Page 221 of Flirting with Darkness

Until at last I spotted the doors that led out to the gravel drive.

“Left.” I glanced back over my shoulder.

Two paces behind us, the walls tumbled. The ceiling caved in. Chaos and dust reigned. We wouldn’t have time to stop and open the door. A moment’s hesitation and we’d be crushed. Dying so close to our escape? No. That wasn’t an option.

“You’re going to have to knock the door down.”

His scoff sounded in my mind.Not a problem, little flower.

“We’re lined up perfectly.” I patted his shoulder in reassurance—mine or his, I wasn’t sure.

Head down, he picked up speed. I clung on, keeping close to his body so I wouldn’t slow him down.

His breaths heaved, ribcage working like a bellows between my legs.

Come on, Faolán. I gritted my teeth and stared at the rapidly approaching doors like I could make them fall with nothing but my will.

His hind quarters bunched, then we were in the air. I held my breath. For long seconds we flew.

There was a hard jolt, and I screwed my eyes shut. The door was too strong. We weren’t going to get through. Even in death, Granny was going to defeat us.

But then light pierced my eyelids and when I opened them, I saw the sky painted in peach and pink.

The dawn.

With a great huff from Faolán, we landed. The door was splinters around us. The house was dust at our heels.

And we were free.

At least, I was. And he was.

I wasn’t sure if there was an “us.”

40

HMM

Panting, Faolán crouched on the gravel driveway and returned to his fae shape. Hisnakedfae shape.

I coughed and looked away. It didn’t feel right to stare at his body when things between us were so unresolved.

“I’m sorry, Faolán.”

He rose, a hard frown creased between his brows as he tapped the silver circle on his bracelet. “Come.” He jerked his chin away from the house. “We need to get out of here. The untethered magic is interfering with this.” He started off, though his stride wasn’t that punishing one that I had to trot to keep up with.

“Didn’t you hear me? I said I’m sorry.”

“Hmm.” He nodded, giving me a sidelong look.

“‘Hmm.’ Is that all you’ve got to say?” I stared up at him, keeping up as he led us towards the forest. “You almost died. I almost killed you! And you just reply with ‘Hmm’? What does that even mean?”

“Right now, it means I’m listening.”

I huffed and walked on in silence. At last, an explanation for one of his wordless sounds. I should’ve known they’d always meant something rather than just being a way to dismiss me.

He was listening. And I had much to say. I heaved a sigh and hugged myself.

“I’m so sorry I let you down.” I could barely say it through the shame. I definitely couldn’t look at him. “When I saw you as a wolf, I thought it had taken you and now was coming for me. I was afraid. And when I realised it was you…”

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