I craned my head to see what was happening, but didn’t make it far given the steel band of Liam’s arms wrapped securely around my thighs.
“All here are under my protection. You may not take them unless they wish it,” Dahlia’s voice sounded as cold as winter as it wrapped around us.
“What did you give her?” Liam asked, ignoring the inherent threat in Dahlia’s words.
“Nothing that would cause harm,” Dahlia responded.
“That doesn’t answer my question,” Liam snapped.
“Some fairy tears mixed with blood.” Dahlia’s voice remained calm.
Liam grunted, evidently finding the explanation satisfactory.
He advanced forward again and came to another stop. Again, I tried to see what was happening but settled down when Liam wrapped a warm hand around my upper thigh.
“Careful, djinn, you’re here at our sufferance. Your presence in this place can be revoked,” Liam warned, responding to something I couldn’t see.
Djinn? I lifted myself up and peered at the ever-present haze of smoke in the room. That made a strange sort of sense.
“Your threats do not change the facts.” Dahlia sounded coolly amused.
“She’s one of mine,” he said.
“Does she know that?” Dahlia asked archly.
Liam didn’t like that response, letting out a soft growl.
With alarm, I saw the black smoke shifting and slithering as it sank down from the ceiling. Visions of what happened to the witches stole through my head.
Before I could think better of it, I lifted my hand bringing it down on Liam’s ass with a loud crack.
The bar went silent, conversation screeching to a halt as I became the focus of several disbelieving pairs of eyes.
Liam went still, his muscles pulling tight under me until they felt like a tightly corded piece of steel.
“Did you just slap my ass?” Liam asked in a deceptively calm voice.
It occurred to me even in my slightly inebriated state that I’d just tap danced onto dangerous ground without concern for my safety or an exit strategy.
I hung there debating the merits of answering.
“Ah, yup,” I finally said in a falsely confident voice.
“I thought so,” he responded. To Dahlia, he said, “We’re done here.”
Then we were moving. As he strode for the door, I lifted my head and gave Dahlia a small wave. Her eyes danced with amusement as she bit her lip to contain her smile.
Glad someone was finding my situation hilarious.
I felt a little more sober as Liam stepped out of the bar, the darkness wrapping around us with cool arms. Now that the full repercussions of my actions were at hand, I was beginning to rethink this whole night.
CHAPTER SIX
The air was cool on my face as I dangled over Liam’s back, my thoughts quiet for the moment. I enjoyed the ride, the steady sway as Liam carried me through the parking lot, Nathan cackling as he trailed us.
I hummed, just enjoying the warm glow I was currently experiencing.
Sound poured outside as the door to the bar opened then slammed shut. Caroline appeared, Brax behind her.
