His eyes go wide. “What do you mean?”
“I said I would help them so long as I get something in return,” I say. “But that is none of your concern. I can take care of myself. You have a city to protect.”
“And Poison Vixen to catch,” he sighs.
I dig my fingernails into my palms so I won’t react. If my magic kicks up, he will see it in my aura. “Oh?”
He takes a long swig of his wine. “She killed two more men last week.”
“And you’re certain it’s a woman?” I ask.
“Who else would be able to lure them away without force and kill them with ease?”
I cock my head. “Good point. You men do prefer your violence loud and flashy.”
Kellan cants his head to the side and eyes me.
I click my tongue and give him my most patronizing glare. “Honestly, Kellan, I had thought you’d not immediately take the easiest solution presented to you. Maybe she’s being put up to it by some man with his own agenda. Maybe she’s just a pawn. You cannot presume to know.”
“There’s something else. I’ve noticed a pattern.”
“Oh?” I try to sound casual, but I feel Kellan’s eyes on me.
He frowns like he’s unsure if he should say the next part. “She only kills men who have been unfaithful to their wives.”
I whistle. “Sounds like she’s got a score to settle. Safe to say she’ll have her hands full with how unfaithful the men of Lunameade are. That body count won’t be ebbing any time soon.”
Kellan opens his mouth to say more, but his gaze locks on something behind me and he frowns. “Your guest is here. I’ll leave you to it.”
I turn and find Henry poised in the arched doorway. He steps into the light, and the collective attention of all of our guests washes over him in a wave.
He pretends not to notice as he crosses the room to me. I stand, and he pauses in front of me, then bends to kiss my hand. I’m frozen the way the rest of the room is, waiting for him to do something more vicious than just kiss me. But after a warm brush of his lips over my knuckles, he draws back to standing and smiles.
Bleeding woods, he’s handsome. His dark hair is neatly styled into waves, and a dusting of dark stubble on his jaw gives him a more rugged look. His clothing is perfectly tailored, and his smile is wicked and devastating.
He nods. “Harlow.”
He’s far too comfortable.
“Good evening, my feral wolf.”
The pet name lands just how I wanted it to. The warmth leaches from his face, and he sighs.
“Don’t you look broody,” I tease.
His gaze rakes over me, and it’s like I can feel his hands on my skin again. “And you look like murder wrapped in sin.”
I intentionally wore something that my mother would consider inappropriate. The fabric is such a dark purple, it’s almost black. The slit up my right leg comes nearly to my hip and most of the strapless bodice is sheer. As long as my parents have something I want, they can make me do their bidding. But they can’t controlhowI do it.
I swish my dress from side to side. “That’s exactly what I was going for.”
As if suddenly aware of the eyes on us, he leans in to kiss my cheek. His lips are so warm against my skin. I don’t realize I’m holding my breath until he starts to draw away.
“Want to tell me why you tried to kill me?” he whispers as he meets my eye.
“Want to tell me how you survived?” I counter.
He offers me nothing but a smug grin. His aura shimmers in a dark purple halo around him. I glance at his hand and, sure enough, he’s not wearing his magical ring.
