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Nearby, an owl hooted. Alaric and I both jumped, the noises startling us from the strange sensation that had overcome us. He blinked, his eyes dimming, then eased me backward, setting me firmly on my feet. My pulse was racing, and I was panting as if I’d been sprinting.

Mine, he is mine, all mine, that voice within me chanted. It seemed agitated that the moment had passed.

“Are you all right?” Alaric’s voice was soft and slightly strained. Was he, too, fighting an inward connection to me? Or had I imagined it all?

Or was it simply me being infatuated with this strong, beautiful man?

I cleared my throat, my face on fire as I dropped my gaze. “I’m fine. Um, thanks. For catching me.”

He grunted in acknowledgment before striding forward, clearly intent on moving on from whatever had happened between us.

Or… almost happened.

“I think we should locate the witch encampment before we rest for the night,” he said.

I swallowed, falling into step beside him. If he was able to brush off the moment between us, then I should be, too. “Are you sure that’s wise? I don’t like the idea of making camp that close to the witch clan. They likely have scouts or wards that would notify them of intruders nearby.”

Alaric smiled, his eyes glinting. “I’m counting on it.”

My heart skittered. “You—you want to lure them out?” A laugh of hysteria bubbled up my throat. “You can’t be serious. What if they kill us before we can say a word?”

“If it were just me, I think they would. But if they sense a witch nearby, they’ll want to verify your identity first. That will be our opening.”

I scoffed. “I think you’re putting too much stock in my witch blood, Alaric. Just because I’m one of them doesn’t mean they won’t kill me.”

“No, but it will make them hesitate. And that’s all we need.”

I frowned, unease wriggling through me. He seemed so confident this plan would work. But if the witches saw me with a Wolven Mage, they would deem me a threat.

“My magic is powerful,” Alaric reassured me. “And so is yours. We can protect ourselves.”

My frown deepened. Against an entire clan of witches? I didn’t want to presume Alaric didn’t know what he was talking about, but… this didn’t seem like a good idea.

“How many witches have you faced at once?” I asked him.

His brow furrowed. “Three. Maybe four.”

I shot him a sharp look. “Have you ever faced an entire clan of witches?”

Irritation flashed in his eyes, and he exhaled. “No.”

I shook my head and uttered a soft laugh. “Alaric, you’re assuming these witches will feel some kind of loyalty toward me just because I’m one of them. But if I’m with you, I think they’ll instantly mark me as an enemy.”

Alaric stopped and crossed his arms over his chest. “Then, what do you propose?”

“Let me approach them on my own. You’ll hide somewhere close by in case things go badly. If a lone witch approaches the clan, it will seem far less threatening than one traveling with their enemy.”

Alaric’s gaze darkened, his eyes turning lethal. “No. Absolutely not.”

I tried to ignore how his blatant rejection stung. “Wow,” I deadpanned. “Your faith in me is overwhelming.”

“You utter one word, and they’ll immediately know you’re lying. And I’ll be too far away to get to you in time.”

“If they do attack me—and I don’t think they will—then I can handle myself until you get there.”

“I’m serious. It’s a bad idea.”

“I’ll be fine,” I assured him. “This will work.”