Free Demons (Darkness #4) by K.F. Breene Page B

for magic first, needing more than just your fighting prowess. You started to fight dirty first, looking for an edge. And now you’re hurt first. What’s more, you’re worn out. Dead tired. He’s a kid—he’s got the stamina of one. You’re beat, Claudia. Yield.”
    Her jaw set firmly. Fists clenched and unclenched. Her weight eased over onto her right side. She couldn’t prevent herself from wincing.
    Her nod was the best feeling I’d had in a long time. Triumph!
    Suppressing my glee, I nodded back like it was commonplace and turned to Adnan. “Well done. But you’re not Watch material, yet. You have the talent, but you lack the experience. Keep working and someday I’ll be proud to welcome you in.”
    A boyish grin lit up his face. He gave a deep bow. “Yes, Mage.”
    I fought a grin—I was having a hard time not giggling in delight. With a final nod, and a bursting heart, I turned back to the mansion, and screamed in terror.

Chapter 7
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Dominicous stood off to the side like a phantom, still and quiet, eyes scouring Adnan. His gaze dropped to Adnan’s tattoos, still glowing merrily. Then to me.
    I did not realize anyone was behind me.
    For the first time, I saw Dominicous as everyone else did. He was Stefan’s height, cresting six-and-a-half feet, but with a sleeker build than Stefan—not as muscular and robust. He held himself with the same confidence and authority, though, in charge of all things, living or dead, within his world. The master of his universe. The alpha to this warrior species.
    It was exactly the same way Stefan looked at things. The two of them were playing a dance of dominance, neither quite sure if they could take the other , and both weighing the odds of losing. And now, with me, both weighing the risks of winning.
    As he stood, gazing at me, he had a certain kind of lean to him. As if he was always on the balls of his feet with a sword in his hand. As if he was ready to chop my head off at any minute. The cunning and vicious sparkle to his gaze had my warning butt-pucker urging me to either blast him with something awful, or run away really, really fast.
    That gaze lasted only a moment, though, retracting so that just warmhearted intelligence assessed me. I let the air escape my body like a punctured tire.
    “I second that,” Charles muttered. Then, remembering that things just got professional, he gave a slight bow. “Regional.”
    “Regional.” Jonas tilted his head downward, the only other person he showed diffidence to besides Stefan. It was the only other person that could kick his ass besides Stefan, too, so that made sense.
    “I’m sorry to intrude, Daughter,” Dominicous said pleasantly, “but I wondered if I might ride with you to the West Nine?”
    “Oh. Ah, sure.”
    He nodded good-naturedly and gestured me in front of him. “Ladies first.”
    Charles barely contained the snort, the dog.
    “How long were you standing there?” I asked as my breath found its way back into my lungs.
    “Most of the fight. That young man is one to watch, although not altogether strong with his magic. I’m curious, however. How is it you are able to help others reach a greater potential?”
    I briefly explained as we crossed the grounds and entered the mansion, the pull of Stefan guiding my feet. I wanted a glimpse of his handsome face before we left—just in case something nasty waited at whatever place Jonas was taking me. I wanted a goodbye kiss before I faced the next horror.
    “Do you have a special skill?” I asked Dominicous. “Charles seems to think his libido is his, and Jonas thinks we’re daft. But Stefan has one, and I have one…”
    As we walked through the busy hallway, the night just starting and everyone eager to get to their assigned duties, gazes glanced up and noticed who was coming. The crowds parted for Dominicous in a way they never had for me. Even though I was a mage, I largely had to wind my way through corridors