Death of Darkness

Adira squirmed in Leah's arms, wanting down.

Leah lowered her until her little sneaker‐clad feet touched the floor.

Adira toddled away, patting the garments that brushed her head and shoulders. Straightening, Leah watched her for a moment, then turned back to Seth. "I guess I'll get back to work."

Was that disappointment he felt upon hearing her words? He really was enjoying her company.

Adira turned around and toddled back. Grasping Leah's fingers, she reached out, took Seth's hand, and placed Leah's in it.

Seth instinctively curled his fingers around Leah's.

Satisfied, Adira turned and toddled off once more.

"Oh," Leah said with a surprised chuckle. "Well. Maybe not."

Seth was surprised, too. What was Adira thinking?

He glanced at Leah. Should he apologize? "Sorry about that."

"No worries," she said with another charming smile.  Raising their clasped hands, she turned them so his was on top and slid  her free hand over it. "Oooh. Look how big your hand is."

How many times had he heard Tracy or one of the other  mortal women he frequently encountered think Oooh. Look how big his  hands are. You know what they say: big hands, big feet, big package in  much the same tone as Leah's.

Seth couldn't help it. He barked out a laugh.

Leah's eyes widened. "Wait. I didn't mean that the way it sounded."

"It sounded as if you like that my hands are so big."

She flushed. "I do, but I didn't mean it like you think."

"How do I think you meant it?" he asked with exaggerated innocence.

Face red, she laughed. "Stop making me blush. I just  meant I like that you're so big. Not just your hands. But all over."  Again her eyes widened. "I mean, not all over, but—"

Laughing, he took pity on her. "It's all right. I understood what you meant the first time."

Smiling, she squinted up at him. "You like to tease, don't you?"

"Guilty as charged." Many immortals did. It helped lighten what could otherwise be a dark existence.

She caressed his hand again, sending little tingles through it. "My hand actually looks small in yours. That's so cool."

It did. And the sensations her soft touch inspired unnerved him a bit. His pulse even picked up.

Seth eyed her curiously. "You really dislike your size so much?" He thought it a shame. She was a beautiful woman.

Shrugging, she released his hand and let hers fall to  her sides. "When someone gives you a complex in high school, it tends to  stick with you."

Adira reappeared as if by magic. Taking Leah's hand, she again placed it in Seth's, then moved away.

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Leah nodded after Adira. "Maybe she's hoping I'll  distract you so she can take her time looking over the toys she plans to  coax you into buying before you leave."

Seth winked. "Or maybe she just heard you say you like my big hands."

She laughed.