Wolf, Willow, Witch (The Gideon Testaments, #2)

by Freydís Moon

“Your ancestors conquered the land and the sea,” she whispered, staring at her reflection. “You are a daughter of Freya, child of the north, descendent of shield-maidens.” She nodded at herself. “Take no shit, bitch.”

Tehlor met his gaze. He didn’t look particularly worried, but he was waiting for something. Confirmation. Assurance, maybe. She almost gave it to him. Almost leaned across the counter and snarled don’t worry, honey. You’re mine.

Many people had decided on Tehlor Nilsen. Crafted a personality for her, assumed her past, predicted her future. But Lincoln Stone was the first person with enough audacity to trick her.

“Lincoln Stone, will you pretty please help me infiltrate the LuLaRoe equivalent to Jesus Camp or do I have to find someone else to be my broody spiritual battery?” Lincoln slowly closed his eyes and heaved a sigh. “You’re insufferable.” “I’m aware.”

Lincoln's gaze snapped to her. He smiled, nodding along to something someone said. His sly eyes hooked around her ribs. Pulled. Cinched everything a little tighter. She wanted to extinguish the fire he lit. Wanted to walk into the ocean and let the waves pummel her, then crawl back onto shore renewed and restored, unchanged and unbothered. But the spark he'd carried back from hell continued to grow, and Tehlor Nilsen burned.

Lincoln Stone was a consequence—karma coming back to sink its teeth into her—and Tehlor hated how her heart bent toward him.

But she didn’t hate him, and he didn’t hate her, and that was a lovely, frightening surprise.

Either way, Tehlor Nilsen was wild because of him, graceless and wanting.