Free It Happened One Bite by Lydia Dare Page A

decide to use him for target practice.
    James opened the door to find Brannock Lindsay waiting for him in the corridor. “Did ye want ta ask me anymore questions ta test how clever I am?” Then the boy took in James’ appearance. His eyes widened in surprise, and then he doubled over with laughter, nearly tumbling to the floor.
    James frowned at the boy. “I hardly find it amusing.”
    Brannock’s merriment brought his sister from her own chamber, and she covered her mouth with her hand to hide her giggle. James glared at her.
    “ Havers! ” she muttered with a mock seriousness James would normally have found charming. “Doona move,” she ordered. Then she flicked her fingers in his direction at the same time she said, “ Mòr! ”
    In the next instant, his trousers expanded. The legs stretched down to his ankles, and, if she hadn’t been present, he’d have had the room to button the top. Even the shirt in his hands seemed to have grown larger.
    “There, that should work,” she said dusting her hands against her skirts, apparently quite pleased with herself.
    Never one to give up an opportunity to garner a woman’s favor, James winked at her. Flattery always worked. “You are so very talented, Miss Lindsay.”
    Her silver eyes twinkled. At this rate, she’d be his in a matter of days. He could almost taste her.
    Brannock seemed to have control over himself now, and he nodded in agreement. “It saves money when I outgrow my clothes, too. But now we’re rich.”
    “Brannock!” his sister chastised. Then she turned her gaze back to James. “Sorry about the size.” Her husky voice reached his ears. “Ye are bigger than Aiden. It was all we had on hand.”
    “And my clothes?” he asked, walking toward the enchanting lass. “What have you done with my clothes?”
    “Burned,” she nearly sang. “The odor made them beyond repair. I do hope ye doona have a masquerade ta attend anytime soon.”
    The only masquerade he’d be attending was the one where he pretended to be a lost baron in search of answers. Answers be damned. He was in search of vengeance. After he seduced Miss Lindsay into giving up that blasted coven, he’d find Blodswell and things would get back to normal. After he’d made certain those five maddening witches never took aim at another of his kind again. After he returned to his life . “And my pocket fob?”
    She shrugged. “Pocket fob?”
    Was he to be robbed by every witch in Scotland? First his ring and now his blasted watch, which had been a gift from Queen Elizabeth herself. “Yes.” He narrowed his eyes on the lass, who was too beguiling for her own good. “My pocket fob was in my waistcoat.”
    She shook her head as though he was speaking Greek. “I have no idea what ye’re talkin’ about, Kettering.”
    The little liar. James could see it in her eyes. But what the devil did she want with his watch? “See that it’s returned to me, Miss Lindsay, or I’ll—”
    “ Frith ,” she said, flicking her fingers toward him.
    James gasped as his clothes shrunk back to their normal size, squeezing him like a tourniquet.
    “Doona threaten me, Kettering.” She let her gaze travel the length of him. “I doona think ye’d like ta see my other talents.”
    “Blaire!” The boy sucked in a breath.
    She never removed her eyes from James. “Brannock, go see if dinner is ready.”
    “But, Blaire—” he protested.
    “Do as ye’re told,” she replied calmly.
    Hanging his head in defeat, the boy slumped off down the corridor.
    James nodded appreciatively at her daring. Still, he wasn’t about to let her run roughshod over him. “I suggest you put my clothes back to rights, Miss Lindsay.”
    “Or?” she prompted. Her slender brows rose as though she waited for him to threaten her again.
    James had never failed a lady’s expectations. “Or I can drop the shirt I’m holding.”
    Miss Lindsay gulped, apparently just now realizing the bit of cloth he held in front of his