Page 90 of Do You Even Hex, Bro?
Killian's growl is low but audible. "Sadie..."
"Don't growl at me, wolf boy,” she says dismissively. "I'm not here to cause trouble. Just checking to see if my spell actually worked or if Micah was just blowing smoke up my ass."
The realization hits me all at once. “You're the witch who did the finding spell for a Bonded.”
"Guilty as charged," she says with a flourish and a mock bow. "Never thought it would actually work. Usually, when these morons ask for magical help, it's to clean up some catastrophe they've created. Like the time Sean tried to make all the campus sprinklers spray beer."
Despite the intrusion, I find myself liking her immediately. There's something refreshing about her take-no-prisoners attitude.
"I'm Regina," I offer, extending my hand.
She takes it, her grip firm. The moment our skin connects, a jolt of energy passes between us. Recognition, witch to witch. Her eyes narrow slightly, then flick to where my glamour hides my scars. I flinch instinctively, but if she can see through it, she doesn’t react.
"Siphon," she says, not a question but a confirmation. "Strong one, too. Shit, no wonder they're so worked up."
"Would you like some coffee?" I ask, ignoring Killian's death glare. "I was just taking a break from research."
"Research?" Her interest visibly piques. "On what?"
"Bonding rituals," I explain, heading toward the kitchen. She follows me, Killian trailing behind us like a reluctant shadow. "I've been going through his great-grandmother's grimoires."
“Ooooh. Eliza's collection?” Sadie's eyes light up. “Those books are amazing. I've been trying to get my hands on them for years, but these mutts guard them like they're actually going to read them.”
"They're family heirlooms," Killian grumbles, leaning against the doorframe.
Sadie snorts. "When was the last time you actually opened one?"
"Yesterday," he says smugly. "When we gave some to Regina."
"As gifts," she says, rolling her eyes. "Typical alpha male strategy. ‘Here, have some priceless magical artifacts so you'll like me!’ You know, a fucking Birkin would've been cheaper."
"A Barkin what?"
Sadie wrinkles her nose in distaste. “ABirkin. It’s a bag. You're hopeless.”
I hide a smile as I pour coffee for Sadie, who takes it black. No surprise there. "They were genuinely helpful," I tell her. "Though I'm having trouble finding specifics on siphon-shifter bonds."
"Because they're rare as fuck," she says bluntly, perching on a stool at the kitchen island. "Most witches aren't dumb enough to tie themselves to creatures who shed on the furniture. No offense."
"None taken."
"We don'tshed," Killian protests.
Sadie and I both give him skeptical looks.
"Much," he amends.
"Anyway," Sadie continues, turning back to me. "Siphon-shifter bonds are technically possible, but they're not documented well. Or at all, really. And I mean, siphons are rare and stupidly powerful, and wolves are… kind of basic. No?—"
"You know, you can't just say no offense and then proceed to say the most offensive fucking shit on the planet," Killian growls.
Sadie shrugs, taking a sip of her coffee. “Well, you're not exactly known for your focus on executing complex magic rituals. It's the witchcraft equivalent of using King Arthur's sword as a butter knife.”
Killian glowers at her, but I'm not sure if he's genuinely offended or just worried she's going to try to talk me out of it.
"Have you ever seen one?" I ask. "A bond between a siphon and a pack, I mean."
She shakes her head. "Nope. But I'm guessing you're going through with it anyway?"
