Page 21 of The Dragon's Warlock

7

Diem

Another night with little sleep. Gideon had insisted they share a room—a one-bed room. Once again, the sexy man slept without his shirt on, and she’d spent the night trying not to touch him.

Now they were turning off the exit to Cassadaga, and hopefully, she could get some answers. The pink gem Gideon had stolen for her was in her pocket. Her dragon wanted to fly to a cave and put it away for safekeeping.

She didn’t have a cave. The dragon reminded her about the one Gideon said she could use. But her life would have to wait until she found Kayda.

“Do you know where you’re going?” she asked. Little shops lined the streets, all with signs claiming they could read her palm. Her gaze met that of an elderly woman walking out of the shop with a smile on her face.

“Yes. I take a right at the next turn, and it’s almost at the end of the road.”

She couldn’t help but smile at the Spirits Crossing sign. “Have you been here before?”

“Yes,” he grumbled. The way he answered her made her feel a little uneasy. “This is it.” Gideon pulled into a gravel parking space.

A yellow sign marked the start of the trail. She didn’t understand why they were heading to the garden area.

“You’re dealing with fairies. This might not seem like much yet, but wait until we get through the magic barrier.” Gideon grabbed her hand and led her down the path.

So many sections were colorful. The little details in the tiny homes caught her attention, but Gideon kept pulling her down the trail. When they reached the giant butterfly wings, she demanded a picture. The man rolled his eyes but snapped one for her—Kia had given them a burner phone before they left. He refused to stand next to the wings so she could take a photo of him. At the end of the path was a park bench, but Gideon didn’t slow down. He tugged her through the branches and overgrown bushes.

On the other side was a cute white home. Colorful wind chimes lined the trees. The soft Florida breeze caused them to play a sweet melody. It was almost hypnotizing.

They walked up the stairs to the house, and Gideon knocked on the door. He still clutched her hand, and she liked how it made her feel safer.

The door swung open, and a woman stood frowning at them. Behind her was a large man. He had to be close to seven feet tall.

“Gideon, what are you doing here?” Her words came out almost as a whisper.

The man behind her crossed his arms and glared down at Gideon. It seemed that Gideon wasn’t liked by many. Diem wasn’t sure if this encounter was going to go like the one at the shop.

“Hello, Emma and Garth,” Gideon said. “I didn’t know you guys were together.”

The giant reached around the woman’s waist and drew her closer. He hadn’t stopped glaring, and she thought he was also growling. “Emma is my mate.”

Gideon pulled Diem to his side and wrapped his arm around her waist. “We need your help.”

“You think my mate will help you after what you did?” the man growled. “You left with no word. We were supposed to look out for each other.”

Diem didn’t like how the man was talking to Gideon. Something came over her. “I’m sure you heard that someone had mind control over him. He couldn’t have known what he was doing. We worked hard to bring you something so you can help me.”

The tall man growled louder. Fuck.

Emma patted her man on the chest. “Stop growling, Garth.” She turned toward Gideon and Diem. “I’m sorry that happened to you, Gideon, but what you did happened way before the mind control.”

Diem was worried. “You know that’s over a hundred years ago, right?”

“There was nothing I could do.” Gideon shrugged. “I tried to save her.”

Emma closed her eyes for a second. “I know it’s not your fault. It’s—”

“It’s hard to see me.” Gideon let out a sigh. “That’s why I left, but I need your help.”

Diem held out her hand. “We brought you this. Gideon thought you would trade this for help.”

Emma wiped a tear from her eyes. “You remembered.” She knitted her brow. “I thought Ursula took over her mom’s shop. That’s the only place you can find these.”

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