Page 13 of Capricorn Blessed

“We are,” I say. “But I’m taking a leave of absence starting today.”

“What?!” They both turn to stare at me.

“Can we go to your office to talk?” I ask Izzy. “There’s something you need to know, and I didn’t want to just disappear for who knows how long.”

She nods and starts picking her way through the aisles filled to the brim with almost anything a person could want. We move from the kitchen section to games. Through books and linens, before reaching the small office tucked into the back corner of the store. We walk in and close the door behind us, Izzy sitting behind her desk, me across from her, and Dennis leaning against the door.

“Okay, girl, spill!” Izzy demands leaning forward and crossing her arms on the desktop.

“The first thing you need to know is that I’m a Zodiac,” I tell her, watching her eyes to see how she reacts.

“Well, that explains why you always seemed so special. But why does that mean you have to leave?” Izzy asks.

I explain to her what happened at work earlier and what Mrs. Jones said. I also tell her and Dennis about the dream from last night. I was hoping Capricorn meant that the time was coming in the future, but hearing people openly blame us and having my powers go wonky made me sure I need to start setting things right. I tell them about the wolf and the tiger, who are my mates and are out there somewhere waiting to help me on this trip, and that Dennis is also a mate, which explains the pull and lack of control we felt for each other.

“I’ve realized it’s time to face my destiny. I have to find these relics and the spot by the river. If we can close the rift and save the magic, maybe people will believe we aren’t the evil ones the Council is making us out to be.

“I’m hoping you’ll come with me.” I look at Dennis. “Capricorn says my mates will be there to help, and I feel like it is crucial to follow what she said if we want to stop the rift from spreading.”

He swallows hard enough to make his Adam’s apple bob, but nods. “I’ll put in for some time off too, but I don’t know how much help I will be. I can’t do any magic... but I don’t want the Earth to be sucked into the black hole like the stars and Mars are. Where do we start?”

“Something tells me we need to stop in Europe, so we can see where there’s a flight that still has two seats,” I answer.

“Three,” Izzy cuts in.

“What?” I ask, turning to face her.

“We’ll need three seats,” she repeats. “I’m coming with you.”

Chapter 7

Mad Dash

“I’m sorry. You’re what?” I ask.

“I’m coming with you,” Izzy repeats. “I’ll just need to call Maggie to cover the store, but I’m sure she will.” She shrugs, pulling out her phone and sending off a quick text. Her phone dings almost immediately. “See, no problem. Let’s go!”

She leads the way out of her office and back through the aisles of her store. As we are walking to the front of the store, a strange feeling draws my eyes to the far wall, where Izzy stores weapons and workout equipment.

“Did you get anything new recently?” I ask, turning and moving toward the wall.

“Yep,” she answers. “I found a storage locker that had all kinds of things in it. Like stuff from all over the world! I’ve already sold a lot of it.”

I reach the wall and look around, finally turning right and heading to a display case.

“Did all this come from the locker?” I ask.

“It did!” Izzy nods. She points out an old compass, hand-drawn maps, some daggers believed to be from Damascus, and pottery from the Huns.

“This is really cool, but I feel like there’s something else here. Something I need to find…” I trail off.

Izzy taps her chin as she looks up and down the display case before nodding to herself and circling around the back. She pulls her keys out of her pocket, unlocks and opens the storage, then pulls out a black case.

“This was in there too, but it just didn’t feel right to put it out with everything. I almost forgot it was down there.” She sits it on the top of the glass and unzips the case. It falls open to show a beautiful silver rapier sword. I’m sure it’s a trick of the light, but it almost looks like it’s glowing. I reach out and gently lift it out.

Memories come flooding back. Being a small girl with my father practicing fencing. Then being older and using a weapon similar to the one I’m holding now. We dance back and forth, swords clanging. We jump over roots and slash back and forth. My arm slips, and my dad swipes out, drawing blood.

“Ow!” I whine, reaching up and clasping the wound with my free hand. “Why do we have to do this every day? I’m tired, and my arm needs a break.”

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