Demon's Touch: A Reverse Harem Tale (Mountain Magic Book 2), стр. 30
Sam rounded on Nikolai. "And how do you know all that?"
He glanced at Doc, who shook his head.
"Perhaps it is best if you trust that I know what I speak of."
She glared.
Ed and Allan burst into the cabin, both shirtless and covered in sweat.
I licked my lips as I enjoyed the view, despite Sam's grim words.
"What's wrong?" Ed glanced between all of us while Allan kept an eye on Sam.
Ed, looking for reassurance, Allan, keeping his eye on the potential threat.
"Sam said the fae are in trouble and wanted our help," Doc answered.
"Oh. Well, let's go," Ed replied.
"It is most assuredly a trap." Nikolai crossed his arms and glared at Sam.
I glanced up at Doc. His eyes narrowed.
"For the fae," Sam replied.
"For us," Nikolai clarified. "And the fae. Is the expression, two birds with one stone?"
"So, you've joined their happy little pack then?" Sam glared at Nikolai.
The Russian didn't answer.
"Well, if you're not going to help them…"
Nikolai waved his hand dismissively. "Of course I will help them. I am simply pointing out that it is likely to be a trap. We must be prepared."
I swung my legs off of Doc's lap and stood up. He did the same. "Excuse me for a minute," he said, and headed into his bedroom. I guessed to get weapons.
"Sofia, you will stay close to me?" Nikolai made his order sound like a question, and I smirked. Maybe he did have practice dealing with women.
Going over to his side, I watched Sam's eyebrows raise as I slid my hand into Nikolai's callused one.
She finally looked at Ed and Allan, and if anything, her eyebrows rose even further.
"What happened to your arm?" She gestured toward the bandages on Ed's forearm.
"Allan and I were wrestling. He bit me a little harder than normal. I'll be fine in another day or two." The lie came easily, so he must have rehearsed an excuse.
"Need to remind him who is older every once in a while," Allan said lightly.
Sam didn't quite look convinced, but she let it drop.
Doc returned, wearing a flannel shirt over his T-shirt, and his cowboy hat. "We'll follow you there."
"Okay. Sofia, do you want to ride with me?" Sam looked at me.
Nikolai tightened his hand, but relaxed when I shook my head. "I'm good riding with the guys. We can squeeze in the back seat."
She gave us all another curious look before shrugging. "All right. Let's go."
Chapter 16
Sofia
"Itis most assuredly a trap," Nikolai insisted once we were all in the pickup.
I had squeezed into the back seat with Ed and Allan. Allan had his arm around me, and I leaned into him while Ed held my hand.
"Yeah, but does Sam know it?" Doc's voice was grim.
"I cannot decide." Nikolai shrugged. "It is no matter. We will be prepared."
"Is it just me or is anyone else a little worried about our mage feeling a bit overconfident?" Allan muttered.
Nikolai twisted around to look at us and grinned. "I think we are about to find out."
"You don't have to look so happy about it," Allan grumbled without any real annoyance.
"I am bored, and a good fight always relieves the boredom."
"If you're bored already, then maybe we need to lock you in Sofia's grove with her more frequently," Ed quipped.
Nikolai's brows raised, but his grin widened. "I would not complain." He winked and turned back around.
My cheeks heated, and I buried my face in Allan's chest. Ed squeezed my hand.
After that, we drove for a while in silence until Doc turned off into the parking lot for the trailhead. Sam was already there.
"The last time we were here, there weren't any other cars, either. Is this not a popular trailhead?" I slid out of the truck on Ed's side, and he kept a hold of my hand. I leaned into him, and he turned and pressed his lips to my head, inhaling after he kissed me.
Sam watched us, confusion clear on her face. I did my best to ignore her while I pressed against Ed.
"It's far enough away from the valley that it's not super popular. It's also a weekday. There are a lot of closer trailheads," Allan answered.
"Smells like snow." Nikolai studied our surroundings.
The air did smell crisp and had a distinct chill to it. The morning coolness had lingered today, especially at this higher elevation.
"Stay close," Doc ordered as he headed for the trail.
Sam trailed behind him, and suddenly, I didn't trust her there. She was leading us to a trap, if she knew it or not, and she didn't seem terribly worried. Sam knew the danger the Andersons posed. Maybe she had been outside of their notice before, but it was possible her loose association with the guys had changed that.
I glanced at Nikolai. He may have been having similar thoughts, because he fell in behind her, walking almost too close. Ed tugged on my hand until I was walking behind Nikolai, and then he let go, dropping back a little until he and Allan were trailing us. Not as far as normal, but far enough back that they could keep an eye on everything more easily.
Nikolai subtly cast a few spells, and I wasn't sure Sam noticed. I didn't sense him do it through magic, only noticed because I saw him move his hands. Even the color of his magic was hidden.
He glanced at me and winked. He was definitely teaching me that later.
Though the surroundings were still beautiful and the pine forest we walked through smelled divine, the hike was not nearly as enjoyable as the last time I had been here. I knew I wouldn't be much use in a fight, and that scared me. I didn't want to hinder the guys, but I also knew