“Well, shit, I guess I’m curious to know what he thinks I would trade for a dragon.” Rune sighs. “I suppose I’ll have to magic you up a leash and we’ll go find out.”
EIGHTEEN
DRAX
“He sayshe’s willing to meet.” Xanthis tosses her long white hair back. Her wife, Dahlia, is perched on the table next to her.
I wouldn’t say they were pleased to hear from us, but they’ve been kind enough to help so they have my gratitude.
“Thank you again, Xanthis.”
She nods, studying me with intense eyes. “I’m always happy to help mates find their way back to each other.” She glances at her wife. “Love is the only thing worth fighting for.”
Roman makes a gagging noise while Cassius scrunches his nose like he smelled something foul. Atlas, for his part, stares at the women with longing in his eyes.
I would argue that Mac and I aren’t in love, but my heart won’t let me utter the words. I know Mac has warmed towards me since his capture, and even if it’s just because of his circumstances, he knows that I am his mate and will do anything for him. That has to count for something.
“If we could keep this interaction between us, I’d appreciate it.”
Dahlia nods, dragging her fingers through her unruly black hair. “Oh, trust me, I’m not telling Mac’s brothers. They’ddescend on that mage and burn down an entire city if they thought they had to.”
I nod, forcing a smile to my lips. Had I known Dahlia had a connection to Mac’s brothers, I’m not sure I would have chosen her. I’m pretty sure Mac doesn’t want his family involved, but I feel the truth in the witch’s words, so I believe her.
“Thank you again.”
“Just go get him,” Dahlia says. “And if any of you can figure out how to get him to stop stealing from demons, that would be great.”
Her comment makes my chest ache for a second. “Does he collect things from other beings?”
She shakes her head. “Rarely. His brothers say he’s always had a particular focus on demon artifacts. It’s not his fault, really. The dragon controls the hoard, but only fate knows why his dragon wants demonic items.”
That is very interesting. I wonder if Mac knows the meaning behind most of his collection. He doesn’t seem to.
“I’ll see what I can do.”
The four of us leave the witch and the dragon mage and slip back into the void. I send another pulse through the bond, assuring Mac that we have a plan and we’re on our way.
“Back to Tokyo?” I ask.
“We need a plan though,” Atlas says. “We can’t just show up. Xanthis said you would come with the trade, but she didn’t say we’d be there too. We don’t want to scare Rune off.”
Cassius nods, tapping his chin. “I have an idea. We’ll go to the bar while Drax goes to meet with Rune.”
“That’s a terrible idea,” Roman says. “What if Rune captures Drax too?”
“Drax is a demon. He can get out of any trap.”
“Rune is a powerful mage. Who knows what kind of tricks he has up his sleeve,” Roman argues.
“He’s protective of himself,” Atlas straightens his shoulders. “Roman is right. We need to protect Drax.”
“Any other ideas then?” Cassius asks.
“I’ll go with Drax,” Atlas says. “I can protect him against magic.”
“Good plan.” Roman rubs his hands together. “Ready, guys?”
“I need to get the jewel. Be right back.” I blip to my room, grab the satchel with the emerald in it, then rejoin the guys. “Ready.”
