THE MATING CLAIM: Werewolves of Montana Book 14

by Vanak, Bonnie

  Drust felt as if someone kicked him in the stomach. It was his job as the Coldfire Wizard to protect his charges and to deliver justice.

  Such hope and life had flared in her when she twirled around, laughing and enjoying the moment. How could he fail her?

  What about your honor and your vow to your duties?

  What if you are the one sent to the Shadow Lands for failing to do your job?

  But in that moment, seeing the life faded from Lacey’s expression, he realized the stakes in this quest.

  Forget about if I fail myself. What if I fail her? She’s been disappointed her entire life and seldom trusted in anyone. Now she is putting her trust in me.

  His chest ached with the burden and the hope in that fragile faith in him, as if Lacey had handed him a delicate glass sculpture and asked him not to smash it.

  This was not a simple case of black and white justice. This was an area so gray that the shadows appeared white.

  He had to find a way around destroying Lacey and the book.

  If he failed to destroy the book as Danu ordered, he could be returned to the Shadow Lands.

  But if he failed Lacey, she would die.

  Her needs came before his instinct to protect himself and his fellow wizards. How many times had people let Lacey down in the past?

  Promises never came easily to Drust. Not for centuries. But he had to make one now.

  Clasping her shoulders, he looked deep into her woebegone green eyes. “I promise you, Lacey, I will try everything in my power to prevent that. There must be another way and I will find it.”

  For the first time since he’d become a wizard of the Brehon, Drust risked breaking his sacred vow to remain impartial and objective regarding his dragon charges. With Lacey, he could not. The mere thought of tossing her and the book into the destructive access to the shadow lands made his heart hurt.

  Had they shared a past, and if so, why could he not remember her?

  It mattered not. His thoughts and his vow did not, either. Not as much as the woman standing before him, wanting to trust him.

  But fearing to trust him.

  Hope flared again on her face. “Can you really help me?”

  “There’s a book I borrowed, a manual. I need time to read through it. Lacey, I promise you I will do whatever I can. But you must promise me you must trust me and you will not run from me. We will have to stay together and work together on this.”

  Lacey brightened, but then glanced at her car. “The book? What about it? Can we just leave it here in the swamp and hope an alligator will eat it? Then again, if a gator eats it, it might turn into something out of a horror movie.”

  Or much worse. The entire swamp could be crawling with monsters and demons, preying on the unwary travelers or boaters who stopped by.

  “Let me see it before I make any decisions.”

  Even before they reached it, he could feel the negative energy pulsing from it as if the car contained a nuclear bomb. In a way, he supposed it did – for the book had the power to unleash not only demons, but far worse.

  “Where is it?”

  Silently she pointed to the trunk.

  He took the keys from her and popped the lid. Waves of darkness floated from the space. Lacey cried out and dropped to her knees, hugging herself.

  “Shut it. It won’t stop talking to me. It keeps telling me to open the book, read the pages.”

  “Return to the boat ramp, put your feet in the water. It will help mask your identity and ground you from the book’s influence.”

  She bolted for the water as he studied the plain paper sack where she’d stored the book. The bag quivered and rattled, the book taking on a life of its own in its quest to be free to wreak more havoc.

  Though he could touch the book without consequence, Drust took no chances. He wasn’t sure if a new wizard such as himself would be more susceptible to its dark energy. He conjured thick leather gloves and then opened the bag and removed the book.

  It stopped quivering, much like a dog knowing it would be fed. He studied the cover, the elegant red leather embossed in gold with a Celtic triad. Even though the gloves, he felt the power as he unsnapped the gold lock closing it and opened to the first page.

  Reading runes came easily to him. But these runes appeared blurred in shadows, as if deliberately hiding from him. It was like trying to read through a clouded lens. Had Lacey’s use of the book done this?

  “Caderyn,” he said aloud, murmuring the chant that immediately called another wizard’s aid.

  But the Shadow Wizard did not appear. Drust blinked, and then an ugly insight hit him.

  He replaced the book in the trunk and closed the lid. Then repeated the chant again.

  This time the Shadow Wizard materialized nearby. “What is it, Drust? Did you find the book?”

  Bad news. He gestured to the trunk. “It is in there, but when I tried summoning you with the book exposed, you did not hear my call.”

  The other wizard’s expression turned inscrutable. “It is a dangerous tome to us, Drust. This is why Danu wishes you to get rid of it immediately.”

  But he would not get rid of Lacey. She deserved better.

  “The book drains our powers,” he suddenly realized.

  Caderyn sighed. “It was not intended for that purpose, but yes, it does. The ultimate spell I put within it… how do you say it? Backfired.”

  No time to question the elder wizard on how the hell THAT happened. He only needed to know the inherent dangers he faced.

  “How can I get rid of the damn thing, and two, how can I neutralize the powers until I do?”

  “The Book of Shadows was created in the Shadow Lands and is not of the earth. You already know the answer to the second question. As for the first, read over the book I gave you. It should contain answers within, answers only you can determine are the best for your particular situation.” The Shadow Wizard glanced toward the boat ramp. “Good luck.”

  “With cryptic answers like that, I’ll need it,” Drust muttered as the other wizard vanished.

  Both for Lacey and himself. How the hell was he supposed to get rid of the book while saving her?

  Chapter 14

  He solved the problem of transporting the book with vegetation and soil. Not of the earth meant the book could be contained by burying it. Drust conjured a wooden box, filled it with soil, sand and muck from the Everglades and leaves and buried the book inside the box in Lacey’s trunk.

  When he coaxed her back to the car, he was pleased to see relief on her face. “I don’t hear it anymore and my car seems purged.” Her nostrils flared. “It smells like fresh air and sunshine. What did you do?”

  “Magick,” he said briefly. “Give me your cell phone.”

  When she did, he added a number into her contacts and handed it back. She glanced at him with an amused smile.

  “I’m impressed wizard. You know about cell phones.”

  “A necessary evil of these times. Drive to the west coast, and call when you arrive. I’ll see about housing.”

  A couple of hours later, Lacey pulled up in front of the beachfront house he’d rented. He’d arranged the transaction through Adrian Williams, a local and powerful alpha wolf who knew the area, a Lupine Tristan trusted immensely. Drust did not wish any Other to know a powerful wizard inhabited the property.

  Lacey’s jaw dropped when she climbed out of the car and slammed the door shut. “Whoa. This is yours?”

  He shrugged. “Ours, for the next ten days.”

  “It’s perfect. A dream house. I mean, I was looking on my phone…” Her eyes narrowed. “You saw the beach houses I was bookmarked. There were a few I’d been looking at, just to dream about staying in places like that.”

  “No longer a dream.” Drust opened the back door to take her suitcase. The book remained in the trunk, isolated in its wooden box.

  “But this house… it’s like $1200 a night!”

  “And private, and on the beach. Do not wor
ry about the money, Lacey.”

  Her look was far too cynical for her years. “Easy for you to say, Drust. But for now, I’ll take you at your word.”

  The three-story house, directly on the beach, was designed to look like a seaside palace. The green and turquoise walls and accents, combined with blue and turquoise accent pieces, white seashells in glass containers and sea paintings on the wall, had the feeling of being underwater.

  Lacey’s shoulders lost their tension soon as they entered. The dining table was clear glass, with light turquoise fabric chairs, and the kitchen featured sparkling stainless appliances with teak cabinets, as if the kitchen were a galley on a large yacht. A distressed wood turquoise cabinet in the kitchen added to the soft blue, green and turquoise hues.

  Windows in the kitchen let in plenty of natural sunlight, giving an added airy feeling.

  She gazed at the two white leather sofas and the turquoise easy chair overlooking the splendid vista of white sandy beach and the serene Gulf of Mexico beyond. “Is this really where I’m going to stay?”

  Drust set down her suitcase. “Make yourself at home.”

  Lacey ran for the sofa and flopped down on it. “Wheee! This is amazing! It feels like a cloud.”

  “Clouds are not solid. They are condensation…”

  A head peeked over the sofa. “Drust, you really do need to lighten up and stop sounding like a textbook.” She patted a space next to him. “Sit, take a load off. This sofa is worth sleeping on.”

  “The beds upstairs are far more suitable. There are four. Two have ocean views.” He tried not to think of the big master bedroom and the king-sized bed and Lacey rolling about on that. Or the more desirable image of them both rolling about it together, naked, as they did anything but sleep.

  Lacey bounced off the sofa like a wayward three-year-old. “It’s lovely. Thank you again. And I should have known you’d select something like this.”

  Drust gave a smug smile. “Good taste?”

  “No. It’s all blue.” She laughed as his expression dropped. “And good taste, I’ll give you that much, wizard.”

  He opened the sliding glass doors with their built-in tinted glass to block some of the glare from the sand. “Come outside.”

  The second-floor shaded veranda had a teakwood table and chairs for dining outside, along with turquoise cushioned lounge and deck chairs. Even for one as jaded as himself, he had to admire the spectacular view of the turquoise Gulf, the sparkling sands and the sea oats waving gently in the breeze.

  Lacey breathed in the briny air. The wind lifted locks of her long hair, blowing it back. Her skin was dewy and her green eyes sparked with life. She looked fresh and youthful, and he felt ancient.

  Well you are more than 900 years old.

  She stretched out her arms. “This is lovely. Thanks. I’ve never stayed in a place this luxurious.” A small laugh. “You’ve seen my house. My home growing up was worse.”

  Drust joined her at the railing. “I read your file. Your home life as a child before you went to live with your mother was abusive.”

  Her smile dropped. “My foster mother enjoyed hitting me. Taking her frustrations out of me. She was a cruel woman. That’s why I really wanted the book – to find a way to get rid of her forever, before someone else got hurt.”

  “And now that you realize the book does more harm than good?”

  Lacey shrugged. “I wish I’d never see her again. Sometimes I wish she’d find another kid, the wrong kid whose real parents cared and would exact revenge for her sick kind of mothering. Anyway, forget her. I’m on vacation!”

  Drust joined her at the railing. “It is not a vacation. I was here not long ago, aiding another shifter when Tristan was busy. It’s a good place for mortals to relax.”

  Lacey gave him a sideways glances. “I should think for immortals as well. You do too much thinking. Relaxing, yeah, you need to do more of that. You’re a little uptight, wizard.”

  Not liking the path of this conversation, he fought against his first instinct to scowl. “I have many responsibilities, Lacey. I am the Coldfire Wizard and rule over all dragons. Do you know how many recalcitrant dragons there are in the world?”

  “No, but I’m probably one of them.” She grinned, the first real smile he’d seen since finding her on the roadside. “Everyone needs a break once in a while. Even you.”

  The weight of all his responsibilities seemed crushing at times, and yet here was a mortal who urged him to take… a vacation?

  “You spent all that time in the afterworld, unable to live, and now you’re immortal and corporeal again. Enjoy yourself! Stop taking life so seriously.”

  Frowning, he tilted his head. “Others have told me I am far too serious. And yet I have duties to perform.”

  “Everyone has a job. But everyone can find time to enjoy themselves. Shoot, if I were you and got a second chance after spending hundreds of dreary years alone in the Shadow Lands, I wouldn’t waste a moment.”

  “Oh?” His temper flared a little. “And what would you do after you found yourself an immortal wizard after spending centuries in the afterlife?”

  “Dance.” She spread out her arms and began to twirl. “Sing. Live. Enjoy life. You have to grab onto it with both hands and shake it, and never let go. Cherish every moment ‘cause you never know what tomorrow brings.”

  Lacey stopped and pointed to the beach. “And that looks like a perfect start. Let’s go! I packed my swim suit.”

  “I have work,” he said absently, trying not to stare at her like a hormonal teenaged boy struck by sheer lust. The image of Lacey in a form-fitting swim suit hugging that rounded ass he longed to squeeze…

  “Work is a four letter word. How many times have I dealt with it before, and how many times did I wish I could take a break from it. But wishes are dreams. They never come true.”

  Such cynicism in one so young. Hard as his heart was, her statement broke off a piece of his cold stone heart. Drust leaned on the railing and studied her.

  “Wishes aren’t dreams. They can come true. I’ll grant you one simple wish right now. The conditions are your wish must not deliver harm to anyone else, or affect your destiny. And it must be done now, and temporary.”

  Drust caught the glint of mischief in her green gaze as Lacey looked him over from top to bottom. “Truly?”

  He nodded.

  “How does it work? Do I say it aloud?”

  “Form an image in your mind.”

  He waved a hand to make her wish come true.

  Suddenly cool air swept over his bare chest… bare chest? Drust looked down. He was wearing a green and blue kilt. Nothing else.

  “Wow. Looks great. Thanks for making my wish come true. Always loved a guy in a kilt.” Lacey’s smile widened. “And I always wondered what men wear under them.”

  With a whoosh, the front of the kilt lifted and he felt air surround his privates. Lacey’s eyes widened.

  Drust smirked. “As you wish.”

  Her green gaze grew wide as it swept over his lower half. Unashamed, and fascinated by the carnation pink tinting her cheeks, he watched her reaction. So lovely… He felt a natural reaction and turned hard.

  Lacey noticed. She swallowed hard and pinked even more.

  Drust sighed. “I am a male. Surely you have seen this is a natural reaction of males in the presence of an attractive woman.”

  She kept staring. “No, I’ve never seen one before.”

  Now it was his turn to be surprised. “Never?”

  “Not that large.”

  Laughter rippled out of him, the sound rusty to his ears, but damn, it felt wonderful. Tristan was correct. He was far too serious.

  Lacey was helping him discover his sense of humor once more.

  It would hurt like hell to lose her.

  That thought sobered him and made his erection shrivel. Drust snapped his fingers and restored the clothing on his body.

  “I need to work and find answers, Lacey. But k
now this…” He strode over to her and gently gripped her chin. “Wishes and dreams can come true. I will do my damnest to make sure you are here for a very long time to realize this. Now go, enjoy the beach and the pool and allow me to do my job.”

  “Ok,” she whispered. “Thanks.”

  He headed for the stairs.

  Drust turned away and called over his shoulder. “Take the master bedroom, it has the best view. There’s an elevator to the third floor. I will secure the book.”

  On the way back to the car, he tried to think of ways to tamp his ill-timed desire for his dragon charge. Do not get involved. And yet to save her life, he had to get involved.

  When he popped open the trunk, desire faded as if someone dumped ice water on his groin.

  The box within rattled, the book trying to escape…

  He conjured leather gloves again, removed the box and then skirted around the house to a small area where an outdoor shower had been set up. A sandbox with a toy shovel and bucket was nearby. Perfect.

  Minutes later, the box was safely buried in the sandbox, where it would stay while he tried to find a way out of this predicament. Drust returned upstairs and ground to an abrupt halt.

  He’d always found Lacey pretty and striking, but dismissed her beauty, for it had been swathed by clothing, except for that one time when she landed in the wizards’ biosphere stark naked and he summoned clothing. Back then, he focused more on the dire emergency at hand.

  No longer.

  The one-piece fitted swimsuit was conservative, compared to the postage-sized bikini suits he’d seen on the beach on previous visits. But it was cobalt blue, and tailored to each delicious curve in her luscious body, from her generous breasts to her wide hips. Drust found himself staring at her long, pale legs, each inch of soft skin.

  She looked like a dream.

  She could be a nightmare.

  But in bed, ah, he could see the both of them tangling together in pure, unbridled lust, panting as they made fierce love in the way of his people.

  In a self-conscious gesture, she rubbed at an invisible spot on her right thigh. “I know. I’m white as grandma’s sheets. Not a lot of time for sunbathing for me.”