The Land Of Shadows by Michelle Horst Page A

of questions, but I can’t let Storm think he has hurt me. “You did not hurt me, Storm.”
    “Why then would you have a current running through you?” His voice is a low rumble and eyes lock with mine. My mouth dries and I wish I could find a place to hide. Storm can be very daunting when he wants something.
    “Uhm … I …ahh,” I stutter, trying to think of an excuse he will believe. I bite my bottom lip, silently cursing myself. Storm’s eyes pierce through me. His look turns predatory and a sudden feeling that I’m being hunted spreads through my bones. Storm moves fast and in an instant he’s standing in front of me. His hand is inches away from mine as he reaches for it. Like a child, I shove my hands behind my back and out of his reach. I glare up at him and take a step back.
    “Why do you move away from me? Why will you not let me touch you?”
    I don’t want to tell him my secret. I’m scared he’ll get involved and in the process hurt, or worse. I’m so tired I can’t think of a good lie so I stutter, “I have to … I have to go.” I drop my eyes to my feet so he won’t see the truth in my eyes.
    “Go where?” Oh, he is so persistent! I try to step around him, but he moves to block my way. “For once in your life face me, Luna!” Storm sighs heavily. “Your constant running is starting to leave me very frustrated. I want to know what happened in the clearing. Help me understand what is going on with you. Let me help.”
    My heart leaps into my throat and I swallow hard. I wish he would just let it go!
    “The one minute you were weak and then you took something from me … my energy? You drew strength from me, Luna.” I look away from Storm because I hate being put on the spot like this. I feel cornered. “It felt like you took my essence. How did you do that?”
    I shake my head. I can’t run from him anymore. He won’t stop asking questions until I give him something. I sigh, feeling frustrated. “I regret doing it, Storm. I thought you were Lucius. I apologize. What more do you want from me?” Feeling cornered by Storm unleashes my anger and my eyes blaze at him.
    “You and Lucius can draw strength from each other?” His voice is filled with disbelief. The fact that he doesn’t jump down my throat for taking his essence throws me slightly.
    “Yes, we can give energy to each other, replenish each other.” I sigh. Now it will only be a matter of time before Storm figures it out it all out.
    “The electricity you have in you … you took it from me?” He sounds astonished and I’m too relieved to care.
    “I absorb any form of energy,” I whisper, hating that I have to admit that to him. I watch as he takes in what I just said.
    “Is that why you did not want to touch me?”
    “Yes.” I know he wants more of an explanation. I roll my eyes in frustration. “Look, Storm, I was not aware of your energy. You do not exactly advertise your talents.” I use my sarcasm to hide my discomfort talking about this. “I would like to go home and get cleaned up if you are finished questioning me.”
    Storm stares hard at me and I know that look well. He is far from finished.
    “What would have happened if I didn’t have energy, Luna? What would your touch have done to me?”
    I close my eyes. I feel a wave of dread wash over me. “I would have killed you,” I whisper, knowing I just sealed my fate. Now he knows and there will be no way for me hide my talent any more. My eyes snap open and I see the shock on his face. “My talent is to kill, Storm. That is why I kept it from you. It is not exactly something to be proud of.”
    I turn around and walk away. We never greet each other with the accustomed ‘peace be’. I guess it’s because there will never be any peace between us, especially now that Storm knows what I can do.
    ~*~
    Storm~
    I stand shocked to my core. I wanted answers and now that I have them, I don’t know how I feel about it all. Luna’s talent is to kill? She