Page 92 of Kiss of Magic

“I mean, it would never have lasted. Even if I wasn’t the key.”

Blake frowned.

“Why do you say that?”

“I told you before. Witches and humans aren’t compatible.”

“We seem pretty damn compatible to me.”

“For sex, sure. But not for relationships. Not for love. That’s not an option when one of you lives hundreds of years longer than the other.”

“What about your father? Didn’t he love your mother?”

Dani shrugged.

“Maybe. But I never really knew him. My mother didn’t want me to get too attached because she knew he wouldn’t be around long. He died of old age thirty years ago.”

“And your mother? Is she back in Montreal?”

“No. She died in a car crash some years back. Drunk driver.”

Blake was stunned. He hadn’t imagined a supernatural being could end up dying in such a mundane manner.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I guess even witches aren’t immune to accidents.”

“We’re not all-powerful. Look at me. I have the magic of angels running through my blood, but I can’t save myself.”

He stroked her hair.

“In case I haven’t said this before, Blue, what you’re doing is amazing. Not many people would choose your path. You’re one of the bravest people I know.”

She was silent for a moment. When she spoke, her voice was so low he strained to hear it.

“I’m not brave. I’m a coward.” She pushed her face into his shoulder. “I’m terrified. If you weren’t here I think I’d just collapse onto the floor in a puddle of tears.”

He felt his heart crack. His arms tightened around her.

“I’m here, Blue. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be with you to the end, whatever happens.”

She tilted her mouth up to his and kissed him, hungry to feel something other than fear. He understood what she needed and didn’t deny her.

She lost herself in the bittersweet joy of his touch, the soaring pleasure of his love-making, that made her forget for a few precious moments what was waiting for her. And when it was over, he held her close until the flight attendant knocked on the door.

“Sir, Madam? Sorry to disturb you but we’ll be starting our descent in thirty minutes. You’ll need to take your seats shortly.”

Dani closed her eyes and wished she could stay in Blake’s arms forever. But it was useless to yearn for something she couldn’t have.

Her journey was nearly done. The end was in sight. And for the first time in her long life, she couldn’t see a way out.

Forty Four

Arjhan

Hundreds of demons had now crawled from the seal. Perhaps a thousand, it was hard to tell. They spread through the city, tearing through homes and buildings in a rabid search for things to destroy.

In a little over two days, the once proud capital was devastated. The few families who had chosen to stay were found and slaughtered. Livestock and pets which had been left behind were hunted for sport. In the forests behind the palace, dryads and nymphs were massacred for amusement.

But whenever the demons approached the outskirts of the city, they were met with fierce resistance. They found their way barred by magical shields on three sides. And on the fourth was a barrage of weapons that had the power to destroy them.

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