Shadowburn (2)

Chapter 9

The carpet was soft beneath their backs as they laid, entwined, on the floor of the last library Andreas had taken her to. It was the one he frequented the least as it was hidden more deeply into the house than he normally ventured. Besides that, it was where all the beginner magic books were stored, and he'd outgrown them a long time ago.

Their clothes were scattered haphazardly about the room, though not torn this time as they had no need to rush. The Djin had finally come to understand the worth in waiting.

Her arm was stretched across his chest, her body tucked into his side, fitting there perfectly. Her leg was thrown lazily over one of his, her foot below his other leg. His hand rested on her shoulder where he absently traced patterns.

She let out a soft, contented sigh, her breath tickling his chest where her head rested on his shoulder. After a few moments passed in silence, he heard her murmur something against him, another faint sigh in her words. He could almost have sworn it was his name.

A warm feeling spread through him, one he wasn't sure how to respond to. He'd never been in a situation quite like this before.... Skylar was different, she'd always been different. She could see inside his mind -- until he learned how to keep her out -- so he never really had to explain things to her. She always just knew. And even when he tried to push her away, she knew he didn't mean it. Sometimes he thought that was the only reason she stuck around.

Yet, when it came to Sin... she couldn't see into his mind. She didn't know of all the horrors that lived there, of everything that he so desperately tried to hide. And when he tried to keep her at a distance, she kept closing it. She kept moving closer and she didn't even know. She just did.

And somehow that meant more.

After a while, she started to pull away and he almost didn't let her. But, she didn't move far, just enough so she could tilt her head up to look at him with those bright blue eyes. She reached up a hand to brush strands of hair from his forehead. "We really need to talk, you and I, love."

He raised a single eyebrow at her. "About what exactly?" he asked warily.

She smiled wryly, moving so she was lying nearly on top of him. She rested her arm across his chest, and leaned her head down on it, looking up at him through her eyelashes. "Many, many things. To begin with..." she took a deep breath, the fingers from the hand in his hair still moving absently through the wild strands. "What were you thinking about this morning?"

He smirked. "Many, many things. You'll have to be more specific, Djin."

She smiled faintly, but continued in a serious tone. "You told Kalen you wanted to cook because you needed to think. What was so important?"

Andreas took in a heavy breath, but didn't answer for a long moment. "Again... there were many things on my mind. But, particularly... there was a reason I had declined your offer of returning to your home with you, Sin. And it had nothing to do with sentimentality."

She nodded, her expression still serious. "I know. You told me when I first asked, and I knew then. I think that... well, that's not important. You said, 'I have to make him pay'." She looked at him steadily. "I don't know how or when you plan to do that, but if you'd like a friend along the way... I'm still not going anywhere."

He smiled slightly and leaned forward to place a kiss on her forehead. "Very well. Perhaps you could be of assistance after all."

He laid back down, his gaze focused on the ceiling thoughtfully.

"I am an assassin... a fairly good one, I might add... I know a thing or two about hurting people." He could hear the smirk in her voice.

"There's no doubt about that, Sin. But, this world isn't something you've encountered before. You'll need something to protect you from magic. While John is completely human, he has a brother who is not." He dropped his gaze to her, lifting one hand to caress her cheek. "No matter how good you are with a weapon, you won't be able to defend yourself from him."

She arched a brow at him, which quickly turned into a glare. "What do you think I've got you for, eh?"

He sighed and moved so they were both in a sitting position. He raked a hand through his hair. "You think if it was that easy that he'd still be alive? I've been to their estate... I know where to find him. The problem is, the whole estate is covered in Light Crystals -- the source of all light magic. In case you haven't noticed, I use dark magic. Those crystals nullify my magic, to a stronger degree than the machine in the Nox did. Besides that, there are many wards placed on the property that prevent the use of dark magic specifically. They are trying to keep me out."

She tapped her fingers thoughtfully, absently, against his head for a moment. "So basically, we need to get him somewhere you're not at a disadvantage... lure him out."

"Exactly, or else they would be able to hurt... well you. There have been cases where I could break through the wards, when I'm angry enough. But even if that were to happen, I wouldn't be able to protect you as I would be drained of energy fast." He picked up a lock of her hair and twirled it in his fingers thoughtfully.

Sin watched him for a minute and sighed, exasperatedly, but there was a hint of affection in her eyes. "I'm really never going to convince you that I don't need to be protected, am I?" She shook her head. "Regardless, we need to draw him out... so it's simple. We just need bait." An arched eyebrow. "Surely there is something he cares about?"

Andreas thought about it for a minute. There was Raphael... but getting to him would be too much of a hassle.

He sat up straighter the moment the idea hit him, his eyes widening in realization. Sin put her hands on his shoulders and tilted her head to the side in expectation.

"He's engaged... there were announcements about it recently I believe as the girl is close to being of age. I don't know if he cares about her per se, but his family will."

She grinned. "That'll do it, Scotty. Let's go get her."

"She shouldn't be that difficult to kidnap... she's a noble girl after all. Besides, I don't believe they will be on the lookout for magic users either. It's the perfect plan."

She poked his shoulder and rose to her feet. "See? Did I or did I not say that I know a thing or two about these things? Bait. Let's go fishing."

He got to his own feet and pulled her into a kiss. "Terribly sorry for underestimating you," he teased after he pulled back.

Sin laughed a little, smirking up at him. "As well you should be." She gave him a short -- too short -- kiss before pulling away to find her clothes.

Andreas smiled wryly before doing the same.