The Hunt (By Kiss and Claw #2) - Melissa Haag Page 0,66

He told me what he was going to try to do. His failure taught us a valuable lesson.”

“They won’t underestimate you like he did,” Fenris said.

“So, about our offer? Are you sure you want to use the spell supplies for this instead of escaping Uttira?” Lauv asked.

“What’s the point of leaving when she’s tracked?” Fenris asked.

Instead of questioning me further, they each picked up a bowl.

“Ready?” Lauv asked.

Fenris leaned against the sink and watched me with an impassive expression. Knowing he’d run from wherever he’d been, just to be here to support me, did weird things to my insides.

I gave him a small smile then faced the druids.

“I’m ready.”

“Focus on the flames. Whatever you do, don’t look away.” Lauv put a match to the central bowl, and purple flames danced to life.

The low murmur of a chant filled my ears. Then, the druids repeated the verse. This time, I felt it on my skin. Then in my skin. The flames licked higher in the bowl. The words became the flames. Inside of me. Heating me. Burning me.

Sweat broke out on my brow.

The druids’ voices grew in volume, murmuring the same words again and again.

A small whimper of pain escaped my lips, but I didn’t look away from the flames. I didn’t want to end up like Ashlyn, a casualty of a spell gone wrong.

My skin burned hotter and hotter, and my vision sharpened in response. I could see the edge of the pink centers of the purple flames and how the very outer edges of them had a hint of blue. I panted, feeling like I’d go crazy if I had to endure another second.

Then, the flames exploded. Inside the bowl and inside me.

I cried out and fell back into a shivering heap. Fenris was there, scooping me up.

“Is it done?” he asked.

Lauv sounded weak when she answered that it was.

He strode out of the bathroom, and without any warning, plunged into the pool. His arms kept my head above water but only for a second.

“Big breath,” he warned.

I inhaled and held it a second before we both went under. The water felt like heaven against my hot skin. Our gazes held as small bubbles floated between us. His dark hair drifted around his head like an angelic halo and made me smile slightly. He didn’t smile back. Instead, he pulled me close and hugged me as we resurfaced.

“Let’s hope you never have to go through that again,” he said softly.

“Agreed,” I whispered, hugging him back.

“Fenris, if you want to have water sex, any one of us would have willingly volunteered. No need to resort to succutrash.”

“Thanks for the offer. I’ll keep it in mind for the next time,” he said with his usual grin. It didn’t reach his eyes, though.

He lifted me out of the water and set me on the ledge of the pool before hefting himself up beside me. Embarrassed by my wet shirt, I crossed my arms over my chest and stood, turning my back to him.

“This is an improvement,” he said. “Last time, you ran.”

“You’ve seen me in less.”

There were oohs from the pool that made me blush further.

“Tell Adira that I went home to change, okay?” I started for the door, my shoes squelching with each step. Fenris stayed with me.

“Are you sure you want to go home and change?”

I shot him a look as we left the pool.

“There is no way I’m staying here in wet clothes.”

“I mean, why go home? The spell’s gone. Why not do something else?”

My steps slowed as I considered what he was saying. Having the freedom to do what I wanted was the whole point of having the spell removed.

“What do you have in mind?” I asked finally.

He grinned and grabbed my hand.

“Come on.”

I shivered outside as I waited for Fenris to grab a blanket from my trunk, something I’d added after Megan’s time in the lake. He hurriedly placed it over the front seat so I could get in. My hair was frozen and my fingers numb.

“We really need dry clothes,” I said, teeth chattering.

Fenris grinned at me, and I noted the steam rolling off of him again.

“How can you be so warm?”

“It’s my inner fur.”

I snorted. But he did agree with my need to change and drove me home for some dry clothes.

“Think Oanen will mind if I raid his drawers?” Fenris asked as he parked.

“He won’t.”

The house was quiet as we let ourselves in through the kitchen. Fenris’s stomach rumbled at the aroma of whatever