Blood Kissed (Lizzie Grace 1)

Not necessarily, Belle said. They tend to offer information only as required or as asked, remember.

And yet they have no damn qualms about offering unwanted advice.

Belle laughed. That’s because not only are we seen as a special case, but because my guides do feel rather protective toward us.

I’m not sure I really want to be regarded as ‘special’ by the spirit world. Out loud, I added, “And are you my self-appointed follower, Ranger?”

There was little warmth in the smile that touched his lips, which was a shame, because they were rather nice lips.

I frowned and batted the thought away. I didn’t need any sort of attraction happening right now, especially to a man who hated what I was with every inch of his being.

“I wasn’t following you. I was up here searching for scents and heard your approach.” He paused, and just for a moment, something sparked in his eyes—something I would have named amusement if it weren’t for his otherwise stony expression. “Silent you are not.”

“I wasn’t trying to be, either last night or now.” I hesitated. “Wouldn’t the wind have now erased any scent if it was to be found?”

“Yes, but I wasn’t only searching for a scent. I was also looking for any indication that a third party had moved through the forest.”

“And did you find it?”

He gave me a cool smile and crossed his arms—an action that only emphasized their lean strength, even through the shirt.

“Fine, don’t answer.” I spun around and started off down the road again. “If I’m not actually near your compound yet, then I guess I’m safe to continue on my merry way.”

I rather suspected I wouldn’t be doing so alone, and that suspicion was immediately proven correct.

He caught up with me in three quick strides and then said, “Why did you choose to settle in Castle Rock?”

Because I felt compelled to come here, and because the spirits thought it was a good idea. But I could hardly admit that to this man. “The fact that your whole reservation is a tourist destination was part of the reason. It’s a lot easier to run a successful business when you have a g

ood stream of people coming through.”

“Then why settle here rather than Argyle? That’s the main spa town, not Castle Rock.”

I shrugged. “We liked the feel of this place better.”

He didn’t immediately reply, but I could sense his gaze on me. Or rather, on my hair. Again his suspicion rose around me but he didn’t give it voice. “Because of the wild magic?”

“Because it seemed like a really friendly town.” I glanced at his stony countenance somewhat wryly. “We did tell your council we intended doing readings and selling charms at the café.”

“And forgot to add the fact you were also witches.”

“Damn it, Ranger, if you fall foul of another werewolf, do you blame your whole race for that one wolf’s action?”

“No—”

“Then stopping blaming whatever catastrophe happened here on every damn witch you come in contact with.” There was an edge of anger in my voice that I couldn’t quite control. “I can’t change whatever that was. I can’t heal it. No one can—not until all those involved are willing to let the wound be healed. And it seems to me neither you nor this reservation is willing to do that just yet.”

“You know nothing about me or my pack—”

“No, I don’t, nor do I fucking want to,” I said, in an echo of his own statement. “But you’re running a huge risk by not having a powerful, vetted witch here to protect the wild magic, and you’d better pray like hell the darker forces do not become aware of it.”

“Vetted witch?” he said, voice mild. “Does that mean you haven’t gone through accreditation, and therefore are unaligned to any of the major or minor houses?”

I swore internally. Trust me to run off at the mouth and give him a clue like that.

“No, it does not,” I snapped. “Haven’t you got other business to attend to, Ranger? Like discovering the man who murdered the teenager? You’re hardly going to find him following me about.”

“Maybe,” he said. “And maybe not.”