“She’s something to fear,” I agreed.
“She’s mythical to a lot of these creatures.” Emma’s smile was back. “I’ve always wanted to meet her.”
“Come out during the day and I can arrange it.”
“Tell me about the child.”
That right there was where I drew the line. “She seems fine.”
Emma’s eyes flashed with impatience. “That’s not what I’m asking.”
“I’m well aware. I can’t help you.”
“You mean you won’t help me.”
“As you like.” I tilted my head in her direction. “The girl is none of your business.”
“She’s a child of two worlds, like us.”
I froze. “What do you mean?”
“You still don’t get it, do you?” Now there was pity reflected back at me. “I want to hate you, I really do, but you’re so pathetic. How do you hate the pathetic?”
“I have no problem hating you.”
She snorted. “You talk big, but your fear serves as your shadow, and it’s an entity in and of itself. It will be your downfall.”
“If you have all the answers, why not just tell me what you know?”
“Because I owe you and I hate that fact.” Her eyes narrowed. “I don’t want to help you. I want to destroy you. Please tell me you’ve at least picked up on that.”
“Oh, I have no doubt.” I flashed her a sweet smile. “That doesn’t explain why you snuck in here tonight under the cover of darkness just to talk. You could’ve killed me while I was under.”
“That’s not how I play the game. When I come for you, you’ll see it. I don’t believe in attacking from behind.”
“You just attacked while I was asleep.”
She snickered. “That’s almost a fair point, although it wasn’t an attack as much as a test. I’m understandably curious about your abilities, after all. My understanding is that you’re completely self-made. You did all of this on your own.”
“You understand right.” I was proud of what I’d managed to accomplish and I wasn’t about to deny it. “I’m dangerous.”
“You are.”
“But you’re not afraid of me.”
“Should I be afraid of you? Do you want to hurt me?” She mock shuddered. “I’m all atingle.”
I rolled my eyes. “You say I talk a big game, but you’re just as bad. You want me to think you’re superior but you’re afraid of what I can do. That’s why you’re here. Now, I don’t doubt that you want to punish me, make me pay for some perceived slight.” I paused. “I also think you want to gauge my willingness to join your cause.”
“What’s my cause?”
That was a very good question. “I don’t know. If you need help ...” Did I trust her enough to offer aid? I wasn’t certain. “You can always tell me what you need. I might not be able to help but I won’t outright attack. You don’t need to play this game.”
“Obviously I do.” Emma moved away from the end of the bed, her gaze returning to the photo. “He makes you weak. You know that, right?”
I didn’t need to ask what “he” she was referring to. He remained asleep beside me in the bed. “He makes me strong.”
“If you have someone in your life that you would consider dying for, it makes you weak. Trust me.” She edged toward the door. “The mage isn’t what she appears to be. She’s ... more. At one time she might’ve been a beacon of light but that changed when she took control of the book.”
“What book?”
“The only book that matters.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She studied my face and then grinned. “You don’t, do you? I should’ve realized. Perhaps you should ask her about it. If she hasn’t volunteered that rather colorful part of her history, there’s probably a reason.”
I shook my head. “I don’t believe you. I’m not going to fall victim to your lies.”
“It’s not a lie. The Archimage was once considered the most powerful book in the world. Now she controls it and all the secrets contained between the covers. Ask yourself what that means.”
I kept my face impassive. “Thanks for the visit. We really shouldn’t do this again.”
“Next time you’ll see me coming. You’d better prepare yourself.”
“No problem. I’ll be waiting.”
Thirteen
I managed to sleep, although it shouldn’t have been possible. I recognized that Emma was telling the truth about at least one thing, though. When it came time for a battle, she was likely to attack from the front, not the back.
Gunner stirred next to me and murmured, “Morning.”
I’d debated long after Emma left whether I should tell him what happened. Ultimately I knew that keeping things from him would result in problems, and that wasn’t what I wanted. I spent the bulk of my life keeping things to myself, being strong for me and nobody else. If I wanted this relationship to work, and I did, I had to be honest.
“How did you sleep?” He slipped his arm around my waist and tugged me to his side, brushing his lips against my forehead.
“I slept okay.”
“Hmm.”
“After,” I added.
“After what?” He was still waking up so he hadn’t yet figured out that I was tense.
“Emma was here last night.”
His body went rigid. “What?” Instantly, he was wide awake and glaring at me.
I forced a smile I didn’t feel. The last thing I needed was him panicking. “She was in our bedroom. The wards didn’t keep her out.”
“But ...” He pushed himself to a sitting position and scanned the room as if he expected her to jump out from one of the corners and attack. “Why didn’t you wake me? Heck, why didn’t I wake up myself?”
“She cast a spell to keep you asleep.” I rested my hand on his forearm in an attempt to soothe but I could feel his muscles bunching. “She pretty much said that. You were never in any danger.”
A dark look came over his features. “I don’t care about that. I’m worried about you. Did she try to hurt you?”
I shook my head and carefully
