how witches could earn gold without selling their souls—or their dignity. Once, witches had been proud mercenaries. Today’s Skein witches acted scandalized by the idea.
She neared her beloved toadstool at last and fished out her key…but the door opened before she touched the lock.
Lowell.
“How did you get in here?”
Damn him—his face did light up at the sight of her. “Your witchly lock surrendered to my wolven claw. Endless metaphors there.”
Meera wasn’t having it. “Don’t ever break into my home again.” She kicked off her flats and mutinously unfastened that cursed waistband button.
He lounged against the wall, looking tall and strong and confident. “Very well. Next time I’ll loiter outside for all your neighbors to see.”
There wouldn’t be a next time. “What happened to your face?” Three parallel scratches ran down his cheek, already regenerating.
“Nettle took exception to my presence, clawed me, then bolted to the attic. Your wee pussy is pouting over me.” Sly grin.
“Why are you here?”
“I wrote you I would be. Missed you, lass.” He stepped forward to kiss her, but she didn’t respond. “What’s wrong?”
“Is there anything you’d like to tell me?”
He straightened. “That I’m no’ a fan of self-incrimination?”
“You knew all along that Ditch was Thane’s mate.”
“Aye.” Lowell exhaled slowly, as if he’d been waiting for this. “’Twas no’ my secret to tell.”
“I brought up this very possibility, and you brushed it off like a hypothetical.”
“I did. I have a duty to my king.”
Simmering all week, her power flared. “Was it your duty to seduce his mate’s assistant?”
“As I’ve told you, I was attracted to you before I knew of Thane’s connection to your boss. Did you no’ notice my interest?”
She could almost believe him. Almost. “Well, it doesn’t matter. This is getting way too deep, and we both agreed not to embark on anything.”
“We did no’bothagree. Nor would I, witch.”
The moon’s light stole in through cracks in the curtains. Outside, a breeze blew, and a spider skittered through her garden, spinning webs she’d need to trim tomorrow. She was just tired enough to say, “I wondered if you might show up here on the night of the full moon. With your beast risen. I imagined your breaths coming rough, your eyes glowing blue, your fangs bared to claim me.” She’d prayed to Hecate for exactly such a scenario, aching for it.
He raked a hand through his hair. “I wondered too. Even though I’ve never felt the moon’s pull like that.”
“It would just be so much easier if I was your mate.” Resentment tangled with grief. Nothing could change fate.
Voice gone hoarse, he said, “I wish to the gods you were.”
His declaring these feelings for her made Meera queasy. She had to make him see. “You feel this way because…because I’ve enthralled you.”
He huffed a laugh. “Aye. No shite.”
“I can make people furious—that’s my power—and you’ve been soaking it in.” Words spilled now that she’d finally admitted it. “You’re so unacquaintedwith fury, you must love the rush. The recklessness. It amplifies everything. Our nights together felt so explosive because magic fueled them. I see it so clearly. Your pacing, your dilated pupils. You’re here for a fix.”
