Page 73 of The Warlock's Kiss

Danny glanced behind himself occasionally, altering his course to keep on the path, as he continued to walk backward. “So, what are you?”

“I suppose there are many names for it. Mage, sorcerer, wizard. I prefer warlock, because people tended to use it with the highest degree of fear and hatred in ages past.”

“Was Merlin a real wizard?”

“He was quite real. Even while our magic was limited, he was immensely powerful.”

Danny grinned wide, and his eyes sparked with excitement. “That’s socool! I knew it! I knew he was real.” He turned around and strode forward, brandishing his cane like a baton as he sang, “Hockety pockety wockety wack…”

“And what exactly is that gibberish he’s spouting?” Merrick asked.

Adalynn chuckled. “Danny’s favorite cartoon as a little kid wasThe Sword in the Stone.”

Merrick took Adalynn’s hand again. “I’m afraid I’m not familiar with the film. I imagine it’s some retelling of the Arthurian legend?”

“Yeah, it is. Just with more singing.”

“Ah. Because I’m sure singing adds to its historical accuracy.”

She laughed and nudged him with her shoulder. “It’s entertainment for kids.”

“Most of the stories are utter nonsense, at any rate. Humans don’t have a particularly long or accurate memory, as a whole.”

“Then you’ll have to tell us the stories…” Her smile faded, and she looked away—but not before Merrick caught sight of the darkness clouding her eyes. “How old are you, anyway?”

He chose not to comment on that hint of despair; Adalynn seemed at her happiest outside of such conversations, and he couldn’t blame her for that. This was a fine afternoon, despite the state of the world. Merrick wanted it to remain a fine afternoon.

“One thousand and fifty-three,” he replied. “Or fifty-four. It was harder to keep track of the years while I was young.”

Adalynn snapped her face toward him, eyes wide. “Howold?”

“One zero five three.”

“Donottell Danny that. I’ll never hear the end of it.” Her cheeks pinkened, and she turned her face down, her expression taking on a decidedly shy cast. “I knew you were older, but I never imagined you werethatold.”

Something about the look on her face heated Merrick’s blood and roused his hunger. “If it makes any difference to you, I’m sure I don’t look a day older than however old it is I look.”

She laughed and peeked at him from the corner of her eye. “At least thirty-five.”

“I’ll assume that’s good, then. I’ve had more and more trouble gauging the age of humans as time has gone by—especially in the last few decades. I dare not guess your age.”

Adalynn grinned. “Why not?”

“Because I will either guess too high or too low, and either direction can be taken as an insult.”

“I’m twenty-five.”

“That’s a rather large age gap between yourself and your brother, is it not?”

“A bit larger of an age gap between you and me, don’t you think?” Her warm, humored smile made it clear she wasn’t concerned about their age difference. She looked at her brother, who continued marching on ahead of them, still singing his gibberish song. “But yeah, it is. Danny was both an accident and miracle baby.”

“Oh? It seems you’ve a bit of a story to tell, yourself.”

Up ahead, the gap in the trees created by the path widened; the ground beyond was open and bright, free of the shadows cast by the woods currently stood to either side of Merrick and Adalynn.

“No way!” Danny shouted from up ahead. He ran forward, into the wider opening, and turned to his left. Just before he darted out of sight, he added, “This isawesome!”

Adalynn turned her wide, worried eyes toward Merrick. “What’s ahead? Is it safe?”

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