Page 54 of Kiss of Magic

“You didn’t have to prove anything. The first time was amazing enough.”

“My beloved halfling, please believe me when I say it was my pleasure.” He threaded his fingers through hers. “You are my greatest joy. My happiness depends on you. That is why I suggested you leave Nush’aldaam for the safety of the mortal world. I should have known you would never agree. Will you forgive me?”

“There’s nothing to forgive. No-one knows what’s going to happen, Shade. Maybe nothing at all. Maybe the seal will get closed and all this fear will have been for nothing. But until then, we stick together, you and I. We’ve faced the enemy before, we’ll do it again. We’re invincible. You got that?”

And when she kissed him fiercely, he almost believed her. It would all be okay. Everyone would be safe. He arrived back at Castle Elumina feeling more hopeful.

Until he saw the messenger sprite from Arjhan.

He took the letter from the little blue fae and read it silently.

“What does it say?” prompted Raya. His bleak expression frightened her.

“The crack in the seal has widened. A demon has escaped.”

Twenty Four

Washington D.C.

Consciousness seeped back. Blake lay with his eyes closed for a moment, trying to get a sense of his surroundings. It was cold. He was slumped against a wall and his hands were tied together in front of him. It smelled like old feet and piss.

Not the Ritz then.

A warm body was curled into his side. He cracked a lid and saw Dani nestled against his shoulder. No-one else seemed to be around.

“Hey, Blue,” he said quietly. “You awake?”

She gave a start.

“Hey. How are you feeling?”

“My jaw feels like it’s done ten rounds with Mohammed Ali and my ribs… damn.” He shifted, trying to ease the pain.

“The trolls kicked you a couple of times when you were unconscious.”

“Fuckers. What about you? Are you hurt?”

“No. They just dragged us in here and left us.”

He glanced round at the room. It looked like a basement or a cellar. Stone walls and a heavy door. No windows – the only light came from a bare bulb hanging from the ceiling.

“I love what they’ve done with the place. Any clue where we are?”

“No. But we only drove for twenty minutes so I’m guessing we’re still somewhere in the city.”

“How long was I out?”

“Couple of hours.”

He realized she’d pushed her hands under his shirt and was resting them on his chest. He raised a brow.

“You still under the influence?”

She flushed and moved a small distance from him.

“You wish. I’m cold, okay? This dress wasn’t built for cellars.”

“Just checking. I seeyouhaven’t been tied up.”

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