He slid his hands around my waist, linking them just under my breasts. My nipples went tight. Ached with expectation.
"When you said you wanted to talk, I didn't actually think you meant it."
"I just want an honest answer, Lucian. That's all."
"There's nothing sinister going on, if that's what you're implying. The simple fact is, no dark sorcerer does anything for nothing. She wanted payment, in blood."
Horror twisted through me. I turned in his arms. "You didn't give it to her, did you?"
"Why wouldn't I? This is just a form I'm forced to use, Risa. I do not cherish it the way you all do."
"But giving a dark sorcerer your blood? That's like giving a thief free access to your credit card. It's stupid—and dangerous."
"She can't do anything worse than what has already been done to me." His voice was both grim and dark, and again it had me wondering just what lengths he'd go to for the sake of revenge. More than I could ever guess, I suspected. "I do not fear her, Risa, and neither should you."
"Forgive me if I don't believe that statement one little bit."
We were standing so close all I could smell was musky, powerful male, and all I could feel was the heat of his desire. It took every ounce of control to just stand there in his arms—to not tear his clothes off and beg him to take me there and then. But I wanted answers. Wanted honesty, and he wasn't giving me either right now.
"She is an extremely old—and powerful—sorcerer, Risa." He hooked his fingers under the shift's shoulders and slid them down my arms. It fell to the floor in a river of soft black silk and puddled at my feet. "She didn't get there by making foolish moves. She knows a reaper protects you."
I clenched my fingers, fighting the urge to wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him. "I got the feeling she wasn't particularly scared of reapers."
"Only a fool wouldn't be wary of the reapers, and as I said, she is no fool."
My gaze searched his, but what I was looking for I couldn't honestly say. "You can't be sure of that; you don't know her."
"I know her kind," he murmured. "Just as I know your kind."