Page 32 of Witch's Dawn
RAUM
Icould smellDeja in the air before Ash even appeared. Light, floral, and a touch of sweetness just like that tea shemade.
When he did appear, even that stone-faced fucker looked as smug as a cat that ate acanary.
"Now you can't puff up like a damn peacock and not share details," I said as he wordlessly went to pour himself a drink from the liquorcabinet.
He took his time making his selection, pouring three fingers into a glass, swirling and inhaling deeply before taking asip.
And keeping his damn lips sealed the wholetime.
Not that I could blame him. I'd do the exact same thing. He wanted us to beg for the information but he knew me better thanthat.
Sal, on the other hand, got worked up into atizzy.
"What'd you do, Ash?" he demanded. "Don't tell me you… had her? Without tellingus?"
Ash gave him the barest glance over his shoulder, one eyebrow lifted inamusement.
"What do you think, Sal? Would I do that?" He tapped one finger to his temple. "Try thinking before youspeak."
Sal lowered his eyes and mumbled an apology. Internally I tsked at him. Even a hothead like him should know better than to question Ash'sintegrity.
Although the three of us had roamed as a trio on Earth for so long, it became easy to think we were all equals. But no passage of time changed the fact that Ash was of the first hierarchy, and we were under hiscommand.
"We just kissed," he finally revealed after polishing off hisglass.
"And?" Sal demandedeagerly.
"And nothing," Ash snapped with an eye roll. "It was quite chaste,really."
"But you know for certain now?" I asked, eager to know the importantinformation.
He nodded. "It's definitely her. When I tasted that mouth it felt like no time had passed at all." He let out a wistful sigh, something we all felt. "However she still has no memory of any of her past lives and it sounds like a senior witch has been filling her head with anti-demon rhetoric. We should continue to proceed withcaution."
I nodded in agreement while Sal let out a huff ofannoyance.
"How much longer do we have to be cautious?" hegrowled.
"Until she remembers us," Ash said firmly. "And even if she does, in her current body and the current circumstance, there's a chance she may not have us." He chewed his lower lip. "Although I don't think that'll be the case. She was very…responsive."
"And if she doesn't want us?" Sal demanded. "Then what? The last thousand years have been fornothing?"
"That's the risk we take with allowing free will," I said. "That's the difference between us and the God followers. If we command obedience, we're no better thanthem."
"Absolutely correct," Ash toldme.
I tried not to bask too much in him telling me I was right. As his disciple, it was not always easy following his lead but I remained forever loyal for moments likethese.
"Now if you'll excuse me," Ash said, setting down his second drink. "I have some reading todo."
He left the room, leaving me wondering how I should spend the evening and Sal looking like he wanted to killsomeone.
But then again, Sal always looked like he wanted to killpeople.
"Jealous?" Iinquired.
He shot me a white-hotglare.
