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H erleif half expected the woman to startle or run or .

.. something. But she held herself still, as if doing so would mean he wouldn’t know where she stood.

She may have the ability to make herself invisible to others, but for whatever reason, he could still see her.

Mostly. Her form was like an apparition slightly out of focus.

It still didn’t prevent him from seeing just how alluring she was.

Standing barely a foot shorter than him, she was taller than most women he’d met.

Her hood covered what he knew was dark auburn hair, but he could clearly see her round face, full lips, and those emerald eyes that held strength and determination.

And they bored into him with a look of suspicion.

He stepped into the meager light from a streetlamp. “You may as well drop your magic. I can see through your cloak.”

She took a step back. “If you can see me, why bother to show myself? Maybe I don’t want anyone else to see me.” She spoke low in a calm manner, her sultry voice causing his blood to heat. But was it in lust or irritation?

“You mean you don’t want anyone to see you speaking with me. A troll.”

He watched her cute little nose wrinkle. “You being a troll has absolutely nothing to do with it. Maybe you shouldn’t be seen speaking with a witch.”

“Is that what you are? A witch?”

She lifted her shoulder in a careless shrug. “Some would call me that.”

He took a step closer, only to have her retreat that step. “And why should I not be seen speaking with you?”

She hesitated a moment before stepping further away from the light, causing her appearance to fade slightly.

Herleif wanted to protest, wanted to beg her to show herself, but she began to speak again.

“Even in today’s world of acceptance among the paranormal, witches are still given a wide berth, it seems. And I’m new here, most don’t know me, so they could be wary of me. ”

“Have you given others a reason to be wary of you?”

“No,” she said, quickly defending herself.

“Then show yourself. While I appreciate you worrying about my reputation, I don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks.” When she narrowed her eyes but remained silent, he gave a low growl while stepping closer. “I want answers, woman. What happened back in the pit?”

“I don’t know,” she ground out.

Herleif boxed her in, staring down at her, and still she didn’t flinch. “You lie. You know exactly what happened.”

“S-step away from me.” Her voice was low, husky, and adamant, even with that little wobble.

“And if I don’t?” He goaded.

Before he could take his next breath, she had raised her hands and propelled him backward by an unseen force.

He heard her gasp as he landed on his ass across the street from where she stood.

When he looked up at her, she had dropped her veil, and her eyes were wide with surprise.

Then there was the fact that a blue light glowed from her hands.

“I-it’s not my intent to harm you, but don’t ever call me a liar or intimidate me again. Next time, I won’t be so easy on you.”

Herleif stood and began to march toward her. He could’ve sworn he heard a growl of warning as if coming from a dog or wolf, but he saw neither. When the blue light in her hands changed to fireballs, he stopped and met her gaze, which now showed conviction.

“Do not challenge me, Herleif.”

“It seems unfair that you know my name, yet you failed to give me yours.”

“I failed at nothing. I only know your name because it was announced in the club. Giving you my name would imply a rather cordial relationship, when in fact there’s nothing cordial about this so far.”

“I want answers.” He growled again.

“So you said, and I have none for you. What happened earlier has never happened before. Maybe it’s you who has some explaining to do.” She continued to hold the fireballs in her palms while keeping a keen eye on him.

“Me? I had nothing to do with the light that came from the Lycan’s body. While I’ve seen the life force leave the fallen, I’ve never seen it target an individual. And before tonight, I’ve never seen you in the club. So, tell me, who should be doing the explaining?”

“I owe you nothing, so it appears we’re at a standstill and have no need for further conversation.”

When she started to lower her hands, Herleif reacted, sprinting forward with a speed that surprised her.

She grunted when he locked his hands around her wrists, pinning them above her head against the wall at her back.

He crowded her body with his, so much that he felt every desirable inch of her curves.

“Release me,” she ground out.

Herleif had to commend her for her spirit, but he had no intention of releasing her until he got answers.

He lowered his head so his mouth was next to her ear.

“I don’t think I will.” He barely got the last word out when he received a brutal kick in the crotch.

Fumbling backward, he released her hands and was once again shoved away by her magic, landing in the street.

A bright light shone on him, yet he had no time to react to the vehicle barreling down on him.

Suddenly, he found himself hovering in the air while the truck sped by as if the driver hadn’t just seen a troll lying in its path. Seconds later, he was dropped across the street, and when he turned his head to look at the witch, she was nowhere to be seen.

****

A lexia leaned against the door inside her apartment, perplexed.

Normally after teleporting, she would’ve been exhausted since it expended more energy than any other act she performed.

It wasn’t often she had need of that power, but she didn’t want to hang around on the street and continue tangling with Herleif.

Especially when he wouldn’t heed her warning.

She wasn’t lying when she said she didn’t want to hurt him, but she almost had. The burst of power she’d unleashed not only shocked him, but herself as well. She was powerful in her own right, but where had that extra intensity come from?

The energy of the Lycan she’d felt herself absorb? Had it become a part of her?

How? Why?

Even after that first push, Herleif wouldn’t back down.

Despite her anger with him, she’d reacted quickly enough to save him from that delivery truck.

Then again, given his size, he might have been fine.

The truck, probably not. But the last thing she wanted tonight was an incident involving a human which would’ve meant her uncle or someone else from the SRA showing up.

Making her way to the couch, she pulled her phone out of the pocket of her coat.

She sent a text to her uncle, letting him know she was safely home and headed straight to bed.

She absolutely would not worry him about her encounter with Herleif.

She was fine, Herleif was fine, but neither were any closer to finding the answers they sought.

Uncle Nic replied, wishing her a good night and that he’d contact her tomorrow.

Alexia dropped the phone beside her and closed her eyes as she leaned back against the cushions.

She’d see what information, if any, her uncle could provide regarding the Lycan and Herleif before she considered telling him about tonight.

She wouldn’t have minded a civil conversation with the troll. Too bad he wasn’t having it.

Her thoughts turned to their interaction mere moments ago and how quickly it’d escalated from almost polite to downright rude.

The nerve of him, trying to intimidate her.

And not believing her words. It’s not like she could pull answers out of her ass hoping he’d be satisfied with them.

She’d told the truth. She couldn’t help it if he didn’t like it any more than she didn’t like what he’d had to say.

Alexia felt herself smile as she again thought of Herleif’s surprise at her power and that she’d dared to use it on him. But once her own shock had worn off, she’d been adamant about him backing away. She would not allow him to assert any kind of authority over her.

“Ha, take that, you big oaf,” she mumbled. “Like women should just roll over and be complacent to men. I don’t think so,” she said through a yawn.

Before she grew too tired to move, she forced herself to get up.

Removing her coat, she hung it on a peg then walked to the kitchen.

Her stomach made it known it wasn’t pleased to have been neglected, so she ate enough to satisfy it before heading to her room.

She tried to put thoughts of Herleif and the evening out of her mind, knowing she wouldn’t get any more answers right now.

“A good night’s rest is what’s needed, then I’ll regroup tomorrow.”

She didn’t bother with her nighttime routine as she stripped off her clothes and crawled into bed. Burrowing under the covers, all thoughts of the evening vanished as sleep overtook her.