Page 83 of Liar Witch

I turn my head to look at the fae once more and grimace. I don’t know him well yet, but I want to. The strange fae gentleman who hides in the shadows is supposed to be mine for a reason.

I won’t lose any of my mates.

I refuse.

No. The Eagle will be the only one to die.

But—as much as it pains me to admit—Val might be right. I’m not sure if I can kill her while dodging the leash she has on my pirates.

The problem weighs on my mind, even though the rest of the meal goes smoothly. My men chatter away; the others ribbing Klaus for each of the times they got away from his ships. My siren gives as good as he gets, smirking as he informs them that running away isn’t an honourable strategy, and doesn’t count as a victory in battle. Of course, they don’t care. All of them just snort, asking what else he expected them to do when outnumbered.

When the talk turns to how they’ll bring the honourable siren on some smuggling runs, Klaus laughs along with the rest of them.

My siren has a lot to learn about the world beyond Marisang’s waters, but he still wins them over with an ease that makes me believe—despite our differences—that this will work.

We can have more evenings like this, laughing over war stories and stupid contracts.

Me and my harem.

My family.

Not a coven, but from what Petra told me, Shadows rarely stay in one. The Goddess calls us to wherever our targets are.

All I have to do to make this perfect is kill the Queen.

“Don’t stress too much,”Opal advises, as she jumps and curls up on my lap in a rare show of affection.“Enjoy the moment. They’re all here, which is the first step. Petra said a full harem would make us stronger.”

“Maybe,” I whisper, scratching her ears. “But there’s so much we need to do…”

Opal just purrs, the sound highlighting the sudden silence. I glance up to see I’ve caught the attention of the others.

“Sorry, Opal was just…” I trail off, trying to figure out how to explain a familiar to them.

“The cat talks,” Rysen explains, shocking me. “She bit me, and I could hear her.”

“She’s my familiar.” I smile. “She may not be sweetness and sunshine—”

“—I most certainly am not. Those things are vastly overrated—”

“—But she’s mine. She stores magic for me during the day, so I’m not completely powerless when the Moon is gone, and she’ssupposedto be a sacred guide from the Goddess.”

“Apowerfulsacred guide,”Opal chimes in.

Though I’m certain the Goddess hasn’t given any other Lunar in history a familiar quite like her.

Rysen gives me a sympathetic smile, which I return. I’m surprised that Opal deigned to share a temporary bond with him. She’s notoriously picky about who she lets hear her. Even Danika ‘wasn’t worthy’ of the honour. I suppose if anyone is, it must be her favourite vampire.

I wonder absently if Elsie’s familiar is so picky.

Elsie…of course.

“I’m going to my workroom,” I say, barely letting Opal leap from my lap before I push to my feet. “I’ve got some things to get done while the Goddess is in the sky.”

Kier stands as I leave, and I can’t help the smile that graces my lips.

Who is this fae that uses glamour to watch me fuck my vampire, but also respects me enough to stand whenever I enter or leave a room?

I want to find out.