Page 92 of Ravenous

He angled his head, a wolf sensing a trap. “Just like that?”

“I’m feeling generous, so I won’t use my magic on you. But I must know why you’ve come to this refreshing locale.” She inhaled the mist. “Ah, undercurrents of brimstone. I go all tingly.”

“If you’re feeling generous, accept that danger exists here and leave. Or I will.”

“Stop sayingleave.” Her tail flicked with irritation. He watched it dance behind her, his love-hate feelings for it magnified.

Was he actually going to take her along? On his own, he could make the sorceress’s lair in minutes. With Ditch? An hour.

He should carry her out. Instead, he grudgingly sheathed his blade and started into the fog. “You’ll drive me madder than the moon before all this is through.”

“Absolutely,” she said, delighted, falling into step. “Your lips to Hecate’s ears.” She rubbed her hands together and asked, “So what mischief are we getting into tonight?”

“The Queen of Questions,” he said. “A sorceress who answers anything. For a price. And she demands supplicants arrive alone.” Understandable. Not everyone would be a fan of a pack showing up at one’s doorstep.

“I’m sure she’ll tolerate a neutral colleague,” Ditch said, and he hoped she was right. “What do you know about Sorceri?”

“Enough.” Masks and madness, gold and gleam—he’d heard the stories.

“I’m curious to meet her,” Ditch mused. “How do you think she survives out here?”

“No idea. I do assume she’s dangerous. Yet more reason for you to return home.”

“You assumeIam not dangerous?”

“Are you? Then tell me what your powers are.”

“Maybe I’ll show you if the time comes. You haven’t bragged about your skill with a sword, but I’m sure you’d demonstrate it. Of course you did hint in a spicy letter that you have a talented tongue. That bore out.”

His head swam from the memory of her taste, emblazoned on his mind forever. Grappling for control, he pointed in the distance and said, “I believe she’s on that mount.”

“I can’t see through this film.” Ditch squinted. “I have demon blood yet no demon sight. Only demonic appetites.”

He whistled low at that, and his cock hardened even more. “I recall.” He’dcome in her mouth until his brain had melted, but he’d craved a repeat as soon as she’d left him. “Still will no’ tell me what demon breed you are? There’s a hundred species with a tail like yours.”

She only shrugged. “I do envy a wolf’s senses. And physical strength as well. You must envy a witch’s magic.”

“No’ really. In our pack, we hear about the disasters. Wishes backfiring. Curses catching the caster.” He shook his head. “Unnatural.”

“And yet you seek a sorceress’s help? A queen no less! What question will you ask? How to feed your people through the winter or how to dominate all the other factions?”

He paused and met Ditch’s gaze through the haze. “How I can be with you.”

“You camehereto ask that? I thought you’d accepted that we’re impossible.”

“I had,” he said. “Until last night. You want me. I can work with that. Understand me, demon-witch. I’m willing to do much for a life with you.” Whatever it took—up to a point. “But I’m also scouting game. If winter fangs hard, I plan to share Craigdúr’s take with your coven.”

“Hmm. Like the herd of cattle that didn’t materialize for your mate today?”

He stabbed his fingers through his hair. “I dinna want to announce our connection to others. Your coven already hates you. You lied about the strength of your political hold.”

“Yes, I lie all the time—”

A deeper chorus of groans rolled.

Even Ditch’s head lifted. “All right, I heard that. Ghouls?”

“Aye. Hundreds. I intended to skirt them.”