Chapter 10
She wrenched the door open to the roof and gulped in the blissful, cool night air. Inside felt like a boiler room in comparison. Closing her eyes, she walked the short paces to the nearest stone pillar and slid down it to the ground. The chilly, sturdy surface was a welcome feeling.
Diarmuid had left the house after her insistence. She wanted him to scope out the area by himself and return with results.
She had spoken as a formal request, but her true motive was to have a moment by herself. Coming outside herself and staring at the starlit night sky hadn't dawned on her until a good 20 minutes passed after Diarmuid left for his rounds.
A whistle of cut air met her ears, followed immediately by another. Tamiko lazily opened her eyes, wondering why the empty rooftop was making such a sound.
Diarmuid was at the far end of the roof. His twin lances were balanced in his arms and he was swiping the air around him. Spinning poles, a turned foot, a scuff and he thrust. His silent training regimen was calculated and swift, much like a dance, though more impromptu.
A swish of yellow clanged with red as Diarmuid drew his lances together, then fanned them out. The sharp tips sliced separate arcs above and beside him. His steps were elegant and assured.
Tamiko slowly pushed herself up along the pillar, not wanting to break Diarmuid's intense concentration. She slinked over to the exit door and was an arm's length away when her Servant's voice floated over.
"Master?" Diarmuid, having stopped his sinuous movements, was staring straight at her. The moonlight molded around his powerful physique, shadows enveloping his curves. His weapons dematerialized.
"Y-you're very good." She couldn't stop her flaming face from betraying her, especially when Diarmuid began to walk closer. He stopped in front of her, his gold eyes staring down in concern.
"My survey didn't take long. I came back here to report to you, but this roof came into view and I just..." Evidently, Diarmuid had conjured the same idea Tamiko came up with and reached here first.
Diarmuid squinted slightly. "Are you all right? Your face is abnormally red."
"I'm fine."
Diarmuid reached out a hand anyway. "You are not well." It was not a question to him any longer as a frown deepened. He quickly closed the space between them to place his hand on her forehead.
"Wait." Her hand quickly halted him by his wrist. "I told you I'm ok. You don't have to check. "
Diarmuid, unblinking, let her stop his movement. They stayed motionless and Tamiko began to wonder whether to leave him alone so he could continue training or remain like this. She couldn't think of much else other than him being in this spot.
Suddenly, Diarmuid broke away. His slightly disoriented gaze coupled with a darkening of his cheeks and he glanced away. "Master, I am not the only one who can curse another by sight."
Tamiko smiled. Well, maybe for tonight she could be as much of a distraction to him as he was to her, after all.