Page 25 of The Serpent and the Silver Wolf

Kazuma’s tongue flicked out, tracing along the curve of her neck, tasting the blood that still streaked down her skin. Not hers. It was from one of the men she’d killed.

His arm was slung over her shoulders, most of his body sagging against her back as she half-dragged him through the shadows.

“If you wanted your hands on me…” he murmured hot against her skin.

“Dammit, Kaz.”

She dropped him, stepping away before he could react.

He grunted, surprise flashing across his face even as his body twisted, landing in a crouch, one hand catching the ground to balance.

“Now is not the time for your—” Heat bloomed low in her abdomen—traitorous, infuriating—but she pushed it down.

Footsteps.

Close.

“Shit.” Aimee’s faced the sound. Mira’s dwelling was just up the path, and there weren’t many who walked it this late.

“She’s coming.” She grabbed Kazuma by the collar, yanking him back to his feet. “Let me do the talking.”

“Always so rough.” He smirked, brushing at his sleeves like he wasn’t covered in rock dust and dried blood.

Mira rounded the corner.

“Aimee?” Her voice caught, then steadied. “And Kazuma. What are you doing out at this—” She stopped short, eyes narrowing on Aimee.

“Shinka. Inside. Now.”

Only then did Aimee see the boy, small and sleepy, trailing Mira’s steps.

“Mamma?” He rubbed at his face, eyes barely open.

“Go inside and prepare for bed.” Mira’s tone left no room for argument as she angled her body between her son and Aimee like a shield. Her arm extended slightly, not touching the boy but guiding him all the same.

“Yes, Mamma.” Shinka yawned and shuffled backward.

He disappeared behind the thick wooden door as light flickered to life beneath the threshold.

Aimee bit down on her tongue. She didn’t move. Didn’t twitch. Not with Mira’s back turned. The last thing she needed was to make the wrong move and get flash-fried for the trouble. She was already skating on thin ice after the whole“Not entirely human”reveal.

Mira’s fists clenched at her sides as her shoulders rolled back, spine straightening. Then she inhaled through her nose and turned slowly to face them.

“Explain.”

Aimee swallowed hard. That was…better thanTell me why I shouldn’t reduce you to ash.

She opened her mouth—

“Explain why either of you should be permitted to see the dawn.”

Shit.

Aimee backed up a half-step, palms slightly raised in peace, but Mira wasn’t finished.

“Explain,” she continued, voice low, “why—after the hospitality we’ve shown you, after swearing you’d abide by the rules: stay inside the village walls, don’t touch Mana, and—I assumed it went without saying—don’t murder anyone—” she hissed as fire pressed beneath her skin, seething under the surface. “You show up, on Five-day, atmy home,where both I and my son sleep, covered in blood andreekingof Mana!”

“Mana?” Aimee’s head snapped toward Kazuma, eyes wide. “Did you—?”