Page 41 of Darkness Defined

“What’re you reading?” Matt’s head was suddenly right next to mine as he looked over my shoulder.

I swallowed. He was so near I could practically taste him. “N-nothing, just an old history.”

“It doesn’t look like a history.” He reached forward to touch the book.

I couldn’t resist, he was just so close. I arched my head up and stopped just shy of actually touching him, then took a deep breath. The soft scent of sage curled in my nose, both calming and invigorating. “You really don’t believe in personal space, do you?” I whispered. Suddenly, the book was out of my hands. I scrambled in my chair, nearly falling over.

Matt took a step back to avoid my flailing and continued flipping through the pages. “Are you sure this is a history? It sounds more like a love story to me.”

“What? Of course, it’s a history. It was written in the twelve-hundreds which, by definition, that makes it a history.”

“Something can be old and still be a romance. See?” He held out the book with the page turned to the image of the Shadow Demon and the knight.

I looked at him in disbelief.

The book swiveled back to face him as he leaned against the table. He crossed his ankles and read the page. “This guy really needs to sort out his priorities, though. What do you think he means by the light going out?” Matt asked, glancing up at me from the stolen book. He looked sexy as hell standing there like that and I was having trouble convincing myself I was awake. When I didn’t answer, he flipped through a few more pages. “I suppose it could be considered a history, even if it is more of a memoir.” He snapped the book shut and held it out for me. “Looks interesting.”

I stared at him in mute wonder. Every time I thought I had Matt figured out, he peeled back another layer. Finally, I found my voice. “It’s my favorite.”

“I can tell.”

“How?” I turned the recovered book over in my hands.

“For starters, it’s really worn. Now I know what you are going to say. It’s old, of course it’s worn. But it also has your name on it and no bookmark. You literally just opened it and began reading, which means you know it well enough not to have to pick up at a certain point.”

I was completely flabbergasted. He’d gotten all of that while doing math? I glanced down at the book again. “Why do you think it’s a love story?”

His brow dipped in confusion. “You don’t? Look, if you think I’m going to judge you because you’re reading a romance, I won’t. They have some great pointers in those.” He flashed a devilish smile. Now, that you’re masquerading it as a history book, that I will judge you for.”

“You’ve read romance novels?”

“Hey, check the judgment. There weren’t a lot of options where I was. I made due. Besides, some of them weren’t half bad.”

I smiled wistfully, rather enjoying this latest revelation. “You’re just full of surprises.”

“Yeah, yeah. What’re you doing today?” he asked, in an obvious attempt to change the topic.

“I’m doing it.” I gestured to my lazy attire.

“Seriously?” He made to dump me out of my chair.

I hurriedly got up before he could deposit me on the floor.

“We need to get out of here. What would you say to some more practice?”

I rolled my eyes. “You don’t need any more practice.”

“I didn’t say Ineededit.” He shuffled his feet. “But the first exam is coming up and I really don’t want to blow it.”

“It’s not really an exam. More like a make sure you’re trying quiz.”

“Same difference. Now go put on some real clothes so we can go.” He pushed me towards my room.

I stubbornly dug in my heels, making him work for it. “You know, I actually have threeinterestingbooks if you wanted to read something.”

“Shut up and get dressed.”

He went to give me an extra shove and I let myself become one with the shadows, causing him to fall right through. I laughed, and he spun around to grab my leg.