Page 41 of The Cursed and the Broken
“If we even make it through the spring,” she muttered bitterly.
“Don’t say that. We’re going to get through this. With the wolves on our side, the village will have extra protection and you and Mama shall be safe.”
“Will you?”
I blinked. It was a simple question, but the answer was anything but. I would be protected by Farkas, by Dante, but was it enough? We had no idea just how many delusional cultists were gathering in the woods and the time would come when my powers were outed. I just knew it.
Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, I smiled. “Of course. We’ll figure out a plan of attack and, when the time comes, we’ll be ready.”
Eszter frowned, her brown eyes flashing in irritation. “We can’t just sit around and wait for the hammer to fall, Kit. We should be looking for them, sending scouts into the woods to find their base. Even with the men guarding our walls, it won’t be enough to stop an attack. We need answers.”
Defeated, I leaned into the couch, wishing the plush fabric would swallow me up. She was right. We needed time to assemble our forces, to prepare foranythreat. I doubted the cultists would attack before their master was resurrected, but who knows? They were fanatics. Blind to reason, lost to a darker power.
They were desperate, and desperation made people dangerous.
“You’re right,” I whispered. “I’ll speak to Dante about it.”
Eszter raised a brow.
“Fine. Caitlin too.”
She stared at me as I made for the door. “Wait.”
I turned, batting my lashes innocently. “Yes?”
“You’ve got that look on your face, Kitarni. One that promises pain.”
“Oh, sweet sister,” I said with a grin. “You have your battles. I have mine.”
SEVENTEEN
It didn’t take long tofind him. Dante leaned against the barn door, posture relaxed but eyes alert as he scanned the trees bordering my house. Always ready, should danger call. When his eyes snapped to mine, his gaze stripped me bare. I felt naked under the weight.
“Hunting again?”
His lips curved in a smile. “Guarding the prey, more like.”
I rolled my eyes, stalking past him, refusing to drown in his gaze any longer. “Walk with me.”
He chuckled. “So bossy.” A pause, and then in a deeper tone, “I like it.”
No. I would not entertain him.You’re mad at him, foolish girl.It didn’t help that my body enjoyed his husky voice, the connotations behind everything this blasted man did. Lifting my chin higher, I swished my hips as I stormed ahead. “I hope you’re ready for a real predator, then. There’s someone I need to talk to and I think you should be present when I do.”
I risked a peek out of the corner of my eye, and the bastard was grinning. “You want to talk to the chieftain,” he said matter-of-factly.
“And that amuses you. Why?” I huffed.
“You’ve got bad blood, you said so yourself.” His eyes flashed. “I’m just surprised you’d allow her to walk all over you, is all. The girl I met in the woods wouldn’t take any shit from a crone.”
“I—what,” I spluttered. “I do not allow anything of the sort. She’s a hateful woman, but I can fight my own battles, thank you very much.”
“Ah, so that’s why you bring the bodyguard.” His voice was laced with amusement, which only served to annoy me even further. Of course he’d turn this around and make it seem like I couldn’t fight my own battles. “Do you want me to disarm her with my good looks or should we charge in, swords drawn?”
“I brought you,” I hissed, “because the matter concerns you and your people. Now, kindly shut up and move.”
“Hold it,” he said, tugging my elbow so I whirled around. “I want to make a deal.”
I scoffed, shrugging out of his grip. “And what could you possibly have to offer that I’d be interested in?”
