Perhaps roping David into rebuilding the Exorcism with him could improve his image. David was smart. Resourceful. He’d only be an asset.
Strangely, the idea of doing it all with David at his side relieved a bit of the constant pressure in his chest. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad?
Wait.
When didthishappen? Did he consider David Berkeley an ally? That couldn’t be right.
The guy was a jackass.
Heat prickled along his skin, and Sean became starkly aware of Anna’s attention on his face. He slid a glance her way, rolling his eyes at her satisfied smile.
“Blink twice if you’ve realized you were wrong about him.”
A friendly shove did nothing to dissuade her taunting.
She laughed. “Are we at theI told you sostage yet, or do you want more time?”
“I don’t need commentary on all my poor life choices.”
She gasped. “But that’s the best kind of commentary!”
“I thought you were mad at him.”
“I am. He’s an ass, but he’s not a bad guy. Glad you finally recognized it.” A playful elbow landed in his ribs. Sean returned the gesture, and suddenly they were sparring.
After more than a month of training with her, Sean had learned her style. He had her immobilized, her back against his chest in just a few moves. He could have held her there, but he loosened his grip to allow her a chance to fight back. Not to be outdone, she yanked on his wrist, ducking under his hold, then kicked him hard in the stomach. His diaphragm spasmed, the air stilled in his lungs, and he doubled over.
“Don’t get cocky,” she said, all smug. “Being the Savior doesn’t mean I won’t destroy you.”
Sean was laughing before his air had fully returned, causing him to cough. The woman was vicious, but he couldn’t quell the sense of kinship between them. Anna and Cathaire had quickly become some of his favorite people. He’d been searching his whole life for people who understood him like this, who loved the same things he did. He’d hoped to find this feeling with Isobel, but perhaps his lover wasn’t supposed to be his friend. Perhaps the two titles were meant to remain separate.
At the edge of the field, Isobel sat with a notebook in hand. She rarely trained anymore. The first decade had been enough for her, apparently—she’d reached the rank expected of her and planned to rise no higher—but she smiled and waved when their eyes met, and his stomach lurched with want.
He missed the days when his brain wasn’t hijacked by Isobel Faywood.
I imagined I might hate you when you finally showed up, she’d said last night, still breathing hard as she’d lain naked at his side.
It’s okay if you hate me,he’d answered. I’d hate me, too, if I believed what you believe.
Sean wished he could have known her without the magic that bound them. Would he still want her this way?
Fated lovers. Destined mates.
It should have been…good.
Instead, it felt like subjugation. Like a cage. Like a lack of choice.
Anna touched his shoulder before those thoughts drowned him.You okay?she Signed. “You got serious all of a sudden.”
He nodded and patted her hand, the friendly pixie spark translating concern and affection through the contact.
David appeared beside them to fill a cup with water, gold brow raised. “You’ve resorted to heckling now?”
Cathaire chuckled as he stripped his bracers off.
Sean grinned. “It’s the simple pleasures.”
“Yes, it gives me great joy to annoy you,” Anna said, the words pointed.
