Page 181 of Nightshade

“Does he understand?”

“Yes,” Jericho answered, handing the necklace back to me. “Cicatrix has exceptional recall.”

“But you never said a word to him.”

“We communicate without words.”

“How?”

He turned his attention back to the bird, and after no more than a few seconds, it took flight. The other dozens of birds hit the sky alongside Cicatrix and circled in the clearing of trees overhead. Jericho waved his hand and the circle dispersed, the birds nosediving toward us before quickly changing direction toward the sky once more. Every one of them flew in sync, in the most spectacular display of grace I’d ever seen.

A chuckle escaped me, watching him direct them like a conductor standing before a seasoned orchestra. Not a word was spoken.

One abrupt wave of his hand, and the birds circled again in a strange holding pattern, while Jericho flicked his fingers toward me. “Come.”

Still perplexed, I sauntered up beside him and allowed him to guide my arms outward. He pushed my right arm into an arc, and by some illogical reason, the birds followed my command, dipping in an arc formation. He drew my hand back, as if a baseball sat in my palm, and thrust it forward. The birds darted upward, dispersing like black confetti in the sky.

On a burst of laughter, I tipped my head back, the delight of watching these wild birds move at my will an extraordinary experience.

“This is incredible!” I exclaimed, drawing them back at his guidance.

“They trust you,” Jericho said at my ear.

“What does that mean?”

“They happen to be an excellent judge of character. Very loyal creatures.”

“Strange. I always thought of them as fickle.”

“Their loyalty certainly doesn’t extend to everyone.”

As I lowered my arms, the birds flitted back to the ground and resumed their nosing for worms. “What is it that connects you to them?”

“A bond I have with Cicatrix. I saved his life long ago. He took it personally.”

“I had no idea birds were so smart.”

“Well, depends on the bird.”

“You command lightning and ravens. Is there anything you can’t do?”

Sighing, he crossed his arms and leaned against a nearby tree. “Probably not.”

The unexpected response brought a smile to my face. “Except dance.”

At his raised brow, I chuckled. “Well, I just assumed, since you refused to dance with me at the Hallow Ball, that you were afraid to tell me you couldn’t.”

“I wasn’t exactly there to waltz the night away, Miss Ravenshaw. In truth, I’ve never taken much interest in dancing. I never saw—”

“The point. That’s a shame. Possibly a deal breaker,” I teased.

“And you excel at this?”

“Excel is probably a strong word. I do it when I have to--weddings, late night cooking sessions, and in the shower whenever a Prince song comes on. Obligatory moments, you know. Nothing more.”

“Shower?” With a wave of his hand, he quirked a brow. “Demonstrate, if you will.”

“What? Here? In front of you?”