Witch For Hire (Witch For Hire 1)

“We’ll deal with it. Now we need to get you home to rest.”

“You know a little blood will have you right as rain, right?” Luz asks.

“Luz,” Cristobal cautions.

She rolls her eyes. “We’ll scout ahead since you have your hands full.”

I snicker.

“Don’t encourage her,” Cristobal says before he takes off after her.

We reach the SUV and find another of similar make and model beside it. I tense.

“Fancy meeting y

ou here today.” The saccharine sweet voice shatters the warm glow that had settled in along with the exhaustion. I peel open my lids and find a bombshell in five-inch stiletto heels. Her long black hair falls around her shoulders, standing out against her caramel-colored skin. Her face is flawless, cupid’s bow lips accompany a long, slender nose, high cheekbones, and large, dark brown eyes. Her slender frame is accentuated by a pair of designer gemstone-studded black jeans and a black halter top that shows off toned arms.

Percival, Ruby, and Marcellus draw in closer.

She smirks, causing her beautiful face to seem slightly less stunning. “You flatter me with your overprotection. Is she so weak she can’t defend herself?” She sneers. “Or walk.”

I want to bring her to her knees, but I know better. The Master Vampire has one of the territories just outside one of our borders. That makes this political. Her past with Cristobal is well known. How could it not be? She never lets anyone forget about it. She’s always wanted to join more than just her land with Cristobal.

“Does she need to be protected from you, Etta?”

“Oh, I’m just making observations, cher. Not threats. You know I only deal in promises.” She bats her lashes at him, and I grit my teeth.

“What are you doing here? It’s a bit up north for you, isn’t it?” Cristobal asks smoothly.

“Can’t I visit friends?” She places her hands on her hips. “You used to enjoy my surprise stopovers, remember?” She peers at me, and my stomach clenches. Her smug tone tells me this was recent. I left. I had no claims. She steps closer and places a hand on his forearm. He stares at it until she removes it with a frown. “I wanted to discuss that business proposal I sent you.”

“We’ve already spoken on this matter. I won’t be swayed.”

“Hmm. That’s what you said about other things until I turned you into a liar.”

Luz growls in the back of her throat. I smile. I’m starting to question the benefits of coming out and taking my rightful place on the court. As I am, I have no right to speak up or challenge a Master Vampire. As his mate, I’d be an equal.

“Enough,” Cristobal says. His voice is like a boom of thunder, startling and powerful. All the anger is directed at Etta.

Etta’s cat-like eyes narrow into slits.

“I see someone’s in a cranky mood. Maybe if you got rid of dead weight you’d be more fun.” She pouts. “If you get tired of the knockoff and want the original, you know where to find me.” She wiggles her fingers and sashays her way back to the SUV.

“That’s one hell of a coincidence,” Marcellus says softly.

“Do you think she’s the one?” Percival asks.

“I wouldn’t put much past her if she believed it would benefit her,” Cristobal states.

“Of all the beds to crawl back into,” Luz mutters.

I stiffen. I knew it, but the confirmation stings. Her? He had his choice of women, why this one? All the time he spent telling me he was over her and now I’m questioning if he ever will be.

“I think I have my second wind.” I pull back physically and mentally.

“I don’t think that’s a good—”

“Cristobal. I’m fine.”