She swallowed a mouthful. Yum. Thank heavens for focaccia – it would keep her going until she managed to get homeand heat up a proper meal. ‘This is great bread.’ Without thinking, she leaned forward and picked up the nearest wine glass, drinking from it and swirling the goodness appreciatively around her mouth. ‘Good wine, too. A Tuscan merlot?’
‘So I’ve been told.’
‘Tasty. Very full-bodied. I like the notes of fig.’
A tiny frown marred Kit’s forehead. ‘The council?’ she prompted gently.
Mallory jumped guiltily: it had been a long day but that was no excuse for getting distracted by good bread and even better wine. ‘Oh, yes. They’re preoccupied with silphium. In fact, the witch who’s been arrested for murder – Fetch Daniel Jackson? – had been tasked with retrieving it.’ She paused and watched Kit, whose expression suddenly displayed studied nonchalance. ‘Interesting, wouldn’t you say?’
‘What the hell is silphium?’ Kit asked.
Before Mallory could explain, a male voice answered. ‘Silphium is the most desirable, most potent, most magical herb that has ever existed.’
The werewolf had it in one. Mallory flicked a look in MacTire’s direction. He was dressed formally, in a navy suit and pink shirt that perfectly set off his tanned skin. There were a few glinting silver hairs visible in his dark locks that indicated his growing maturity, though she knew he was only in his early forties. His sculpted cheekbones, brief shadow of stubble and arresting amber eyes added to his appeal.
Alexander MacTire was an incredibly handsome man but Mallory wasn’t fool enough to fall for a pretty face. The werewolf alpha was definitely dangerous. Even if she hadn’t been aware of his standing, she’d have recognised him as someone who was used to being in a position of authority. Brooding masculinity rippled off his skin as if in dark waves directed at her alone.
Mallory glanced at Kit, who didn’t appear perturbed that MacTire had joined the conversation. She shrugged and nodded at him. ‘What he said.’
‘It’s also been extinct for the last two thousand years,’ he added.
Mallory winked. Alexander MacTire didn’t know everything, and that was surprisingly satisfying. ‘Supposedly. Although perhaps “dormant” would be a better word. Whatever – it’s priceless. If it existed today, Preternaturals would kill not just for its power but for the money a tiny silphium cutting could command.’
‘Kill for it?’ Kit asked.
‘Oh yes.’ Mallory noted the agitation that was now visible in Kit’s twitching fingers. She didn’t blame her; from what Mallory had learned, silphium was both extraordinarily powerful and extraordinarily dangerous. Still, if anyone knew how to deal with such a desirable herb, Mallory reckoned it would be Kit McCafferty.
‘I’m quite certain. Rivers of blood would run through the streets of Coldstream if somebody possessed silphium.’ Mallory took another sip of the wine and then, in a bid to diffuse the tension, she said, ‘This really is an exquisite merlot.’
MacTire crossed his arms. ‘That’smywine,’ he informed her.
Oops. Mallory tightened her toes briefly then decided to brazen it out. It was, after all, what she did best. She drained the glass then asked in an overly bright voice, ‘Did you choose it?’ He glowered darkly so she doubled down. ‘It’s delicious!’
MacTire remained unamused. ‘That’s also my chair.’
‘Oh.’ She hadn’t anticipated that the werewolf alpha would err on the side of grumpiness and that had been a mistake on her part. She was usually adept at anticipating clients’ needs and analysing their emotions. Then again, Alexander MacTire wasn’t her client.
She glanced around. ‘You’d think an upmarket place like this could afford more chairs.’ She caught the snooty waiter’s eye and gestured for help.
If anything, MacTire’s irritation increased. ‘Five more minutes,’ Kit said to him. ‘I want to find out more about this silphium stuff.’
Something about her tone made Mallory realise that this wasn’t a mere business dinner; she’d got it wrong and shewasinterrupting a romantic evening by candlelight. ‘Oh no!’ she blurted out. ‘Are you on a date? Have I gate-crashed? I’m so sorry. I’d hate to interrupt a budding romance.’
There was a definite growl in MacTire’s voice when he answered. ‘On that count you’re safe.’
Mallory felt a flash of relief that she’d not ruined Kit’s evening; if she was honest, she was equally relieved for Kit’s long-term future. The congenial cat lady could do better than this posturing alpha. Far better. ‘Ah.’ Mallory nodded at him. ‘Your hunt continues, then.’
His eyes glittered dangerously. ‘What do you mean?’
There was no point in pretending she didn’t know so Mallory shrugged. ‘Your search for the perfect mate. You’ve not found her yet.’
MacTire looked furious though Kit appeared amused. ‘Don’t look at me – I didn’t tell Mallory I was having dinner with you. She had no idea who I was coming here with. In fact, I’ve never mentioned you to her.’
‘Kit’s right,’ Mallory agreed cheerfully. ‘I figured it out all by myself. Go me!’
The waiter arrived with a third chair and MacTire sat down. His movements were controlled and careful but when he gazed at her with those assessing amber eyes Mallory felt a shiver of discomfort. ‘And whoareyou?’ he demanded.
She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he was unnerving her. ‘Mallory Nash,’ she said. ‘And you are Alexander MacTire.’ She raised her glass towards the waiter. If she was going to stay for even another five minutes then more wine was definitely called for. ‘Could we get another bottle here?’
