I shivered. I didn’t know exactly how Selina had guessed I was terrified of the dark magic I occasionally sensed beneath my shields, but she was right. I needed to figure out how to use it if I was going to stay alive. I squared my shoulders. Selina wasn’t the only witch who knew I had a suppression spell. Samael’s witch knew too, along with any demon he’d told. It was only a matter of time before someone sold me out.
“Work fast,” Selina advised me. “But don’t panic. And for your sake, learn to wield your power without needing to completely drop your shields.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your shields aren’t there to hold your magic back. They’re there to keep others from entering your mind or playing with your magic. You should only ever be dropping them for people you inherently trust, otherwise they should remain up.”
One more way I was doing it all wrong. I frowned. “So it’s possible to use my magic while keeping my shields up?”
She nodded. “Tell me, how do you visualize your shields?”
“They’re like a stone door that I slam up and down. Impenetrable.”
“That’s why you can’t get your magic through them. Instead, try visualizing something translucent but still strong. Something that would allow your magic to get out, but wouldn’t allow anyone to get in.”
“I’ll work on it. Thank you. I really appreciate the help.”
I got up to find my wallet and she smiled at me. “Anytime. I enjoy talking shop with a fellow witch. Will you stay for lunch?”
I blinked and her lips curved. The invitation was genuine. “Um. I need to get back to work.” My stomach chose that moment to let out a long rumble and my cheeks heated.
Selina laughed. “I won’t poison you,” she promised. “I’m not that kind of witch.”
I barely restrained myself from asking exactly what kind of witch she was. Her homeseethedwith power.
I’d be interviewing the fae representative after this, and probably wouldn’t get a chance to eat. Plus, Selina was… kind. Her kitchen was homey and warm, and I couldn’t bring myself to decline again.
“A quick lunch would be great,” I said, and she beamed.
“Excellent.”
11
Danica
Ademon waited outside Selina’s house.
A demon with dark curly hair, a hint of scruff along his jaw, and dreamy brown eyes that reminded me of someone. I studied him.
“What fresh hell is this?”
He gave me a wide grin.
“My name is Vassago,” he said. “But you can call me Vas.”
“Alrighty, Vas.” His name was familiar enough that I vowed to research him later, but for now I needed to figure out exactly why he was lingering outside Selina’s door. I had a sinking suspicion I wasn’t going to like the answer to that question.
“What exactly are you doing here?”
His gaze examined me, amusement flaring in his eyes. I gave him my best scowl, and the amusement deepened. Great.
“Samael wasn’t pleased with your little escape,” he said. “I’m your new bodyguard.”
“Like fuck you are.”
He shrugged and shot me another heated smile. “I don’t really need your permission to follow you around and keep you alive.”
I bristled at that, and he lost the smile. Invisible feathers rustled as he pushed off from where he was leaning against the porch. “Samael wants you breathing. There aren’t many people he likes enough to care if they’re dead or alive.”
