Kate Daniels 02 - Magic Burns

padded into the living room on soft feet, Slayer ready.
    â€œLoud and clumsy, like a baby rhino,” said a familiar voice.
    I stepped into the living room. Curran sat on my couch, reading my favorite paperback. His hair was back to its normal short length. His face was clean shaven. He looked nothing like the dark, demonic figure who shook a would-be god’s head on a field a month ago.
    I thought he had forgotten about me. I had been quite happy to stay forgotten.
    â€œ The Princess Bride ?” he said, flipping the book over.
    â€œWhat are you doing in my house?” Let himself in, had he? Made himself comfortable, as if he owned the place.
    â€œDid everything go well with Julie?”
    â€œYes. She didn’t want to stay, but she’ll make friends quickly and the staff seems sensible.”
    I watched him, not quite sure where we stood.
    â€œI meant to tell you but haven’t gotten a chance. Sorry about Bran. I didn’t like him, but he died well.”
    â€œYes, he did. I’m sorry about your people. Many losses?”
    A shadow darkened his face. “A third.”
    He had taken a hundred with him. At least thirty people had never come back. The weight of their deaths pressed on both of us.
    Curran turned the book over in his hands. “You own words of power.”
    He knew what a word of power was. Lovely. I shrugged. “Picked up a couple here and there. What happened in the Gap was a one shot deal. I won’t be that powerful again.” At least not until the next flare.
    â€œYou’re an interesting woman,” he said.
    â€œYour interest has been duly noted.” I pointed to the door.
    He put the book down. “As you wish.” He rose and walked past me. I lowered my sword, expecting him to pass, but suddenly he stepped in dangerously close. “Welcome home. I’m glad you made it. There is coffee in the kitchen for you.”
    My mouth gaped open.
    He inhaled my scent, bent close, about to kiss me…
    I just stood there like an idiot.
    Curran smirked and whispered in my ear instead. “Psych.”
    And just like that, he was out the door and gone.
    Oh boy.