Page 105 of Charmed By Destiny

“Wolf-f-f-ebrier?” Foxe stammered.

“Is that name familiar for some reason?” Richard asked, surprised.

“Apparently, many necromancers are aware of how Samael Wolfebrier died,” Richard’s father explained. “Tales have traveled somehow that it was his inspirit who fired the fatal bullet.”

“Oh, interesting,” Richard replied. “I wasn’t aware necros were so close that they shared gossip. Especially about inspirits. They are the best of our society and deserve better than to have anyone whispering behind their backs.”

“Unfortunately, not everyone is as enlightened as you, Richard,” his father said.

“Arwynns like inspirits,” Foxe defended with a purse of his lips. “I’m here for mine, aren’t I? Like I told your friend, Richard here, you might run a little rescue here, but I didn’t give Luke up permanently. You got to borrow him because we were short on cash. But I don’t like this place, and I don’t want Luke here any longer.”

Gabriel’s brows lifted. “He said that to you?”

“Yes,” Richard replied. “I barely restrained from choking him, and I expect to get full credit for my self-control later.”

“Look, I don’t know what the deal is or why you think I care that any of you are mad. Tell me where Luke is so we can leave. I’m not interested in necromancer politics or any other bullshit.”

“The good news, Mr. Arwynn, is that Lucas is already on his way up here,” Richard’s father stated as he wandered behind his desk. “But I have to warn you, he won’t leave with you.”

“You can’t keep him. He’s a person. You don’t own him.”

“You’re correct. The choice belongs to Lucas. I’m trying to prepare you for Lucas’s refusal to leave.”

“I know him a lot better than you.”

Richard rolled his eyes and wondered what was taking Lucas so long to get upstairs. He didn’t plan to enlighten Foxe on his relationship with Lucas; that was up to the inspirit to share or not. While Lucas wouldn’t be able to hide that he had a soulmate, he’d have the choice to tell Foxe that it was Richard or keep that fact private. Richard was fine either way.

He was far more interested in discovering why Foxe had suddenly showed up than anything else. Had he grown so desperate that he needed quick cash? Why did Foxe think he could waltz in after not speaking to Lucas for months to pick him up as if he was a child he’d dropped off at school? Richard was desperate for answers and eager to be there for Lucas as he dealt with the shock of being with Foxe again.

Chapter 35

Luke was moving chairs to the left to widen the walking area for the conference guests who were expected to arrive shortly. Rhonda stalked into the main ballroom, and her brown gaze scanned the room. She headed straight for Luke. Although Rhonda smiled at him, it was a brief upturn of lips instead of her usual friendly greeting.

“Luke, Gabe wants you to come upstairs to Clark’s office,” Rhonda said.

Grateful that his task was complete, Luke nodded and wasted no time falling into step alongside Rhonda.

“Is everything okay?” Luke asked once they were in the hallway and headed for the elevator.

“I’ll tell you what I know in a minute.”

Luke bobbed his head again in agreement and was thrilled the second the elevator doors whooshed closed so he could learn what was going on.

“Calls from several people in the resort went to Gabe and me to inform us that there was an unknown necromancer in the resort,” Rhonda explained. “The man headed directly for conference services. Gabe headed there to investigate.”

Shock had Luke’s mouth dropping open. “It was Foxe Arwynn, wasn’t it?”

“Yes. When Gabe arrived, Arwynn was in Richard’s office. Gabe’s been rapid-firing texts at me and asked me to bring you upstairs. He took Richard and Arwynn up to Clark’s office.”

As they left the elevator, Luke wasn’t sure how to handle the barrage of emotions flooding him. Immediately, he was relieved to know Foxe was alive and, hopefully, well. But his relief was complicated by sorrow, surprise, and anger. Why would Foxe show up at the Marwood casino after not bothering to talk to Luke for months? What did he want?

Rhonda led Luke to Clark’s office, and Luke distractedly greeted people as his mind spun. He ignored the cold sweat soaking his dress shirt as Rhonda opened the door to Clark’s office. A necromancer immediately had Luke’s attention, but it wasn’t Foxe. Luke headed straight for Richard.

“I’m sorry, Dragonfly,” Luke said. He hated that Foxe had barged in and sidelined Richard’s workday.

Richard’s mouth curved into a smile despite the tumult in his blue eyes. “You have nothing to apologize for.”

Needing some comfort, Luke kissed Richard’s cheek. His soulmate laced their fingers together and rubbed his thumb on the clammy skin on the back of Luke’s hand. It was as reassuring as being pulled into Richard’s arms. Luke pulled his strength around himself and turned toward the man he hadn’t seen in months.

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