Page 3 of The Dragon's Warlock

“Fairy garden? You mean little houses with stones and gems?” She didn’t have a cool item to give, but she had some money now, so she could buy a trinket on the trip to Florida.

“You can’t go to the store and buy jewelry. To ask for a finder's spell, you need to bring something special and rare.”

“How am I supposed to know what to give a fairy? I thought she was a psychic. Someone would make a killing if they made a Dummies book for the supernatural world and its rules.”

“Everyone is born into the world, and the knowledge is passed from generation to generation,” he said.

“Well, you should’ve told the rules to the mad scientist who figured out how to change me into a dragon.” Diem downed the remaining scotch and wished she had Gideon’s powers to grab the bottle from the bar.

“He wasn’t a mad scientist.” His lips flattened. “He was a warlock.”

“Was he as old as you?” She walked back to the bar to refill her drink. “Or was he older than you?”

“Does my age matter?”

“I told you mine. Why is it such a secret?”

He massaged the back of his neck. “Nobody ever asked my age or cared. Most people know I’m the oldest warlock alive and used to be the most powerful. But if it will make you happy, I’m eleven hundred sixty-two years old.”

“I want to make an old-person joke, but since you finally told me your age, I’ll keep it to myself. You’re the most powerful warlock in the world. And in a long life, we all have crappy years. You might’ve had a few more than you wanted. Now is the time to get your mojo back.”

“You aren’t going to drop this, are you?”

“She’s my sister,” Diem said. “Wouldn’t you do the same for your family?”

“I don’t have siblings, and my parents died saving me when I was a child.”

Her heart broke for the old warlock. He’d never had anyone to love him. She only had her sister, but they both would do anything for each other.

“I will owe you.”

“Anything?” he asked.

She didn’t have much, but Kayda meant the world to her. “Whatever you want.”

“I’ll help.”

Before she could ask what he wanted, his head tilted to the side, and his eyes narrowed. She strained her ears but couldn’t hear anything. Her dragon grumbled at her for not using her full abilities. Of course, nobody had taught her how to use her dragon.

Gideon jumped up from the couch and wrapped his hand around her lower arm. “They're here.” He shoved her toward the back of the study. She only saw bookcases until he pushed a lever and the door opened. He wasn’t saying a word, only pushing her along. Her feet faltered as she took the next step. The only thing stopping her from stumbling on down the narrow stairs was Gideon’s hand around her wrist. His grip tightened as she started to fall.

When they made it to the bottom of the stairs, Gideon waved his hand, and the lanterns on the wall lit up. “Move,” he growled.

When they were thirty feet into the passage, an explosion sounded above them. The walls shook dirt, and rocks fell from the man-made tunnel. Someone was after Gideon or her.

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