Catastrophic Attraction - Eve Langlais Page 0,61
As he neared, he slowed until he was right under her, making her realize the tendril was slowly dragging her higher.
He glanced up and smirked. “Did I forget to mention to watch out for the roots?”
“Don’t make me wish the shadow had eaten you.”
The smile widened. “Actually, it’s quite the opposite. I inhaled it. You’ll be glad to know my power is now fully restored.”
“How?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. And I don’t do it often.”
“Why not?” she asked as she kept moving slowly upwards. She used the fact he conversed calmly to keep her own panic under control.
“Because I’d prefer to not go mad like the wizards in the marsh.”
“That’s what makes them crazy?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m usually too busy taking them out to ask them questions.”
“Can anyone with a Deviant power use that shadow thing as a recharge for their battery?” She tried to pull the root free, but it resisted.
He shook his head. “No, usually it’s quite deadly, which is why I never bothered stationing guards down here. Very few people make it through these tunnels alive.”
“I’ll remember that.” Said most ominously. “Now if you don’t mind, could you help me get down?”
“Are you asking me for help?”
She grumbled, “I swear, if you make me beg, I’ll rip out your spine.”
“Beg? No. But I would like to hear you say please.”
“Please, you asshole.”
He chuckled. “I don’t suppose I’ll get anything better.”
“How has no one killed you yet?”
“Close your eyes.”
She shut them tight rather than ask why. A bright flash of light still illuminated her lids. A moment later she felt herself falling. Not far. Roark was there to catch her.
She landed in his arms, and she opened her eyes to see his face very close to hers.
“Nice catch,” she said, a tad breathlessly, which was odd given she’d not done a thing to exert herself.
“Not that you needed it. I’m sure you would have landed on your feet.”
She would have, but she had to admit it was nice to not have to. The jolt to her knees and spine always sucked.
He seemed in no hurry to put her down and kept staring.
She was the one to look away and squirm. She had to give herself some distance before she closed the gap between their mouths and kissed him. This wasn’t the time or place, but then again, was there ever a good moment?
A root came questing toward her, but not him. She slapped at it.
He laughed.
Whereas she scowled. “Not funny. Why aren’t they bothering you?”
“Because they recognize me.”
Again, not the oddest thing she’d ever heard. “How far to go?”
“To the city, a ways yet, but we’re almost to the surface. So if you’re done talking, time for me to win the bet.”
“Don’t you mean I won? I made it to the tree first.” Or so she assumed given the network of roots dangling underground.
“The actual tree is up there.” He pointed.
When she glanced overhead, she saw a mess of dangling roots of varying lengths, but amidst them, light. “That’s the exit?”
“Yes. The tree is hollow.”
“How do we get out?”
“Very carefully.”
“That’s your advice?”
“Don’t tell me you want me to hold your hand or, better yet, throw you on my back and carry you?”
“You are really tempting me to kill you,” she snarled.
“Don’t tell me you can’t handle a bit of teasing?”
No, she couldn’t, especially since he wasn’t following up with any pleasing. “Teasing is something friends do.”
“Are you saying we’re not friends?”
“I don’t know what we are.” The honest truth.
“I know what I’d like us to be.” He moved closer.
“What?”
He leaned in until his mouth almost brushed hers and said, “Climbing out of here before night falls and the roots start cleaning out the intruders in their lair.”
Of course they were dangerous. Everything was dangerous. “How do we get out?”
“We climb.”
“Climb?” She glanced upwards. “Didn’t you just free me from one of them?”
“Yes.”
She grabbed him by the jacket and yanked him close. “Enough with the games. How do we get out of here without getting eaten or squeezed to death by the tree?”
“By asking me nicely.”
“Please, Your Majesty,” she said sweetly a moment before she hit him.
Chapter 16
He probably deserved the punch to the gut. He’d been intentionally baiting her, mostly because she could handle it. Casey wasn’t one to like being coddled, so he gave her what she said she wanted. And she still got mad.
“Would it help if I said they’re sluggish in bright light?” He formed a ball of it in his hand and