“Magic is a cheat against everything that is natural. An abomination.”
“Hey, don’t feel like you have to hold back,” she rasped, acting as if she didn’t give a damn what he thought of her. He wasn’t the first, and he certainly wouldn’t be the last to hate her for no good reason. “What do the feelings of a witch matter?”
Something flared in his silver eyes. Regret? Guilt?
Yeah, and pigs could fly.
Emphasizing his absolute “I don’t give a shit” attitude, he made a sound of utter boredom. “Do you want to eat or not?”
Every fiber of her being wanted to tell him to shove the tray of food up his ass. Thankfully the empty growl of her stomach prevented her pride from overcoming common sense.
What was the point in starving herself? It wasn’t as if anyone would give a damn. And the goddess knew it wouldn’t get her out of this dungeon.
With slow, deliberate steps, Sally backed into a corner, her smile mocking. “Is this far enough, oh mighty leech?”
With a muttered curse, he used his powers to unlock the cell door and stepped inside. “I should let you starve,” he grumbled.
She wrapped her arms around her waist, shivering as the cool surge of his power filled the air. Shiver in fear, she grimly assured herself. Not excitement.
“When can I speak with the Anasso?”
He frowned at her abrupt question, placing the tray on the narrow bed that was her only furniture.
“Why?”
“Obviously to plead my case.”
Straightening, Roke regarded her with an unreadable expression. “You’ll remain here so long as he believes you might be a threat.”
A threat? All she wanted was to disappear into a small cottage in the middle of nowhere. How could that be a threat to anyone?
“I’m assuming that means you haven’t captured Gaius.”
His eyes narrowed. “Do you know where he’s gone?”
“Why would I know?”
“You were his accomplice.”
“Hardly,” she denied, her voice harsh as she recalled her short alliance with Gaius. “I was forced to help him search for the prophet. I barely knew the arrogant ass, and what I did know I didn’t like.”
Roke dismissed her explanation with a wave of his slender hand. “Did you travel with him to any other lairs?”
“No,” she hissed between gritted teeth. “And before you ask, he never spoke of any. Our relationship wasn’t based on trust.”
He snorted. “Then what was it built on?”
“Mutual need and fear.”
His jaw tightened, as if he didn’t want to think she might not be the evil, unrepentant bitch he wanted to paint her.
“Eat.”
Forcing herself to cross the cell, she perched on the edge of the bed and picked up one of the cheeseburgers. She was a multitasker—could eat and glare at the bastard at the same time.
“Are you always so bossy?” she demanded between bites.
“Yes.”