Page 65 of Light and Shadow
With a nod, Jax stares at her. “Still, not bad. You have some natural ability. From what I know of your world, there is little sword fighting. You have other weapons, guns.” He says the last word tentatively as if he’d struggled to pull it out of his memory.
Harper picks up her sword. “That’s true, but I’m not a soldier. My first fight was on the boat to that first gate, and I only attacked out of desperation to save Aaran. There are no guns here?”
“Magic was given to us by the old gods. They taught our ancestors how to use it. They showed us the technology of your world and gave us the choice between that and magic. The kings and queens of Domhan chose magic.” Jax’s eyes are bright with challenge. “Your technology will not work in this world.”
“But your magic works on Earth. That hardly seems right.” Harper rolls her shoulders and bends and straightens her arm several times.
“Does it?” Jax asks, looking at me.
I nod. “Nainsi and I both used our magic in Harper’s world. And their sun renewed my magic when I overextended myself.”
“Maybe I should have brought my phone and some other technology and tested them on this side.” She rocks her head from side to side, stretching her neck.
As if the conversation about magic versus technology were at an end, Jax says, “I will bespell your weapons during training. You won’t be able to do more than bruise Aaran if you can get a blade to him.”
Once he has her agreement, he casts the spell.
I should have thought of that from the beginning, but I was sure I wouldn’t harm Harper, and perhaps arrogant to believe her incapable of getting through my defenses. After another hour of swordplay, I’m proved correct, though she improves throughout training.
Sitting on a crate, she rubs her arm and shoulder, wincing with every move.
“I think archery practice will have to wait for another day.” I sit behind her and take over the massage. “I doubt you could pull back on the string right now.”
Moaning and leaning into my touch, she closes her eyes. “Give me an hour, and I’d like to try it.”
Jax sits opposite her and narrows his gaze. “You were far better than I expected.”
“Um, thank you?”
It’s hard not to laugh at the way her voice lifts in question over his halfhearted compliment. Despite my attempt, a short chortle escapes.
Chapter Seventeen
Harper
I’m not sure what else I’m supposed to say to Jax. He hasn’t liked or trusted me from the moment he met me. Still, his instruction during training made sense and helped. He’s abrupt and direct. As a Jersey Girl, I appreciate that.
With eyes narrowed, he assesses me. “Tell me about your magic.”
With a shrug, I say, “I don’t know much about it other than it comes when I wish hard for something and need it desperately.”
His gaze flicks to Aaran, who is rubbing knots out of my shoulder.
“I have not seen Harper create magic when desperation wasn’t in play.” Aaran stops massaging my shoulders and neck.
I continue to stretch those muscles and tendons.
Jax stares at the decking as he props his chin on his fist and his elbow on his knee. After a second, his other hand shoots up and he grips my throat.
Unable to scream, I reach for my sword, but he kicks it away. It’s getting hard to breathe and my vision dims around the edges.
“That’s enough,” Aaran demands.
The hand is gone, and I gulp air.
Aaran pulls me against his chest, and his warm magic floods my neck and throat.
Jax sighs and says, “No magic to save yourself. Or maybe you didn’t think I would kill you.”
