Braving the Elements (Darkness #2)(46)

He gave me one last soft kiss before backing up. His lips curled into a smile. “That’s my girl. Learn to kill monsters while you’re waiting for the next great thing.”

“The next big thing. Is here. That’s an ad. I swear, you and Charles are researching my quirks in the wrong ways. My crazy is not a human problem —it’s specific to me.”

“It’s a good place to start. And the next big thing has been here. Or didn’t you remember getting pounded by it when you woke up?”

I rolled my eyes. “No need to get crude—you’re a man, I hear you roar.

Now, prepare to die.”

I lunged at him, magic racing through my limbs, buzzing through my midsection. He rolled away from my blade, barely missed. His glowing sword came up as my dagger sped toward his midsection, blocking at the last moment. On the move again.

“As—? He feinted, making me pivot at the last second, falling behind.

“You—? His sword rushed toward me, causing me to take two fast steps left and smash my dagger against his steel. He was already moving again.

“Wish!” The very tip of his blade flicked at my ribcage, opening a little tear in my shirt.

I flinched back, panting. Hands on knees, I caught my breath while huffing out a laugh. “Charles had you watch some of the romantic comedies, huh?”

“A few.”

“Had a good laugh at the men in them, I’d bet.”

“Soft men paired with soft women. That fits.”

I straightened up, confronted by his lighthearted smile. “And I am…?”

“Irresistible. Beautiful. Mine.”

Warm fuzzies permeated my chest. Until he finished with, “Also from a race with terrible romance movies.”

His laughter echoed once again. I figured it was a great time to try and jab him unexpectedly.

~~~~~~~

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