This Strange Witchery - Michele Hauf 7 стр.


Dragons. They need to swallow it, and itll explode in their gut. Messy.

Wow. Melissande had never seen a dragon. He lived an exciting life. Gossip-worthy, even.

Faeries, he recited as he moved his gaze over various weapons. Reptilian-shifter. Angel. Kitsune.

What about ghosts? Melissande tried.

Tor turned his gaze directly on her. I dont do ghosts.

Oh, but

No ghosts, he repeated firmly. And he brushed his fingers over the crystal talisman hanging from his belt. She was about to ask what it was for when he said, Ghosts are just... No. Now come on. And dont touch that! he called as he filed out of the room.

Melissande made a point of gliding her fingers along a bayonet-like weapon after hed called out the warning. She barely slipped out into the fore-closet as the door swung shut. Tor gestured for her to vacate the room, and she felt like she was being directed around like a child. She wouldnt have ruined a thing in that room. How could she, a tiny witch, manage to do that?

You have trust issues, she concluded as she followed him down the hallway and into the living area and kitchen.

And you are far too trusting, he countered. Wheres the heart?

She caught herself before saying oops. Holding up a staying finger, she then dashed down the hallway, grabbed the plastic container from the end of his bedtook one more moment to inhale his uniquely sexy scentthen rushed back out to the man who waited by the open front door.

Dont worry, she said as they exited his place with her bags in hand. Well sync onto one anothers wavelength. Im already dialed into yours.

Is that so? Right.

She turned right as they walked outside and remembered hed parked in that direction.

Yes, she said. Youre controlling, precise and closed. I might be able to work with that.

They arrived at his van, and he opened the passenger door for her. You dont need to work with anything. Just be you. Cloak and ward the heart. Go about your normalwhatever it is you do. And let me do my job. Deal?

As she slid up onto the seat, Melissande turned and stuck out a foot to prevent him from closing the door on her. How much is all this going to cost me?

Well come to an agreeable arrangement. He shoved her foot inside and closed the door on her.

The man could be intolerable. But that made her smile. He was a tough one. She would enjoy peeling away his layers to get to the soft mushy stuff in the middle. Because everyone had that mush. Some even wore it on their outermost layer.

She did. And she knew she had to toughen up for the unavoidable trial that would arrive in a few days. She could do this. Her mother needed her. And her father would be so proud.

Maybe I can learn to toughen up from Tor, she muttered. Behind her, he deposited his supplies in the back of the van and closed the door. Time to step up, Jones. Your family needs you.

She smiled when Tor got in and fired up the engine. She had made the right choice in choosing her protector. But no ghosts, eh?

That could prove to be an issue.

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