Damn, she still felt a little tingly from when he’d stroked her soul.
Stroked. Her. Soul.
Now that she knewexactlywhat he’d meant by how sensitive a person’s soul was, she was hoping there’d never be a time that he’d decide to demonstrate what kind of intense physical pain he could now inflict on her.
I can also make you come harder than you ever have in your life.
Well, she wasn’t going to think about that.
After crossing the bailey, she headed straight home. Her entire crew was scattered around the living room, drinking tea and looking a little drained. They were no doubt tired from how hard they’d worked to get prepped for their ‘shop’ opening tomorrow. Not that it was stopping Delilah and Anabel from sniping at each other.
“What’s going on?” asked Wynter.
“She”—Anabel jabbed a finger in Delilah’s direction— “is blaming me for the wolf attack I told you about. She’s saying it wasmyfault that I died that day.”
“If you hadn’t stepped foot on his territory, it wouldn’t have happened,” said Delilah. “You could have stayed away. But oh no. You pulled a Little Red Riding Hood, and you paid the price. Simple.”
Anabel’s lips parted. “Paid the price? I was eight years old. Have some compassion.”
“It interferes with my choices.”
“Itshould. Maybe if you let it, you wouldn’t have started brewing your precious karma potions and then you wouldn’t have a bounty on your head.”
“I don’t know what you all have against my acting on behalf of karma. My family’s been doing it since our line first began. It’s in my blood, and I’m proud of it.”
“I don’t know how you can possibly be proud of being a descendant of the Black Annis, even if it does mean you can shapeshift into a monstrous saber-toothed cat. That crone wasevil.”
“She was brilliant.”
“She ate children.”
“Well, we don’t talk about that.”
Wynter lifted a hand. “All right, just stop. I shouldn’t need to point out that this conversation is heading nowhere.” She blew out a breath.
Xavier studied her. “You look kind of flustered. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” said Wynter. “Just annoyed with Grouch.”
“The blacksmith who pointed a sword at your neck?” he asked.
She nodded. “One and the same. He’s telling everyone that I’m going to hex his shop. It got back to Cain, who then had Maxim escort me to him.”
“You went to see Cain?”
“Not willingly.”
Xavier studied her face and then grinned. “He made a play, didn’t he?”
Damn the perceptive bastard. “No—”
“He did.” Xavier let out a teasing chuckle. “I doubt he even believed Grouch. He wanted you there so he could hit on you.”
Delilah leaned forward in her seat. “Xavier’s right, isn’t he?”
Wynter grunted.
Anabel rubbed at her arm. “This isn’t good. Not at all. What are you going to do?”