Page 14 of In the Ravenous Dark
“Perhaps because the shape of your mouth doesn’t match a word so crude.”
I blink. Is he saying my mouth looks nice? While at the same time trying to sneak up on me and do…something… bad to me? My caution evaporates like water thrown on a blazing fire. “Go stick your head in a chamber pot until you drown. Oh wait, you’re already dead. Can you go die again?”
“I must decline,” he says with a slight bow of his head.
He takes another step toward me. I don’t have space to flee backward, so I edge sideways. How the hell does one leave a room with no doors or windows?
“Don’t ever expect politeness from me,” I spit as I move away blindly, my gaze locked on him. “If you come near me I’ll scratch your weird black eyes out.”
He purses his lips. “That will make it difficult for me to kiss you.”
I nearly trip to a halt. “Excuse me?”
“Ah, now, thatwaspolite,” he says. “My lips, rather regrettably it seems, have to touch you. Not necessarilyyourlips. A hand would do. I was planning on kissing the back of yours when I took it.”
I resume circling. “Over my dead body.”
He pivots in time with me, though for the moment he doesn’t come any closer. “I’m afraid we can’t fight to the death. As youknow, I’m already dead, and your spirit is trapped here, so this has to end sooner rather than later and in only one way.” He sighs. “I don’t usually have to force this. They often come willingly.”
“Because you’resocharming?” I snarl.
“No, because they’re usually younger than you. Less distrustful.”
My mouth falls open. “And you kiss them, too? That’s disgusting.”
“Did you not hear me say a kiss on the hand suffices? Trust me, it’s not passionate. It’s all just part of the bond.” His tone is infuriatingly patient.Polite.
“Why are they younger?” I keep moving, keep talking, trying not to let my eyes dart around too obviously as they search for some crack in the perfect black walls. “I’m notthatold.”
“I didn’t say you were. Most bloodmages simply get their guardians as adolescents, when their abilities are first confirmed.” He hesitates. “Although your father was older than you when I was bound to him.”
I freeze. “My father… wait. You’re his guardian, too?”
“I am.”
“But how can you guard two people? Isn’t that… too much?”
“I believe I can manage the both of you,” he says with a slight smile. He doesn’t sound overly confident, only matter-of-fact. “That’s why I was chosen for you, because I was able to contend with your father so well. He was… resistant.”
“Ever hear the saying, ‘Like father like daughter’?” I squint at him. “If you’ve been his guardian for nearly thirteen years, and you’ve warded others before him… How old are you?”
His smile slants into something crooked. “I’m twenty-three.”
“Like hell you are. How long have you beendead?”
The dead man’s gaze slips away for a brief moment. “Not as long as some. But let us say I have experience. Besides, I won’t have to guard both of you for long. Once he passes you his bloodline, which will be imminent…” He trails off at what he sees on my face.
“Then what?” I whisper. When he doesn’t say anything, I scream, my nails trying to dig into the wall, “Then what?”
“I’m sorry.” He sounds sincere, which makes me want to sink to my knees. Because that means what has gone unspoken is the truth.
My father will die when he gives me his bloodline.
“I thought you knew,” he murmurs.
I don’t crumple to the ground like I want to. I straighten my spine and hold up my fists. Blood magic won’t work here; I can sense that. So I’ll just have to use my hands.
He arches a black eyebrow. “Are you going to fight me?”
