Page 28 of Traitor Witch

“If you’re going to spy on us, you might as well come inwith everyone else!” I grumble. “Heavens forbid my request for privacy be respected.”

Valorean growls and Opal gives up on him, moving straight for Rysen. The vampire picks her up, and she purrs even louder.

“Finally,”she sighs as Kier steps around the doorframe and wanders towards the window which bathes him in the moonlight.

“Who do you need protecting from?” Rysen repeats, his stony voice completely at odds with the way he’s patiently petting my familiar.

But I’m not focused on him anymore.

No, suddenly the fae is much more interesting.

The instant Kier steps into the moonlight, his already pale skin starts to glow. The Lady’s light reveals chains of Lunar sigils criss-crossing his entire body. The sigils, invisible to anyone but a witch, spell out a warning to all witches who cross his path. Around his throat, a collar of curse sigils glow bright red in contrast to the cool silver of the warnings. It’s the strongest curse I’ve ever seen, and it looks ancient.

“Who cursed you?” I whisper, unable to help myself.

Kier raises a brow.

Valorean and Rysen both shoot him a curious look.

Shit. A Solar would only be able to see them under sunlight. I’ve just given myself away.

I take a breath, waiting for the axe to fall.

The fae just shakes his head, glittering frost appearing in his hair as he moves.

Rysen and Valorean don’t say anything either.

Perhaps they don’t know?

No, the fae must know. No person can be cursed for so long and not know about the curse markings.

“Don’t try to change the subject,” Valorean warns,completely oblivious. Goddess, the man is like a dog with a bone. “Why the fuck are you carving runes into me?”

I grind my teeth together. I can’t lie and I don’t want to tell them that I think my mind is being invaded by a siren either.

“I had a dream, and it disturbed me."

Both men look to Kier who nods once.

I purse my lips and snatch Opal from Rysen. “Now, if that’s everything, I’d like to go back to bed.”

Rysen, seemingly satisfied, clasps Valorean’s upper arms, lifts, and carries him bodily out of the room. Kier follows but hesitates in the doorway. Once he’s out of the moonlight, his markings disappear, and I’m left to guess at what they might say.

I know what’s coming. I expected it from the moment he stayed silent rather than outing me. The only reason someone keeps your secrets without knowing you is to use them against you.

I meet his dark eyes evenly, steeling my spine.

“Stay truthful and I’ll keep your secret.” The words are barely a whisper, and he doesn’t give me a chance to reply before he slips from the room, the door snapping shut behind him.

Chapter Eight

CASIMIR

It’s well into the early hours of the morning by the time I manage to fight my way back to the surface of my own mind. My beast has the good sense to stay close to the ship when he takes over, his drive to protect our brother as strong as mine.

Only it’s not just Nos we’re protecting now.

Nilsa.