Page 7 of Ravenous

“Attractive. Probably too much so.” Objectively, he was even handsomer than Lowell, but Thane’s weariness and permanent scowl were a turn off. “Hungry” was exactly how she’d describe him—a ravenous, unsatisfied male. The kind whose smile never reached his forever searching eyes.

“No mate?”

“None,” Meera said. “Only conquests.”

“Sexual predilections?”

Where was Ditch going with this? “He beds only the most beautiful nymphs and Lykae females in his kingdom. Usually several a night. Word has reached us that Thane’s been drinking more of late as well.”

Ditch sat behind the desk in a chair that should never have been hers and changed the subject: “I wanted a Red Rider as my aid.”

Meera wilted. “Oh. Well, I’d never make the cut.” As she had told themrepeatedlywhen they’d been spell-bent on recruiting her to spy.

“What’s your power, Molly?”

Meera!“It’s of little use and no matter.” Not to mention it was rude to ask. Did Meera want to know Ditch’s abilities? Absolutely. No one knew. But Meera would wait for a power declaration.

Ditch stared at her with raised brows.

“I’d rather not talk about it.”

Raised brows and a flick of a demonic tail.

If Ditch had slayed Lazara, a warrior witch of no mean power, she could murder Meera without blinking those pale eyes. “I can make people angry.” At Ditch’s spark of interest, she quickly added, “It’s very inconsistent. I can’t control it at all.”

“When has it arisen, Meera?”

Now you remember my name?“WheneverIam angry. Which means I just get myself into huge, unproductive rows. The madder I get, the madder another gets, and we just feed into this awful cycle.” Singlehood forever! Good thing few witches cohabited with others.

“You think this is a curse?” Dramatically biting her knuckle, Ditch cried, “Because fighting iswrong.” Her drama evaporated. “Are you a placater? Ayeswoman? Do you always sayyeswhen you want to sayno?”

Meera’s lips thinned because only one answer fit. She miserably answered, “Yes.”

“Imagine using your gift on the battlefield,” Ditch said. “If you developed your ability, you could madden opponents and make them attack—themselves.”

What if I madden the wrong ones?Meera swallowed thickly at a memory, and the demon-witch noted the motion of her throat. Meera longed for Lazara’s no-pressure,you’ll come into your powers when you’re readyapproach.

Ditch continued, “I look at you, and all I see is potential wasted in this job. I’m inclined to fire you, starting fresh.”

Let her!Meera didn’t want to work for this lethal female and get embroiled in some Rider plot. “If that’s your wish, I understand—”

“But I’m equally inclined to use you for my own ends.” Ditch rapped her black claws together and said, “There. I’ve decided that you won’t escape my clutches so easily. I have another plan for your destiny.” Her grin was pure devil. “How wicked can we make you, witch?”

Chapter 4King Thane

Castle Craigdúr

“Wake, my liege!” Lowell yanked open the chamber’s heavy curtains. “Lookat that view! The Twilight Sea is shimmering a’plenty for the coming sunset.”

Irritating light glared past Thane’s eyelids. Lowell fucking knew better than to get him up before moonrise. “Go to hell.” He dragged the covers up, whiskey churning in his gut.

“Meeting at dusk,” Lowell called, far too cheerful. Only his right hand would dare.

Seneschal, steward, governing adviser, spine—Lowell Nightclaw kept Craigdúr upright, and he knew it.

“Cancel.”

“Canna. And you would no’ want me to. Could be the most interesting talk you’ll have for an age.”