“Yes. But, honestly, I haven’t given it—you—much thought.” His wife had fled home to Maine and Kamdyn had taken up with her warlock boyfriend, so he was free to do as he pleased. And what delighted him most was gaining unfathomable power.
The mirror stone would give him that kind of command.
Oh, yes, Kamdyn. “Your powers are so slight. I forgot.”
“No matter,” she said, disgusted.
He magically came upon her, grasping her upper arm. “Again, why are you here?”
She turned her face away from him. He shook her, causing her teeth to knock against each other.
“Tell me. You recall the last time you stuck your nose where it didn’t belong.” He blew at her hair, sending it askew.
She shivered.
Good. Maybe this time, she’d heed his warnings.
Her hatred-filled eyes raised and met his. “I know it seems unfair, pet. But you really must learn to mind your betters.”
A cell phone trilled in her pocket. She glanced down.
“Answer it,” he ordered.
She shook her head. “It’s a message. I can read it later.”
He thrust his hand, snagging her jacket. She hit at his arm. It did no good. He withdrew the phone and stared at the caller. He felt the blood rush to his face. “Her! You’re acting out with Zoe Cirillo behind you once again.”
“Zoe has nothing to do with this.”
He read the text. I’ve reviewed the map. It’s complicated. Curious, he lifted her chin between his fingers and held her captive so he could see her eyes. “What map?”
Kamdyn’s friend’s timing had been unfortunate years ago, and now it appeared she may be a thorn in his side again.
* * *
The afternoon sun warmed Zoe as she stretched out on the rock. The rays shone on the map. “Look. It shines differently in the sunlight than it does by lamplight.”
Rylan sat alongside her, watching her. She caught him doing that a lot. His brow furrowed. “What’s wrong?”
“This is taking longer than I imagined it would.”
She tilted the map so he could view it better. His arm brushed hers as he leaned in. She tensed even more aware of him. “Something worries you.”
He hesitated. “A demon holds my sister captive. The cost of her freedom is Clach Sgàthan.”
“So you are here to take it?”
“I will not let her down. The witch gave me the map to help me find it.”
“You are fortunate then.”
“I haven’t found it yet,” he grumbled.
She angled the map. “The map is a puzzle. Light filters through a magical film highlighting altered features. Like light passing through a prism. The components separate and can be viewed independently. The dispersion allows a way to peel down to the basic element, and find the path to the stone.”
“It’s taking too long.”
“Some things take time. I’ve already drilled down a few layers. Perhaps by tomorrow—”
“Tomorrow,” he roared.
She jumped. “Don’t do that.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
“I just didn’t expect it.” She stood and held the map out at arm’s length. “The second layer seems to feature rock formations. See, it matches here and here.” She pointed out two similarities between the shapes on the ground and on the map.
He prowled over the area and knelt where she’d indicated. “There’s nothing here. Granite, nothing more.”
She sighed. “Do you think anyone in town knows of Clach Sgàthan?”
“The Ellinghams are the town founding family. If anyone would know, it would be them.”
“Perhaps if we gleaned a bit more history about the mirror stone, maybe that will help.”
“Excellent idea. I’ll arrange to see if we can pay them a visit.” He offered his hand to help her up. She accepted it, grabbing hold and pulling. His strength amazed her. She practically went flying into the water, but he caught her in the crook of his other arm, holding her firmly to him.
She turned her head and their lips were so close. If she angled her head, they’d touch. Then he let her go and she fell backward, slightly off balance.
“Oh my,” she mumbled.
“Shall be pick up groceries?”
Somewhat discombobulated, she blinked. Yes, she’d agreed to fix him a Greek meal. “Sure.” She walked in the direction of his RV. “I have my car, though. I can drive.”
“I’ve seen your vehicle. I’d have to sit with my head and arms hanging out the window in order to fit,” he smiled at her. “We’ll take mine.”
* * *
The lion shifter drove a freaking huge truck. She felt like her knee touched her chin as she hiked up her leg to climb inside the cab. As he drove, the Hummer handled the off-road section of ground with ease.
“After we pick up the grocery items we need, can I make a stop to change clothes?”
“Sure thing.” He opened a console compartment and removed a pen and paper. “How about making a shopping list?”
“I can do that.” She smiled to herself. Another indication he liked order and for things to go as planned.
They arrived at the Shop-n-Save at around four thirty. For the first time today, she wondered what Kamdyn was doing. A wave of guilt washed over her. She hadn’t thought of her friend before now. In the store, as Rylan grabbed a cart, she texted Kamdyn. Nothing new. How about you?
He paused upon entering, his eyes skimming the store layout, then he checked the list. “Beef, lamb, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, onion, garlic, paprika, parsley, cinnamon, tomato paste, parmesan cheese…”
“I really would like Greek cheese, but they probably won’t have that.”
“I see.” He looked out of the corner of his eyes at her. “Hence, the reason I like steak. Quick, simple, tasty.”
“I promise you will love my Moussaka. But it will take some time to prepare.”
He pushed the cart along. “Let’s do this.”
Female heads turned as they strolled through the food aisles. She didn’t like the fact they were ogling Rylan. Although, she had to admit he had a quiet command about him—strong and sure about himself. More than once, she found she was inclined to cast a small spell on the passing women.
She stifled the urge, though—with great difficulty.
Foolishly, her heart swelled when his hand lingered a little longer than necessary on hers as he handed over the Parmesan cheese and eggplant. Her sorcerous intuition knew the energy passing between them was special—more than just an acquaintance.
Rylan paused as they approached the cash registers. An elderly woman with a cane tried to reach something from the upper shelf. He grabbed the item and gave it to her. The old woman grinned and thanked him.
He turned back to Zoe. “Is that everything?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said, feeling suddenly shy, as if shopping for food items had an intimacy she hadn’t expected.
She couldn’t believe how patient he’d been. He hadn’t bulldozed his way down the aisles or gotten aggravated at other customers. He paid for the items, snatching a white rose from the bucket of flowers next to the cashier at the last minute. He offered her the flower with a slight bend at his waist.
Oh… The shapeshifter oozed charm. “Thank you,” she said softly as heat rushed into her cheeks.
As they drove, she checked her phone several times. Kamdyn hadn’t answered. Zoe grew worried. What if something was up with Roar?
The next stop was Kamdyn’s place. He pulled in the drive, cut the engine, and opened the door for her. “Take your time. I’ll wait in the truck.”
“You sure?”
He balanced his cell phone in his palm. “I’ll catch up on email.”
She nodded. Maybe he just wanted to give her privacy. Inside the cottage, she found the house dark. “Kamdyn,” she called and flicked on a light switch. It didn’t appear her friend was home. Had she discovered something about her fath
er today? She checked her phone to see if she’d missed any messages. No. She checked out back, just to make sure Kamdyn wasn’t hanging outside with Cedric. But she wasn’t there, either.
Back in the living room, she stood very still and reached out with her sorcery skills to see if she could pick up an essence or image. Again, nothing jumped out at her. Maybe she went out with Cedric.
In her room, she took a speedy rinse in the shower, dressed, and ran a brush through her slightly damp hair. On her way out, she left Kamdyn a note telling her about her dinner plans. A cell phone battery could die at any time. Maybe that’s what happened.
Rylan was at the truck door, ready to open it when she got there. Had he heard her coming? When she stepped in front of him, he drew a deep breath. “You smell great,” he said, his voice a soft rumble that sent a warm ripple running through her.
“Thanks.” As she climbed in this time, she thought, she really shouldn’t feel glad about challenging him to dinner. But she did.
Chapter Eight
As much as he enjoyed being around Zoe, he couldn’t see sitting around watching her cook. That would cause him to move closer, look over her shoulder, and maybe even kiss her sweet neck.
He paused at the door, map in hand, considering her. He was used to getting what he wanted, but honor made him keep his distance from this beautiful, sensual woman. He had an obligation to finish, and then he’d be heading back to Terror. A relationship wasn’t in the cards.
“I’m going to get out of your way and go poke around at the falls some more. Give me a shout when you want me.”
* * *
Well, she wanted him now. Zoe bit her lip to keep from calling him back as the door closed behind him. On a sigh, she turned to cooking the meat and preparing the sauce.
She layered the eggplant, cooked meat, and creamy béchamel sauce. She topped it with a sprinkle of cheese and placed it in the oven for thirty minutes. Then she sat and rested.
While she’d been busy cooking, her mind hadn’t settled on Rylan. But as soon as she’d stopped, there it was…a swirl of emotions, doubts and desires.
She must be mad. She should flee back to Kamdyn’s place. Back to the safety of what she knew and away from the lion shifter. But she most likely wouldn’t. And the question she kept asking herself was: why? Why did she care what happened to a lion shifter she’d only known two days?
She smiled as she thought about how calm and royal he’d been when they were shopping. He treated her with respect, even as he teased her about her culinary choices. She felt something entirely different than she had with any other man—anticipation.
She looked forward to whatever would come next with him. Lazily, she lifted the rose he’d given her, touched it to her nose enjoying its fragrance, then fixed it in a glass of water on the table.
She agonized over the role she was playing. She wanted to help thwart Roar, but at the same time, Rylan had a true need for the stone.
If she assisted him she’d still be working against Roar. She decided.
The timer beeped. She jolted, her thoughts scattering. Removing the dish from the oven, she set it out to cool. The wonderful aroma of Moussaka filled the RV.
Exiting, she went to tell Rylan dinner was ready. As she skittered down the riverbank, the sound of rushing water greeted her. The fresh smell of trees, earth, and water replaced those of cooking. The full moon had just risen and cast a moonbow over the falls. She easily found the path that led to the top of the falls and climbed up.
She looked to what had become her favorite rock to sit and study the map with Rylan. He wasn’t there. She glanced about. “Rylan?”
A growling sound came from the bushes. She carefully made her way in that direction. She stepped off the larger rocks and down onto the spongy ground. Grabbing a handful of brush, she pushed the branches aside. A large lion stood with his foot pinned between rocks.
His head jerked up, and his golden eyes held hers. “Rylan. What happened?”
He tugged upward on his front paw to no avail. His leg was stuck.
She eased forward, not at all certain if lion shifters maintained their human personalities while in animal form. She thought they did. Hoped so.
“Let me have a look,” she said kindly as she approached. She drew a glow stone from her pocket and shone it on the ground and Rylan’s caught leg. He was in the midst of thick undergrowth, making it difficult to determine the problem.
Using the magic of the glow stone, she peeled away the ferns, revealing a crack between the rocks that Rylan’s leg had slipped down into. She ran her fingers around his leg, feeling the opening.
“You’re stuck pretty good. Okay. I see the problem now.” She took hold of his leg, guiding it. “If you turn it to the right a bit, I think it’s a little wider, and…” She directed his leg and paw out by stretching it and sliding it back through the opening. “There.”
He stumbled backward and sat on his haunches. As he put weight forward onto his front leg, he bared his teeth in obvious pain. He was huge. She hesitated, took a deep breath, then crossed the few steps to reach him and threaded her hand into his glorious mane. His golden eyes watched her, wary at first. Then he stretched out on his stomach, resting. She continued to stroke his hair between his large ears. “It will stop hurting in a minute now that it’s not caught any longer,” she said, soothingly.
After several minutes, he altered into his human form. Her hand passed over his blonde hair. She froze. What hadn’t seemed intimate with the lion, did with the man.
“Is your ankle all right? It isn’t broken, is it?”
“No. I’m just tired from standing there so long. And I couldn’t shift until I calmed down.”
She took her stone and shown it over where he’d been trapped. “There’s something unusual here.” She leaned closer, putting her face all the way down so she could peer into the hole created between the rocks. “There’s a cavern down there. And something is glowing. It’s off to the side, so I can’t make out what it is.”
Rylan crawled over beside her to look. “Do you think it’s Clach Sgàthan?”
“I don’t know.”
He rested back on his knees, bringing up the map. “It must be the mirror stone. Look, in the light of the moonbow, this spot makes a crisscross. That’s how I ended up here.”
She took the map from him and examined it. Sure enough, there was yet another layer that hadn’t been revealed under sunlight. “You may be right. This seems to be a different sign.”
“We’ll return in the morning with tools that will help us get down there.”
“Dinner is ready.”
“And I thought you were here because you missed me.”
If he knew that she did, what would he think? They began to travel back to the RV. Rylan limped heavily, favoring his bad ankle. As they came to the path, Zoe assumed a position by his side, wrapping an arm around his waist. “Here. Lean on me.”
She could tell by his stiff back and set jaw that he didn’t want to, but he slid an arm around her shoulders anyway. She was glad she didn’t have to fight him on this. Did that mean he trusted her? She wasn’t sure.
He hobbled to the RV with her help. At the door, he paused. She looked up into his eyes. “Thank you,” he said. Before she could respond, he tipped his head down and kissed her.
What began as a quick brush of his lips over hers turned into much more as, instead of drawing back, he captured her mouth a second time.
When he ended the kiss, she drew a deep breath, inhaling the scent of him. “You’re welcome,” she whispered.
Oh man was he welcome.
* * *
There were few things in life that made him doubt himself. Getting involved with a sensual witch with a smile that could melt his heart in the midst of an important mission…that could do it. He opened the door for Zoe and watched her ascend the steps, staring are her shapely curves.
He nixed a low growl in the back of his throat. Inside, he inhaled th
e delicious aroma of dinner. “Smells good.”
“Have a seat,” she instructed. “Do you want some ice for that ankle?”
“No. It will heal shortly. Shifters all recover quickly.”
“Then are you ready to eat?”
“Absolutely.” He turned his head up and smiled.
She served their plates, set them on the table, and slid in across from them. Tonight was different from lunch earlier. Was it just this afternoon?
Rylan cut into the Moussaka and ate a bite. His brows rose, and he nodded his head, tapping his fork over the slice on his plate. “This is really delicious.”
“And it has vegetables.”
“Don’t push it.”
“Right.”
As she ate, she fidgeted. Scraping up the last bite from her place, she rested her fork across her knife. “I’m worried about my friend. When we stopped by her house this evening, she wasn’t there.”
“Is that unusual?”
She shrugged. “I’m not sure.”
He lifted his brows. “What are you not telling me?”
Air escaped between her lips on a ragged sigh. “Kamdyn went to follow her father. Roar Braun is a warlock, and not a very nice one at that. He knows about Clach Sgàthan and is also searching for it.”
“Hmm. It would be devastating to me and my sister if someone else got the stone.”
She gathered the dishes and took them to the sink.
“Does he know about the map?” he asked. He poured a glass of bourbon then drank.
Pressing her lips together, she peered at him over her shoulder.
“Zoe. Answer me.”
“No. At least, I don’t think so. Kamdyn knows, though. But she wouldn’t tell him.”
“So you say.”
Zoe shook her head. “I’m positive she wouldn’t tell him. She’s determined to keep her father from finding the stone. He’s so power hungry. It would be disastrous if he got his hands on it.”
“What if her father convinces her?”
Zoe blanched.
“I’m familiar with Roar Braun. He lived in Terror for a while a long time ago. Moved to Maine, the last I heard.”
“Yes. Culford. It’s where I’m from. Kamdyn and I went to school together. I was with her when he shaved her head in a fit of rage.”
The Lion, the Witch, and the Secret Garden Page 5