Ancient Magic (Dragon's Gift: The Huntress #1)(47)

“Good,” I said.

“You know, you’d get hurt a lot less if you practiced and used your powers.”

“I said I didn’t want to talk about it.”

“We don’t have to talk about your parents or your past, but this is important.”

My parents and past? “How do you know I have a past?”

He pulled me around so I faced him. I covered my bra with my arm. Fortunately my tits were small enough that this did some good, but I still felt exposed. His nearness made me jerk back, but he held me firm. Was I ever going to get used to how he loomed over me? His freaking shoulders were twice as wide as me.

“Everyone has a past.” His voice was soft. “Most supernaturals have at least one miserable thing in it they’d like to forget. Someone with power that feels like yours probably has a really interesting past. Or a tough one.”

“Powers that feel like mine?”

“Yes. Different. Stronger. There’s something odd about your magic.”

“I’m not odd. I’m totally normal.”

“You’re far from normal, but in a good way.”

“Well, focus on that then instead of my weird powers. I don’t use them, so it doesn’t matter.” I knew I was speaking too quickly, but I couldn’t help it.

“It matters to me. They could protect you.”

“I can protect me.”

“Magic would be better. Let me help train you.”

“I already told you, I blow things up. Even you can’t keep me from blowing things up.”

“No, but I have a lot of land. It’s private. You can practice there. No one will know your powers are so uncontrollable. Temporarily uncontrollable.”

“I don’t know. That sounds risky.” Though I really liked the idea of it. Being able to moderate the amount of power I used would be amazing. I could start to use my magic on the occasional job. More importantly, if the terrifying man from my dream ever showed up in my life again, I’d be able to fight back.

“I’ll keep your secrets.” Aidan’s voice was rough as he lowered his head toward mine. His evergreen scent enveloped me, and I swore I could feel the warmth of him. “Whatever they are.”

“I don’t have any secrets,” I whispered, my gaze caught on his mouth. He had the best lips. I could just stand on my tiptoes and press mine against them.

“‘Course you do. All supernaturals have secrets. Like I said, I’d keep yours.” He bent down farther as if he really might kiss me.

Sense snapped back into me. I was about to kiss him while talking about secrets? My secrets could kill not only me, but my deirfiúr as well. It hit me exactly what was at stake here. My family. Even my friends. I didn’t know how much those demons knew about my past or what it all meant, but they threatened everything I loved. Aidan knowing about my past threatened everything I loved. And it might be a threat to him as well. He’d be required to report us or face punishment himself. And we really needed to get a move on with finding the guy who’d stolen the cup.

I ducked away from him and slipped out of the bathroom.

“Thanks for healing my back,” I said as I ran into the bedroom. “I’ll meet you downstairs in a sec.”





CHAPTER TWELVE





As soon as I shut the door to my room, I remembered that I was filthy. Aidan might have gotten rid of the glass and closed the worst of my cuts, but I was still covered in blood and sweat. It itched like mad. Impatiently, I waited at my bedroom door, listening for him to leave.

When the apartment door finally opened and closed, I slipped out and went to the bathroom.

The floor was clean. He’d gotten rid of all the glass.

Hmm. He might be a threat to my safety, but cleaning the glass off my bathroom floor was pretty cool.

Ugh. I really needed to stop thinking about why he was cool. I raced through a quick shower, then threw on clothes. When it came time to put on my daggers, my shoulders slumped. My obsidian set was gone.

Damn. I’d really liked that pair.

I grabbed the copper-hilt daggers that I’d been using. After strapping on the dagger sheaths, I tugged on boots and grabbed a jacket, then ran out the door. I took the stairs two at a time, knocking on Nix’s door and then Del’s. They came out onto their landings by the time I was at the bottom.

“Ready?” I called.

“Yeah,” said Nix. “Meet you on the street.”

I went out. The morning had turned dark and dreary as rain clouds rolled over the sun. That seemed about right, since things were definitely taking a darker turn.

Aidan stood in front of my shop, talking on the phone. He nodded once, then hung up a second later. The repair guys had finished putting up the plywood and were enchanting the entire front of the shop. Blue light glowed from their hands as they ran them over the edges of the plywood.

“This holds up against pretty much any incursion,” Aidan said. “You or your friends will be the only ones who can enter.”

“Thanks,” I said.

Footsteps sounded behind me, and I turned to see Del and Nix coming.

When they reached us, Del stuck her hand out at Aidan. “I’m Del. Didn’t get a chance to introduce myself. Thanks for healing me.”