Page 11 of Heart of a Dire Wolf
“Yes, please.” She stopped at an intersection. “I didn’t know you could speak.”
“Here is the route.” A blue line and instructions appeared on the map. “Ivylandi preferred silent mode. Will there be anything else?” The voice sounded almost hopeful.
“Not for a bit, Mauk. Thanks.” Two red gems dimmed. The map stayed on, updating as the car moved.
Nic kept an eye on the map and matched it to the street names they passed. He liked new technology—air travel, online everything, heated socks—but magic added a whole new dimension.
Skyla navigated around a traffic circle, then turned left into the lot of a strip mall and parked next to a bank.
“I’ll be right back.” She started to open the door, then hesitated. “I don’t know if the auction wizards can track my accounts, but I think it’s even riskier to run without money.” She looked down at her bare feet and wiggled her toes. “Or shoes.”
“Want company?” He’d learned from his parents that a strong, capable woman didn’t appreciate being herded by an overly-protective tiger, and was likely to bop said grumbling tiger upside the head if she felt disrespected.
She smiled. “Of course I do, if it’s you.” His tiger chuffed with smug satisfaction.
At the ATM, she used magic to make it think she had a debit card, and to ignore the daily limit. Her magic felt like she was kissing him all over, and once again, his dick hardened. He hadn’t been that ready to rock and roll even when he’d been a teenager. It was going to be a long trip.
She glanced down at his tented sweatpants and sighed. “I’m glad it’s not just me on the hormone thrill ride.” She handed him half her thick wad of twenties. “In case we get separated.”
He hadn’t planned on letting her out of his sight, but then again, he hadn’t planned on being kidnapped, either. He pointed to the building next to the bank. “That grocery store will have water and food. Soap. Toothpaste.” He brushed his shaggy beard. “Scissors, maybe.”
“Do you mind if I use a small illusion spell to make us less interesting?” The corners of her mouth quirked in a teasing smile. “We look like wild animals.”
He laughed. “Sure.” He hoped her illusion would hide his obvious male response to her, too. It took everything he had not to sweep her into an embrace and kiss the daylights out of her.
