Damien settled beside her, carefully maintaining a few inches of distance despite wanting to close it. "They're making it worse. If they'd approved cautiously, given you supervised time, we'd be less intense. Prohibition creates obsession."
"Basic psychology?"
"Chapter three of any text on human behavior." He smiled slightly. "They're amateurs at manipulation. Too focused on authority, not enough on understanding actual motivation."
"And you're a professional?"
"Obviously." He said it lightly, but watched her reaction carefully.
She laughed softly. "At least you're honest about it. Though I notice you still haven't told me where your shadow magic really comes from."
"No, I haven't."
"Going to?"
"Probably not." He met her eyes directly. "Some secrets are dangerous to share. Not because I don't trust you, but because the knowledge itself could hurt you."
"That's frustratingly vague."
"I know."
