Page 14 of Consume Me (Immortal Vices and Virtues: All Hallows’ Eve #4)

Noctan

“ G reat, I guess the cat’s out of the bag,” Kendall mutters.

“I think you mean wolf,” Natalia says.

One look at Kendall’s answering glare and I bite down on the urge to smile.

For a hundred years, I can count on one hand how many times I’ve been happy enough to smile. In the span of less than a day, Kendall has managed to make me surpass that number.

It’s a strange realization.

Natalia just watches us both like we’re the best entertainment she’s had in years. Nosy old witch. She’s as bad as Vaelora.

“There you have it. Noctan is my mate,” Kendall says matter-of-factly. There’s a glint in her eye that reminds me a bit of a sharp object. “Now, how do you two know each other? Because if ‘customer’ is code for something, I’m going to be sick.”

My eyes widen at her insinuation .

“Whoa, that’s not—” I raise my hands.

“I would sooner remove my own eye than sleep with your sentinel pup,” Natalia says, her lip curling in disgust.

I frown. “That’s a little extreme, don’t you think?”

Kendall smirks. “I don’t know. I think it makes her point clear. And you?”

“What about me?” I ask warily.

“What kind of customer were you for Natalia?” she presses, her lashes fluttering.

“I would have much rather relieved my enemy of his own eye,” I tell her honestly. “And with the resources I purchased from Natalia, that’s exactly what I did.”

Kendall shakes her head, but her expression relaxes.

“Well, as much fun as this is, I have to hunt down a client who apparently thinks I’ve forgotten they still owe me for my services rendered.” Natalia looks between us pointedly, then disappears into the back room.

When we’re alone, I take a step toward Kendall, trying to read her. She’s just as closed off as she was last night, and while I’m aware that would normally make two of us, when it comes to my mate, I’m an open book. And I’m determined to get past her walls.

“How are you?” I ask quietly. It’s not the kind of question I’ve ever had much use for. But with her, I need the answer.

“Fine,” she says, but the lie echoes in that single syllable. Her voice is steady, but the shadows under her eyes tell the truth.

“You look tired,” I say .

She shrugs. “The dagger doesn’t exactly let me get eight restful hours.”

My wolf snarls. He wants to smash the damn thing out of existence right now.

“I’ve reached out to some contacts—old friends who might understand the kind of magic we’re dealing with. Hopefully, they’ll get back to me soon.”

Her expression softens. “Thank you. For trying to help me.”

I’m calling in every favor I’m owed across the realms. It still feels like not nearly enough. “Spend the evening with me.”

Her brows lift. “Is that your way of asking me out?”

I huff, suddenly more off balance than I want to admit. “That depends. Is it working?”

She laughs, and I lose myself in the sound. “Maybe try framing it like a question rather than an order.”

“Ah.”

“Has it been a while since you asked a woman out on a date?”

“This is the first time,” I admit.

Her smile vanishes, and she gawks at me. “No way. You’re lying.”

I shrug. “Is that so hard to believe?”

She snorts. “Well, yeah. Not to be rude, but you’ve been around a little longer than me. You’re telling me you’ve never been on a date?”

“I’ve been with women,” I say, and her answering glare lights me up—the idea that she could be jealous is a surprise and a delight. “But I guess you could say we mostly stayed in. And I never wanted to take them anywhere afterward.”

“Well, I can tell you right now I’m not staying in with you. Not on a first date.”

“You nearly did last night.” Her scowl draws a laugh from me. “But noted. So, let’s do things in the correct order. Will you go out with me tonight, Kendall?”

There’s ire in her icy gaze, but there’s desire now too. “Pick me up at eight. Wear something besides battle gear.”