She turns in a circle, likely seeing that only the back wall of crates is visible to the rebels. I hope that’s enough to convince her I’m on her side. I shake my head to silently tell her not to let on that she sees them or me, hoping I can convey everything with just my expression. They can’t believe she knows about my involvement with them, or our ruse will be over before it even starts. Thankfully, she understands my silent words.

“I know there are fae in here. I can smell you, and my magic can feel you. Give yourself up now, and I’ll consider a merciful punishment instead of feeding your hearts to my cat.” Her words are a feral hiss, and more than one rebel trembles. I don’t think she actually feeds hearts to that enormous beast she calls a pet, but I’m not completely sure. She certainly knows how to lean into the persona of the Witch Queen, though a voice in the back of my mind whispers that it’s not a persona, just another facet of this complex female.

Krantz remains steadfast while his group falls apart with fear, many of them dropping their crates. He uses his magic to send weapons sailing toward her, but they vanish the instant they make it off the ground. As soon as her eyes lock on him, her nostrils flare. It’s the only subtle sign that she not only sees the metal channeler but recognizes him as one of the rebels she allowed to escape her clutches.

“Someone else tried that trick on me, and it worked then about as well as it did now. I wonder if you’re the same male who I so graciously did not kill the last time I captured you.” She speaks with a quiet ferocity that makes me ache in ways that are so not appropriate considering the circumstances. Laurel stalks toward the group as a glowing mist appears. It covers every inch of the room, except for where the rebels stand. Smart. Even though she can see them through my magic, she uses the mist to expose where they are without revealing our secret. Then vines wrap around their bodies, my own included. I hope it’s just a way to protect our scheme and not her actually trapping me along with the rebels. Though I wouldn’t mind being trapped by her in other circumstances.

Shit. Focus. Get your mind away from Laurel and all the things she absolutely has no interest in doing with you.