Winter gazed at me expressionlessly. ‘We need to keep these two here until we know what’s going on. I’ll set up a perimeter spell. If anyone comes looking for them then we’ll know who it is and we can use it as evidence against all of them.’

Huh. That was actually a good idea. ‘Brill.’ I pressed my lips together.

‘What is it?’

‘I suppose now you want to go all gung-ho and storm off after Diall.’ My muscles screamed their reluctance to do anything other than have a hot bath and go to sleep.

‘You’re right, that is what I want to do – but it’s not what we’re going to do. Both of us need to be fresh and alert for our next move.’ He ran a hand through his hair. ‘If we go out again now, we’ll end up making mistakes which could cost us dearly.’ He paused. ‘I’ll sleep on your sofa. That way if anything untoward happens at least there will be two of us to deal with it.’

I squashed down my sudden, inexplicable thrill of glee. ‘Brutus will want to talk to you all night.’

The corner of Winter’s mouth crooked up. ‘If I can handle you, I can handle a snarky cat.’

Famous last words. ‘I should tell you that my boiler’s broken so it’s pretty cold in my flat.’ I twiddled my thumbs. ‘And there’s no hot water.’

Something akin to despair crossed Winter’s face. ‘No wonder it was freezing when I was there before. I’ll fix it.’

‘Really?’

‘I’m a witch of many talents.’ He raised an eyebrow. ‘And so, apparently, are you.’

I felt a twinge of suspicion. ‘What do you mean by that?’

‘Fairclough might only be Adeptus Minor,’ he said, ‘but she scores higher than almost everyone else in magical aggression. You did well to bring her down.’

I wasn’t blushing. Nope. Not even a tiny bit. I coughed. ‘Well, then. I’ll give this lot some food and we can go.’

Chapter Thirteen

For once, I woke up early without using an alarm clock. I wiggled my toes, enjoying the warmth both inside and outside my duvet, and listened. In the other room, Winter appeared to be having a fruitless argument with Brutus.

‘I’ve given you lots of attention. Now let me have some peace.’

‘Pet.’

‘The last time I did that you scratched me.’

‘Pet.’

‘Fine. But keep those damn claws to yourself.’ There was a pause followed by a hiss of pain. ‘You little bastard.’

I could almost hear Brutus sniggering. I grinned and pulled my aching body out of bed. If I thought I’d feel refreshed after a good night’s sleep, I was sorely mistaken. I hurt more today than I had yesterday. How was that even possible?

I yanked on some clothes and padded into the living room. Winter, whose hair was adorably mussed up, handed me a cup of coffee. ‘I hope you don’t mind,’ he said. ‘I made myself at home.’