Page 71 of Sapphire Flame
“For you both singularly and together. Next.”
Natalie asked, “Do you employ a fae to keep you informed of future events?”
“Yes. She’s enhanced with low, safe dosages of sapphire flame.”
“You’re serious? You would do that to her?”
For the first time, Landris smiled. “You don’t know this woman. She devised the use of the drug. I don’t require it of her. But it helps and that’s something the two of you must keep in mind. She’s seen parts of your path over the next two nights. She’s seen you both dead and she’s seen you both alive. Your future shifts about almost with each breath you take. But one thing is certain: You must work together or perish. I’m done with your questions.”
“Just one more and on this I insist,” Grant said.
“You insist? You realize I could cover this floor with your blood and you wouldn’t have an inkling I was coming for you.”
Grant ignored the threat. “Why are you willing to do this for us? I sense you’re driven by self-interest so what’s it to you?”
“You’ve taken my measure I see. And correctly so. Self-interest is the sum of life. Nothing else matters or even makes sense. But very well, I’ll answer. I need Kryder dead and you’re my best chance at getting the job done.” He glanced from Grant to Natalie then back.” His gaze narrowed. “But I must say I’m disappointed.” His lip curled. “If you’re the best Savage can offer, then your territory is doomed.”
“I’m not the best. I don’t claim to be. But I don’t care about your opinion of me. You and I appear to want the same thing, though I don’t need Kryder dead. Death Valley would serve.”
“Then you’re a fool. Kryder would walk out of the Death Valley Penitentiary the same hour he arrived, then he’d come for you. But it doesn’t matter. I’ve seen enough, and I’ve changed my mind. I’m not interested in working with either of you.”
~ ~ ~
Natalie would have been freaked out, certainly become pissed, if she hadn’t already come to an understanding about who Landris was. She understood him or thought she did. Just to be sure, she accessed her wolf. Even her vision changed as she saw what her wolf saw. Everything seemed expanded with colors. She saw that Landris pulsed with the energy of a specific spell.
She spoke her mind. “You don’t fool me, Landris. All these years, you’ve hidden behind your spells. You don’t even know who you are anymore or what you really want. Survival, yes. Possibly wealth. But there’s more here because my wolf can see you.”
He moved closer to her and peered into her eyes. She had never seen such pure gray irises before but with a thin white line rimming them. His power swelled over her once more.
He used another spell and pushed at her mind, trying to gain access. But her wolf, whom she’d started to think of as a type of bodyguard, merely growled softly at him.
Without thinking about it too much, she focused on the wizard and though it cramped the muscles of her back, she allowed herself to glimpse his future, though what returned to her seemed more like a vision of his life. She saw a woman haunting him. “She’s coming, Landris, and she’s beautiful. She’s with you now, but she lives in the shadows. One day she won’t, then all your spells will have no effect. Nothing will be able to protect your heart. Nothing.”
His brows rose. “You’ve seen all this?”
“Yes.”
Landris’s lips quirked. “I can see why Kryder wants you. Few women have your brand of insight or courage. So, you’ve seen my future then?”
“Only a very small part.”
“What else did you sense?”
“How dangerous you are, yet vulnerable. But we need the invisibility spell. Please help us.”
“You’ll have to stop me from leaving.”
“What do you mean?”
“You heard me. If you want my help, you must prevent me from leaving this room.”
Panic shot through her veins. One quick glance down the space showed her there were at least six exits. How the hell were they supposed to stop him from leaving?
She glanced back at him. “How?”
His smile grew broader. He shrugged his shoulders, then slowly started to fade.
Grant caught her arm. “We have to track him.”
