Page 14 of I Am the Night

He shrugs. "It's a loophole. And I get to spend more time with you this way. That constitutes a win-win in my mind."

"Fine. Take me to your meeting." I studiously ignore the flare of joy I feel at knowing we will have more time together. "But before you do, you should put a tracker on that dagger so we can see what happens to it."

"I could," he says. "But it would be better if you did it yourself. I can teach you how."

What is it with everyone wanting to teach me new tricks like I'm a dog to be trained? I sigh, but at the same time, this knowledge will come in handy. My powers are growing with each passing day, and though I keep waiting to hit the limits of what I can do, it hasn't happened yet.

"Fine," I say, begrudgingly.

Cole smiles and approaches me. He pulls out the dagger and places it in my hand, then stands behind me, his arms circling my shoulders.

I suck in a breath at his closeness, as I feel the dark tendrils of his magic interlace with mine so naturally, so organically, in such a way that I couldn't stop it even if I wanted to.

And I don't want to.

I want to stay here forever. I want to bring him home with me. I want him to be a part of my family.

But I can't always have what I want.

So instead I focus on the magic.

He recites ancient words in my ear, his breath sending shivers up my spine, and I repeat the spell and channel the darkness inside of me, as I feel him do.

The power is excited to be let out as Cole shifts closer to me. "Your darkness is tired of being stifled,mon couer. You must let it out lest it eat you from the inside."

"That's a charming imagery," I say. "Thanks."

The dagger in my hand becomes shrouded in dark mist, then settles into its normal self once more. "Did it work?"

Cole nods. "When you want to know where it is, repeat the words I taught you."

I hand it to him and do as instructed, and when I close my eyes, I see the dagger in his hand, clear as day. Then the vision pans out so I see both of us, where we are, what we are doing. It's a bit disconcerting seeing myself as a third person in my mind's eye, but it's a useful trick.

I open my eyes again and nod. "It worked."

He grins. "You're a natural."

He holds out his hand then, and I reluctantly take it, relishing the cool comfort he offers. "Ready for our meeting?" he asks.

I nod.

"Do you trust me?"

I don't know how to answer that, so I say nothing.

He sighs. "Just hold onto me once we enter the portal. It's going to be a wild ride."

Merdre. It's my turn to swear under my breath. Because in this, Cole Night is not lying.

The Dagger

Perhaps if Death is kind, and there can be returning,

We will come back to earth some fragrant night,

~Sara Teasdale, If Death is Kind

It is indeed a wild ride,one that, had I anything left in my stomach, would have resulted in said content being spewed all over Cole's sexy black cloak. But, as it is, that gift was already betowed somewhere in the forests of the new world.

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