He wore only a tattered loincloth. If he’d have been tiny—mouse-sized—I would’ve thought he was just a creepy little fairy.

No such luck. He was big. Lanky. Tall. He wasn’t thick with muscle, but he was completely lean. My throat throbbed where he’d grabbed me.

He crouched in front of me, bringing his face close to mine. I didn’t dare move out of fear that he’d strike out. Instead, I waited and watched. Hoping I could get cast a defensive spell faster than he could attack.

“What brings such a tasty treat to these parts?”

Oh God. He really did mean to eat me.

I swallowed. “I’m looking for white mages—”

“None in these parts. Not for a long time. Just underhill.”

He slurped his lips and my breaths started to rasp. If I didn’t calm down, I was going to start hyperventilating.

Fey didn’t eat people. Cosette had never—

Cosette. I’d almost forgotten. Time to play the only card I had. “I’m friends with a fey. You must’ve heard of her.”

“Who then?”

“Cosette Argent.”

A bright flash burst and suddenly the creature was tiny—or what I imagined was normal fairy size. It flitted around my head before hovering in front of my face. “You’re the witchy witch she likes.” His voice was high pitched now. A tiny squeaking thing.

Thank God. Cosette hadn’t let me down. I was going to owe her one, and whatever she wanted in return, I’d give it. “Yes. She said she’d tell your people I was coming and that I might need your help.”

The creature snarled. Somehow, even tiny, his teeth were terrifying. “Fey don’t help witches.”

I shoved my fear down. Showing it would only make me seem weak—like I was prey. “Cosette helps witches and she’s fey.” I said it before I realized the implications. I hoped I didn’t get her into too much trouble.

Another flash of light burst and he was full-sized again. “This is not agreeable to me.”

I wasn’t sure what to say. Should I apologize? “Where am I?”

“Not far from your wolf mate.”

I nearly laughed. “He’s not my mate.”

He tilted his head to the side. “Are you sure?”

“I think I’d know if we were bonded.” Wouldn’t I? Maybe it was possible, but it certainly hadn’t happened yet. “How did you get me here?”

“I have the gift of travel.” He disappeared without a sound. One second he was there and the next, he wasn’t. “I go where I want.”

I screeched when his voice came from right behind me.

He grabbed my shoulder hard. “That sound is very disagreeable.”

I cleared my throat. Don’t show your fear, Claudia. “I apologize. You frightened me.”