I’d just connected my forbidden power to Kaillen, readying for a new training session, when the feel of the hunter inching along our bond caressed my insides. The tantalizing way we bonded birthed a sudden idea in me.

I sucked my magic back inside me, my wolf growling her displeasure. Yep, Mrs. Wolfy had perked right up at the feel of her mate’s energy strumming toward her.

Kaillen opened his eyes and cocked an eyebrow.

I closed the distance between us, placing my hands on his thighs. “What if I suck magic from you and Barnabas and Fallon?”

“Why would you do that?”

“You said that Jakub may be able to track me if he has a hold of my energy, and we know that if I activate the curse, he’ll definitely be able to find me. So what if I enhance my magical footprint by feeding off all of your powers? That will not only increase my magical footprint—perhaps making him come for me—but I might also be able to see past his cloaking spell by using your powers.”

His eyebrows drew together. “But you couldn’t see through his cloaking spell on the ship, and you were feeding off fifteen supernaturals.”

“True, but that was during battle when I was a bit frantic. I’d lost my cool, and I wasn’t controlling it or corralling it. It was wreaking havoc on my insides, which I think is why it blasted from me. But if I could corral it and wield it, perhaps then I’d be able to see him.”

His hand curved around my waist, almost absentmindedly as he considered my idea. “But if you were to increase your magical footprint to attract him to you, then Jakub wouldn’t be running from us, he’d be hunting you again.”

“I know, but if we’re prepared for it—”

A low growl rumbled in his chest. “That would put you at risk by making you the prey.”

“I’d be the bait, not the prey. I have no intention of being prey ever again.”

Golden light flared in his eyes. “That’s taking a substantial risk. We wouldn’t know when Jakub would show or how many supernaturals would be joining him.”

“Doesn’t magical residue fade with time?” He nodded, so I added, “In that case, most likely, he’ll act soon. So if I lure him to me by increasing my footprint, there’s a good chance he’ll show when we want him to.”

“What if he brings forty or fifty supernaturals to fight with him? You passed out last night after killing fifteen.”

“But I’d lost control. I don’t intend to let that happen again. That was my first use of my awakening magic during battle, and now I know what to expect.”

He scowled.

“Why are you upset?”

“You want to use yourself as bait after having one experience of wielding that much power.”

“Well, isn’t that why we’re here in the courtyard right now, so I can learn better control?”

“One training session isn’t enough to learn that new ability.”

“I’m a fast learner.”

“It’s reckless.”

I cocked my head. “Perhaps it is, but the longer Jakub evades us, the more likely it is he’ll get away or show up when we least expect it, and what about the fact that the SF still isn’t here? That tells me that they haven’t been allowed into the fae lands to conduct an arrest yet, otherwise, they’d be crawling all over this town. So, it really comes down to us. Are we willing to take a risk to try to stop him, or are we going to sit back and hope that he doesn’t succeed in abducting me again when we least expect it? You have to remember that he’s still after me. What if he takes me tonight while we’re asleep?”

A hint of crimson flames rolled through his eyes. “I don’t like it.”

“Is that you talking or your wolf?”

His head tilted. “I don’t know.”

“I’m guessing it’s your wolf. Tell Mr. Wolf to cool it. I need to talk to you, the hunter, right now. ’Cause you’re a pretty analytical supe who’s rather adept at the chess game when it comes to getting what he wants.”

“Whatever are you referring to?” A sly smile tugged at his lips.

“Perhaps a little stunt you pulled that had me moving to Ontario.”

“You have to admit, I played that well.”

I snorted. “Yes, yes, you’re brilliant. Sorry, dear. Have I not stroked your ego enough?”

He laughed and pulled me closer. “Have I told you that it’s not just your violent side I love but also your wit?”

“You may have mentioned that before.”

His tongue darted out to taste my skin.

A pulse of desire quivered in my belly, but I shoved him back before we could get sidetracked again, and I had a feeling that was what he was trying to do. He didn’t like this plan because it put me at risk, but I was done being hunted.

“A delicious scent has just begun wafting off you,” he purred.

“Plug your nose. I mean it. We need to sort this out.”

He grumbled but wiped his expression clean.

I settled more on the grass in front of him. “So if we use me as bait and bring Jakub to us while I’m channeling all of your power, then we’ll have the upper hand.”

His nostrils flared, that golden hue brightening around his irises.

I cocked my head. “You call me a colantha for a reason, remember?”

A muscle tightened in his jaw, but he gave a curt nod. “I’m listening.”

“With knowing the area, we would have an advantage.”

“True.”

“And since we’ve already encountered Jakub several times, we already know what to expect.”

“Possibly true. He could have more surprises up his sleeve.”

“Unlikely. Each time he’s tried to abduct me, he’s either hidden or sent someone else to do his dirty work. And he always uses those blue cuffs. Only now, I’m immune to them. Are you?”

“Not yet. I was too busy hunting for my brother to pay a visit to the SF.”

“Oh, right, but I’m immune. So that right there gives us the upper hand. Even if Jakub were to capture me, I could break out of his cuffs.”

His nostrils flared again, and the muscles in his jaw began to tick, as that iron fragrance entered his scent.

“Why are you getting mad?”

“Because I’m thinking about him cuffing you and capturing you . . . it does things to me.”

“Well, keep your panties on. He hasn’t captured me yet.”

“It’s hard. I’d rather have my panties off around you.” A suggestive curve lifted his lips.

“You wear panties? I didn’t realize you were a cross-dresser.”

He snorted. “I’m more of a boxer briefs kinda guy if you hadn’t noticed, but I can call them panties if you prefer. I’ll even wear them if that’s your thing.”

“Black lace?”

He shrugged. “If that’s what you’re into. Speaking of black lace . . . When are you going to wear that little nightie I found—”

“We’re getting off track again.” I sighed and forced my attention away from our incessant need to banter. “So even if things went south, I can break out of the cuffs, and even if things were to go really south—as in Jakub actually abducted me—you could still track me. The blood bond makes that possible in this realm too. Right?”

“It should. The bond means I can track you anywhere, even across realms.”

“Super handy, but still a total violation of my privacy. Just sayin’.”

He smirked. “Would you like to be able to track me? I could have a tracking hex placed on me to your specification. Would that appease you, my love?” He leaned forward and nipped my neck.

A burst of goosebumps skated down my spine. “Speaking of tracking . . . If I also activate the curse, in addition to increasing my magical signal by pulling on the three of you, I’ll not only know if Jakub’s alive, but I’ll also be tethered to him. It would ensure he could find me, and he’d probably come for me if he could feel me that strongly.”

Kaillen grumbled. “If you activated it, then he would have a lifeline straight to your location.”

“Which would make it very easy to draw him out. This could end tonight.”

He seethed, but I pressed on.

“So do we have a deal? I use myself as bait, feed off of your powers to increase my magical footprint and my ability to see through his cloaking spell, and activate the curse tonight to capture Jakub?”