Page 26 of The Serpent and the Silver Wolf

Kazuma didn’t look at her.

His focus stayed locked on Mira, even as the glow flared hotter in the woman’s palms, red pulsing at the edges of her fingers.

“We were attacked.” His voice held none of the lazy flirtation from earlier. “There was a rockslide. I reacted on instinct. My body isn’t healed enough for that kind of movement unaided.”

He dipped his head once.

“Once we were clear, Aimee handled the threat. She did not use Mana. Any fault lies with me.”

“Attacked?” Mira’s eyes narrowed.

“Yes, Seisho.” Another controlled dip of his head.

Aimee’s stomach churned.Why is he protecting me…again?

“You should not have been out at all.” Mira stepped forward, question implied.

“I sensed a flicker of Mana,” Kazuma said. “Faint. But distinct. I thought it might be a member of my squad.”

“And you sought escape.”

“No, Seisho.” He shifted, just slightly—an inch forward, a quiet step between Aimee and the other woman. “I meant to intercept them. To ensure they never got close enough to glimpse the village.” He glanced down, the corner of his mouth twitching. “Didn’t want to burden you with a second despicable shinobi.”

It was a lie. Every word of it. But…

“Is this true?” Mira looked over Kazuma to Aimee.

Fuck. She glared at the back of his head.And fuck you. I can’t fucking lie, you idiot.If she could have yelled at him, she would have.

Her mouth parted—to say something, anything—but Kazuma tensed, almost as if he could hear her thoughts, then cut in before sound left her lips.

“Aimee accompanied me to ensure I didn’t step out of line,” he said smoothly, shoulders drawing taut beneath his tunic.

“I didn’t ask you.” Mira moved closer, giving Aimee her full attention. “Is this true?”

Shit.

Aimee drew her lower lip between her teeth. What would a dark elf say? They were always slippery with words, clever in the ways that counted.

“I…joined him on the trail,” she said finally, “assuming he was up to no good.”

Kazuma snorted, the sound low and short.

She shot him a glare.Unhelpful.

“But he wasn’t trying to escape,” she added, voice steadier now. “That much was obvious.”

Her shoulders relaxed as she exhaled. “Then, we were attacked near the upper ledge. Whoever they were, they nearly brought the mountain down on top of us.”

Mira didn’t answer right away.

Her eyes moved over Aimee—measuring the tremble hiding in her limbs, the scrape on her cheek, the ragged edge of her braid. A moment passed.

“Very well.” The fire in her hands dimmed to a faint ember, then vanished altogether. “Your attackers. They used Mana?”

Aimee hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. I mean…I guess.” Her eyes flicked to Kazuma, who confirmed.

“Yes. But it was strange,” he said.