Page 28 of Wine & Warlocks

“One would believe so.” Isis gave her a frustrated look. “They are playing a dangerous game, whatever their final design.”

“Aye. They are. Loman O’Connor should never have been allowed to return to the world at large. He’s a bad apple, bound to spoil the entire barrel.”

“Agreed.” Isis gave her a tight smile. “Let us hope Ronan is up to the task of finding his father.”

“Without it costing him more than he’s willing to give,” Anu replied grimly.

CHAPTER13

Dubheasa refuses to give in to superstition. Ronan, on the other hand, insisted we skip chapter thirteen. He feels they need all the luck they can get to neutralize Loman. So, in keeping with the chapter thirteen omissions, you are encouraged to take a break, hydrate, then dig back into the story. :)

CHAPTER14

“How do we move forward with a faux wedding if you don’t want me to be the bride?” Dubheasa asked Ronan once they returned to the kitchen. Yes, it chapped her arse to think of another woman standing up with him, but she was trying to take his objection into consideration.

Alastair weighed in first. “If you’ll allow me. I propose we find someone skilled with magic, who can hold a glamour under fire. She can take on your appearance, Ms. O’Malley, and you’ll take on another.”

“You believe I’ll be a prime target, then?” The thought made her stomach queasy, but she refused to show it.

“Aye,” Ronan said grimly. “If my da can steal your magic and destroy my happiness in the process, he’ll do it. And he will be after the grandest prize of them all. You.”

When she pictured the engaging young boy Ronan might have been, then imagined what his childhood must’ve been like with a father like Loman, her heart ached.

“Okay. We’ll do it your way.”

Tension eased from Ronan’s frame, and the tightness around his eyes lessened. “Thank you, love.”

“Don’t be thanking me just yet. The important thing is to catch this gobshite and end his reign of terror.” Glancing at the others, she considered the problem. “It was mentioned that members of the magical community have disappeared. Can I get a list of names, last known locations, and dates they went missing? If we can’t track him by magical means, I might be able to find him the old-fashioned way, by tracing his movements or uncovering a pattern.”

Ronan’s appreciative grin went a long way toward boosting her confidence. Perhaps there was something she could bring to the table, after all.

“I’ll have them for you within the hour, Ms. O’Malley,” Alastair assured her with a warm smile. “You’re a very resourceful young woman, and I’m delighted you’re on our team.”

“Thank you, sir.” A weight of wistful emotion settled in Dubheasa’s chest as she watched him pull out his phone and exit the room. Would her own father have been so encouraging and kind, had he remained in her life? She couldn’t say she’d taken his loss the hardest of her siblings, but she certainly thought of him frequently in one capacity or another. Not a day went by when she didn’t miss his amused half smile and those dancing green eyes filled with love for her.

Ronan’s large hand engulfed hers, and when she looked up, it was to see his genuine concern for her well-being. Her earlier decision to accept him as her mate was cemented. “When do I get the Guardian infusion of magic?”

“That’ll be up to Anu and the Aether. But the sooner, the better. I won’t be sleepin’ well at night until you’re fully charged and my da’s dark soul is destroyed permanently.”

“We should make that our first order of business,” Damian stated. “The more firepower we have, the better our chances.”

Dubheasa met Fintan’s thoughtful gaze across the room. “And you? What do you know that can help us?”

Fintan’s eyes lost focus for a moment, but finally he said, “Your power should be bound and not added to, Dubheasa O’Malley. It’s the only way to protect against Loman’s theft.”

A chill chased along her spine, and her lungs refused to draw breath. It wasn’t until Ronan’s grip became painful that she got control of her anxiety.

“What do you know, Fintan Sullivan?” Ronan’s voice was as hard as raw granite and twice as rough.

“She’ll not survive a confrontation with Loman, should he get to her first. And if she has an ounce of magic in her veins, he’ll take it for his own.” The Seer appeared less thrilled to be imparting his dire prediction than Dubheasa was at hearing it.

“What the fuck is this, then?” Cian demanded with a fierce glare at Ronan. “You’ve been pushing for Dubheasa to amplify her abilities since the day you became a Guardian, ya have! Is this a trick to hurt our family again?”

Ronan’s hand grew clammy, and Dubheasa desperately wanted to tear hers away, but his fingers tightened in a stranglehold. A simple tug had her facing him.

“I’ve not lied about the magic, Dove. I swear on me soul, and if I’m lyin’, may the Goddess strike me dead.”

Through their mental connection, a wave of sincerity washed over her, assuring her that he was telling the truth.

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