Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 134501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 448(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 448(@300wpm)
‘Nah, I’d rather get this over with. She’ll just turn up at the hub otherwise.’ Emberlyn looked from him to Ripper. ‘Not sure if you want her to know about the curse jar yet. But if not, keep it out of sight. You both hang back while I talk to her.’
Ripper couldn’t help but bristle.
She shot him a severe look. ‘We’re allies now, yes, but I’m a solitary witch who lives alone on a goddamn hill and will not be seen to hide behind anyone. If I did, I’d look weak. You backing me up as my ally is one thing. Being my voice is another.’
Ripper clenched his jaw. He got what she was saying. He did. She was, in a sense, a lone Alpha. She needed to show she could not only defend her own territory but that she didn’t need other people to do it for her.
But stand back the whole time and twiddle his thumbs? It wasn’t in his nature.
Ripper took a stalking step closer to her. Her magick dusted his senses, smelling of vanilla and pink pepper. Her pupils dilated – a sight that made his lower stomach clench.
‘All right,’ he said. ‘But I have to be seen to make my own statement so that she takes our being allies seriously. Which means if she stays too long, I come over there and make it clear I don’t like it. That won’t be me taking over or speaking for you – you don’t need that from me. It’ll be me ensuring she knows you have backup should you need it.’
Emberlyn twisted her mouth, her gaze pensive. ‘I’m not so self-reliant that I don’t see we both need to give a little here, so fine. This situation is about more than just me anyway – we’re both on Reena’s radar.’
He blinked, a little surprised she hadn’t argued.
‘But we won’t always be, and it just occurred to me that you might then no longer consider us allies – it wouldn’t benefit you anymore. If that’s the case, so be it. I won’t come for you as a result. Unless you cross me.’ She leaned toward him, her gaze boring into his. ‘So don’t cross me.’ With that, she spun on her heel and walked off.
Kerr blew out a long breath. ‘She’s intense. I like her.’
‘Intense’ worked. Ripper couldn’t quite believe she’d threatened him. He couldn’t recall anyone doing it during the entirety of his adulthood. But, as he’d noted before, Emberlyn was an Alpha in her own right. She’d show no fear.
‘She clearly doesn’t trust easily,’ he said, not following her but moving to a position where he’d have a full view of the front of the house so he could better monitor the upcoming encounter. He’d hear everything just fine from here.
‘Why would she? From what I can tell, there’ve been few people in her life she could trust,’ said Kerr.
‘True.’ Ripper held the jar out to him. ‘Stuff this in your jacket pocket.’
Kerr did so, his gaze on the car that had finally pulled up outside the manor. Emberlyn stood outside her gate, her arms folded.
Reena slipped out of the car, hauling a bulky bag with her. Catching sight of him and Kerr, she did the slightest double-take, her lips flattening. But then she redirected her attention to Emberlyn and cleared her throat. ‘My behavior last night was uncalled for. I apologize. I’m just here to talk and to give you these.’ She offered the bag to Emberlyn. ‘The dolls left to you by your grandmother.’
Emberlyn took the bag, her expression blank. ‘Thank you.’
Reena cast a look at the porch. ‘Could we perhaps sit?’
Emberlyn tipped her head toward the house, indicating for Reena to follow, and then strode up the path.
That walk. It was effortless grace with a touch of sensuality. She wore heels like she’d been born for it and, Christ, if he didn’t want to—
Ripper pushed the explicit thought right out of his head before it could take root.
Emberlyn placed the bag on the porch table and smoothly lowered herself onto one of the rockers, regal as any queen.
Reena took the other rocker, a tired sigh easing out of her. ‘I have quite the predicament on my hands here. I made promises to people. Promises of new homes, more space, a few stores, new jobs and even a children’s park for the little ones.’
‘So I heard,’ said Emberlyn, crossing one slim leg over the other.
‘Then you can imagine just how many unhappy people are looking to me for assurances, alternatives and reimbursements.’ Reena looked up at the manor. ‘I realize this was your home for a long time, Emberlyn, but you’re one person. One. The coven . . . We’re talking hundreds of disappointed people.’
A caw sounded as a crow soared down and settled on the porch rail.