Gwen gave her a skeptical look. “A little less… medieval.”
“What do I care what you think? You’re a washed up witch in a dreary little coven.”
Gwen looked stricken. “Better.”
“Oh my gosh,” Olivia rushed out. “I didn’t mean that, Aunt Gwen.”
She rolled her eyes. “Olivia, dear… you need to commit to this ruse to have any chance of making it work. But it’s not too late to back out. In fact, I’ve half a mind to simply drag you back to my coven and lock you up until this… insanity of yours passes.”
Olivia pulled herself up to Sybil’s full, haughty height. “Try it, Gwen dear. We’ll see who’s the better witch.”
Gwen’s eyebrows lifted. “Impressive.”
The click of the front door was all the warning they had that Jaxson was coming. Gwen waved Olivia back toward her desk so Jaxson wouldn’t see her until he was already in the room.
“I’ll be right here,” she whispered. “If you change your mind at any time—”
“Gwen.” Olivia put all of Sybil’s disdain into that single word.
Her aunt cringed under it and retreated to the door.
Olivia schooled her expression into one of sultry power—as if she really was Jaxson’s old lover, ready to get one last taste of her favorite wolf before setting him free. Her story was simple: Sybil had obtained a better offer for Jaxson’s mating bond, and she was looking to parlay that into one last fling with her favorite shifter—something Sybil totally would have done if she was anywhere near as smart as she thought she was.
Jaxson was practically running when he reached the door of her office and hurried right in. “Olivia—”
He stopped cold when his eyes met hers—or rather, Sybil’s. He growled and swung a quick look around the room. When he saw Gwen at the door, closing it behind him, his growl ramped up to a hair-raising snarl, and his fangs and claws sprang out. Olivia’s heart lurched at seeing him this way, and she struggled not to let her sudden fear show.
Jaxson half-crouched and flicked looks between Olivia and Gwen, keeping his distance from them both. “What are you doing here, witch?” He spit out the last word.
Olivia steeled her expression. She was a full-fledged witch—at least as far as Jaxson knew—and he wouldn’t attack her for fear of being turned into ash. His look of loathing and anger, however, was breaking her heart… even though it was really directed at Sybil.
“Why, I’ve missed you, Jaxson,” she said, amazed that her voice was at all steady. “And I’ve got a little proposition for you.”
His eyes pinched in suspicion. “What are you talking about, Sybil?” Then his eyes went wide, and he scanned the room again. Now there was plain fear on his face. “What have you done with Olivia?”
“She’s safe.” It wasn’t hard to sound unconcerned. “Sleeping spell. Not far away.”
The fear was shoved off his face by a flush of anger three times as strong. He rushed at her, stopping inches away, chest heaving. “If you’ve hurt her, Sybil, I swear to God, I’ll make you pay.”
Olivia didn’t move a muscle… but only because she was paralyzed by fear. She desperately tried to turn that into the outrage she knew Sybil would have reacted with. “Don’t threaten me, little wolf!” She raised a hand, and he flinched away, backing up two steps.
The anger still seethed on his face, but he was holding himself back. No doubt because he thought Sybil could kill him with a single touch.
Olivia lowered her hand. “That’s better. You’ll have your little human toy back soon enough.” She swallowed. “Assuming we can make a deal.”
“What kind of deal?” His claws and fangs slowly retracted. He glanced at Gwen and frowned, clearly wondering who she was and why she was here. He turned back to Olivia. “You’ve already ruined my life with your curse, Sybil. What more do you want?”
“Ah, yes, the curse. That’s why I’m here, my sexy little Jaxson.” Olivia cocked her head to the side, trying for sultry but afraid she just looked demented. She breathed a sigh of relief inside—they were finally getting to the point.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” His glare was murderous, even though he was holding back. “Out with it, Sybil. Then tell me what you’ve done with Olivia.”
“So impatient,” Olivia said, drawing it out the way she imagined Sybil would. “It’s quite simple, my delicious one. It seems another witch has taken a fancy to you, and she would like you released from your curse.”