Page 124 of Every Shade of Shadow

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

I still can’t believe how close I came to Mortis. That failure sits in my gut as I make my way to Darkwood’s chambers.

There’s guilt too, because if this bastard takes another life, it’s on me.

Ava’s inability to identify him is frustrating in its own way.

I did my best to get there in time, but my best wasn’t enough.

But do you have the power to stop him? I think.

That’s another reason why I’m looking forward to my session with the Professor. I need to train, to grow my power, and if that means endless orgasms, well, fine.

I’m surprised we’re in the Professor’s bedroom tonight.

Candles flicker on the oak dresser, still absent of photos, casting a dim glow over the large four-poster bed.

I stare at the intricate carvings along the bedposts. It seems old. Everything about Darkwood, from his fashion sense to his choice of torture is all grounded in the past.

"Are you ready, little lamb?" his voice rumbles behind me.

I’ve already disrobed.

I turn to face him, mouth dry. He's stripped to the waist, muscles rippling under pale skin, a tantalizing trail of hair disappearing into his breeches.

"Yes," I breathe.

“You’ve had quite the day, haven’t you?”

No point hiding it given he’s in my head anyhow. “There was an incident, with Ava.”

“And you consider my involvement?”

“No.”

He rounds on me. “You’re sure?”

“The person attacking Ava was tall, yes, but I couldn’t see who it was.”

“But you felt it, didn’t you? Your newfound powers coming to the fore.”

“Yes.”

“And how did it feel?”

I think back. “Dangerous.”

The Professor gives a light chuckle. “Very good, but we’re far from done. Now,” he stalks toward me, “lie back on the bed.”

I climb onto the bed, arranging myself against the pillows, skin tingling under his gaze.

"Such beauty," he murmurs, seating himself on the edge of the bed and trailing a finger along my collarbone. "I’ll ask again, are you certain you wish to give yourself over to me so completely?"

"Yes," I gasp, the hunger returning. "I need this. I need you."

A wicked grin curves his lips at this capitulation. "Ah, but tonight you will have more of me than you expect, for this trial demands a certain level of…creativity, shall we say?"

I have no idea what he’s getting at with these riddles, but the intensity has been building with each lesson, a play-by-play of every conceivable way magic can be used to further sexual experience.

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