“Now,carefully paint it on the chunk of black hair. Don’t get it on her skin.”
Herolled his eyes at his mate and started painting it on. I closed my eyesagainst the hard fumes and tried not to breathe it in. With my werewolf nose,these fumes were ten times as strong, it was probably a good idea Diya hadn’t donethis. Yuck. After finishing and wrapping my hair in foil, I sat around andchatted with Diya about how Emma was doing.
“Okay,it’s been twenty minutes … that should be enough time,” Diya instructed.
Leaningmy head over the sink, I pulled off the foil and washed my hair in the sinkwith shampoo. The second I rinsed the soap out, my stomach turned at what Isaw. Jet black. It hadn’t lightened even one shade. Shit.
Idried it off and noticed Diya was staring at me in fear, chewing her lip. Whywas everyone looking at me like I was dying? It was just a freak witch thing,right?
“Itshould have at least been orange. Not black. What does it mean?” she asked.
Ididn’t know, but I assumed it wasn’t good. “Don’t tell Kai we tried to dye it,”was all I could say.
Shelooked reluctant but nodded. I said my goodbyes and headed back to my house tochange for the ball. I had to meet Sylvia and the coven in a few hours. Awitches’ ball! I grinned. A year ago if you told me I would be a half-werewolf,half-witch and on my way to a witches’ ball, I would have thought you were batshit crazy. I wasn’t going to let the current drama in my life ruin thisawesome night. The second I walked into the house, I saw that Kai and Max weresitting there waiting for me.
Igroaned. They better not be here to try to lock me in the basement with Jeremy.Kai stood and came closer to me but stopped suddenly and sniffed the air. “Whydo you smell like chemicals?”
Isighed. “Long story. Don’t ask. Are you guys here to tell me not to go to thewitches’ ball … because I’m going.” I crossed my arms and prepared for a fight.Max grinned like a lunatic in the background. He loved a good argument betweenKai and me. I shot him a glare and his smile fell.
Kaisniffed me one more time and then took my hand. “No, I just wanted to tell youthat Max and I decided to go out for a beer tonight. We will be at McMenaminsright across the street from the venue the ball is being held at.”
Irolled my eyes. “Fine. Stalkers.”
Kaismiled. “If I have to stalk you to keep you safe, then so be it.”
“Forthe record, I’m only going to keep him from barging into some witch party andgetting hexed,” Max offered.
Ilaughed. “We don’t hex. We spell.”
Heput his hands up, palms out. “Oh, right, excuse me.”
ButI gave Kai a serious look. “You really shouldn’t. Someone might recognize youfrom the news.” Not everyone was a fan of our kind. Going to a crowded humanbar in Portland, not a great idea.
Kaigave me a sexy lopsided grin. “I have that covered.”
Ifurrowed my brow in confusion and decided to drop it. Trailing my finger alongKai’s chest, I purred. “I need to shower before the ball, you coming?” I raisedone eyebrow.
Kai’seyes went yellow and Max started for the door, shaking his head. “Newly mated.I remember that stage.”
Max’swords made my heart hurt for him but he had Tara now. They were taking it slow,she had officially joined our pack and they were dating. He wasn’t ready to doa mating ceremony yet. Kai dropped his pants, snapping me out of my thought. Ilaughed as he picked me up and threw me over his shoulder like a caveman.
Witches’ Ball
Istood in my purple velvet hooded cape and black ankle-length corset dressSylvia had given me. “How do I look?” I asked Kai.
Hesmiled. “Like a sexy little witch.”
Reachinginto his pocket, he pulled out some big, black-rimmed, clear glasses, and putthem on. I chuckled. This was his disguise? Nerd glasses? He crossed the roomand stood in front of the hall mirror pulling something out of his pocket andsticking on … a little mustache? Turning to face me, he opened his arms wide.
“Howdo I look?” he asked, smiling.
Ibusted out laughing. “Honestly? Like a total creeper.” But he was prettyunrecognizable with that mustache so I think the plan would work.
Beforehe could retort, Max knocked on the door. I had agreed to allow Kai and Max todrive me to Sylvia’s and then home from the ball.
Maxtook one look at me and chuckled. “Where’s your pointy hat?”
Igave him the middle finger and he laughed. Max had become like a brother to me.
