Witch Born - LJ Swallow Page 0,60
way.” He nods. “You. And who knows if I can survive against Dorian Blackwood? There’s no guarantee.”
I stare over his shoulder at a spot on the wall, unsure whether to run or stay. I’m as big a threat to Ethan as I am to Dorian.
“You’re shaking, Eloise.”
“This is horrible,” I whisper.
“You’re always refined in the words you use. This is fucking awful.”
“Do you know what worries me the most? Marcus wants me to bring Dorian back from the dead.”
Ethan’s expression morphs into shock. “Use your necromancy?”
I nod. “That’s why they want me. That’s the reason I’m here—and you. Our powers are valuable. This isn’t about killing each other at all.”
“That’s messed up, even for this place.” He rubs his forehead.
“We need to talk to Zeke. This involves him,” I say.
Ethan laughs at me. “If you persuade Zeke to meet me, you’re definitely powerful.”
I ask the question that’s burned in my mind since I walked into the room. “Do we tell Dorian that people at Ravenhold intend to kill him?”
He looks at me as if I’m crazy. “Dorian’s powers are returning too, and he’s killed before to protect himself. Do you think you’d survive if you told him?”
My stomach leadens. Whatever exists between Dorian and me would never bridge a situation like this. “He could work with us?” I suggest. “If Marcus says we’re powerful together, we could take on the academy.”
Ethan shakes his head. “That’s impossible and it’s extremely unlikely that Dorian would work with us, unless to dispose of us afterwards. Eloise. Don’t tell Dorian, because Marcus is correct about one thing—Dorian will kill you. And if he doesn’t, he’ll go after somebody else he feels is a threat. No, we speak to Zeke instead. The three of us are stronger together.”
The trembling grows and I’m ready to break down in front of Ethan. He’d do nothing, only refuse to touch or comfort me and that would make things worse. I’m grateful he took time to speak to me, but he can’t see me cry.
“Please give me space,” Ethan says and moves towards the door. “I’ve explained why. We’ll speak again in the morning and decide what to do.”
“I don’t have anywhere to go,” I protest, annoyed by his detachment.
“You have a room too. You’re safer there until tomorrow.”
“I would, but Oriana has a guy in her bed.”
“Special guest, huh?” asks Ethan.
“Yes.”
We’re edging around territory that leads to a place I’d go to in a heartbeat.
“You didn’t want to join in?” He chuckles at my stunned response. “I’m teasing you, Eloise. You seem like a straight-laced girl to me.”
“Is that why you don’t want me near you?” I blurt out. “Because you don’t think I’d live up to your expectations?”
“My expectations?” He smiles. “No. But I don’t think I’d meet yours.”
And here we are, in the territory I swear we’d stay away from. “Why?”
“I explained why the night I kissed you. Eloise, you’re sweet and kind and too delicate for somebody like me.”
I splutter. “Delicate? Do you think I’m a virgin?”
“Are you?”
I can’t believe I’m having this conversation with Ethan, right next to his bed. “No, and you have no idea what I like. You might be exactly the lover I want.”
The words come out as a retort; if I had any sense I’d use a seductive tone, because whatever Ethan says, I know he’s interested in sex with me.
“Is that right?” His eyes shine. “And what have you imagined?”
“Things.” Oh stars, I’m out of my depth.
Ethan reaches out and touches my cheek with his calloused fingertips. “I told you, not a great idea. You should probably leave before you plant ideas in my head.”
“I’m not scared of you.”
“You should be, because the need I feel around you would turn into something that isn’t pretty,” he says, voice huskier and pulling me closer, not pushing me away.
“You stopped when we kissed last time.”
His fingers trail across my cheek and to my lips. “We were outside. Now you’re in my room.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
My breath catches as he pulls my lip down with his thumb, fingers continuing to move down my face and to my neck. He drops them further, until they’re touching the bare skin at the top of my shirt.
My heart beats faster as I move my mouth closer, see-sawing between fear and desire. Ethan’s darkening eyes remain on mine and he slides his hand back up to catch me around the throat, gently holding my head back before my lips can meet his.
“You’re taking a risk that you’ll regret,