Chapter 22 – REGINA #2
"Wow," I breathe, his words resonating deeper than I'd like to admit.
I think about how I felt in their house that first night, drawn to their scents, compelled to breathe them in.
How my body responds to their proximity, a pull that defies logical explanation.
But I'm eager to lighten the mood a little.
To put up the wall that's protected me for so long. "Even Sean?"
Killian gives a throaty chuckle, but the look in his eyes tells me he knows exactly what I'm doing. "You kidding? I think he finally gained sapience when he caught your scent."
I smile, looking away. "At least we've figured out how to... top up my energy in the meantime."
His grin turns predatory, eyes flashing. "Speaking of which..." He sets his coffee down, moving toward me with surprising grace for a giant wall of muscle. "The others won't be back for hours. All work and no play makes Regina a bored witch."
My body responds instantly as I take his hand and let him help me to my feet, heat pooling low in my belly. But before I can answer, the doorbell rings, its chime echoing through the old house.
Killian freezes, his expression morphing into annoyance. "You've got to be fucking kidding me."
"You should probably get that," I suggest, trying not to laugh at his frustration.
"No one I want to see ever rings the doorbell," he grumbles, but straightens up. "Stay here. I'll get rid of whoever it is."
"I can come with you," I offer, already standing.
"You don't need to?—"
But I'm already heading for the stairs. "I've been cooped up here all day. Besides, I'm curious what kind of door-to-door religious zealots you get at a supernatural university."
He sighs but follows, muttering something about getting a no soliciting sign under his breath.
We make our way down to the front door, Killian somehow managing to slip ahead of me despite my head start. His protective instincts are both annoying and strangely endearing. He opens the door, his massive frame blocking my view of whoever stands on the other side.
"What do you want?" he asks, his tone decidedly unwelcoming.
"Nice to see you too, asshole." A feminine voice, sharp with sarcasm. "Is my brother here?"
"Micah's in class," Killian replies, already starting to shut the door. "Come back later."
I slip the glamour back into place for now and nudge underneath Killian’s massive arm, curiosity getting the better of me.
On the porch stands a young woman dressed head-to-toe in black.
Ripped jeans, oversized sweater, and enough silver jewelry to open a small shop, half of it in her face and ears.
Her hair is dyed a deep blue-black that brings out the heavy kohl lining her eyes.
She looks like the corporeal manifestation of a midnight spell gone slightly awry, but in a fun way.
Her eyes widen when she spots me. “Holy shit, you're real? I thought my brother made you up!” She pushes past Killian without waiting for an invitation, her combat boots thumping on the hardwood floor.
“I’m Sadie, Micah's infinitely cooler stepsister.
And you must be the Bonded witch they've been losing their collective shit over.”
Killian's growl is low but audible. "Sadie..."
"Don't growl at me, wolf boy,” she says dismissively. "I'm not here to cause trouble. Just checking to see if my spell actually worked or if Micah was just blowing smoke up my ass."
The realization hits me all at once. “You're the witch who did the finding spell for a Bonded.”
"Guilty as charged," she says with a flourish and a mock bow. "Never thought it would actually work. Usually, when these morons ask for magical help, it's to clean up some catastrophe they've created. Like the time Sean tried to make all the campus sprinklers spray beer."
Despite the intrusion, I find myself liking her immediately. There's something refreshing about her take-no-prisoners attitude.
"I'm Regina," I offer, extending my hand.
She takes it, her grip firm. The moment our skin connects, a jolt of energy passes between us. Recognition, witch to witch. Her eyes narrow slightly, then flick to where my glamour hides my scars. I flinch instinctively, but if she can see through it, she doesn’t react.
"Siphon," she says, not a question but a confirmation. "Strong one, too. Shit, no wonder they're so worked up."
"Would you like some coffee?" I ask, ignoring Killian's death glare. "I was just taking a break from research."
"Research?" Her interest visibly piques. "On what?"
"Bonding rituals," I explain, heading toward the kitchen. She follows me, Killian trailing behind us like a reluctant shadow. "I've been going through his great-grandmother's grimoires."
“Ooooh. Eliza's collection?” Sadie's eyes light up. “Those books are amazing. I've been trying to get my hands on them for years, but these mutts guard them like they're actually going to read them.”
"They're family heirlooms," Killian grumbles, leaning against the doorframe.
Sadie snorts. "When was the last time you actually opened one?"
"Yesterday," he says smugly. "When we gave some to Regina."
"As gifts," she says, rolling her eyes. "Typical alpha male strategy. ‘Here, have some priceless magical artifacts so you'll like me!’ You know, a fucking Birkin would've been cheaper."
"A Barkin what?"
Sadie wrinkles her nose in distaste. “A Birkin . It’s a bag. You're hopeless.”
I hide a smile as I pour coffee for Sadie, who takes it black. No surprise there. "They were genuinely helpful," I tell her. "Though I'm having trouble finding specifics on siphon-shifter bonds."
"Because they're rare as fuck," she says bluntly, perching on a stool at the kitchen island. "Most witches aren't dumb enough to tie themselves to creatures who shed on the furniture. No offense."
"None taken."
"We don't shed ," Killian protests.
Sadie and I both give him skeptical looks.
"Much," he amends.
"Anyway," Sadie continues, turning back to me. "Siphon-shifter bonds are technically possible, but they're not documented well. Or at all, really. And I mean, siphons are rare and stupidly powerful, and wolves are… kind of basic. No?—"
"You know, you can't just say no offense and then proceed to say the most offensive fucking shit on the planet," Killian growls.
Sadie shrugs, taking a sip of her coffee. “Well, you're not exactly known for your focus on executing complex magic rituals. It's the witchcraft equivalent of using King Arthur's sword as a butter knife.”
Killian glowers at her, but I'm not sure if he's genuinely offended or just worried she's going to try to talk me out of it.
"Have you ever seen one?" I ask. "A bond between a siphon and a pack, I mean."
She shakes her head. "Nope. But I'm guessing you're going through with it anyway?"
"At the new moon," I confirm. "If I can figure out the right ritual."
"New moon's smart," she says, nodding approvingly. "Clean slate energy. But you'll need specific supplies for a siphon bond." She glances at Killian. "Stuff you're not going to find in Great Grandmummy's little magic cabinet."
His jaw tightens. "We can get whatever she needs."
"Oh really?" Sadie challenges. "You know where to find virgin-pressed lunar oil? Or blackroot crystals? Or properly consecrated silver binding thread?"
Killian's silence is answer enough.
"I thought so," she says smugly. "You're lucky I'm such a generous witch. I can help with the supplies."
"At what cost?" Killian asks immediately, suspicious.
"The joy of never being your magical on-call service again," Sadie says sweetly. "Once Regina's bonded to you, that's her job. No more 3 AM calls because Sean ‘accidentally’ hexed his own knot or whatever."
“That was one time!” Killian exclaims.
“Oh, it wasn’t,” Sadie counters. “But I'll save the pack tea for when you guys aren’t here.” She waggles her eyebrows at me. “Girl talk.”
The thought of "girl talk" with Sadie is weirdly appealing even if she is clearly a wildcard.
Living with Kyle's coven meant most of my female relationships were heavily monitored and controlled.
Kyle also enjoyed pitting us against each other, and everyone in the coven was a potential spy reporting back to him with any moment of vulnerability I made the mistake of having.
Once upon a time, I actually thought Rebecca was my friend, before I realized every frustration I expressed to her ended up as pillow talk with Kyle.
Granted, Sadie doesn't seem to get along with Killian, but if he's the kind of guy who's going to pressure me out of talking to her alone because he has shit to hide, I need to know that, too.
"I'd appreciate your help with the supplies," I tell her. "And any insights you might have on the ritual itself, if you have time to look over it. I want to make sure I get this right."
Sadie scoffs. “You kidding? This shit is so weird, I might write my thesis on it.” She hesitates. “Assuming you don't all blow up or turn into frogs.”
Killian makes a growling noise of protest, but she ignores him.
"So you're really going through with it?" she asks, studying me with newfound interest. "Binding yourself to four alpha wolves? That's some serious magical commitment."
I feel heat rising to my cheeks under her scrutiny. "It's the best option for my situation."
"And we're her mates," Killian adds pointedly.
“Riiiight.” She draws out the word, clearly skeptical. "Damn, that spell was powerful. Should've charged more."
"See?" Killian says, an annoying note of triumph in his voice. "I told you it was meant to be."
"Don't get cocky," Sadie warns him. "Magical compatibility doesn't guarantee smooth sailing. You four are still idiots with the collective emotional intelligence of a peanut."
"Says the witch who accidentally summoned a plague of possessed squirrels during finals week," Killian retorts.
"That was deliberate," Sadie snaps back. “Our asshole professor deserved it after what he said about my thesis proposal. And it got me out of potions class, so win-win.”