Page 35 of Crimson Shadows
“Hmm.” She turns to go, but Ignatius steps forward.
“Wait,” Ignatius says, his voice uncharacteristically soft. “What brings you out here so early, Adelaide?”
She hesitates, glancing between us with suspicion. I can almost see the internal debate playing out behind her eyes.Finally, she sighs. “I’m trying to keep track of the shifts,” she admits, holding up what I now see is indeed a compass. “This place is confusing. I keep getting turned around.”
I nod, understanding. “It gets bored and moves a lot.”
“Bored?” She gives me a quizzical stare.
I nod. “Bored. Once things liven up around here, it will settle.”
“And by liven up you mean…” She appears concerned, and so she should.
“He means when the term officially starts,” Ignatius pipes up before I could craft a seductive response.
I shoot Ignatius a look, but he just shrugs, a small flame dancing between his fingers. Adelaide’s eyes dart between us, her wariness clearly increasing.
“Right,” she says, taking a step back. “Well, I should probably get going. Lots to explore before classes start.”
I move forward, my movements fluid and predatory. “Why the rush, Adelaide?” My voice is low, almost a purr. “We’ve barely had a chance to get acquainted.”
She tenses, her hand tightening on the compass. “I think we’re acquainted enough, thanks.”
“Are we?” I ask, circling her slowly as Ignatius sits back to watch me work. “I don’t think you know me at all, Adelaide. Not really.”
She turns, keeping me in her sight. Smart girl. “I know enough,” she says, her voice steady despite her obvious unease. “You’re unpredictable. That means trouble.”
I laugh, the sound sharp and cold. “Unpredictable? Is that what they’re calling it now?” I lean in close, my breath ghosting over her ear. “I prefer savage. It has such a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”
Adelaide jerks away, her eyes wide. “Stay back,” she warns, but there’s a tremor in her voice now.
Dark energy crackles around me, shadows seeming to deepen despite the early morning light. “Do you even know what I am, Little Dollie?”
“Why do you call me that? And no, I don’t, nor do I wish to.”
With a flick of my wrist, shadows coalesce around us, leaving us in a bubble of darkness. I can hear her breath coming in short, panicked gasps.
“What are you doing?” she demands, her voice high with fear.
I circle her again, letting magick tendrils trail along her arm. She flinches but doesn’t pull away. That tells me a lot about her touch aversion, as I had hoped. “Dark Fae,” I murmur.
The shadows pulse around us, taking on monstrous shapes. I can see the terror in Adelaide’s eyes as she watches them, unable to look away.
“Fae?” she mutters. “Like faeries?”
“No. We’re not your fairy tale creatures,” I continue, my voice a seductive whisper. “We’re not benevolent spirits or mischievous tricksters. We’re the monsters that haunt your darkest nightmares.”
Adelaide’s breathing is ragged now, her eyes darting around frantically. “Let me go,” she pleads.
For a moment, I consider pushing further. The fear rolling off her is intoxicating, awakening the darkest parts of my nature.
But there is time for that later. With a sigh, I release the magick. The shadows dissipate, leaving us back in the misty clearing. Adelaide is staring at me with fear, shaking. Without a word, she turns and runs, disappearing into the mist.
Ignatius chuckles. “Well, that was interesting, but you made her run.”
“Good,” I say, my voice low. “Let her run. It’ll make the chase that much more satisfying.”
Ignatius shakes his head, but I can see the amusement in his expression. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Zeph.”
