Jezibaba snorted. “The research is being done for Professor Moth. Apparently the mutant bats are having problems getting in the mood to reproduce with each other.”
Carol and Hildy both blinked at her in surprise. Hildy cleared her throat. “Do you believe that?”
“Not for a minute,” Jezibaba said. “But that’s the cover story.”
“Is there any antidote to a love potion?” Carol asked.
Jezibaba nodded. “Yes. True love’s kiss.”
Hildy rolled her eyes. “Great. We’re all going to have to wear gas masks for the rest of our lives.”
“No, we are not,” Jezibaba said firmly. “You’re going to go back to the fight ring this afternoon to train like usual. You two are going to lure the traitorous fire breather to you and make him comfortable enough to make his move. Then… then I’m going to kill him.”
“Kill him dead?” Carol asked.
Jezibaba glared. “Kill and dead sort of go together, don’t you think, Carol?”
“Right,” Carol agreed quickly, swallowing hard. “So we’re going to be bait and you’re going to kill Thane. Sounds like a plan.”
Hildy studied the ground. “I bet he’d for sure come if he thought one of us was going to give him a second chance. It would make his ego feel better and he’d drop his guard.”
Jezibaba smiled. “Now you’re thinking. Carol, why are you frowning? Hildy’s idea is great.”
“I just… nothing. Never mind. Let’s do this.”
Hildy smiled and put a hand on her friend’s arm. “No. I’ll do it. The shock value will be greater since I was the one who spelled him. You don’t want to mess things up with Iren.”
“Iren?” Jezibaba’s gaze went between the two girls. “Iren the elf?”
“Yes,” Carol said. “We’re… He… Goddess, I don’t like feeling guilty.”
“They’re dating,” Hildy explained. “Like officially a couple.”
“Oh,” Jezibaba said. “Well, then. I guess it’s best Hildy plays the main part. New relationships should be protected. Goddess knows, not even the best of them last long. Enjoy it while you can, Carol.” She turned her attention to Hildy. “Ask Thane to meet you after fight practice. I need a little more time to continue my search for your missing teacher.”
“Right,” Hildy answered, frowning as the Jezibaba walked away. She looked at Carol who was also frowning. “I guess this is why you can’t serve the Goddess and have a life too. Men can’t handle someone like the Jezibaba being right all the time.”
Carol snickered. “You think that’s the problem?”
“Do you think she’s wrong about anything?” Hildy asked.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Carol said fiercely. “I just feel sorry for her. And how can I be happy when she’s not? That sucks. It just sucks.”
Hildy nodded fiercely. “I know, but we can’t work on it now. I’m going to write a note and have the librarian give it to Thane. That will be better than anything else I guess. Sometimes I wish we could be normal like humans and have freaking cell phones.”
“Not me. I’d rather have magic. I don’t care if electronics never work for me,” Carol declared. “Maybe I’m old fashioned.”
“That would at least explain your horrible taste in clothes. I can’t believe you now have a familiar that dresses as badly as you do.”
“As long as I’m alive, eighties fashion will rule all. When I come into my full power, eighties-wear will be the official uniform of the Baba Yaga.”
“Goddess, not if I have anything to say about it. Leg warmers and ballerina skirts are cute, but sometimes I need different. I want a sexy, tight, low-cut boob shirt and some skinny jeans with four inch Jimmy Choos that make my legs look a mile long.”
“A pox on you and your fashion blasphemy,” Carol declared, trying not to laugh.
Still arguing about their clothing preferences, they went back to their room to prepare for their last confrontation with Thane.
Chapter 16
Thane chanted and opened his palm over the formula cauldron. There was a flash of white light and then a shower of sparks. Professor Moth pulled off his goggles and peered at the vat of white powder left after the spell had done its work.
“Perfect. Some bats I know are going to be getting lucky soon. This should ensure we get a new generation of experiment subjects in one or two gestation cycles.”
Thane barely managed to hide his eye roll. He tried for the most trustworthy expression he could manage. “Professor Moth? Is something the matter? You’re looking very pale. Are you getting ill?”
“Vampires are supposed to be pale, my boy.” Professor Moth laughed as he walked to the mirror in a nearby restroom. “Oh, bother. I’m getting so old. I forgot I can’t see my own reflection.”
“Perhaps you’re in need of a meal… not that I’m offering… just making an observation,” Thane said quickly. “But I will package up your bat aphrodisiac if you want to leave.”
Professor Moth rubbed his chin. “You know, I can’t remember the last time I consumed nourishment. There’s this little pub I know where… well, perhaps I should fly over there. Are you sure you’re alright finishing this task?”
“You want it loaded into the powder gun, right?”
“Yes. Thank you, Thane. That would be wonderful. I’m going to write Headmaster Smoke about you. Perhaps I can help set his mind at rest.”
“Headmaster Smoke asked about my work for you?” Thane asked as casually as he could.
Professor Moth shrugged as he nodded. “Only indirectly. He was investigating the recent bat escape. A reveal spell showed your energy around the cave entrance. I had to explain about our experiment.”
“I see. So I suppose you told him I was the one who conducted the spell?” Thane asked.
Professor Moth nodded. “Of course. Why would I take credit for your success? He didn’t seem all that concerned when he left. I’m sure he’s gotten to the real bottom of things by now. He mentioned speaking to the younger ones at the next assembly.”
Thane nodded, his mind on this new turn of events. He couldn’t risk being found out. He needed to find a reason to leave and leave quickly.
“Thanks for telling me… and for defending my work to Headmaster Smoke.”
“I would steal you for my own assistant if I could afford the horde price for your internship.”
“I appreciate that, Professor.”
Thane waited until his unknowing accomplice left. Pulling a bag of plain powder from his pocket, he loaded the delivery gun for the bats. When the bag was empty, as a precaution, he dipped the end of powder gun into the aphrodisiac so there would be traces of the real powder on it.
Taking a ritual athame he’d consecrated with dark energy for just this purpose, he sliced across his palm and held it over the white powder. As the blood dripped into the mixture, he spoke another incantation that would make sure the powder would be effective on any witch it hit. Magic swirled beneath his bleeding palm and caused the aphrodisiac to puff as the charm settled onto each white grain.
After he was sure the spell was completed, Thane blew a small stream of fire across his palm to seal his wound. Then he carefully put the now fully effective mixture into the bag. A quick trip to the bat cave and he’d be done with his preparations for his upcoming at the training ring.
He’d known the cute little witch had been following him, but what he found most entertaining was her need to lay claim to him in front of her smart-mouthed friend. If he wasn’t pressed for time, he’d have used the aphrodisiac on the smart-mouthed one just to broaden his enjoyment of finally getting revenge on the cute one for spelling him.
Too bad he was out of time. His resignation was even now being submitted to the Witchery U board of directors. His exit from campus with his soon-to-be adoring witch would have to suffice as the most worthwhile accomplishment of his academic existence.
***
Carol gripped the handles of her black tonfa sti
cks and twirled them in a series of warm-up exercises. She smirked at the more feminine pair Hildy pulled out of her enormous shoulder tote. No matter how long they’d been friends, Hildy always managed to surprise her. It was one of the best things about their relationship.
“We probably need a Plan B. What if the dragon doesn’t show up?”
Hildy smirked as she twirled her painted tonfa sticks, jumped, and did a cartwheel before landing softly on her feet. These were her favorite weapon. They were light, powerful, and looked really good with her matching short sports skirt in the exact same shade of pink.
“I promised the dragon an apology and hinted at sexual favors. Trust me. He’ll show up.”
Carol snickered. “Well, you’re more the expert than I am.”
“Until Iren changes that for you,” Hildy teased. “I’m feeling envious.”
“Goddess, I’ve never looked so forward to learning something.” Carol was so caught up in hot thoughts about the elf, Hildy’s first swing nearly took her head off. “Hey! A little warning here. You’ve turned into a dirty fighter lately, Lady Pink Sticks.”
Hildy laughed. “I’m feeling the power of pink,” she taunted.
Carol laughed too. “You’re about to feel my black tonfa stick across your back.”
“Bring it, sister. I’m right here and waiting on you.”
Carol narrowed her gaze before she started running in an arc around the training ring. With each spin of her body to the center of the circle, she struck Hildy with one of her tonfas, keeping the blows as gentle as she could. But she did want her taunting friend to feel them.
A no longer laughing Hildy held up her pink tonfas in surrender. “Okay. Enough—you big showoff,” she called.
Laughing, Carol stopped and walked to her. “Did I hurt you?”
“Mostly my pride,” Hildy admitted. “But you did get in a couple of good ones across my shoulder blades. I just couldn’t move fast enough.”
“Practice makes perfect. Ready to go again?” Carol asked, jumping back into a stance, tonfas in attack position.
Hildy shook her head. “Not yet. I need a break so I can enjoy being right about at least one thing today.”
“What’s that?” Carol asked, not trusting Hildy’s grin.
Hildy lifted her chin to the risers flanking one side of the field. Carol turned and saw Thane standing there with crossed arms. She glared as hard as she could.
“What’s he doing here?” she hissed in a whisper, just like they’d planned.
“He’s here to see me, not you, so don’t worry about it. Stick to your elf. He’s more your speed,” Hildy said haughtily.
She walked to the waiting dragon with her tonfas still in her hands. Being dragon bait didn’t have to mean being stupid.
“Hi,” she said as casually as she could. “You’re here a bit early. I need another few minutes.”
“I don’t mind waiting. You two put on a good show,” Thane said, his gaze traveling beyond Hildy to the smart-mouthed one.
Hildy snorted. “You mean you saw Carol handing my ass to me like she always does and it made you laugh.”
Thane chuckled at her direct and accurate statement. He really had liked this one. “Maybe she’s jealous about how good you look spinning end over end in your adorable skirt. Human ballerinas aren’t even that graceful.”
Hildy looked at Carol and smiled. “If Carol is jealous, that would be a first. She thinks everyone should dress in leg warmers and eighties workout clothes all the time. Can you say yuck?”
Thane grinned and nodded. “Yes. I’m familiar with how human fashion has developed over time. I must admit to liking the skirt brevity of the current trend.”
Hildy nodded. “Me too. It lets my body move the way it needs to. Let me get the rest of my beating over with. The Jezibaba said she might come by to watch today. I don’t want to get yelled at for disengaging. My opponent likes to brag too much.”
“Go, little witch,” Thane said. “I’ll be here when you’re done. I’m glad you changed your mind.”
Hildy knew this was the moment to smile brightly, so she did. “I’m really glad you came. Thanks for not holding a grudge.”
Turning, she ran back out to Carol. “I’m ready now,” Hildy declared.
Carol lifted her chin to Thane. “What’s he want?” she demanded.
Hildy lifted one of her tonfas and pushed the tip against Carol’s chest. “The dragon is my business. I said… don’t worry about it.”
She looked across the ring at a now very relaxed, very pleased looking Thane. Taking her position, she started going through her practice kata. She looked at Carol and nodded.
Carol nodded back and dropped into her stance. “Okay, Lady Pinkness. Let’s do this.”
***
Damien was nowhere to be found. Neither was Zenos. Giving up her hopes for recruiting backup in case her power failed her, Jezibaba headed to the training ring. She spared only enough time to alert Nathaniel about what she was doing.
The first person she saw when she arrived was Thane sitting on a riser. He was watching Hildy and Carol fight. It didn’t surprise her one bit that Hildy’s shifter-loving personality drew the dragon back for another try.
Her gaze went to the ring where expert fighter Carol was doing her best not to hurt the less talented Hildy. While no slouch with the weapons in her hands, Hildy fundamentally lacked the motivation to defeat her opponent—a trait Carol had in spades.
If it hadn’t been for her senses going on alert, she might not have seen the bat heading toward the girls as fast as it could fly. Dragon senses, the very ones she’d been secretly rejecting for so long now, suddenly kicked in and let her know the bat was dangerous. Her other instincts followed and made her desperate to stop whatever was about to happen.
Panicked, she ran across the grounds, her long legs taking longer strides than she ever taken.
She arrived in the training ring and grabbed both girls. Pulling them close to her, she yelled “Duck your head!” A fine white powdered rained from the sky as the bat flew off heading who knew where. She looked at the powder on her arms and on the girl’s heads. She shook off as much as she could as she loosened her hold.
Thane stood to clap and she felt the oddest sense of longing wash over her. Why hadn’t she ever noticed how handsome Damien’s assistant was?
No, that wasn’t right. Thane was evil.
But how could someone who looked like him be evil?
The girls pulled away from her now lax arms. Both of them immediately set about shaking off some of the dust. Then their gazes followed hers to land on the dragon.
“Thane,” they both said, eyes going dreamy.
Jezibaba shook her head. Why was Thane now laughing? None of them had been harmed. What was the dragon up to? Maybe she needed to talk to him.
“Stay here,” she ordered, heading toward the dragon who was now smiling at her.
Ignoring her, Carol and Hildy both followed her to where the dragon waited with a smile of welcome on his face.
Chapter 17
Iren was walking from his apprenticeship job back to his room when Carol’s familiar, in his most perky dog form, arrived wearing a raspberry colored beret and a purple sweater.
“Dude, why do you let her dress you like that? Carol’s extraordinary, but her taste in clothing is atrocious,” Iren declared. The dog barked twice in approval and made him laugh.
Then the tricky beast attacked him for no reason… or rather it latched onto his pant leg and proceeded to pull the material as hard as he could with his tiny, sharp teeth. The dog tugged and growled and let go only long enough to yap angrily at him.
“Ahmed, leave my pants alone. I don’t want teeth marks in them. What is it?” Iren demanded, glaring at the dog.
One bark in reply. Another growl. Then it latched onto his leg again with more tugging.
“Dude, you’re sliming me and that’s disgusting. Let go of my pant leg.”
He had to
jump back when the familiar morphed into a giant camel that brayed loudly in his face. The beret was still perched on his big old camel head. Iren’s alarm was all that kept him from laughing. “Impressive change-up, dude. But I still don’t get what you’re trying to tell me.”
The camel changed back to the dog who ran around in a circle and then ran away. It stopped to look back at him. That’s when Iren figured it out.
“I get it now. You want me to follow you. Is Carol in trouble?”
Two sharp yaps and the dog was running like mad across the grounds, not waiting for him.
Completely worried now, Iren had no choice but to go running after him.
***
“Has Thane done something wrong?” the librarian asked.
“No. Not that I know of,” Damien answered. “However, I am a little worried about the research he’s been doing for Professor Moth. Some of it involved dangerous, forbidden spells.”
“Are you referring to the control spell or the love potion one?”
“Love potion?” Damien asked, surprised by the information.
“Yes. For Professor Moth’s bats. I believe they were trying to make them be amorous with each other.”
Damien frowned. This did not bode well. “When was the last time you saw Thane?”
The librarian clicked on a nearby computer keyboard. “It was 2:27 when he returned all his library books. He said his research work was finished.”
Damien was running before the librarian could do anything more than draw in a breath.
He needed to find the Jezibaba and the girls. He needed to warn them before Thane did something stupid.
After he got over being wrong, he was going to have some serious groveling to do.
***
Nigel paced in the woods, happy to have a solid pair of legs once more. It had taken the combined magic of several council members to restore his original form. He’d barely left the sacred grove before the real Lord Magna had passed away for real. The man was going to be stunned by the lusty reception he was going to get from the Jezibaba’s great grandmother.
Magic and Mayhem: How To Date A Dragon (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Baba Yaga Saga Book 2) Page 12