Hunted (War of the Covens 1)

“I don’t think so.”

She smiled that crazy-sweet smile that seemed to work its charm on all the men in the pack. Magnus and Ryder crumbled under it.

“I thought you would say that. So, I was thinking I could work for you here, on weekends or something.”

“For me?” he asked.

He watched as her expression turn unsure. “Well … I just thought, you know … you don’t have anyone manning the front, and you get busy on the weekends …”

Lucien worked hard to cover a jubilant grin. Nodding, pretending to be casual about the idea he said, “I think it’s a great idea.”

Caia grinned at him. “You do?”

“Sure. This Saturday okay?”

She nodded, and he realized she was just glad to be contributing something to the family. He understood that. But for him, it was a perfect opportunity to keep an eye on her.

12

Witches, Vampyres, and Faeries, Oh My

Jaeden couldn’t help herself. She told everyone at lunch the next day that Caia was working for Lucien. Alexa caused a scene by cursing loudly and storming out of the cafeteria. Caia knew Jaeden was as pissed as she was that Alexa and Dana wouldn’t get off her back, but really, telling Alexa that Caia was going to be spending even more quality time with Lucien was asking for the girl to tear her apart.

For the rest of the week, she was met with icy resentment. As far as Caia was concerned, it was better than the girl speaking to her.

Thankfully, Saturday rolled around quickly. She hadn’t seen much of Lucien lately and she was surprised to find she missed him. And was also more than a little glad to be out of the house. Caia assumed she hadn’t seen much of Lucien because Ella had transformed the house into party-planning central for the mating ceremony.

Lucien left for work a few hours before the store opened so he could get a start on his furniture before customer interruptions began but Caia didn’t arrive for her first day until eight forty-five. Ryder was there, too, grinning at her as Lucien gave her a run-through of her duties. There was nothing major to undertake—the cash register seemed easy enough, and he told her if she was asked any questions she couldn’t answer, she could just give him a shout.

“I can’t believe you’re working here.” Ryder settled into a rocking chair after Lucien disappeared into his workshop.

Caia slid onto the stool behind the front counter. “Should you be doing that?”

“Dunno. You tell me. You work here now.”

“Why is that so surprising to you?”

His eyes glittered with mischief but he shook his head, refusing to respond. Suspicious niggled her gut. Ryder didn’t suspect her feelings, did he?

Holy Artemis, that would be awful. Worse than awful. Utterly mortifying.

“You haven’t gone out on a job lately,” she noted, trying to switch the conversation away from her.

“True. Things have been quiet for a while.”

She leaned against the counter toward him. “So, you must have come across other supernaturals on all your trips, right?”

“Sure.”

“I haven’t met any.” She thought of all the creatures out there who shared their world, and how she’d never encountered a single one.

Ryder frowned. “What about Marion?”

“The magik who cast the protection spell around me?”

He nodded.

“I never met her.”

“I can’t believe that. Marion is great. You’ll really like her. Powerful witch too. You know her sister is the Head of the Daylight Coven?”

She’d had no idea, actually. That meant that for eleven years, Caia had royalty watching and protecting her. The pack had connections in high places. “How do you know a witch that high up in the circle?”

He winked. “How else?”

She shook her head. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I keep forgetting you’re only eighteen. Mind you, when I was eighteen, I knew—”

“Ryder, the point?”

The hunter chuckled at her impatience. “The pack is good friends with Marion because once, a long time ago, Magnus was really good friends with Marion.”

It took a moment for that to sink in, and then she gasped. “Magnus had sex with a magik?”

“Hey, there is nothing wrong with a little variety in life.”

The leer on his face made her ask quietly, so that her voice wouldn’t carry through to Lucien, “Have you ever …?”

Ryder seemed to be enjoying her curiosity. “What? Enjoyed a little a variety?”

“Yes.”

He lowered his voice. “Many times. You know, there are some lykans who have mated with other supernaturals.”

Her head jerked back at the revelation. Caia had no idea that was even allowed. Suddenly her options had just opened up. “Really?”

“Sure. I have a friend from another pack—David—he mated with a faerie.”

“A shapeshifter?”

“One and only.”

“Wow.”

“You really didn’t know that was possible?” Ryder asked, leaning his elbows on his knees. “Your education is kind of spotty.”

She twisted her lips. “Tell me about it.” Then she frowned. “But they can’t actually mate, right? Ella said you can’t have children unless you mate, and you can’t mate unless the gods bless the union, so …”