Page 182 of Magic of the Damned

Dominic turned to face me. The intensity of his look was an intimate pull that made it feel like we were the only ones in the room. His finger trailed lightly over my cheek.

“Of course it is.”

Even with all the uncertainty I felt, there was one thing I was sure of: Dominic was lying to me.

Once we were alone after dinner, I asked Dominic if he had prevented Callum from using his ability to see the tomorrow’s outcome. He said he hadn’t and Ileana denied doing it as well. Neither one seemed bothered by the incident, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it. He saw things as they were at that moment. I took it as a portentous message.

For hours, rushes of dark thought warded off sleep. When I turned to my left, Dominic’s eyes were open and he was studying me with curiosity. A small inquiring smile curled his lips as his finger traced my cheekbone.

“Nailah or the vision?” Dominic whispered.

“What?”

“Which one is keeping you up, my father not consulting Nailah or Callum’s vision?”

“He didn’t have a vision. He didn’t see anything. Why doesn’t that bother you?”

“A Seer’s divinations aren’t infallible and are susceptible to the actions of others. I explained to you that my plan is nebulous, constantly evolving. I’m sure the same is true with my father. Callum is not as skilled as Nailah, so it’s not surprising that he wasn’t able to see anything.”

“Then shouldn’t we consult with Nailah?” I really wanted to know our fate, or at least something other than the present, because to me, it meant we didn’t have a future.

Dominic rolled out of bed. After a few minutes in the bathroom, he gathered his clothing and dressed in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt that molded to his muscles. He rarely dressed so casually, and it was a look that suited him.

He smirked. “Are you going to get dressed or stare?”

“Both,” I teased, getting out of bed. Quickly, I got ready in jeans with a soft peach-colored V-neck T-shirt.

“We need to be careful. I’m doing this to ease your mind because I don’t want the weight of this to compromise your safety tomorrow.” His eyes flicked to the clock. “Or rather, later today,” he said. It was a few minutes past midnight and we were going to visit Nailah. I’d never consider visiting someone at this time, but I really needed answers.

Moments later, we stood on the porch of a charming white farmhouse. The porch boasted a white railing delicately carved with intricate patterns. A pair of rattan rocking chairs with light green cushions made the house seem welcoming and comfortable. Flowers decorated the area near the door, infusing the air with their sweet fragrance.

The door opened and Nailah greeted us with an expectant look. She was dressed in a soft-looking lilac waffle knit lounge set. Her braids were secured by a patterned scarf. She might have expected our visit, but she was definitely dressed for a relaxing night at home. I felt remorseful for keeping her from it.

Stepping inside, the interior of the house was as equally warm and welcoming as the exterior. I’m sure it was intentional. When your gift is seeing the future, the good along with the bad, and tasked with revealing it to others, I’d want my home to be a place of serenity.

Following her into the living room, my senses were lulled by the tranquil white walls and hints of eucalyptus wafting in the air. Large plants were placed in the corners of the room, various potted plants around the griege-colored cloud-like sofa, and a rounded airy lounger surrounded a ragged-shaped teak table. Large statement art placed throughout her home managed to be both stunning and unobtrusive.

Nailah sank into the airy round lounger and invited us to sit on the sofa. Dominic laced his hand with mine. Nailah’s eyes shifted to our hands then lifted to meet Dominic’s, offering him a wide smile.

“What brings you here?” she asked.

“Callum visited us in the Underworld.”

Her brows inched together and her mouth parted. Confusion flitted over her expression.

“Areleus extended an invitation to him,” Dominic provided.

His answer didn’t quell her curiosity. “Why Callum?”

Dominic exhaled a long breath. “I plan to use the Book of Umbra and the Diax to remove the magic from the remaining Dark Casters,” he told her. “Sacrificing my magic to complete the spell. The Book of Umbra will be destroyed in the process.”

Nailah whooshed like the breath had been knocked out of her. She sat with the information for a while before asking, “I still don’t understand why Callum was there in my place?” Hurt broke through her curiosity.

“You coddle me too much.” Dominic smirked at Areleus’s implication. “He didn’t trust that you’d give him impartial information.”

“Was he worried about your survival from the spell?” she asked.

A sheepish half smile curled her lips at Dominic’s incredulous scowl in response. “I suppose he wanted to confirm that my magic would be diminished and that no alternative motives were in play.”

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