Page 73 of Dusk Macabre

Brittney’s mouth dropped open, and she sprung from her seat. “Excuse me? These assholes were going to drain all my blood, and you want me stuck in a cage? Do you know what it was like, what I went through with them? Fuck you.”

Her face was turning a very intense shade of red. “It's all your fault they are even coming here in the first place. Lock me the fuck up and see what happens to you,” she spat at me.

As if she could cause me physical harm. She had to know she couldn’t, but it was adorable that she threatened me. I grabbed the hand that was pointing a finger in my face and took her by the chin with my other. Her eyes widened and then I pressed my lips to hers, shoving my tongue inside her mouth. I kissed her deeply and then lightly scraped a fang across her bottom lip for a quick taste. She sighed and I let go of her.

“You were serious,” she mumbled.

“I'm not going to do something like that to you until it's the only way to keep you alive.”

“So, you would do it?”

Rather than answer her, I gave her a smile.

Brittney huffed and then threw her shoulders back, like that would make all two pounds and five feet of her look bigger. I couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped my chest.

“I’ll have you know, I fought off a coyote once,” she bragged.

“Are you comparing Fae with limitless power and immortal demons to a scruffy dog?” Returning to the table, I peered down into the crystal ball once more. The demons were getting closer.

Her jaw slid to the side. “I wish I had my flower staff. That thing was cool.”

She ignored my question but now I had one. “What are you talking about?”

“Just a branch I’d grabbed in their garden. It looked cool.” She stepped beside me. “It's not fair you can see stuff in there. All I see is the wood grain and some reflections.”

I stepped out of her way. “Take a closer peek and let me know if you see a coyote.”

If she had a knife, she would have stabbed me. “Shut up,” she snapped. She copied my hand motions and leaned in closer before she let out a short whine.

“I’ll teach you how to feel energy. That’s where we’ll start. I can’t promise you any results, but if you have any capabilities, we’ll build on them,” I offered.

“Well can you do that now? Might come in handy ya know, seeing we’re about to be invaded and all that.”

With a sigh, I grabbed her hands. “Put your hands flat, don’t curl your fingers.”

“I look like I’m about to either start praying or slap a bitch,” she giggled.

Separating her hands a few inches, I said, “I’d rather you didn’t slap any of them if you can help it. We don’t know what they might do.” I slowly moved her hands closer together, and then farther apart, repeating the motion.

“Oooo I feel it. That’s it, right? That weird feeling?”

I was watching the whole time, and could see what had her so excited, albeit faintly. “Yes, that’s your energy field. What you want to do is collect that energy and use it in whatever direction you need. For example, if you want your crow, you tap into that energy and imagine it going to the bird with your message.”

Brittney’s shoulders slumped. “It seems like it should be so easy.”

“It takes practice.”

She stilled and looked at the floor before pulling her hands away. “Kiam?” Her voice was uncharacteristically quiet.

“Yes?” She had my full attention and I swallowed, feeling the tension in the air.

She glanced at me. “Why do you really have a box of my hair? You said you collected hair.”

That was a significant mistake, and I should have watched my words better. My spine stiffened, knowing if I wanted us to continue down this path, I’d have to tell her more.

If I wasn’t honest with her, she wouldn’t trust me. That could very well mean her end. If I withheld too much—that would also mean her end as I would have to let her go. Already, I’d let down my guard around her, multiple times.

I rather enjoyed having her for a companion.