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He half shrugged. “One minute I was heading outside to cool down; the next I’m in some random field staring at you and realizing just how close I’d come to cindering my best friend.”
“But you didn’t.” I dropped down into the seat, then raised my hand. “See, not even the smallest of blisters to show for my ordeal.”
He eyed my fingers for a moment, then said, “I could hear you, you know, but I couldn’t do anything. Not until you caught my hand and drew me out.”
So I’d been right—touch was the key to breaking the elemental’s control. “I knew you wouldn’t hurt me, Tao.”
“But I did, and we both know it.” He took a deep, somewhat unsteady breath and released it slowly. “I think I’ll remember your scream for the rest of my life. And it’s because of that, more than anything, that I’ll fight this thing.” His gaze met mine. “It hates you, Ris. A witch created it to kill you, and the minute you spoke to it out there in the field, that’s all it wanted to do.”
“What it wanted was to return to the fire that created it.”
“Primarily, yes. But if it regains control again, don’t confront it. Because next time, I may not be able to stop it.”
“Then, as Ilianna so politely put it, make sure there isn’t a next time.” I rose to my feet, then leaned over and dropped a kiss on his cheek. “Get better. I have to go hunt a dark spirit.”
“Hunter’s still on your case, huh?”
“Yeah. You rest up, and maybe I’ll regale you with the whole sordid tale when I get back.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
I wouldn’t—if only because in order to tell a story about hunting a dark spirit, I’d actually have to do it. I headed out to the kitchen. The smell of frying steak filled the air, and I took a deep breath, savoring the delicious aroma. My stomach rumbled happily. “Don’t suppose you’re cooking one of those for me?”
She glanced pointedly at the two waiting plates of buttered toast. “I’m vegetarian, remember?”
I grinned as I plopped my butt on the kitchen counter. “Hey, you’re going on a date with a stallion tonight, so miracles can definitely happen.”
She snorted. “Not twice in one day, they won’t.” She studied me for a minute. “Did you sort out your shit with Azriel?”
“No, because he isn’t around.”
“He’s always around, and you know it.”
“That’s not the point.”
“Then what is? The fact that you’re scared of your own feelings?”
“Ilianna, stop, okay?”
She sighed. “Between you and Tao, I’m going to end up gray before my time.”
I frowned. “Why? What have you seen?”
She hesitated. “Nothing.”
“Yeah, like that sounded so convincing.” I studied her for a minute. “So what, exactly, did you see in Tao’s future?”
“Nothing. Nothing but flames.” She stared at me, and all I saw was her fear. “I think we’re going to lose him, Ris.”
No, we’re fucking not. I forced a smile. “As I’ve said before, fate is a bitch who enjoys her games. She’s just as likely to do the opposite of what you fear.”
“God, I hope you’re right.” She poked the steak with a stiffened finger, then picked it up on a fork, slapped it onto a piece of toast, and handed it to me. “What are you up to today?”
“I’ve got to check out a few museums, and then I’m off hunting a dark spirit.”
Ilianna’s eyebrows rose. “Museums? You?”
I waved a hand. “Don’t worry. I’m not on a culture kick or anything. We’re looking for the next key.”
