” Oddly, that was erotic.The next time I was at my brother’s house I made a point to spend time visiting with Marty. She was so goddamn cute! She ...cted the sister-in-law around other people but when we were alone in the kitchen, she surprised me, “Your brother told me about your talk. If you’d like to get a woman’s perspective I’m home tomorrow afternoon. When can you come over?”Meeting me at the door in her bathrobe, she took me to the guest room and announced, “I believe that talks about sex. Panicking, you tried to push and pull your way out of his grip, but he held your arms tight against your body. He came to a rest against the brick wall deep in the shadows of the alley, your back against his chest, body heaving with fear.He whispered closely in your ear now. "I am going to uncover your mouth, and you're not going to say a fucking word. Nod if you understand."You nodded.He took his hand off your mouth, and reached into his pocket. Putting what appeared to be a weapon away, you. My friend, Neria, had accidentally let slip more information than she should, and I was convinced I'd never be able to defeat a demon in the Fade. And seriously, who the fuck thinks throwing an unprepared apprentice into the Fade with a tame pride demon was a good idea anyway? My skill ran to hexes and paralysis – useful abilities, but not, by-and-large, lethal. So I readily agreed with Jowan, and soon Uldred was teaching us blood magic.It turned out that I have a natural talent in the field. I. She had refused to travel with the team up the river on the boat.Alec had to drop her and her considerable amount of baggage off, personally. We still had an apartment upstairs, but I didn’t want her anywhere near me. Plus, they were meant for families, and she was by herself.I assigned rooms for her team in the so-far empty set of accommodations near the formal dining room. Alec told me the other five members were all on the boat and should be here the next day or the day after. I showed.