Alistair did not appear all that shocked by my announcement, yet he should have reacted.

Most wizards would probably expire of a heart attack on the spot at the idea a human, yes, a mere human, wielding their precious magic. Strongly in some cases.

I would know. I was a sorceress, on par with any damned wizard I’d wager, not that I’d ever actually been tested. What use did I have for snotty ritual and magic schools? Unbeknownst to the snooty Magi, the covens catered to all kinds of magical levels, from the novice and barely more than an herb witch, to hardcore, spell-casting, magic-weaving sorceresses or, in the cases of boys, sorcerers. We eschewed the wizard title.

We were more than that, and proud of it.

Just not proud enough to flaunt it. The last time we’d gotten cocky, the Inquisition happened. We learned after that.

I gave Alistair a side-eye. “You aren’t surprised.”

“Because I knew your kind existed. I’ve always known. But the fact that you’re one of a special few and can sling magic doesn’t mean we should stick around here waiting for more demons.”

“You think there might be more?”

“I’d almost guarantee it.”

“Care to explain how you know?” And while you’re at it, explain who and what you are. Because, as more and more puzzle pieces fell into place, I didn’t like the picture it formed.

“I have access to certain information.”

“Because of your connections at TDCM?” I prodded.

“Of sorts.” A skirt to avoid an outright lie.

“You know, I am getting mighty tired of your bullshit.”

“Says the woman who’s been pretending to be a simple witch.”

“Never claimed I was simple, and you assumed I was nothing more.”

“Because you don’t exude the right kind of aura.”

I snorted. “Neither do you. I guess we’re both good at hiding what we are from the world.”

“How did you learn to use your power, and don’t tell me the coven. We both know they’re mostly comprised of humans with weak traces of magic.”

“I was home-schooled.”

“Home…You mean your father is a wizard?”

“No. He’s a witch.”

“Your mother…” His jaw dropped.

“And you never suspected, Mr. Look-at-me-I’m-so-big-and-powerful-in-the-magic-world.” I snickered. “My mother is a sorceress, as was my grandmother and her mother before her. It runs in the female line of our family.”

“And the agency doesn’t suspect?”

I blew a raspberry. “The agency couldn’t find its ass with two hands if its pants were dropped. They’ve got it set in their minds that humans aren’t good for anything but potions and charms.”

“What of your brothers? Are they home-schooled sorcerers, as well?”

“Yup,” I said. “But they’re nowhere near as strong as I am. Do we have to do this right now? In case you hadn’t noticed, we’re kind of standing over a few grotesque bodies. I don’t suppose there’s any point in bringing them in for autopsy?”

“No.”

I waved my hand, dropping the pretense of a wand. The corpses ignited, not the pretty purple flame he’d managed, but a respectable orange one.

He added his magic to mine, the purple wisps dancing among the copper until the demons’ bodies were nothing but ash inside two giant potholes.

I’d have to call the city and get them to fix it.

Since there was nothing left to do here, I headed back to my car—a vehicle that he might have mocked, but look whose wheels were still turning.

“Where do you want me to drop you?” I asked as Alistair joined me and we set off down the road.

“Wherever you’re going.”

“I am going home.”

“Sounds good.”

At that, I slammed on the brakes and stared at him. “Excuse me? I am not taking you home.”

“Oh, yes you are.”

“Is this because of what you overheard with my mother?” I hissed. “Because, I assure you, that was her suggestion, not mine.”

“Your mother is astute. She wouldn’t have said something if she didn’t think there was a basis.”

“My mother is desperate for me to settle down with a man. Any man,” I added, lest he think he was special.

“So, you’re not seeing anyone?”

“My personal life is none of your business.”

“It might be if you have a friend who will take offense to me joining you in your home.”

“You are not coming home with me.” I slapped the steering wheel for emphasis.

“That’s where you’re wrong. From this moment on, you and I will become close companions. We’ve been attacked twice in one day. Add in the fact that your warehouse was hit, plus the footprints in your yard…” He shook his head. “You are not spending the night alone.”

“Gonna sleep in my bed, too, to make sure nothing can get me?” I snapped.

“If you insist.” Said so deadpan, yet when I peeked over at him, I caught him staring, his expression quite smoldering.

At me.

I focused on the road. “I can take care of myself.”

“I noticed. Which is why I think we should partner. You’re much more practical as a partner than any of those idiots the TDCM tried to pair me with.”

“You want us to be partners?” Surely, I’d misunderstood.

“I’m just as surprised as you. However, this attack has shown that things are snowballing. It would be foolish of me to spurn your aid. You not only have the magic to defend yourself, your information sources are also obviously much more effective than mine.”

“So you’re just using me for my spy network?” For some reason, that made me feel both better and worse. Go figure.

After that, I ignored Alistair as best as I could and focused on the road. The fact that I’d handled two demons didn’t mean I wanted to do it again.

There was something primitive and alien about them, but familiar, too. They frightened me. Especially now that I’d seen how they could fight.

I’d noticed Alistair moving lightning fast, wielding magic as a weapon against monsters that weren’t even phased by it. Their use of a magical shield as body armor was something I’d never even heard of. I made a mental note to tell my mother. If they could do it, then, with practice, I’d wager so could we. But we’d better learn fast.

With the magic encasing their bodies, and the speed at which they moved, it hadn’t taken me long to ascertain that I wouldn’t do well in a head-to-head battle. Hence the melting of the pavement below their feet.

Surprise captured them. I couldn’t count on it working every time, though.

The demons were dangerous opponents, and as the hour grew late, the pockets of shadow ominous, I couldn’t help but realize that this was their playtime. In the day, I might hunt for clues about them, but at night, they stalked people with magic like me.

The fact that five of them banded together to attack only proved my earlier theory. These weren’t mindless beasts. They invaded with a purpose and cunning. It concerned me, yet, oddly, I found the presence of the man beside me more concerning.

Why did he insist on protecting me? That wasn’t how things worked. Even though he knew I was a sorceress, his human equivalent, he was predisposed to hate me. To ignore me. To not give a damn about my plight or that of my coven.

Yet he’d stuck close to me all day long. Why? What was he after?

And why did he know so much about the demons? Was he working with them?

He killed some tonight.

To maintain his cover, or because he was truly on my side?

Pulling into my driveway, I turned to stare at him. “What do you want?”

“I don’t suppose you have hot cocoa.”

The reply took me aback, which was why I didn’t stop him when he grabbed the keys from my hand and hopped out of my car, heading for the front door.

Leaving me behind.

So much for his previous gentlemanly actions where he asked me to stand behind him for protection. Now that he knew I was a sorceress, he went dashing off to the house.

Only my dwelling wouldn’t let him in.

The moment the key—a key he held—entered the lock, the runes went into play and grabbed him. They also cloaked him from view. Neighbors tended to freak when wannabe robbers were stuck to doors and crying for help.

I stepped up to him and smirked. “Usually, guests wait to be invited in.”

“I was going to ensure your place was clear.”

“Looked more like you were hoping I’d cover your ass.” A fine ass, but still.

“There’s nothing outside to worry about.”

“And nothing inside to worry about either. Or did you really think I’d leave my home unprotected?”

“Nice spell on the door.”

“Thanks.” I had to wonder if he could bust out of it. Probably, although I’d prefer he didn’t. This one had taken hours to craft properly and tether. I placed my hand over his. “Tous sommes bienvenues,” I said in heavily accented French. Not all of us had an education abroad. After this was all over, perhaps I could finally find the time to visit.

As soon as the door opened and I entered, I headed to the back. I wanted to check for myself if Whiskers had returned. The food bowl on the deck outside remained untouched.

If it hadn’t been for Kal’s message from the neighbor today, I might have lost hope, especially since the messages I’d posted at the nearby humane shelter and on the lost pet network hadn’t yielded anything yet.

I’d give it a few more days, but I couldn’t wait forever. A pet was needed to maintain my cover. A witch had to have a familiar to ground her for certain spells. Cats were preferred, even if owls were capable of handling bigger magical loads. But they were also much messier.

Truth be told, I enjoyed having something warm, furry, and purring snuggling with me at night.

For some reason, I eyed Alistair as he prowled past, checking all the rooms. I doubted he’d purr, but I bet he could roar.

Bad witch.

Heading away from the door into the kitchen proper, I pulled out a mug from the cupboard and a little plastic K-cup.

Mother would have put on a kettle and boiled the milk fresh, then measured out real cocoa and sugar for the drink, adding marshmallows and a hint of cinnamon.

I threw the instant hot cocoa mix into the machine and, a moment later, slapped the mug on the table.

Alistair took a seat as I leaned against the counter, arms crossed. “I think it’s time you started talking.”

“About?”

“You.”

“I thought your mother had already grilled me on my childhood, and your brothers on my occupation.”

“Basics, and not what I’m talking about. Who are you?”

“Alistair Fitzroy.”

“Like hell.” I held up my phone. “I had some digging done.” By Kal first, and then my brothers. As dinner had occurred, they were checking him out—claiming bathroom breaks but really heading down to the basement to run database searches. I waggled the screen at him. “Says here, Fitzroy didn’t have any children.”

“Not legitimate ones.”

“You’re not his bastard.”

“No, we’re not related.” He stood, ignoring his hot cocoa, and my kitchen felt ten times smaller.

I swiped my phone and showed him another memo. “Says here, you didn’t graduate from Oxford or any other school. Or, if you did, it wasn’t as Alistair Fitzroy.”

“Sometimes, a man needs to wear many names in his lifetime.”

“Are you a man?” I asked, and he stepped closer, so close I could have reached out and touched him. So near, the scent of him surrounded me and I almost closed my eyes in the enjoyment of it.

I didn’t know what the scent was. It was both exotic and foreign. Something I’d never encountered, despite all the playing with herbs and ingredients in my life.

I kept my gaze on his face—his intense expression, his blazing eyes.

“Who are you?” I breathed the words, and they didn’t stop him from stooping. From bringing his mouth close to mine.

From brushing my lips.

Sigh.

I exhaled in trembling pleasure. I should have pushed him away, yet didn’t. Hadn’t I been waiting for this kiss from the moment we met?

He rubbed his mouth more firmly against my own, making my skin tingle.

His fingers threaded through my hair, drawing me even closer. So close.

I kissed him. Opened my mouth for his tongue, tasted him, and craved him like I’d never wanted anything in my life.

He was like a drug to my senses. A languorous melting of my body and mind, making me soften to the hands roaming my back, molding my body against his.

The hardness of him nudged against me. Firm. Hot. And throbbing.

I want him. Wanted him so badly. Now, here.

My ass hit the edge of the kitchen table. Hands lifted me, seated me atop it. As our tongues dueled, he pushed his body between my thighs, and I was tearing at his shirt. Hands skimmed over clothing then under to touch flesh. I sucked his tongue. I wanted to suck something else.

Hell, I wanted his mouth sucking on me.

My hands were on the belt for his pants—

Bong. Bong. Bong. Twelve times it rang. Twelve times, the witching hour. Enough times to cool my ardor and remind me of who I kissed.

A stranger. An enigma. A wizard. Possibly something else.

What am I doing?

Without a word, I slipped from his grasp and went to bed.

Alone.

And I won’t lie and say I wasn’t disappointed when he didn’t try to follow me.