Page 78 of Silent Jay

I uncrossed my arms and focused on the warlock observing me. The current usage of ‘warlock’ was just a male magic user… the internet had done wonders for blurring magical definitions. So far, he’d shown me his control of his earth element and strong healing powers. I traced a tattoo peeking out of his shirt on my leg.

Ogden leaned forward, concern creasing his brow. “Ah, you all right?”

I took a deep breath, stopped talking to myself, and wrote. ‘I’m just absorbing information.’

He smiled. “I do the same. No one takes time to think about life anymore.”

I bobbed my head. ‘The spell on me?’

“I can feel it, but I’ve no idea what it is.” He picked at the knot, keeping his wide belt in place. “It’s magic beyond my experience woven into your very essence. It might have something to do with your voice, or it might not.”

‘It’s attracting dragon shifters to me,’ I wrote.

He cocked his head to the side. “Maybe. But very unlikely. A mate mark isn’t just magic. Its nature, destiny, and fate all tied into one.” He glanced down at my neck, his face unreadable. “You have two mate marks.”

Heat rose to my cheeks. Our ‘conversation’ could be flirty or combative, depending on how you looked at it. Unlike the othertwo dragons, Ogden didn’t move to touch, claim, or proclaim me his mate, and I wasn’t sure if it was a good sign.

Really? Are you expecting all dragons to fall at your feet now?

Shut up.

Kissing Tyson had done something. It was a safe bet I had a mate in each dragon clan and had to bonk them all.

Like Pokémon.

Fuck off, brain.

I focused and wrote, ‘Well, what now?’

He frowned and sat straighter. “You’re a rogue magic user on my island. In my home.” His ropy muscles flexed as he stood and took an aggressive step forward. “The runes covering my walls hide you from the world, your mates included. I need to know you’re not here to cause trouble.” He turned to a cloth-covered table and pulled off the sheet.

Bottles of ingredients and two cauldrons with Bunsen burners already under them appeared before me. An enchantress's wet dream and everything I’d been trying to get through Rehan. I let out a needy whimper and leaned forward.

A blush stained Ogden’s dark cheeks, and he stood a little straighter. “This is my alchemy lab,” he continued, trying to stay lofty and uncaring but failing miserably. “Someone recently bought unexpected supplies from me. I assume it was Rehan for you.”

He streaked toward me, gripping my chin between his thumb and forefinger.

I met his stern gaze without flinching. I might be a dirty half-dressed mortal at the moment, but I’d still fuck him up if he tried to hurt me.

“I’m trusting you.” He glanced down at my lips, his eyes betraying his interest. “But there’s only one entrance to my lair. I have complete control. If you make or do anything to hurt mykind, I’ll seal it shut, and you will die alone and starve to death. Do I make myself clear?”

My stomach twisted. Would I die? Was I still immortal without my magic?

I didn’t want to find out.

The creases between his eyes doubled as he tried to stare into my soul. I kept my expression even, knowing his look too well. I didn’t blame him for threatening me. I’d put my people first if I had any.

Fuck, I didn’t even have friends back home unless my accountant counted.

Don’t fucking point it out.

I was trapped without my magic with a memory full of holes, apparently. The sorry state of my existence hit me hard.

I leaned the weight of my head on his fingers and trained my gaze down, hoping he didn’t see the demons dancing in my eyes every time I looked in the mirror.

He released me and stepped back. “I’m sorry,” he said. His voice broke with regret. “This island’s all we have, and it’s more fragile than anyone imagines.” He reached out as if to caress my cheek and pulled back. “I suppose Rehan’s supplies were to check your blood and magical signature for tags?”

He stepped to the table and patted the top. “I’ve left components out for you,” Ogden’s gaze dropped to my chest and back up. “I have some ideas of my own, as long as you want my help.”

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