Kaillen was quiet for a long moment.

“Please? Will you try it for me?”

His jaw ticked again before he said, “Fine. We’ll try it, but if I see any inkling that you’re in true danger, I’m using a portal key and getting you out of there immediately, and then you’re banishing that curse.”

“Deal. You have my permission to be a possessive, dominant werewolf and whisk me to safety if needed.”

He leaned forward, until I tilted back. “Why do I detect a hint of sarcasm in your tone?”

My eyelashes fluttered. “Whatever are you talking about?”

A low growl rumbled in his chest before he hauled me back up. “If we’re doing this tonight, then we’re training all afternoon. Until I feel confident that you can successfully wield my power enough to see past Jakub’s cloaking spell, I won’t allow it.”

“Allow it?”

“You know what I mean,” he growled.

I sighed. “Yes, I do. Okay, in that case, we better get training.”

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Chapter 23

Kaillen and I trained for six hours. It took that long for the hunter to feel appeased enough to consent to my plan. But I’d improved, even in that short timeframe. Each time I had his magic in my grasp, I used it to my advantage, before returning it to him. We also practiced with cloaking spells. He hid multiple objects under very heavy spells, and then I used his power to see past them. Most of the time, I could, and even though it wasn’t easy and I was far from perfect at it, I did have one advantage now. My wolf.

In Ontario, when Kaillen and I had been training daily, I would have succumbed to the fatigue from what we’d done today. But each time exhaustion had threatened me this afternoon, my wolf surged forward, offering me her strength, resilience, and enhanced healing properties. I hadn’t used her during the battle, since I’d pushed her down, but now she was insistent, and I could see why.

Having her work at my side, allowed me to continue training beyond what I’d been capable of before, and she healed me. The fatigue vanished, and I was able to train the same maneuver again and again.

A huge dose of gratitude filled me each time she helped me so willingly, and I was beginning to see what Kaillen meant about a symbiotic relationship. Because of her, I truly felt ready to face Jakub again.

After receiving a text from Fallon saying that he and Barnabas were back in Culasberee, Kaillen and I ended our training, cleaned up, and ventured to the café around the inn’s corner again for a meal before setting out to capture Jakub. I was running on fumes after that rigorous training session, so eating was a must before I activated the curse and lured Jakub to us.

Most of the seats were filled as the inhabitants of Culasberee were out enjoying family dinners or drinks with friends, but we managed to find an empty table.

As soon as we all sat, I said, “I want to capture Jakub tonight by using all of your powers to enhance my magic to lure Jakub to us, and with any luck, your magic will also allow me to see through his cloaking spell.”

Barnabas gave me a delighted smile. “Well, that’s quite the introduction.”

“I know. Sorry for not giving you a heads-up earlier.”

Fallon shrugged. “We took longer in the capital than intended.”

Kaillen sat at my side with a protective arm around my shoulders while a scowl twisted his features. My mate had been in an irritable mood all afternoon even though he claimed to be onboard with my plan. But I knew his instincts were screaming at him to lock me up so nobody could hurt me. It was only sheer will on his part that had stopped him from doing so.

Barnabas leaned forward in his seat. “So you really want to draw that little spineless sorcerer to us? I have to admit, that’s ballsy.” Given the vampire’s grin, I could tell he approved.

“We can’t guarantee he’s little,” Fallon replied, totally deadpan. “We never saw him.”

Barnabas scoffed. “Surely anyone who hides behind a cloaking spell is little.” He angled in his seat to face Kaillen better. “Have I told you that I like her?”

The hunter grunted. “Once or twice.”

“Well, let me just say it again. I think she not only smells mouthwatering, has a delectable body, and is quite possibly the most gorgeous—”

“No need to continue.” Kaillen bared his teeth as crimson fire began to roll in his irises. In the café’s dim fairy lights, his dark hair shone ebony as the scent of jasmine and night rose from him. “I get it. You like my mate. For your own self-preservation, I would advise you to stop reminding my wolf of that. He’s a bit on edge right now.”

Barnabas conveyed a mockingly innocent expression. “Many apologies, my friend.”

I rolled my eyes and forced myself not to sigh in exasperation as the vamp once again got his kicks from riling my mate.

Kaillen’s only response was another rumbling warning sound.

“It’s just too easy,” Barnabas said under his breath to me when Kaillen’s fingers curled around my shoulder.

I was pretty sure Kaillen was two seconds away from leaping across the table and smashing a fist into his friend’s face.

“You might want to tone it down a notch,” I said quietly to Barnabas, and then raised my eyebrows when Kaillen hauled me closer to his side, the scent of night-touched jasmine so potent I was swimming in it. At least, my wolf was content.

She preened and rumbled in happiness and urged me closer to my mate.

Fallon watched the entire exchange with a smooth face. The fairy was nothing if not an expert at hiding his emotions. The entire time I’d known him, his smell had stayed muted. I again wondered how he did that or if he truly didn’t experience many emotions.

“What about you? What do you think?” I asked him.

Fallon inclined his head, his yellow hair as bright as a banana. “I’m game to lure him in.”

“And you’re both okay with me feeding off your magic? I’ll give it back to you. I just need it to increase my footprint and see through Jakub’s cloaking spell when he arrives.”

They shared an intrigued look.

“Will it kill us?” Fallon asked.

“No,” I replied. “I’ll return it before that happens.”

Fallon shrugged again. “Sure, why not.”

The vamp stroked his chin. “I would love to.”

I clapped my hands. “It’s settled then.”

Barnabas rubbed his hands together just as a tray floated toward us and our drinks and food appeared. The spelled serving platter began dispersing the plates and glasses to us as the café’s magic sparkled in the air.

Barnabas lifted his glass. “We dine, then we lure that little prick to us, then you stroke our magic . . . I mean use our magic,” he added when Kaillen growled. “And then you kill him with our help if needed. I can’t wait.” He saluted everyone. “And I get dibs on his blood.”

My eyes widened. “You’re going to drink from Jakub?”

“Of course.” Barnabas gave me an affronted look. “Why would we let all of that luscious blood go to waste? It’s much better than this stuff.” He sniffed at his glass, which contained blood that was probably a few days old from a willing donor who’d been paid for the donation. “It’s best warm and directly from the source.” He smiled, his fangs lengthening again.

“If you say so.” I raised my beverage, as did Kaillen and Fallon.

We all clinked glasses, then I dug into my rack of lamb that had been seasoned with mint—the herb imported from earth. But the meat had other seasonings too. A tangier fae spice rolled across my tongue and made my mouth water even more, but my belly was growling so painfully that all of my concentration fell on attacking my food.

I knew that if I wanted to capture Jakub tonight and be finished with his games once and for all, I’d need to be strong and alert.