Page 32 of Destiny of the Dragons

Recognition lit. “I know this place.”

“I want to find her.”

Cross shook his head. “I don’t know where she is.”

Mia turned to go.

“You don’t have to play hardball.” Cross marched over to his workbench and rummaged through the drawers. “Her son was a client of mine for years.”

Mia nodded, like this was obvious to her.

“But you already knew that. I would have given you this information for free. You with your family’s spellbook? Priceless.” Cross grinned at her, and the malicious glee gave her pause.

She wanted him too scared of using her family’s spells, not looking forward to her coming into her power like a kid looked forward to a trip to Disneyland.

Cross handed her a faded receipt. The same handwriting that had been on her original receipt, and this time, an address. “It’s the last address I have of them, but sources tell me they moved last year.”

Last year. Mia gritted her teeth. If she had found that receipt sooner, she would have been able to track them straight to their address in Vegas.

“I can help you search.” Cross’s tone made it clear. He couldn’t help her if he was dead from spell blowback.

Mia looked around his shop to hide her annoyance. She should have played this differently. This is why she didn’t enter into these games with clients.

“I cannot protect you from karma.” Mia leveled a glare at him. “I will do what is in my power, however, to protect you from the magic of the spell. So long as you remain useful. And efficient.”

Cross didn’t look happy with her last addition, but didn’t say anything. “I suppose we have a deal.”

Mia cocked her head at him. “I have a spell to prepare. Give me a lock of your hair and some of your blood.”

“For the protection spell.” He made it a statement.

“If you want it to be powerful enough to stop the blowback, then I need something connected to your person.”

Cross stepped closer to her, raising his hand to touch her shoulder. She sent him such a glare, that he stopped.

“There’s better ways of getting body fluids from me.” Cross stared at her breasts. “Much better ways.”

“No.” She barely kept herself from adding, “Over my dead body.”

Cross glared at her. “We’re entering into a business arrangement. We might as well enjoy the extra perks.”

Mia stepped back. “Exactly. Business.”

Cross stalked over to his workbench and pricked his finger with a knife. “Have some of my blood, then.”

Mia took his bloodstained rag, and put it into a small leather pouch. Cross was trying to escalate their bargain, but he gave her more than enough ammo to sink him once he outlived his usefulness to her.

If she had the stomach to do so.

Mia left feeling dirty. She stopped by the enchanter’s shop, hoping the feeling would go away soon. Knowing it probably was here to stay.

“Where did you find it? I’ll give you whatever you want for it.” The enchanter, a man in his fifties with yellow teeth and stringy gray hair, grabbed her hand before he could think better of it.

Mia recoiled. “What are you talking about?”

“Those shavings you gave me.” The enchanter winked. “I dated it like you asked, and ran the spectrum analyzer on that exact blend of paint and magic.”

The enchanter handed Mia the results. She scanned them twice, sure she was reading it wrong.

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