Page 31 of Destiny of the Dragons

If he was just dragon enough to do so.

Mia approached Cross’s shop, her footsteps heavy.

She doubled back three times to make sure Jace and Smoke weren’t following her. She didn’t want them to see what she was carrying.

In a cedar box was the spell. It pulsed with dark energy. People passing her on the street gave her a wide berth.

She was disgusted she would cause them such fear, but a tiny part of her reveled in it.

It proved she was her mother’s daughter, no matter what pretty lies she told herself.

The mark on her wrist pulsed.

If these people feared her, they wouldn’t try to use her.

Mia walked inside Cross’s shop, Tikka on her shoulder. Her familiar sent her waves of anger at entering the shop, but Mia had to drop the spell off. She was done doing blood magic for him. He didn’t know it yet, but she would make sure he was too scared of her to continue.

Lover’s Pain was bad enough. Cross’s former lover would feel the sorrow and pain instead of love and joy with any new lovers she had.

Cross came out of the back room and paused when he saw her. He looked her over, like they were in a bar and he was coming over to pick her up.

Revulsion rolled over her, and she fought to keep the disgust off her face.

“I have your spell.” Mia walked into his backroom. It was empty, thank Circe. Magic thrummed inside her, stronger than ever.

Being around Smoke and Jace was changing her in more ways than just how she thought a relationship could.

“You have wired payment to House Caravaggio?”

“I have.” Cross smirked.

“Good.” Mia set the box on the table. She looked at Cross out of the corner of her eye. “I hope this is what you wanted.”

Dark anger crossed his face. “She deserves it. Every bit of it.”

Mia nodded once. “Remember, magic is reciprocal.”

“If you put something in that spell,” Cross started, rage contorted his face into something inhuman.

“Do not threaten me.” Mia faced Cross, letting him see the length she would go. “I don’t have to do anything to the spell. You brought this spell to me. You are aware of what often happens to the advocate of the spell.”

Cross’s eyes narrowed, but he stepped to the side. “I assumed the blood witch in question wanted some payback.”

“You’re a stupid, short sighted man,” Mia said. “Blood magic requires you to give pieces of yourself. You create a link between yourself and the person you are doing harm. That link often has unintended consequences.”

“And you’ll save me from those consequences for a small fee?” Cross sounded snide.

“No. I cannot save you from your own fate.” Mia smiled at him. “I wouldn’t even if I could.”

“There must be some sort of protection.” Cross leaned against a countertop, arrogance radiating off him. Here was a man used to getting whatever he wanted, by whatever means necessary.

Mia wished him to a dark fate. It was what he deserved. She wanted to scoff at him, make him grovel like the worm he was. People like him were always sure they didn’t have to pay for the consequences of their actions. Anyone else but them.

He was lucky she needed him.

Mia handed him a piece of paper. She had copied the receipt with her family name on it. Thus far, every magic shop she visited hadn’t been able to tell her anything.

Cross was connected to the black market. He might know what others did not. His family was known for tracking spells. At the very least he could use his magic for her benefit.

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