Page 24 of Deadly Little Games

“Wonderful,” I muttered.

Maybe Sebastian was capable of rescuing me, and maybe not. Either way, I knew I had to try. I reached out toward Crispin. “Give me your hand.”

He looked down at my waiting palm, then up to my face. “Why?”

I extended my hand more forcefully. “Do you want me to try, or not?”

He seemed to think about it for a moment, then he slid his palm over mine.

His skin was warm and dry, but I didn’t sense much else from him. My magic had retreated somewhere deep inside me.

“Great,” I huffed.

He kept his hand in mine. “What is it?”

“Do you trust me?”

His brows lifted. “Trust you? I only just met you yesterday.”

“Well you’re going to have to develop some trust real fast.” I stepped toward him until our bodies nearly touched.

“What are you doing?”

I gritted my teeth. “Less questions would make this easier.”

He watched me wide-eyed for a moment, then his throat bobbed as he swallowed. “Very well.”

Gods, I couldn’t believe I was going to do this. But I could barely feel my magic. I needed something, orsomeone, to bring it out in me.

I dropped his hand, then placed my palms against his chest, pushing my body against his. I didn’t react to him the way I did to Mistral, but I also didn’t really know him. My reaction to the others had grown over time.

“It would help if you touched me,” I said.

His hands went awkwardly to my waist. “Not that I don’t appreciate the invitation—”

My cheeks were already on fire, and it was growing worse by the moment. I forced myself to meet his eyes. “It’s weird, Iknow, buttouchseems to bring my magic to the surface. It’s only happened so far with two high goblins and Sebastian.”

His eyebrows shot up.

I gave him a warning look. “And I’m only telling you this to try to help you understand. It might be our only way out of here.” I lifted one finger toward his face. “But don’t you dare tell anyone else about it.”

With his eyebrows still raised, he reluctantly nodded. “You have my word.”

“Good. Now kiss me.”

He didn’t make a move. The light changed again overhead. It would be dark far too soon.

I felt ridiculous after arguing about kissing Gabriel, but for once I was in charge, and it made me feel bold. I took his jaw in my hands, then pulled his lips to mine.

I had never kissed an elf before, and for a moment all I could think was,Gods, he tastes like springtime. Then his hands went to my waist, pulling me more firmly against him. He tilted me back, deepening the kiss.

A hint of magic flared within me, reacting to his touch. I could tell he sensed it too when he started to pull away, but my plan was working. We couldn’t lose the thin bond I had established.

Instead I pushed him back against a low slab of stone, straddling him, my action surprising even myself. But the magic was growing. I was starting to see stars. I pushed my fingers through his short hair and kissed him for all that I was worth.

My actions seemed to release the rest of his doubt as his hands went to my hips, grinding me against him. The magic built, but I had no direction. No pathway.

The only thing I had to think of was Sebastian’s smug face. I pictured him standing in Crispin’s tower, laughing at us.