“I thoughtwewere the wildlife.”
“Good point,” I said. “My plans are definitely wild.”
“I hope they involve drilling my ass.”
I knew my smile was hopelessly stupid, but it couldn’t be helped. “I’m never going to get used to your mouth.”
He picked a piece of grass off my shirt. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be so crude. I cordially invite you to drill my ass.”
Laughing, I pulled him to his feet. “Come on. Let’s go home before I’m too hard to get on a bike.”
Forty minutes later,we stumbled into the manor, both of us winded from the ride. I pushed Caleb against the kitchen wall and went for the zipper of his jacket.
“I think that was a record,” he said, yanking at my shirt. We were both rock hard and breathing heavily. “We should try out for the Tour de France.”
“Too much chafing,” I muttered. The zipper stuck, and I growled and ripped open the jacket. With another growl, I buried my face in Caleb’s neck and licked over his thundering pulse.
He gasped and threw his head back. “Yeah, but think of all those men in bicycle shorts.”
I shoved him harder against the wall. “I’d rather think about you wearing me.”
He moaned and clutched at my shoulders.
I froze, every hair standing on end. My body recognized the threat a split-second before my brain.
Wolves.More than one.
Caleb stiffened.
I whipped around as four men stepped into the doorway leading to the dining room.
Three werewolves. One witch. The smallest werewolf stepped forward, a polite smile on his face. Black-haired and olive-skinned, he looked as unassuming as always. From what I knew of him, he preferred it that way. I also knew that anyone who fell for it was a fool.
He looked at Caleb behind me. “Hello, Caleb. Jesse and I have met, but I’ve yet to make your acquaintance. My name is Stefanos Tasakis.”
I didn’t dare look away from him. “Say nothing, Caleb.”
Stefanos nodded. “Sound advice. Then again, you’ve always been careful, Jesse. An admirable trait. We should all be more cautious.”
The werewolves on either side of him didn’t move. Both built for fighting, they loomed over Stefanos. The witch was just as motionless, but the telltale scent of witchcraft rolled off him. Juniper laced with iron, it wafted thick in the air. It should have been impossible to miss. But I’d missed it.
“You’re probably wondering how we got close without you sensing us,” Stefanos said. He gestured to the witch. “Valentin has a gift for cloaking. He also used to work for Sterling Moray, so he has considerable experience with the Moray Corporation’s wards.” Once again, Stefanos shifted his dark gaze to Caleb. “Like bombs, spellwork can be reverse engineered.”
Caleb’s fear bled across our bond. He obviously knew Stefanos hadn’t stopped by for coffee.
I couldn’t comfort him. Worse, I couldn’t protect him. But I could try to bargain.
“Caleb has done nothing wrong,” I told Stefanos. “He didn’t consent to being turned. You can’t hurt him.”
Stefanos’s smile vanished. “That’s not for me to decide.” He motioned to the wolves. “Get the boy.”
They sprang forward, rushing past me in a blur.
“No!” I bellowed.
Stefanos flicked his hand.
An invisible force slammed me to my knees. I fought it, desperate to get to Caleb, but I couldn’t move. Couldn’t even turn my head. But I could still speak.
