It’s like he knows about the coven. What other reason would he have for asking all those questions?
I wrap my arms around myself and take deep breaths, trying to calm down. A few minutes later, I hear his footsteps in the hall, and my fear returns, freezing me in place.
“Grace,” he says through the door. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you, truly. I just wanted to get to know you better, and I wanted to understand more about magic. It… scares me, okay? I’ve never trusted it. Now we’re here, dealing with a magical spirit and facing down sorcerers, and I’m living with a witch. I thought if I knew more about it, I’d feel better, but I also just want to know more about you. I’m sorry I made you mad.”
His footsteps slowly move away, and my fear melts a little. His voice was so soft and full of regret, I really wanted to believe this was a huge misunderstanding.
I’m paranoid because I’m not supposed to talk about the coven. It’s making me edgy. There’s no reason for him to know anything, and I’ve freaked myself out assuming he does.
As I go back over the conversation, I realize it could easily be seen as Dan being emotionally awkward and asking his questions with too much force. I groan softly, rubbing my scalp to ease the tension.
Now I feel bad for yelling at him. I can’t leave things like this.
I open the door slowly and creep out into the hall. My stomach is a huge bundle of nerves, and I’m still not sure what I’m going to say.
I can’t tell him about the coven, and he might sense the lie. Still, I have to tell him something, and I really appreciate that he made an effort.
When I creep downstairs, I find him on the couch, drinking a beer. He’s staring straight ahead, his eyes bloodshot and his face drawn. He looks like he has so much suffering in his soul, and my heart goes out to him.
“I’m sorry I yelled,” I say, coming into the living room. “I understand that you were just trying to get to know me, and I overreacted. I appreciate the effort, I really do.”
He nods, looking up at the ceiling as he takes a sip of beer.
“It’s just painful,” I say, sitting on the couch next to him. “That’s why it’s hard to talk about. I’m sure your past is exactly the same.”
Those words make me feel bad, because I suddenly realize I’ve made absolutely no attempt to learn about him.
Dan nods again and slowly turns his head to look at me. “I went about this the wrong way,” he says. “But it is important we talk.”
“I agree,” I answer, nodding. “But it looks like it’s going to be hard for both of us.”
“Well, then, let me start,” Dan says, and his blue eyes seem to darken as if there is a wide, fathomless ocean of depth in this man that I simply never bothered to see.
Chapter 15 - Dan
Grace holds my gaze, and for the first time, her eyes look soft and gentle. I feel like something has changed between us, and even though I don’t know what it is, she feels open to me, and I don’t want to lose this opportunity.
“I came on too strong,” I say. “Instead of grilling you, I should have tried opening up to you. I’m sorry.”
“No,” she replies. “I’m sorry. I’m so used to being isolated, and usually, people only talk to me if they want something. Too many times, I’ve opened up, and all it did was get me hurt.”
I can see the pain in her face, as if she has a terrible wound that’s never been treated. The urge to touch her becomes so strong, I can’t fight it and hesitantly reach out with my hand.
She smiles, wrapping her fingers around mine. That strange shock runs through me again, and I can see that she feels it, too.
“What is that?” I ask. “Is it magic?”
“Yes,” she answers. “I don’t understand it, though. It’s never happened to me before.”
“So, you don’t know what it means?”
Something flickers in her eyes, and she shakes her head. “No. I don’t know.”
I have to just take some time to get to know her. Every little hesitation doesn’t mean she’s lying.
“Okay,” I say, sighing. “Let me start, then. I’ve never lived with a woman—or anyone, really.”
“I did guess that,” she says, smiling.
