“Sedona, Arizona,” Raven said.
“What would Rowan be doing in Arizona?” Tobias asked.
Raven shook her head. “I don’t think it’s her.” She pointed at the ruby. “This is not how the spell is supposed to work. The spell had two parts, the first to find Rowan specifically, using the stone and this dress, the second to find your siblings using your blood. The stone is off the map, deflected by the defensive spell.”
“Then who is that?” Tobias pointed at the dot.
Gabriel answered, “It has to be Alexander. He’s the only other sibling in the United States.”
“Alexander. Of course,” Raven said. “There’s our answer. We find Alexander first. Maybe he’ll know how to find Rowan.”
Gabriel groaned and rubbed his forehead. For his part, Tobias made a face like she’d suggested eating something off the floor.
“I know you guys have mentioned that Alexander isn’t in his right mind.”
A loud scoff came from the direction of Gabriel. “It’s more than that, Raven. He’s not crazy—he’s broken, damaged beyond repair.”
Raven drew back at the worddamaged, but Tobias raised a hand in his defense. “You don’t understand because you’re applying human logic to dragon psychology. Alexander lost his mate. Once a dragon mates, his soul is bonded to his partner as if wax was melted into wax and cooled into a seal. Life has broken that seal. Maiara is gone, and Alexander…”
“He’s the walking dead. Death would be easier than what he lives through every day.”
Raven placed her hands on her hips. “What I hear you saying is that your brother is severely depressed, and now that we know where he is, you don’t want to deal with him or help him.”
Both of them refused to look her in the eye.
“I’m a witch. I have an entire library of magical spells and healing potions at my fingertips. Perhaps I can help him with the proper draught or elixir. Everything you’ve told me simply makes me surer we need to go to Arizona.”
A knock came from the door to the library, and everyone turned to find Raven’s sister, Avery, standing just inside the doorway. Raven was struck by how beautiful her sister was, surrounded by dark wood and bathed in the light that poured through the window off Royal Street. Her long hair shone black as polished onyx, and the green dress she was wearing reminded Raven of why Avery attracted so much male attention at the Three Sisters.
“Avery, how nice to see you,” Raven said.
“Did I just hear you say you were going to Arizona?” Avery’s mouth gaped at the idea. “You are not going to Arizona. Your birthday party is in five days, and everyone is coming. We can’t have a birthday party without the birthday girl.”
Raven swallowed. “Don’t be silly. Of course I’ll be here for the party.”
“And you still need to tell Dad that you’re getting married and that you’re pregnant. Mom and I have been trying our best to avoid him since you told us. I don’t want to lie, but it’s getting harder and harder to avoid his questions about you.” Avery tucked her glossy hair behind her ears.
“I know. It’s on my to-do list.”
“Oh, and may I remind you that we have a wedding and reception to plan, which I seriously think you should consider moving up because you are starting to show. By October your ivory dress is going to make you look like the full moon.”
Raven stepped out of the circle of stones and crossed the library to hug her sister. “Everything will get done, I promise. I’m here. I’ll talk to Dad… soon.”
Drawing back, Avery frowned at the map and the circle of stones. Her gaze roved to Tobias and Gabriel, who stood motionless, as if holding absolutely still would repel her curious perusal. They looked guilty as hell.
Avery’s gaze locked on Tobias, her pupils widening as if he were a frosted piece of cake.
“Avery,” Raven said. “I don’t believe you’ve met Tobias. His wife had to stay in Chicago for work, but he’ll be staying with us for a while.”
Awkwardly, Tobias grasped Avery’s hand, offering a “nice to meet you” filled with forced cheer. She shook his hand slowly as she took in the rest of the scene.
“What were you three doing in here anyway?” She eyed the red dress Raven was wearing, the map, and the circle of stones. “What’s this? Where did you get this dress?”
“Same designer who’s doing my gown. It’s a prototype. My wedding dress would be white, of course. I was just showing it to Gabriel.”
“This… is… a game.” Gabriel pointed to the stones. “Tobias and I learned as children.”
Tobias raised an eyebrow at his brother. “Right. Just like old times.”
