Page 70 of Sapphire Flame
“The wizard is here, the one I told you about. He’ll be doing the spell. I’m guessing you’re both sensitive to his presence.”
“There was a breeze,” Natalie explained.
Neil said, “Landris, my friends are ready for you and I need to retire.”
“Landris?” Grant whispered. “Is it possible? Jesus.”
Natalie’s voice entered his mind.Wasn’t he reported dead twenty years ago? Do you think it’s the same one?
The wizard appeared a few feet in front of them, fading as if from nothing then coming to life on a slow reveal. He wore long, expensive-looking silk robes, embroidered down the front panels. Grant held Natalie close to his side because nothing about this situation gave him confidence.
Power roiled from thealterwizard.
He was warrior-sized which further incited Grant’s wolf as well. His fur now rippled over the backs of his hands and his snout had elongated slightly, enough for Grant to growl. Landris had wavy auburn-and-black hair to his shoulders, thick, arched black brows, steely gray eyes, a strong nose and powerful jawline.
Worse, his gaze was fixed on Natalie.
Neil said, “May I introduce Wizard Landris of Elegance North.”
Grant hadn’t heard this older division of Elegance for a long time. He had an odd sensation he was looking at both the past and the future as he watched Landris.
Grant’s mind began to grow loose, disjointed. He felt Natalie pull away from him. She took a step toward the wizard, then another.
For way too long, Grant felt powerless to act, to move, to think. But he gave himself to his wolf. Though he didn’t shift, more fur sprouted down his arms and across his chest.
He growled heavily and was about to complete the shift and attack Landris, when the wizard broke eye-contact with Natalie. She stopped in her tracks and as Landris shifted his gaze to Grant, he also waved his arm then drew his fist in a downward motion along his side.
A wave of power hit Grant and he flew back several feet. At the same time, he found he couldn’t shift. He lay on his back on the hard, stone-paved floor but the thick sensation inside his mind was gone.
He sprang to his feet.
“What the hell are you doing?” Natalie shouted at Landris, her face pink with anger. “You’re supposed to be helping us and why were you trying to seduce me?”
Landris didn’t answer her question. Instead, he turned to Neil. “You may retire. I won’t hurt them or disrupt their bonding path.”
Neil bowed and at the same time took two steps back. “Thank you. I owe you a tremendous debt of gratitude.” He then headed to the elevator and slid the louvered metal door to the side. He began to ascend, leaving them alone with Landris.
Grant levitated swiftly to stand beside Natalie once more. “What the hell was that?”
“A simple test to get a taste of you both, of your power and your relationship. As I understand it, we don’t have much time. You’re in a battle with the wolf, Kryder, who I know is one of the vilest members of our Five Bridges society. He won’t rest til you’re both dead. Neil was right. At the very least, you need this spell. I apologize if I hurt either of you. Do you wish me to continue?”
“Yes, of course,” Natalie said.
But Grant wanted a few answers. “We both thought you were dead.”
Landris levelled his gaze on Grant. Once more, he felt the wizard’s power flowing in his direction like a tangible wave of energy. “Forces were at work twenty years ago and I had to go into hiding. You and Natalie are two of only a handful that know of my continued existence. If you leak the truth of what you see here tonight, I will have you both killed. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” Natalie said quietly.
“It won’t be a problem.”
“Good.” Landris met his gaze once more. “Ask them. All those burning questions setting a blaze through your mind.”
The man offered, and Grant took him at his word. “What is this wave of energy I feel coming from you.”
“A wave of energy. Next question.”
“Can you create an invisibility spell specific to me? To Natalie?”
