Page 78 of The Unbound Witch

“Then I guess I will love you enough for the both of us.”

“Don’t look at me like I’m some damsel in distress, needing to be saved from the dragon. I’ve got news for you. I am the dragon.” I dropped my hand, confident I could feel a heart thrumming within my chest, though I knew it was impossible. “And don’t get any kinky ideas, Wolf,” I joked, though half-heartedly.

“Don’t worry, Lizard Ghosty. You’re not my type.”

We started moving again. “Too translucent?”

“Nah. Too nice.”

The laughter was pure and genuine, and when he caught my eye, listening to the sound, I didn’t turn away. Instead, I slipped my hand into his. “Thanks.”

“See what I mean?” he joked.

It didn’t take long until we were back into the market square full of witches and shifters mingling. When Atlas yawned beside me, I realized how tired he must have been. How tired everyone must have been. They’d been up all night and half the day, and I’d guess he was also hungry. If I took the time to go see Nym, he could rest and eat. And I could just be with her.

“Hellooooo,” Atlas said, waving a hand in front of my face. “Are you in there?”

“Sorry. I got distracted by your stench. You need a bath.”

He winked at a witch passing by, eyes glued to her as he answered. “Yeah. Bath sounds good.”

“Wraith first.” I snapped my fingers in his face.

“Don’t worry. I’m eternally single and focused.”

“Eternally single?”

He flashed a cooked grin. “Personal preference. What about them over there?”

Following his line of sight, I spotted the cluster of three hovering near a cart, eyes distant as they merely floated with blank faces.

“Perfect.” I surged forward.

“You can’t just march up and talk to them,” he said, following behind me.

I looked over my shoulder, confused. “Don’t be ridiculous. Of course I can.”

“Suit yourself.” The smile should have been a warning.

I soared around the crowd of witches, approaching the wraiths huddled together. They didn’t bother looking at me nor at each other.

“Excuse me,” I began.

Atlas called over the top of several patrons. “You’re going to have to—”

“I can manage a simple conversation.” I turned back to the wraiths, the ethereal tendrils of their lower halves wafting in a breeze that didn’t exist on this plane. “I wondered if—”

They screamed, jaws dislocating in a horrifying manner, demanding the attention of every single person nearby as they scattered, winding themselves in circles around carts and darting into and out of the alleys like a bunch of scared kittens. Only they weren’t scared. Their faces remained as blank and dull as they were when we’d spotted them.

I soared after the one closest to me, diving right through the middle of a fruit cart, my body preparing for impact before remembering that if I didn’t try, I wouldn’t touch it at all. The wraith I chased was far more used to her intangible body, diving as she moved. She was faster than I was. Never leaving the square, commotion rose as we went. If she really didn’t want me to chase her, she would have just become invisible, but she didn’t. A tower of squash balancing on a table in front of a tiny store toppled over as a heavier set woman backed into it, trying to avoid the feel of a wraith touching her.

Keeping an eye on the ghostly figure, I peeked around for the wolf. Catching a glimpse of him with his hand over his mouth as he tried to suppress his smile. I’m sure I verbally growled as I pressed onward, more determined than ever to catch the fucking wraith. But how would I catch her? I couldn’t just reach out and grab her, could I? Did the rules work differently than with humans?

With renewed determination, we rounded a corner. Stretching forward to snag the bottom of the gown that flowed behind her, I groaned as she slipped my grasp. Nothing tangible to hang on to. Again, we circled the square where she darted into an alley and slammed to halt, screaming again before she surged toward me, her face haunted, eyes gaunt.

Atlas stood at the other end of the narrow alleyway, hands in his pockets as he leaned against the building.

I lifted my chin. “See? I handled it.”