Page 16 of Vexing the Grumpy Orc

That got her attention. The mocking smile slipped. “And you came to gloat about ruining another ritual?”

“I came to help, actually.” The words tasted strange on my tongue. “The wards won’t be lethal, but they could still hurt you. I convinced Osen—the chief—to let you continue, only…”

“Only what?” Her fingers tightened around the mug.

“The chief offered a compromise. You can perform your ritual under supervision.” I forced my shoulders to relax from somewhere around my ears. How did one inform a witch she needed a babysitter? “My supervision.”

The witch barked out a laugh. “You’re joking.”

I crossed my arms. “Do I look like I’m joking?”

“You look like someone’s holding your balls in a vice.” She set her mug on the railing with the deliberate care of someone trying not to chuck it at my head. “Why would you volunteer for that?”

“I didn’t volunteer.” My temples throbbed. This was going worse than expected. “Osen assigned me after I told him about your ritual.”

“And why would you dothat?”Her eyes narrowed. “Last I checked, you despised witches and their filthy magic.”

My words, thrown back at me again. I growled, but the sound held more frustration than menace. Why did she make everything so difficult?

“I’m doing it because you’ll try again anyway.” I met her gaze steadily. “Better supervised than dead in a magical backlash.”

And to keep my father from stumbling across her alone. But she didn’t need to know about that particular complication.

Her shoulders tensed. For a moment, I thought she’d tell me to fuck off. Then she nodded, though her posture remained wary.

“Fine.” She retrieved her mug, wrapping both hands around it like a shield. “I need two nights, minimum. First to locate and harvest fresh shadow caps, then the actual ritual. The mushrooms can be tricky to find in the dark.”

I shifted my weight, remembering the patch I’d spotted while fishing. The purple caps had taunted me all afternoon, but now... “I might know where to find some. Save you the search.”

“You’d share that information?” Her voice held equal parts suspicion and hope. “Just like that?”

No. Not just like that. Nothing about this situation was simple. But I had my orders and couldn’t get the taste of her out of my head and the urge to give her what she needed roared like wildfire in my veins.

“Meet me tomorrow.” I gestured vaguely toward the mountains. “I’ll show you.”

“Tomorrow.” She studied me like she expected some trick. “And you won’t interfere this time?”

Images of what I’d like to do with her—interfere with her plans, that is—flashed through my mind. My fingers flexed involuntarily as I recalled digging my nails into her ass, dragging her onto my cock. How she’d felt in the dirt—hot and slick and willing.

Fuck, the things I wanted to do to her. With her. On her. In her.

“I gave my word to the chief.” The reminder of my duty steadied me. This was clan business, nothing more. And she was a witch, not a proper orc mate.

She sipped her drink, watching me over the rim with those knowing eyes and smug smile. Like she knew exactly what I’d been thinking, and wanted to toy with me for her pleasure.

Gods, I wanted to wipe that smirk off her face.

“What made a gorgon target your familiar?” I forced the words past the tightness in my throat. “Please tell me you don’t make a career out of provoking territorial monsters.”

“Gotta pay the bills somehow.” She lifted one shoulder in a lazy shrug. “And if you think the tourists would pay to watch me rile up the local wildlife…”

I fought a smile. She wasn’t funny, dammit. Just rude. Infuriating. Tempting. “Answer the question, witch.”

She huffed into her mug and took a long sip of coffee. The frost in her scent shifted, growing colder. Sadder.

“I was a trauma nurse before this. Good at my job. Too good, apparently.” Her lips twisted. “Because a gorgon colleague didn’t appreciate being passed over for the promotion I received. She waited until my shift ended, cornered me in the parking garage. I didn’t even see her coming.”

My gut clenched. Ambush. Coward’s tactics. As bad as issuing a challenge for clan control and not waiting for an opponent to arm themselves.

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