Apocalyptic Mojo (15 page)

“It means you and the hunter are to be the first ever permanent hunter and mage partnership. You’ll be watched carefully of course, to monitor how the partnership is working.” Blackthorne cocked his head, allowing a small smile to curve his lips. “But I believe the elders will find the arrangement satisfactory, don’t you?”

They stared at him for a long moment, speechless.

Blackthorne frowned. “Unfortunately your first assignment is to find the witch Edwige and her apprentice again. I’m afraid Joris managed to release the rogue from the Social Club prison before we could get her safely ensconced in the Authority dungeons.”

Ardith was stunned. “Oh my god! Tell me it isn’t true?”

Blackthorne held her gaze, his dark eyes snapping with pique. “I’m afraid I can’t do that, Ardith. Lady Penelope is not pleased about the lapse and the black mark it has given the council.”

Draigh sighed, his big hand sliding possessively over her arm. “I think I begin to see why they decided to keep us together, witch.”

She looked up at him and couldn’t help grinning. She and the hunter were about to embark on a partnership that promised to keep them together for a long time to come. If she had Edwige and her boy toy to thank for it, well then, so be it.

It had never been done. Most believed it wasn’t possible. The two organizations had a long history of being at odds. Most of the time a hunter and a mage couldn’t even be in the same room together without bloodshed. Yet she and Draigh had done it already. They’d worked together and both survived the process.

More than survived it.

Much more.

“Remind me to kiss the rogue on the lips when we find her, for making it possible for us to stay together,” she told Draigh.

His wide mouth turned up into a smile and his silvery-blue gaze sparkled with good humor. Draigh gave a whoop and Ardith jumped, laughing as he lifted her off her feet and swung her around the room. His lips found hers and she sighed against them. Suddenly the hunger they should have assuaged with hours of lovemaking was back, its power stealing the very air from her lungs.

Ardith twined her fingers in the heavy silk of his hair and her tongue slipped through to tangle with his.

At some point Blackthorne disappeared from the room. Ardith didn’t even notice his departure.

Her world had righted. The pain in her heart was gone, replaced by a knot of longing in her belly that demanded release. And the man she loved with all her heart proceeded to set her newly righted world to spinning again.

Only this time she fully intended to enjoy the ride.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

USA Today Bestselling Author Sam Cheever writes romantic paranormal/fantasy and mystery/suspense, creating stories that celebrate the joy of love in all its forms. Known for writing great characters, snappy dialogue, and unique and exhilarating stories, Sam is the award-winning author of 50+ books and has been writing for over a decade under several noms de plume.

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