46

He took it away from her and slid his thumb against the guard. Instantly a blade of blue energy appeared, eclipsing the razor edged steel. She didn’t try to take it back, just looked it over carefully, catching his eye and nodding when she was done. The blue hummed back into the blade, and he gave it back to her.

“The energy source is inside the haft. I release the beam when I slide the catch.”

She looked it over a little longer and gave it back to him to be sheathed.

She settled back against the pillows plumped against the arms of the couch and bent her knees, bringing her bare feet up on the cushions. For a moment, she watched him. “I know why Rihlia didn’t tell me about the Haunt. Why haven’t you?”

***

When he frowned, uncertain what she was asking, she elaborated, “You shape shift.”

“Ah.” This was definitely a subject to be approached with caution. He didn’t want to foster any more distrust than she must already be feeling.