Page 64 of The Witch’s Daughter

“Nope.” I popped the P, trying not to let on how embarrassed I felt. “She wouldn’t have come without my dad anyway. So I guess you’re stuck with me instead.”

“You’ll do perfectly.” Vincent smiled again. He was actually somewhat handsome in a windswept and effortless way, if you liked softer lips and a pretty face. Not as handsome as Jaxon, but I could see girls falling for this warlock if they weren’t careful.

Thinking of Jaxon made my wolf whine and I glanced back over my shoulder again. The training grounds were far behind us. We’d moved fast.

“You never told me how long you’ve been able to manipulate the elements,” I said, hoping to get something from this strange conversation before I turned tail and ran.

“Observant.” He laughed. “You’re just what we’ve been looking for.”

“Looking for?” I swallowed hard. Something about his words didn’t settle right.

That’s because he sounds like a creepy cult leader. Can we go back to Jaxon now?

In just a second.

“I’ll tell you what, we can have this conversation over lunch. You must be starving after all that work today,” Vincent said as we crested the far hill of the valley.

“Whoa.” I was not expecting what I saw.

Black military grade tents with shimmering, thick canvas formed what could only be described as a city. All-terrain vehicles from an ancient world in camouflage-green parked on the far border, overlooking the fenced ridge. The path we walked spread into a central road beaten into the earth and smaller trails wove between the structures in clearly cut paths. This had been here before the festival was set up, and looked like it’d remain long after. Had the Ossory Alpha sanctioned this? How could he without the approval of the other Alphas in his region?

They’d want to know of a war camp.

“Impressive, right?” Vincent said.

In that moment, with the vast backdrop, I saw him for who he truly was. The warlock that commanded a power greater than most of us had ever seen. And the danger that lingered behind his disarming smile.

“Come on.” He motioned me forward again. “Let’s get you something to eat.”

*

My feet couldn’t stop walking even if I wanted them to, and I trailed slightly behind Vincent, slack-jawed as I took in the sights. The tents here were twice as large as any building in Cerberus territory, built for giants it seemed. In the distance, near the tank-looking vehicles, were corrals of goats and sheep.

This was more than a temporary camp. It was a territory of its own. A fully functioning city hidden in plain sight.

And it was exactly the kind of information Alpha Kera would want.

I tried to keep the smile plastered on my face and didn’t question Vincent’s motives any more than I had to as I catalogued all I could see. He must not have considered me a threat to take me right into the heart of his operation.

I was using that to my advantage.

And I’m always here if you need me. My wolf flexed her claws.

“Here is the chow hall,” Vincent said, leading me past the heavy flaps that blocked out the heat of the day outside.

It took my eyes a minute to adjust to the dim light. The tent was mostly empty, save for the female serving herself a plate of food from the covered trays on the back table.

I blinked, barely recognizing her as Jaxon’s whispered words from this morning came crashing back. The Ossory witch and ambassador who’d disappeared.

“Sarah,” Vincent said her name warmly. “Would you mind grabbing us each a plate too?”

“Sure. Whatever you need.” She set her own plate down, immediately going back to the line.

“She doesn’t have to do that,” I said.

“Nonsense.” Vincent pulled out a chair at the nearest table. “Take a seat.”

I tried to keep up the sweet and innocent smile as I sat, pushing my senses out to get a read on the Ossary witch without drawing Vincent’s notice. She looked a little paler than when I saw her the other day, but it could’ve been the low light. Her movements were quick. She didn’t seem injured.