Page 172 of Flirting with Darkness

Where Faolán felt safe, this stranger felt decidedly dangerous. I edged closer to Faolán, and I reached for my hip where a dagger would normally sit.

The fae’s black hair ruffled in a breeze coming through the doorway. It reflected no light, as dark as coal or the night sky, whereas his eyes—

I blinked.

Theyglowed. Only softly, a silvery light tinged with some pale colour—yellow or green, perhaps—but that was definitely a glow.

“Hmm.” He arched an eyebrow, taking in the room with those odd eyes before turning them to Faolán as the door closed behind him. “You have some explaining to do.”

20

A VISIT

Icould hear Faolán’s teeth grinding. “You took your time—I tapped for youdaysago.”

“I’ve been busy. And… what is this place? I thought you were—” His silver eyes snapped to me. “And who is this?”

“A long story.”

“And does this long story have a name?”

I cleared my throat. “And a voice.” I cocked my head and gave a smile that was more than a little sarcastic. “Rose.”

He inclined his head. “Bastian.”

I turned to Faolán. “Is this the ‘boss’ you mentioned?”

He wasn’t the only one who could talk about someone like they weren’t there.

“‘Boss’?” Bastian chuckled, taking in the room. “Is that what you call me when I’m not around? Careful, Faolán, that almost sounds like respect.”

“Hmm.” Faolán scowled. “I have to use terms others will understand. Saying you’re the prick I sometimes listen to takes too much breath.”

I tensed, expecting a reaction from Bastian at being called a prick.

But his teeth only flashed, sharp canines included, as amusement glinted in his metallic eyes. “I’ve missed you, too.” He cocked his head, the skin around those eyes crinkling. “Oh.Oh.You’restuckhere, aren’t you?” He laughed, and the more he did, the more Faolán scowled.

“Well, don’t just giggle about it—get us out of here.” He gestured at where the door had appeared.

Chuckles fading, Bastian shook his head. “There’s nothing I can do about it.” His gaze trailed over the ceiling and he smacked his lips softly as if tasting something. “This is old,oldmagic. No, whatever spells are on this place, you’re stuck here for the duration.” He raised an eyebrow. “How long?”

Faolán’s jaw flexed so much, it was a wonder he managed to speak. “A month.”

Bastian’s cheek twitched, and he opened his mouth.

“Don’t.” Faolán bit out the word.

The cough that came from Bastian sounded suspiciously like an attempt to hide another laugh. “Wouldn’t dream of it, old friend. And escape?”

Faolán shook his head. “I checked the walls. Trying to leave early would mean death.”

A chill ran through me. I had a vague memory of trying to escape that first night, but something had stopped me. Thank the gods. If I’d succeeded, I’d have died.

But Bastian had come by choice. I frowned at him. “But now you’re here, aren’t you trapped, too?”

“Just being here isn’t enough. Hmm.” He eyed the room and licked his lips as though flavour lingered on them. “You accepted an invitation and that’s what got you stuck. My guess would be it was some sort of food.” His gaze slid to Faolán.

“Mm.” My husband’s arms folded, a solid wall over his chest.

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