Silva shrugged. “I make do. What I can say is I figured why your magic worked on me in your kitchen the other day when it didn’t the first time.”
That got Kalinda’s attention. With the Viscount Pride Debacle—naming things was cool—Silva had been aware the entire time. She’d gotten the girls out of there before making sure she could tell Dominic and Romano what had happened when they showed up. Kalinda had wondered why Silva was so messed up the second time. At least she could finally get some answers.
“Why?”
“Because I ate it.”
Did the sun just come into the room?
Just hearing the word “ate” made her pulse jump and her thighs clench. Jesus, but she’d be a full course meal for Romano any day. How the hell she’d never taken him up on that offer before was pure sacrilege. Maybe she’d add some toppings next time—
“Earth to Kalinda.”
Dammit! Kalinda slicked her hair and regained her composure. “Continue.”
“You know, wolves have pretty long tongues.”
“Continue, Silva!”
“Fine, fine. You’re so much fun; I never knew. Anyway, when I ate your food infused with your magic, it was able to get past my natural defenses to magic.”
An idea formed in Kalinda’s mind. “Does that mean you’re immune to the Council? That could solve a lot of problems.”
“Unfortunately, no. They’re strong enough to direct their gifts at me. Fae blood may give me an edge, like shifters, but we agreed to give up some of our strength against magic when we joined the FBMC.”
The faraway look in Silva’s gaze made Kalinda stay quiet, unsure if Silva even realized she was sharing knowledge. Kalinda was afraid if she pointed it out, Silva would feel pain at remembering.
“Once we joined, we—” She stopped suddenly and gripped her stomach with a moan.
Kalinda rushed forward. “Don’t try to remember anymore. It’s okay. We’ll figure it out.”
After a few breaths, Silva nodded. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. At least we know you can be affected by my magic if I feed you, so maybe you just can’t have any of my delicious food. Too bad for you.”
“I’m not so sure.”
“Why?”
“Because it smells different now. More contained.”
That gave Kalinda pause. She’d been having problems controlling her magic for some time. Hearing that it may be within better control was pretty awesome. But the only thing that had changed was … sex. Seriously?
“You’re lying.”
“Not even a little bit. Maybe playing Little Red with the Big Bad Wolf gave you some practice.”
“It can’t be that easy.”
“Or maybe it is, to a point. Magic can be demanding. You can’t ignore it. When it wants you, it will have you. Denying it only makes it push stronger. If you accepted it, then it could be more subtle in you now.”
Kalinda rolled her eyes. “Sleeping with him did not fix me.”
“Oh, but maybe it did. Let’s test it. Shoot some my way.”
“I’d rather not.”
“That’s the point of the armor we have on. It’s Fae-built and cost more than a pixie whore on premium night, but Romano didn’t blink. He wants you safe and working with a Fae who can handle it. Besides …” Silva leaned over the counter to grab a knife. She hefted the weight of the handle a minute before tossing it lightning fast through the air. It embedded in the opposite wall with a thwack. “I have other skills too that might be useful for you to use.”
