Munro (Immortals After Dark #18) by Kresley Cole

            Though Bertil happily drank on, for some reason the witches all set away their juice boxes.

            Nïx sighed, “The mysteries of children.” With a clap of her hands, she said, “Anyhoodles, this is why Slimeator gets a holiday card from yours truly every year.”

            The witches erupted with questions: “Does Slimeator get enough vitamins from guts?” “Does he gutsuck witches?” “Am I getting a familiar for my birthday?”

            Ah, one of the witchlings intended to cash in on Nïx’s foresight. Before the rest clamored to have their futures told, Nïx said, “I have to go soon. Among a thousand others, a wolf and a cambion stalk me. And I stalk Dorada. And she stalks that wolf’s twin. And he stalks his mate, hi-ho the derry-o. And an archwarlock stalks her. And she is about to get cozy with death! Is that now or in the past? Or in the future? Who can tell! But before I leave, I have a question. Do you know the difference between varsity and junior varsity?”

            They blinked.

            “Okay. How else to ask you to be on my team?” Nïx tapped her chin with a pink claw. “Did you know that a baby snake isn’t actually more dangerous than an adult one?”

            “Of course we do!” Ruby squealed, her green eyes excited. “Witches love snakes.”

            Another added, “Eve was a witch, you know. She took the apple because the devil was a serpent!”

            A third said, “And also ’cause she wanted the apple. Witches like apples, and we’re greedy!”

            Nïx chuckled with vacant eyes. “Just one of the reasons I adore your species so. Not to mention your handy-dandy spells.” The blankness in her gaze vanished, replaced by silvery shrewdness. “What if I told you that, unlike snakes, baby witches can be more dangerous than adults? And that I will want you to be very much so in a few upcoming battles? You’re to be on my varsity squad!”

            The girls shared a look. Then Ruby collected her juice box. “We can totally help you out, Nïxie.” She took a casual slurp. “But it’s gonna cost you.”





FORTY-FOUR





            Deep in the Cursed Forest

            six days later





            There was no denying it; Munro had altered their course.

            All afternoon he’d been diverting them from the north—which he believed was the way to Dacia. Why?

            After that demon attack, Ren had begun trusting him. Why didn’t he trust her? When will he start treating me like a partner? she wondered, even while she schemed to complete a secret mission.

            He glanced over his shoulder, noticing she’d slowed. “You want to take a break? Looks like a good spot.” They stood atop a woodsy vantage that overlooked a valley draped in fog.

            With a nod, she removed her conjured canteen from her bag. Though Munro had carried her for most of these days, she’d wanted to walk this afternoon. Her pace must frustrate an immortal like him, but he was patient with her.

            “Tell me when you’re ready to ride.” A breeze riffled the locks of his hair.

            “I’m good for now.” She took a drink and gazed out over the valley’s blanket of fog, could imagine running atop its defined surface.

            With Munro as her guide, the Cursed Forest wasn’t forbidding. She’d begun to view it like immortals in general, seeing miracles within. Beauty even.

            Munro was like a miracle to her, a brave wolf who gentled himself and his beast for her.

            She was losing her heart to him bit by bit, but he wasn’t hers irrevocably yet—because he remained fixated on turning her.

            The more he yearned for her to be different, the more lacking she felt in their relationship. If he ever saw me as an equal, I’d be lost for him.

            He closed in on her. “I like carrying you. It gives me my fix of you. At least until night comes.”

            Just this proximity shallowed her breaths. “You’re getting that look in your eyes. Are we stopping?” Tell me why you changed directions.

            “I’d planned to go for another couple of hours, but I can be persuaded to pitch that tent.”