Inner Demon by Jocelynn Drake Page A

remove it completely from my chest. “The weather has been getting worse and we’ve heard whispers that the Winter Court is planning for heavy snowfall at the start of the new year. It would be safest if I leave now.”
    A sigh slipped from my parted lips. I dropped my head to stare down at the top of the table before turning to face her. “You know that’s not the reason. If you’re going to leave with my child, the least you could do for both of us is to tell the truth.”
    Tears glistened in her wide green eyes and I almost wanted to take the words back. My first impulse was to take her into my arms and tell her that it would all be okay and that I understood why she was doing this, but I couldn’t. I was hurting too and I didn’t understand why she had to do this when it was killing us both.
    â€œLow Town is too dangerous.” Trixie paused and cleared her throat, though her voice wasn’t any less rough when she continued. “You’ve become too dangerous.” When my gaze narrowed on her, she started speaking much faster as if she was trying to head off my next words. “You’re messing with some kind of magic that is just bad. I don’t know what it is, but you’re changing. You’re becoming more reckless. The Towers are demanding more of you, and I’m afraid that you’ll never be able to escape again. I’m afraid for you, Gage. I’m afraid that if they keep demanding, eventually you’re not going to want to leave. “
    â€œI’m fine—­”
    â€œNo, you’re not. You’ve been hunting down two different killers while still keeping up with your hours at the parlor. You’re spreading yourself so thin that you’re barely sleeping, barely eating. It’s affecting your control over magic. Most ­people wouldn’t notice, but there’s a change in the air wherever you go. It’s like waiting for lightning to strike.”
    â€œI’ve got it under control. I’m f—­”
    â€œNo, you’re not!” Trixie closed the distance between us and cupped my cheeks in both of her hands. “Please, you have to realize that you’re not fine. We’re not fine. You need help. You need to stop and get away from the Towers.”
    Tears slipped down her pale cheeks when she blinked, but she didn’t wipe them away. She kept her hands on me and I was at last shaken by her fear. Her crisp fresh scent floated around me. If I closed my eyes I could see a spring rain on a green glade filled with wildflowers. I could hear birds singing and I could feel the cool water hitting my face. The feel of her, of her own gentle magic, broke through the sludge of darkness that had coated me for so long.
    â€œI just wanted to keep you safe,” I said, struggling to get the words past the lump in my throat.
    â€œI know, my love. You have tried so hard, but what we wish for will take more time and more power than either of us possesses. So long as the Towers exist, they’ll haunt us. I’m afraid of bringing a child into that kind of life.”
    â€œWhat if it were just you? Would you stay?” I asked. It was a stupid question to ask because it didn’t reflect reality any longer. But something irrational in me had to know that she would have fought for me if she had only herself to worry about. Somehow, I thought knowing that would help ease the pain that was suffocating me.
    â€œYes,” she said in a rush. She stood on tiptoe and pressed her lips to mine in a kiss made damp by her tears. She kissed me a second time and then kissed my chin as she stood flat-­footed on the floor again. “If it were just me, I’d stay. Damn the Towers and the danger. If it was just me, I’d stay with you. I would fight for you and I would win.”
    Reaching out, I pulled her against me, wrapping my arms tightly around her as I squeezed my eyes shut against a sudden