Page 43 of Traitor Witch

When she almost trips Nos over, I give her a glare and she wisely decides to pack it in.

“It’s early afternoon.” Nos manages to keep pace with me as I make for the galley. “The others waited for you, and Val still wants to talk…”

I stiffen. “What about?”

Nos just shrugs. “With him, it could be anything.”

That’s not reassuring, but I wipe the grimace off my face as we step into the galley with its adjoining mess. None of the others are here yet so I take the opportunity to walk straight to the barrel of oats I used yesterday. I scoop out a handful at a time, transforming each bunch into a fresh, steaming bread roll by borrowing a tiny dash of magic from Opal’s stores.

“That smells amazing.”

I hand one of the rolls to Nos with a smile. “Thanks.”

I grab a bowl and ladle fresh water into it, followed by a few chunks of meat from the salt-filled barrel in the corner and a few pickles from the jar. A wave of my hand turns the disgusting mix into fresh, perfectly seasoned beef stew with fresh vegetables.

I place it in front of the Seer, then go to pass him his spoon like I’ve seen Cas do.

“Don’t,” he whispers, before I can pick it up. “I lost my brother when he became my caretaker. I won’t lose—” He clears his throat. “I don’t need another person trying to wipe my ass for me.”

Stupid, stubborn male.

I roll my eyes but leave him to it. It’s painful to watch him feel around the table to locate the cutlery, then stab awkwardly at the bowl.

But hey, it’s not my job to cure his overdeveloped sense of masculine pride.

I finish transforming another four bowls of stew and lay them out across the table then take a mug of water and transform it into blood for Rysen.

Feeding the vampire was one of the hottest moments of my life, but I will give myself away if I continue to do it long term.

I just won’t be able to stop myself from screwing him silly.

I take my spot next to Nos just as he manages to take his first mouthful and smile as he groans.

It’s kind of nice to have someone appreciate my magic.

I watch him eat in silence, slurping my own stew from a spoon. With their immortal noses, it doesn’t take the others long to realise that food is ready, and one by one they slip into the room.

Kier is first, silently grabbing his bowl and choosing the seat furthest from me. Cas follows shortly after, hair still wet as though he’s just dragged himself out of the ocean. He takes the seat on my other side, surrounding me with the heat from both shifters.

Then comes Rysen. The vampire stops dead at the sight of his mug of blood. The dark look which falls across his faceas he sits and sips at it makes me bite my lip. But he says nothing.

Still no sign of Valorean. Perhaps Fate is granting me a reprieve for once.

Or perhaps, she’s just waiting until I lower my guard.

The captain strolls in like he owns the place—okay, so technically he does—and the arrogance in his steps have my hackles rising on instinct.

He grabs his bowl and takes a seat, leaning back in his chair and propping his feet on the table. He doesn’t bother with a spoon, instead tipping the bowl up to drink from it like the pig he is.

Rysen just glowers and pushes his boots off.

Val rolls his eyes but notices the vampire’s dark look and wisely doesn’t try again.

Instead, he turns his attention to me.

“Protection sigils,” he grumbles. “Assuming they’re actually any good, and you’re not just going to do a hack job, how much do you want for them?”

Rysen chokes on his blood. Cas looks like he’s about to die from holding in laughter, Nos just smiles serenely, and Kier rolls his eyes.