Page 48 of Ravenous

Curiosity won, just as it had when he’d sent his invitation outside the factions’ normal communication channels. Did no one else know he was here? What could she do with this unexpected opportunity? “Very well. I’ll keep the coat on. For now. So tell me what you propose…” She trailed off just as he cocked his head.

“Do you sense something?” His eyes narrowed toward the ridgeline.

“A wave of…energy,” she murmured, listening. The mountain’s ancient warding hummed, yet this was more. A mystical force swirled like weather, but she couldn’t define it.

Since she’d arrived in the Skein, she’d had an awareness of inexplicable things here. She suspected this place only acted straightforward. Her home world of Akelarre could entice one to her doom; Ditch believed the Skein concealed its own hidden threats. “With my powers muted, I can’t pin the origin.”

Thane’s hand twisted toward his lean hip, a warrior’s reflex for a sword that had been forbidden. “Could you undo the Mount’s dampening spell?”

“It’s very old, and it warns away from any tampering.” Which dared her to tamper. Like her tail, Ditch was fundamentally unruly.

“Evil?”

“Not all magic is evil.” She laughed. “Can you perceive the spell all around us as well?”

Curt nod. “I doona like it. Find it disturbing.”

“You wolves, magic always puts your fur up.”

Instead of denying that, he glanced up at the swelling moon, its silvery light dusting the contours of his rugged face. Chiseled lips, stubborn jaw. Beams reflected in his intense gray eyes.

King Thane of Craigdúr really was magnificent.

After a taut moment, he relaxed and faced her once more. “I scent no threat nearby,” he said at last.

“Good. At least you retain some talents here.”

“Tell me about your powers. They must be great if you were sent here to conquer the Skein.”

“You’ll discover my powers in time. Besides, I only admitted to continuing our war. I haven’t said a word about taking over this entire realm.”Would immortals look upon my true face and tremble?

“You dinna need to say it,” he pointed out. “The Accession brews. Resources are finite. A new high priestess makes a hostile takeover. You’re here for nothing less than everything. I might be the only force in your way, unless the Red Riders doona favor you. How is your power base in the Witchwood?”

“Secure enough,” she lied. The Riders were actively trying to undermine her. Their secret cattle raid had been clever—until Valkyries had arrived like an avalanche.

Still, Rosewyn the Banehand was young and growing in power. Though she possessed the ability of only one caste, her war magic was concentrated. Experience would catapult her strength into the heavens. “I’m not going anywhere, wolf.”

“Did Lazara no’ think the same?” he asked mildly. “Seems it’s eat or be eaten among your kind. Mayhap those Riders stole our cattle to undermine you.”

Just so.He saw much. “There was a cattle theft?” She bit her knuckle. “Howhorrible.”

His lips thinned.

Maybe that run-in with the Valkyries had been orchestrated too, another obstacle laid in Ditch’s path. Even now, something was brewing among the shield-maidens; she felt it as she looked toward Valhalland, past the icy fjords below this mountain and into the greener heartland beyond. An electrical storm of emotion seemed to course across the entire territory.

“Ifthe Riders are against me,” she said, “you could join them and try to topple me.”

He blew out a breath, then admitted, “Should I stand with any witch, it would be you.”

His gruff words charmed her. “Why? Because of your lust for me?” She preened, her tail doing a pleased little S-curve.

“The lust is mutual,” he said without shame. “And alliances have been struck for worse reasons.”

Fair point. She inclined her head.

“We war because of scarcity, do we no’?”

“Debatable. Some of us just enjoy violence.”