Page 37 of The Dagger and the Flame
‘Whatcanyou be thinking, dancing swan? Are you really going to jump?’
She briefly considered it. ‘Would that ruin your fun?’
‘What part of this makes you think I’m having fun?’
‘That stupid smirk on your stupid face.’ The river wind rippled up Sera’s cloak, reminding her of the drop below. She swallowed, thickly, reaching for another strand of courage. ‘I am not dying tonight. This is not my destiny.’
‘I think I’ll decide that.’ Shadows kissed her boots, rising to stroke her ankles.
‘What right have you to decide anything for me?’ she said, voice wavering as she watched them. ‘Tohurtme?’
The shadows stilled, as though pausing to consider her question. ‘Don’t drag this out, Seraphine,’ the Dagger said, in a voice that was almost kind. ‘I’ll make it quick.’
She jumped, landing on the narrow walkway between the balustrade and the house. Her knees crunched upon landing, her teeth singing. He stepped down after her, filling up the space like an avenging angel. She backed up until she hit the end of the balustrade. Nowhere to run now. Overhead, the dogs had stopped barking. They had given up. She grabbed the letter opener from her pocket.
‘I wouldn’t do that if I was you,’ he said, without breaking eye contact.
‘Why? Don’t monsters bleed?’
He gave her another pitying look. ‘Only when you can actually strike them.’
‘You shouldn’t underestimate me.’
‘What are you going to do, open me and read me?’
‘Maybe I’ll stick it in your eye.’
He barked a laugh. ‘Go ahead, Seraphine. Do your worst.’
Sera brandished the letter opener. The Dagger struck, lightning fast, and before she could even blink, his hand was around her throat. Darkness swarmed around them, swallowing the moon. He lifted her up until she dangled like a marionette. Time slowed to an agonizing pace, his shadows closing in on her until she could see nothing beyond those silver eyes, gleaming like fallen stars. All too soon, it was here – the last moment of Sera’s life, the finality of her own death rising to meet her like a great and terrible wave. There wasn’t even time to be afraid.
Ten heartbeats, and she would be dead.
One.An agonizing coldness invaded her body. Frost filled her lungs, chasing away the last of her breath.
Two.Her eyes filled with tears, but she didn’t blink. Didn’t dare betray a hint of the dying plea that now ravaged her heart,Help me, help me, help me.Instead, she held his cruel silver gaze, determined that her death would haunt him.
Three.She opened her mouth, the word soundless on her lips.Monster.
Four.His grip wavered, dark brows knitting. Perhaps it was a trick of the moonlight or the addled thoughts of a dying brain, but he looked unsettled.
Five.A sudden shock of heat surged through Sera’s body. For a heartbeat, it felt like her bones were bursting into flame. But the fire brought no pain. Only warmth.
Six.The Dagger’s eyes went wide. Colour bloomed inside them, a soft autumnal glow swallowing the menacing silver.
Seven.He cried out, the air rippling with the scent of burning. And just beneath it, the faint tang of lemon blossom.
Eight.Sera gasped a new breath. With this strange warmth, came light. The shadows inside her fell away like ashes in the wind.
Nine.He released her, stumbling backwards. His gaze fell to the teardrop at her throat. It was glowing so brightly, it burned tears in her eyes. Seared every last shadow between them.
Ten.Emboldened by the shock of fear on the Dagger’s face, Sera smirked.
‘You’re not dead,’ he rasped. He stared, horror-struck, at her necklace, and it took everything in Sera not to do the same. ‘How?’
She had no answer for him. Whatever this strange fire insideher was, it had sprung up at his touch and ripped through his Shade.
Now the Dagger was just a man.
