Page 41 of Hunted By Her Demon Wolves

“Much.” He turned the claw over in his hand. “It must be an emunius.”

She gave him a funny look. “What is that?”

“A tool used to enhance magic.” He handed it back to her. “It makes the magic you already have stronger.”

“Then let’s hope it’s strengthening my celaris spell,” she said, then repeated the spell once more, the minty scent hitting her in pulsing waves.Well,she supposed she’d rather celaris magic smelledlikemint instead of old gym socks.

He scratched the rough beard on his chin. “I hadn’t thought of that. You should be the one holding it.”

She squeezed the claw. “If we’re lucky, we won’t be on Gorgo’s radar.”

He looked at her like a dog trying to determine the origin of his fart. “Radar?”

“It’s a modern term.” She chewed her bottom lip, realizing he wouldn’t have any knowledge of radar equipment. “Sorry.”

He slanted a smile, his wolfish fangs extending over his top lip. “I have much to learn about your new life.”

She swallowed back a lump of nervous energy while looking into his eyes as they turned a soft shade of honey. “You do.” Heat flushed her cheeks the way he continued to look at her as if she held the moon and stars and all the galaxy in her eyes. How she’d longed for a man to look at her that way, and now she felt like a wilting flower beneath a heat lamp. Well, at least he didn’t act angry with her anymore.

“Come on,” he finally said, waving her forward.

She followed him like a lovestruck pup. Eventually, the crystal formations turned to a mixture of salt and stone, and they found a cave deep in the heart of the mountains.

Phoenix summoned a ball of flame, letting it float above them like a balloon on a string, though they could’ve navigated the cave tunnel without it. The rough walls were a soft shade of coral and nearly translucent. Outside light filtered in through its pores, bathing the cavern in a soft glow. She ran her hands along one wall, then rubbed the grit between the pads of her fingers before licking them. She made a face at the strong, bitter aftertaste. Salt for sure.

As they made their way into the drafty cave, Cadmus checking for threats, her gut shook with hunger. She forced herself to put it out of her mind. Demons didn’t need food or water to survive in hell, but it sure took the edge off the constant cravings.

The winding tunnel opened into a small cave which opened into a wider cavern with damp, coral walls. Water streamed into a shallow pond at one end, and that pond drained into a tunnel only wide enough for a rabbit to crawl through. Phoenix’s heart ached when she thought of her pet rabbits she’d left back in Alaska. She’d probably never see them again, much less the top dimension of hell. The thought soured her gut.

Cadmus led them to the opposite end of the cavern. “This looks like a decent hiding spot. We’ll lie low here for a few days and gather our strength.”

She scowled at the hard floor. “There’s nothing to eat and nowhere to sleep.”

“It beats being turned into a zombie.” He bridged the short distance between them and pushed a strand of dark hair behind her ear.

She shivered at his touch, her veins freezing and turning to liquid fire at once. Why did he make her feel that way?

She scowled, wondering just what two days in a tight space with a virile hunk of demon would do to her libido. Would he expect sex? Would she? She normally had trouble looking boys in the eyes unless they were family. This was all so new to her. But then that putrid smell hit her again, and her libido fizzled like day-old soda.

“We should probably bathe,” she blurted, stepping back.

His brows scrunched and he smelled his armpits. “Holy flame!” He made a sour face. “Why didn’t you tell me I stunk?”

“Because I was too busy trying not to die.” That wasn’t a lie, but she was also usually too distracted by her lust to care.

“Of course.” He motioned toward the shallow pool. “I’ll let you bathe first. I’ll probably pollute the waters.”

“Okay.” She went to unzip her jeans, then paused when he looked at her like a starving wolf eyeing a prime rib. “Mind turning around?”

“Why would I do that?” He scratched the back of his neck. “I’m your mate.”

“I’m not used to you, Cadmus.” She hated the plea that slipped into her voice, edged with a razor-fine hint of lust and panic. “Please.”

He frowned before turning around.

As she slipped out of her clothes, she realized she probably wouldn’t survive hiding out with her virile shifter with her virginity intact. And the thought both terrified and excited her.

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