Page 37 of Dragon's Desire

Focus, she thought to herself.

"Yes?" he asked, leaning against the door. He had a slight grin like he knew exactly what she was thinking as she stared at his muscled physique.

"We've tried it my way. Legermain is dangerous, and he has to be stopped. But I need you to promise me something," she said.

"I'll do that thing with my tongue you like any time you want."

"Goddamn it, Peter. I'm serious."

"So am I."

She glared at him. "I need to know you're really listening to me here. Please." She hated how much it sounded like begging him.

Peter's grin faded from lichenous to something more pleasant, calm almost.

"You have my undivided attention. Your words do. I'm listening."

"I want to make sure that when this is over, you're not going to start using this to hunt down innocent witches," she said.

"Kiercy, I don't do that even now."

"Then it shouldn't be a problem to promise me that you won't. I want to know that I can trust you to always be thorough in your investigations so that innocent witches aren't hurt."

"I swear that I will never use these weapons blindly. I will be certain that a witch is a danger before using lethal methods."

"A danger to the public. Not just to witch hunters," she added.

"I can't promise that it—" he started.

"Then I can't let you—"

It was Peter's turn to interrupt.

"You need to let me finish. "It isn't always the witch hunter who starts the conflict. If a witch is coming after one of us because of a centuries-old feud, I have to protect my family. My people. But I do promise you, I'll try my best to deescalate the situation."

"You? Deescalate?"

"Just because I have a special talent for pissing you off doesn't mean that I can't calm other people down. I won't seek out conflict with witches, and I'll only use these types of weapons against a witch when I'm certain they endanger others."

She searched his eyes for some sign of deception. But again, he seemed entirely sincere. She couldn't understand how he did that. He was a buffoonish clown one minute and then one of the most earnest people she'd ever known in the next.

"Do you believe me?" he asked.

"I don't," she answered.

"What?"

"But I'm willing to trust you."

Peter quirked an eyebrow.

"What's the difference?"

"I trust you enough to give you a chance, but I don't know if I'm making a mistake or not."

"I guess that will have to be good enough for the moment. Can we get to hunting down this son of a bitch now?"

"Yes," she said. "But first, please go put on some pants."

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