Black Moon Draw

Like every other relationship I've ever been in.

It's not possible to have a relationship with him, I remind myself. "Sounds good." The words are forced.

With a nod of satisfaction, he crosses to the bed and yanks off the bedding, pulling a sheet free. He wraps one end around his waist and ties it then moves to me and does the same around my waist. "This time, if one of us falls, we both do."

I meet his gaze, not sure how to take that statement. Threat? Reassurance? There's no telling with this man.

He goes to the window and leans out, twisting his torso to look up. "This is how we escape."

I mirror his movements and see a thick black chain extending from the top of our tower into the mist, where it appears to be connected to the sky.

"How is that possible?" I breathe, squinting to see what the chain is hooked to at the top. It goes on forever and disappears into the fog far above.

"Ancient magic." The Shadow Knight vaults onto the sill and stretches upward to the roof of the tower. He pulls himself up effortlessly with strength I know better than to assume I have. "Come, witch." He's lying on the roof and offers me a hand.

I look down. The bay might as well be a million feet below. "You sure about this?"

"Do you intend to use your magic?"

Not purposely. I wipe my hands on the pants. "You won't drop me because I'm a terrible battle-witch?"

"If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead."

I know as much. He's twice my size and strong enough that I don't stand a chance, despite the self-defense class I took in college. Reaching up, I take his hand with both of mine.

Seconds later, I'm dangling a billion feet over an ocean. He pulls me up to the edge of the roof and eases back from it, wrapping an arm beneath my breasts to pull me the rest of the way onto the solid tile.

"I'm not normally afraid of heights but this is . . ." I push back from the edge deeper into his strong body. My stomach flutters.

His arm is tight around me, his breathing tickling my ear. "I got you, witch," he replies, unconcerned. "The roof is flat." He draws me back a little more and then releases me to stand.

I'm shaky for more than one reason. Shifting to my knees, I move far enough from the edge that I feel semi-safe and look straight up.

The chain to the invisible ceiling where it attaches is long, almost as long as the drop to the ocean. Its links are the height of my half and wide enough for me to fit two feet in.