Hex merely pounded harder. If I wasn’t careful, they were sure to break through my protection enchantment and shatter the glass pane.
I sighed heavily, letting the air rush past my clenched teeth. “Fine. But just for a moment. And then we’re going to sleep, we’ve got a big day tomorrow.”
The window’s latch bit into my fingers with an uncomfortable chill. I really needed to bulk up on firewood or remind Tandor to do it for me. One of the perks of having an orc as a partner—they did all the heavy lifting for you, even when you didn’t ask.
It was wonderful.
Tandor was, much to my jealousy, curled up in bed at his own cottage, probably peacefully sleeping by now. He had an early morning at Ginger’s Pub, and I had some locating potions that I needed to finish before the two suns rose in the morning.
We were both exhausted after long hours trudging through the forest.
I was determined to track down that dragon, no matter what it took.
My cauldron bubbled quietly, infusing the potion with magic and boiling it into a smooth liquid.
Since the return of the magic on Hallow’s Eve, spells and enchantments came readily. Easily. With minimal effort. It felt as though the well of magic inside of me was limitless. I didn’t push it, though. The coven, and especially Ani, had warned me against it.
I wasn't positive if I was the reason the magic had returned, but I couldn’t exactly rule it out, either.
It felt impossible. Ridiculous. But Ani insisted.
And I did have that weird dream during the ritual…
Whatever. I brushed the thought away. There were more urgent things to worry about.
When the window eased open and a blast of frigid wind brushed my hair back from my face, Hex tensed, coiled, and then sprang through the window. I reached for them, but I was too slow.
“Hex!” I screamed. “Don’t! It’s dark!” Panic tightened my chest and clawed its way up my throat.
Hex wasn’t always by my side, but they were always close. Always nearby. And as they disappeared into the darkness, I couldn’t resist the urge to follow them.
But it was fuckingfreezing.
Grumbling and cursing my familiar the entire time, I donned my boots and slipped my warmest cloak over my nightclothes.
I lit an enchanted lantern and followed Hex into the night.
“Hex!” I hissed, mindful of the volume of my voice so I wouldn’t wake any sleeping folk. I could sense Hex’s nearness, could almost smell them, but I still couldn’t see them.
They had led me to the stables at the end of town. What Hex needed in the stables in the dead of night was beyond me. But I followed them anyway.
“Hex, I swear to the Old Gods, let’s go home or I’ll—I’ll—” I struggled to come up with an adequate threat. I had already threatened to smear them on the cobblestones. I couldn’t maim them, nor did they have any possessions I could take away. “I’ll refuse to remove any pieces of lint from you for weeks!”
My heart rate quickened in my chest. Yes, that had certainly horrified them.
The lantern cast an eerie orange glow around me, bringing the stables into view. A few horses stared at me with wide, glossy eyes, certainly curious about why they were being disturbed. I patted one on the neck as I passed.
It was a gorgeous black stallion. Nightmare. I was surprised to find him still in Moonvale. I ran my fingers through his mane. “Hello, old friend,” I murmured as I stepped around to the back of the structure.
Finally, my lantern light gleamed on something purple and shiny. Hex.
“Hex!” I hissed. “What in Hell’s Realm are you doing?”
They were curled up on a pile of hay, which was surprising, considering hay was one of the textures they usually avoided. I approached slowly. They wouldn’t attack me. I was pretty sure.
Well, they did attack me sometimes, but I provoked them so that was my own fault.
I reached out with cold, shaking fingers. “Hey, buddy. Let’s go home.”
