Page 4 of Vexing the Grumpy Orc

“No one tells me what to do here.”

“Apparently they should.” Her lips curved in a sharp smile. “Since you seem determined to prove yourself a fool.”

The last word hung between us. Magic thickened the air, making it hard to breathe. Hard to think past the need to show this witch exactly who she was dealing with.

I lifted my foot.

“Don’t—”

The circle flared as I stepped across the line. Power surged around us both, and the world exploded into purple light.

CHAPTER TWO

HANNAH

Magic surged wildly, reaching for the orc like a living thing. Power crackled across my skin, licking along my nerve endings. Hungry. Desperate. Searching for an outlet.

A pathway.

He came to a stop on my side of the circle. Orcs ran big—everyone knew that—but seeing it in person was different. Broad shoulders blocked out the moonlight, casting me in his shadow. Dark hair had come loose from its tie, falling around a face that could have been carved from stone. He snarled, his tusks gleaming in the purple light.

“You absolute idiot.” I shoved to my feet, barely keeping my balance as the magic pulsed between us. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”

Weeks of research. Careful planning. Everything had to be perfect if I wanted any chance of breakingDigby’s curse. The purple mushrooms only grew in the places where ley lines crossed. Finding them had been hard enough, then arranging them in the proper formation while maintaining the energy flow...

And this territorial asshole just blundered straight through my protections.

“Stopping whatever corruption you’re working into my land.” His voice rumbled like distant thunder, dark satisfaction curling through the words.

“Corruption?” I barked out a laugh. “You think this is—” The magic shifted, coiling tighter around us. Fuck. I needed him gone. Now. Before the magic twisted completely and took root where I didn’t want. “This is a purification circle, you paranoid jackass.”

Was. Heat bloomed where it touched, spreading through my veins like liquid fire. Oh no. No, no, no. This was not supposed to turn into that kind of ritual.

His eyes narrowed, pupils blown wide. “I’ve seen the unnatural things you play at. I know how this darkness tears families apart.”

“That’s not—” My breath caught as another wave of power rolled through me. Through us both, judging by how his massive chest heaved. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t I?” He took another step, forcing me back. He towered over me, muscles coiled tight beneath his shirt. “I know what magic is, witch, and Idespiseit.”

The sneer in his voice caught me off guard. This wasn’t just territorial posturing—this was personal.But I didn’t have time to unpack his trauma. The ritual’s energy spiraled higher, drawn to him like iron to a lodestone.

Heat pooled in my belly, a blush creeping across my cheeks. There was no escaping it. Not with the magic locked onto him as a conduit. I tried to shake off the rising arousal, but it only spread lower. Between my legs, aching for something I knew I shouldn’t want. Shouldn’t need.

Not now. Not like this. Digby needed me.

The orc crowded closer, growling under his breath. It vibrated through me, stirring the desire I couldn’t quite quash. Stupid. Fucking. Body.

“What trick is this?” He dragged his tongue across his lower lip. “What have you done to make me want?—”

His mouth opened and closed like he couldn’t find the words. Couldn’t say them out loud. But his hips rocked, body betraying how badly it ached. Judging by the bulge straining at his jeans, I wasn’t the only one struggling to stay focused.

“It’s not a trick.” Desire flooded me at the sight. An answering call, roaring through my veins. Urging me to cross the remaining space. To let him sate the need clawing at me from the inside out. “It’s truth.”

For all his accusations of corruption, he caused the problem. Ignoring my warnings, stepping into my circle, drawing my magic directly into his system. He’d taken what was designed to bring Digby back to livingform, and instead created this feedback loop of lust between us.

“Liar.” But his voice had gone rough. “I don’t want a witch.”

“Prove it.” I lifted my chin. “Walk away.”

---