When they broke apart, she felt dazed with desire, her thoughts scrambled. But one thought rang clear – I deserve more.
“A new start is good, Chase, but I need more than words from you as a commitment. I need to know I come first in your life. Before your family.” She took a deep breath, knowing she might drive him off for good. “I need you to introduce me to your parents and your family, and tell them you’re serious about me and our relationship. Today. I can’t live in limbo any longer.
His expression turned guarded and her heart sank.
“That isn’t possible right now, Evie. There are matters I must address first…”
Evie tuned him out, grief spearing her. “I guess it’s too much to ask. Family will always come first when you’re a Burke. Right Chase?”
Chase’s jaw clenched. “Right now I came here to find the potion Drust needs. That comes first. Lacey!”
“You rang?” Lacey drawled.
Her sister peered down the hallway, and then swept Chase with a contemptuous look. “I guess you haven’t changed at all, Chase. You’re still a dickwad.”
“Neither have you. Where is it?”
A shrug. “Go search for it yourself. If you can get past all the clutter.”
But the kitchen, while outdated and small, was hardly cluttered. Evie watched him open cabinets and comb through drawers.
“If you need me, I’ll be in the living room with Lacey.”
Evie left him in the kitchen. Lacey sat on the hideous orange and plaid sofa they’d found at a garage sale. She did not join her, but paced the worn shag carpeting.
“Where did you put it, Lacey?” she whispered.
Lacey watched her. “I told you before, Evie, you focus on taking the potion and leave the details to me. Plausible deniability if we were caught. Remember?”
Evie thought of those alligators in the swamp and shuddered. “Not so plausible if Chase doesn’t find it before Drust gets here.”
Lacey reached behind her and squeezed her still-wet braid a rueful look. “He was pretty pissed off. Doesn’t look like a good omen.”
“Then give it up! I don’t need it. Truly I don’t. There have to be other recipes in the book that you can make and sell for money.”
“There are. Once I read further,” Lacey agreed. “The book itself is a treasure.”
More valuable than the dragonspice potion was the Book of Shadows itself. A shiver raced down her spine. The book held mystical power, but something about it spooked her.
Even the way Lacey had obtained it.
Last month she and Lacey had visited a store on Florida’s west coast to purchase dragon’s breath for a client, a rare herb that aided elderly dragon shifters who lost the power to breathe fire. The proprietor, an older, gentle dragon shifter with wispy brown hair and spectacles, had gotten to chatting with them. He had such a disarming air, Lacey ended up telling him all about the foster home where they’d grown up and how she dreamed of obtaining power enough to overcome the past.
The shopkeeper had gone into a back room and returned with a thick, mysterious leather-bound book. He said the Book of Shadows contained recipes for ancient potions of power she could use to fulfill her wildest dreams.
When she tried to pay for it, he refused money and simply told her it was hers as he handed over the book.
Though the proprietor’s words were odd, Lacey had thanked him, paid for the herbs and they headed home. She and Lacey had poured over the pages, marveling at the cramped script, the musty smell of age, and the feeling of power that leapt off the crackling parchment.
Then Evie had spotted the recipe for a potion allowing an Other to obtain temporary power to nearly equal a wizard of the Brehon. All it took was daring, courage and the right ingredients.
Surely this was the break Lacey had longed for. Lacey had told Evie such a potion could sell for thousands, maybe even a million, on the black market.
But not if Drust turned her sister into toad food for refusing to surrender his precious potion.
“Turn over the potion, Lacey. Please. I don’t want Drust after you.”
Her sister stretched out her long legs. “I can’t Evie. It has nothing to do with you. Because it was only a small vial, perhaps five drops. And it’s gone.”
Evie’s heart skipped a beat. “You already used it in the recipe.”
At her sister’s grim nod, Evie wanted to sink to the floor and moan. “Dear goddess, we are so screwed.”
Chapter 6
Frustration filled him. An hour later, Chase still had not found the potion. He called Evie and Lacey into the kitchen.
After pulling out a chair at the kitchen table, he straddled the back, facing his lover, whose gaze kept darting away.
“Evie, tell me where it is or things will go badly for you both.”
He hoped he could reason with her at least. Because he was running out of time and patience himself.
Lacey entered the kitchen and sat on the counter, swinging her long legs. Not very helpful. He had to find the damn potion. Not for Lacey’s sake, but Evie’s. Because neither of them realized the danger they faced if he did not.
Drust was lenient, but he was also a powerful immortal and Chase had seen the wizard turn a dragon into a toad over something as simple as the dragon failing to obey an order.
“Why did you steal Drust’s potion? Do you really think you can be as powerful as the wizard?”
Lacey glanced at Evie. “Drust has incredible powers of rejuvenation and the potion he drinks to maintain his immortality probably helps. I was hoping to use the Bloodmoon flower potion combined with other herbs to find a healing remedy for someone I care deeply about. A healing remedy that would fix a broken wing and make her acceptable to a certain family that brags about their distinguished dragon lineage.”
A flush suffused Evie’s pretty face. Instead of cursing her sister, he wanted to curse himself. Damnit, he should have taken care of her. Guilt flooded him. He’d been so obsessed with serving Drust and learning his trade that he’d failed to realize how much Evie’s deformity as dragon hurt her.
“If I find the potion and return it to the Coldfire Wizard, he may grant you a small favor, but I will have to explain your reasoning behind the theft.” Chase studied the refrigerator. Perhaps they had kept it chilled? The potion required no refrigeration, but one never knew.
“No.” This from Evie. “He can keep his small favor.”
Lacey jumped off the counter. “And shove it where the sun doesn’t shine.”
“I happen to live where the sun shines all the time,” a deep voice drawled.
He knew, of course, that Drust was listening. Part of his apprenticeship included Drust mentoring him from afar.
Evie and Lacey stiffened. Chase sighed. He did not want Evie hurt. Hell, she’d been wounded enough by his actions.
“Tell me where the potion is and it will go easier for you,” he said gently, looking at Evie.
“I can’t.” But she kept looking at her sister, which made him wonder if perhaps Evie did not know. If that were the case, Evie would be innocent.
Drust would not punish her.
But he’d go hard on Lacey, and that would hurt Evie deeply. After losing Lacey’s mother, Evie was fragile.
“Cannot or you will not,” the same impervious, deep voice asked.
They all turned toward the kitchen door. Drust materialized, his arms folded across his chest, his face unsmiling.
“I came to see what took you so long, my apprentice. Are you failing me?”
The wizard’s tone was genial, but his ice blue eyes remained cold. Chase faced his uncle with an even look.
“No. I continue my search.”
“Perhaps those who stole it need a little nudging to reveal its location.” Drust fisted one hand.
When he opened it, dread curled through Chase. For in the wizard’s palm glowed a cobalt blue energy ball the size of a dime. It sizzled and crackled with power.
He
knew exactly how those tiny energy balls stung. Drust had the power to make coldfire freeze whatever it touched, or worse, incinerate instantly. Even a dragon’s scales didn’t offer enough protection. Chase had insisted on being hit with one himself while in dragon form to know the punishment Drust dealt out to dragons who committed minor infractions.
Or needed… coaxing.
Chase stepped before Evie. “She didn’t do it. She doesn’t know.”
Drust gently bounced the energy ball in his outstretched palm. “I have found that administering these to someone the transgressor cares about is far more effective than delivering punishment to the culprit himself. Or herself.”
Behind him, he felt Evie quaver. But Lacey faced Drust with a level look.
Truly the woman had no fear.
Or not a lick of sense, either.
“You’re a turd muffin,” Lacey snapped. “Leave my sister alone. She’s innocent in this.”
Drust frowned. “What is this turd muffin?”
“Actually the proper term is turd blossom from Guardians of the Galaxy, my favorite movie. But someone still stuck in the era of the Crusades isn’t hip enough to know that.”
Drust hurled the small ball of power at Lacey, who ducked. It landed on the cabinet, melting the door.
“Missed me,” she taunted.
Quick as lightning, he summoned another and threw it at Lacey, who ducked once more. The energy ball sailed into the cabinet, melting the sagging silver handle.
“Missed again.”
Was that a smile curling his uncle’s face? Chase couldn’t believe it. Serious, scowling Drust was … playing with Lacey?
“The next time I shall not miss, mortal. For now, I enjoy toying with you.”
“If you’re done playing, I’ll need money to repair the damage. I just put new handles on those cabinets.”
Chase couldn’t believe Lacey’s bravado. He was even more astonished when Drust waved a hand and the cabinet repaired itself.
“Thanks, wizard.” Lacey looked amused. “If you’re in the mood, how about a remodel of the entire kitchen? Bring up the value of my home.”
The smile dropped. “I am finding my patience beginning to erode.”
He waved his hands and all of them dematerialized, appearing in the back yard. Evie’s breath hitched. His lover had never seen the power of the Coldfire Wizard.
Lacey looked around. “Nope, I don’t see any potion here. Satisfied?”
The wizard summoned another blue fireball and lobbed it at Lacey. With a quick twist, she dodged it. It landed in her neighbor’s yard, freezing a child’s playhouse and turning it into ice.
“No, uncle Drust.” Chase stepped forward, his chest tight. “It’s too risky out here and you could hurt the Skins and their children. They’re innocent. Give me more time and I will find it.”
Relief flooded him as Drust stroked his beard and nodded. He waved a hand and the playhouse turned back to normal again.
Stunned, he watched dragon wings erupt from Drust’s back, wings of silver and blue, as sleek as those of a mythical angel’s.
Except this wizard was no angel. He was a deadly immortal.
“Very well. I will honor my nephew’s request. Tell Chase where the potion is, and perhaps I shall spare your life. Unless you wish to become turned into toad stew Lacey McGuire, find that damn potion.”
His wings beating the air, Drust rose into the sky and soon vanished.
Blood drained from Lacey’s face. “Guess he’s not joking.”
“Please Lacey, do as he asks.” Evie tugged on her sister’s sleeve, her pretty face scrunched in worry. “I can’t lose you as well.”
“Do it,” Chase snapped, his own patience gone. “Tell me now.”
Lacey gave a helpless shrug. “It’s in a safe place. Trust me.”
Safe place…
What could be safer than a room filled with junk that no one would bother investigating?
Racing down the hallway, he hooked a right into the spare room, and flipped on a light switch. Chase began combing through the stacks of boxes, magazines, books and cans.
A few minutes later, his spine tingled, indicating the presence of power. He followed his instinct, and the tingling became stronger.
In a carton labeled “Old Herbs” he found the vial, glowing cobalt blue.
Lifting the bottle, he uncorked it and smelled the familiar aroma of warm cookies and crackling fires. Chase clutched the bottle and wended his way through the clutter of boxes and stacks of junk.
As he reached the doorway, he failed to see the vintage roller skates on the floor. His left foot hit one and he went sailing forward, the potion flying from his hands.
“Shit,” he yelled, falling on the floor.
The vial landed beside him, but did not shatter. Relieved he picked it up, only to see a substantial crack in the glass. Liquid seeped out. Uncaring, for he knew the Bloodmoon flower potion would have no effect on him, he clutched the vial and marched into the kitchen.
“I found it.” He set down the vial upon the counter, his skin oddly tingling. “I will tell Drust…”
Two horrified faces stared at him. “Did you get any on you, Chase?” Lacey asked, all smugness gone.
“A bit. It’s nothing.”
Chase rubbed his hand against his trousers, his skin tingling and hot. To his dismay, he felt nauseated, and then watched as his hands began to glow blue.
“The potion, you altered it,” he whispered, his stomach filled with knives, his skin itching like ants crawled beneath it.
Lacey stared at him, all her attitude gone. “Yes, I made it strong enough to make a dragon nearly invincible. It’s not a potion you swallow. It gets absorbed through the skin. And you just touched it, Chase.”
Chapter 7
Evie had never thought a potion could change anyone so swiftly, especially a dragon as strong as her lover.
Chase ran outside, howling in anguish, beating at his skin. Nails digging into his exposed flesh, he screamed as he danced around the yard, batting at his face as if thousands of mosquitos stung him.
Her heart squeezed tight in frantic fear and sympathy. Chase seemed in unbearable pain.
“What the hell, Lacey? What did you do?” Evie yelled.
No time for answers, for Chase shifted into a dragon. Roaring, he bellowed fire at the dry grass and then lifted off, his powerful wings making leaves on the trees dance and making her hair fly back.
Lacey grabbed a nearby fire extinguisher and put out the grass fire.
Despair filled Evie. Chase was gone and judging from what happened, reeling out of control.
“Wow,” Lacey murmured. “I never realized how the master control batch needed that much dilution. He’s going to be nearly as powerful as Drust himself. I wonder how long the effects last?”
“Screw your experiments, Lace! We have to help him. You know how powerful that potion is and how it will mess with Chase!”
Her sister paced the yard. Lacey seemed deeply worried and that made the panic inside Evie’s chest rise up and squeeze her heart.
“Did you make an antidote and not tell me?” Evie asked.
A head shake sent slim hope spiraling downward. “Maybe we should call on Drust,” Evie suggested.
Lacey laughed, but there was no humor in it. “And watch me get turned into toad stew? That’s no solution.”
“Then find one, damnit! You created the stuff.”
Her sister stopped in her tracks, blinked. “If I didn’t know better, Evie, I’d say you absorbed some of the potion yourself. When did you get so assertive?”
Love made one assertive, but she couldn’t tell Lacey that. Yes, I’m still in love with Chase and I don’t want to lose him.
“Let’s look in the book,” she countered.
Inside, they dragged the heavy tome from its hiding place in the pantry over to the kitchen table and poured through it. Lacey squinted as she read over the potion’s ingredients.
&nbs
p; “We have to find Chase and somehow immerse in into the swamp where the lilies bloom.”
“The same swamp with the dragon-eating alligators?” Evie’s heart felt as if it would explode in her chest.
“The potion endows an Other with powers and confidence similar to those of the wizards. The wizards are immortal.” Lacey tapped the book. “So what must be done is restore the Other’s mortality, his human side.”
She began to understand. “The half that makes him or her human, and vulnerable, as the wizards are not.”
“Yep. Amplifying emotions like fear. Fear is the greatest emotion, and those alligators certainly do the job in terrifying you. I thought I was going to have a heart attack when you nearly fell into the swamp, Evie.”
Lacey buried her head in her hands. “Now tell me how we’re going to get a thousand pound dragon who thinks he’s nearly a god into a swamp filled with algae and nasty gators? Tell him, oh, this is going to make you feel better?”
I know how. If Chase harbors any smidgen of love for me, I know how. But do I have the courage? Evie straightened up to her full height. “Leave it to me. Let’s find him, first.”
“I’m sorry, Evie. I only wanted to help you.”
She sighed. “I know, Lace. Forget about me. We need to focus on Chase. I have an idea of where he went.” Though the idea of setting foot inside his parents’ mansion once more filled her with dread, Evie would do it.
To save Chase, she would muster all her courage.
Lacey yanked open cabinet doors and pawed through an assortment of bottles and containers. They spilled onto the counter, cracking, but she didn’t seem to care.
“There has to be a way to counter the potion without the swamp water. Something to reduce the effects, slow down the progress before it’s too late.”
Evie had a bad feeling about this. “What’s too late?”
Lacey glanced at her. “One reason I needed those extra lilies was to dilute the potion to minimize the rapid progression entering a dragon’s bloodstream. It’s too potent. Think about it, Evie. The wizards are immortal. But according to the history books, before they became immortal, they died to their mortal life.”
THE MATING MAGIC: Werewolves of Montana Book 13 Page 4