The shadows to my left shifted, and there he was. Six-foot-five of muscle and menace, materializing between one heartbeat and the next. Foster Collins looked like he’d been carved from midnight itself, his dark skin gleaming in the moonlight, those thick black curls framing a face that was all hard angles and barely restrained violence.
“Call me like that one more time,” he growled, his voice a rumble in the clearing, “and I’ll rip your vocal cords out.”
“There you are!” I clapped my hands in delight. “Did you miss me, Foster?”
His jaw ticked. Those thick arms crossed over his chest, biceps straining against his shirt. Most people would tremble before him, this wolf who answered to no alpha, who killed without remorse.
Most people weren’tme.
“What do you want?” He sighed, already bored. “Some of us have better things to do than entertain your midnight tantrums.”
I skipped toward him, circling like prey taunting a predator.
“But you came when I called. Like a good doggy.”
His eyes tracked me, dark and unreadable. I knew he didn’t like me, knew he only tolerated me because Mother kept him on a leash even longer than the one she used for me, but I also knew he found me entertaining. A diversion. Something to amuse him between assignments.
“I need you to do something for me,” I said, stopping in front of him, close enough to feel the heat radiating from his body.
“Not interested.” He turned to leave, and I darted forward, placing my hand on his chest.
“Send a mutt to Serafina.” The idea sparked in my mind, brilliant and sudden. “Or the baby. Hmm. Which one? Which one?”
“The baby?” He went still beneath my touch. “Messing with babies is bad luck.”
“Not to hurt,” I clarified, although the thought had crossed my mind. My grin widened as I imagined Serafina’s face. “Just to watch, Foster. Just to see.”
“Find another toy to play with.” A muscle in his jaw twitched, and I flicked some glittering insect from his collar.
“Imagine the look on her face if she knew we were watching that baby.” I pressed closer, my fingers walking up his chest. “After sacrificing herself to the leeches to make the brat safe. Ooo, yes, yes, yes!” The words tumbled out faster as the idea took root. “Send a mutt to spy on the baby and her new parents, Foster!”
“You’re playing with fire.” His giant hand wrapped around my wrist, pulling my touch away from him.
“That’s thepoint,” I breathed. Amabel would never approve. Amabel would say wait, watch, be patient. I was tired of waiting. “Send a wolf. Just to watch. Report back. Nothing more.”
For a moment, I thought I saw something like pity in his eyes. But that couldn’t be right. Wolves didn’t feel pity, especially not this one, and not for little witches who danced too close to their teeth.
Then his dark eyes narrowed, the moonlight catching in them like twin pools of oil.
“You clear this with Arabesque?”
“Oh, don’t be boring.” I waved him off, spinning away from him in a half-dance before pivoting back. “Mother’s busy. Amabel wants to wait, watch, whisper. I want torip.” My laughter sent bats skittering from the pines. “Come on, Foster. Isn’t it exquisite?”
The forest seemed to breathe around us, leaves rustling like whispers of disapproval. I didn’t care. The night air felt electric on my skin, champagne bubbles in my veins.
He crossed his arms, muscles bunching beneath his shirt. A wolf pretending to be human, but I could see the beast in the way he carried himself.
“Feels sketchy even for you,” he said, shaking his head. “Spying on a baby? That’s low.”
“It’s just watching!” I insisted, twirling a strand of hair around my finger.
“Do you have any idea who adopted that baby? Any damn clue what nest you’re poking?” His voice had that edge to it, one that might scare someone who hadn’t seen all I had. “You’re asking for a shitstorm, and I’m not sending one of my wolves to die on a whim.”
I cocked my head, trying to understand his hesitation. Death was just part of the game, wasn’t it? I caught his belt loop, yanking until denim strained.
“Not asking you to skin anyone. Just…” My free hand crept up his sternum. “Peek through the curtains. Count how many nightlights they use to keep the monsters away.”
“And how would it even matter? It’s not like Serafina would ever know about it.”
