Free Darkness Hunts (DA 4) by Keri Arthur Page B

didn’t climb in. “And what is the possibility?”
    “A dark sorcerer, but not one who uses blood magic.”
    “Any sorcerer who trades with darkness is not a wise choice,” Azriel said. Though his voice retained its usual even tone, his distaste and annoyance still shivered through me.
    Which was odd. It was almost as if the chi connection had somehow deepened, allowing me greater access to the ebb and flow of his emotions. And from what I’d gathered, that shouldn’t have been the case.
    Unless it was a sign that assimilation was a whole lot closer than we’d presumed.
    No .
    I glanced at him. If it’s not assimilation, then what is it?
    He gave me the mental equivalent of a shrug and my annoyance surged. Some things, it seemed, would never change.
    “We haven’t even had the chance to explore our options with the Brindle witches yet,” I said to Lucian.
    And since they were some of the most powerful witches in the land, you’d have to think they should be able to come up with something.
    “What you bear in your heart is unlike anything the Brindle witches have seen before,” Lucian commented. “It is Aedh in origin, and their magic far exceeds anything ever seen here on earth.”
    “By that logic,” Azriel said, before I could even open my mouth, “a dark sorcerer will be of as little use as the Brindle witches.”
    Lucian gave him a somewhat scathing glance. “Except that witches rely on natural magic, whereas a dark sorcerer uses the magic of this world and the other. In this case, that is probably as close as we’ll ever get to Aedh-strength magic.”
    “Which does not mean we should discount other options without even exploring them.” Azriel’s voice held a dangerous edge. “Risa, you cannot—”
    “We have to at least talk to this sorcerer,” I cut in firmly even as trepidation crawled across my skin. I’d heard too many of Ilianna’s stories to ever be comfortable in the presence of a dark sorcerer. “Even if we do nothing with the information he gives us.”
    “At least someone in this little group has some common sense,” Lucian said. “I’ve arranged a meeting for this evening.”
    “I’m working at the café until eleven.”
    He shrugged. “Shall I pick you up, or would you prefer to meet us there?”
    “The latter.” I didn’t want to be reliant on him to get back home, simply because that was one sure way to end up in his bed rather than alone in mine. Amusement teased his lips again. I added, somewhat crossly, “I thought you could only read my thoughts during sex?”
    “That is mostly true.”
    Azriel snorted softly. I ignored him and said, “Define ‘mostly.’”
    Lucian shrugged again. “Thoughts of a sexual nature are easier to pick up. Anything else is very muddy.”
    “Muddy” didn’t mean he couldn’t read them, just that they were harder to hear. Fabulous. Not .
    “When and where do you want to meet?”
    “There’s a lovely little bar down the Paris end of Collins Street—Maxwell’s, it’s called. Shall we say midnight?”
    “Fine. Now, if you don’t mind, get the hell out of here so I can go home and get ready for work.”
    “Your grouchy side is showing, my dear.” His gaze swept to Azriel. “Understandable, I guess, given the company you’re forced to keep twenty-four/seven.”
    Azriel took one step forward, then stopped. Other than the slight tightening in his jawline, his expression remained as impassive as ever. But the emotional turmoil that exploded through my being just about sent me staggering.
    Lucian was a dead man if he ever gave Azriel the slightest reason to attack.
    He will not, Azriel said. He is not that stupid. Nor am I that rash .
    You might be if you hang around me for too much longer .
    Many things might happen if I hang around you too much longer .
    It was a comment that sparked an avalanche of questions and possibly some hope, but before I could say anything, Azriel winked out of existence—neatly avoiding said