“No, he has different family magic.”
There was no mistaking his sour tone. Jared’s lack of details did nothing to sate Kat’s kitten curiosity.
He silently vowed to get more information from his mate. He hated being in the dark.
CHAPTER12
Xavier sat at the cat café, cuddling a white Persian named Mrs. Fluffington. The owner let her three-year-old granddaughter name the cats. Her rumbling purr eased the stress eating away his stomach lining ever since he’d read the text from his brother that he had kidnapped Kat and Rance.
The rest of the café was filled with cat trees, enough doilies to create a shortage for the rest of the world, and the delicious smell of baked goods and rich espresso. If crippling anxiety hadn’t overtaken his every thought, he’d be enjoying the setting a great deal more.
Mrs. Fluffington would’ve left pounds of fur behind if he hadn’t added runes to all his clothing to prevent staining, punctures, or anything else from sticking to them. He had designed the rune sequence two years ago and licensed it to clothing designers for a nice royalty. His bank account steadily increased with his practical rune patents. Unfortunately, he couldn’t use them for his apprenticeship since none of those rune sequences involved blood. On the positive side, Melcori couldn’t claim them since they had nothing to do with Xavier’s training. This was something his master occasionally sulked about while looking incredibly proud.
Melcori could be cold and bloodthirsty, but he had been so good to Xavier. He could’ve turned him away instead of accepting him from his parents. Luckily, it had worked out for them both. Melcori gained an apprentice/lackey, and Xavier received proper training to be a blood mage.
Before he could become too maudlin, Jared entered the café. His smug expression when he spotted Xavier had him carefully loosening his grip on the cat in his lap. Mrs. Fluffington purred even louder as if sensing his upset.
He knew he shouldn’t have trusted a relative.
Collectively, his blood relations were a bag of dicks.
“I wouldn’t have thought you would pick a place like this.” Xavier waved a hand to encompass the meowing cats and the overly fussy interior.
“It’s harder for you to beat the shit out of me while surrounded by fluffy kitties and grandmothers in knitted sweaters,” Jared explained with a cheery smile. “Besides, I like this place. It has great coffee.”
“I’m sure it’s nice enough, but I prefer my cats to be bigger and not abducted.” He glared at Jared.
“Now, brother dear, you know it’s every man for himself in our family. I couldn’t let such a fabulous bargaining chip escape. Not when you’re one of the best blood mages in the country.” Jared pulled a plastic zipper bag out of his jacket pocket and set it on the table. “Your mate sent these along. They’re his grandmother’s recipe. Do you need more coffee?”
He peeked into his empty cup. “Sure. If you’re paying.” It was the least he could do.
“I’ll be right back.” He sauntered off as if they were good friends meeting for a chat instead of a kidnapper holding Xavier’s most precious person hostage.
Xavier scratched the cat behind his ear. “If he weren’t my brother, I would hire Oliver to take him out.” Xavier wasn’t generally a violent person. Among the Blood Mage circles, he was considered an unfortunate pacifist. However, if there was a hair on Kat’s head rumpled, he was going to make his brother wish he’d died when he’d been experimented on.
Mrs. Fluffington let out a howling sort of meow.
“Got a little Siamese cat blood in there, girl?” He scratched her behind the ear. “I bet my mate would like this place. He’s a mountain lion shifter.”
Jared returned with a tray holding a French Press, two mugs with black cats outlined in gold, a saucer filled with various sweeteners, and a pitcher of cream. “I didn’t know how you took it.”
“Black. What did you do with my mate?” he hissed.
“Peace.” He extended both hands, palms up. “He’s unharmed. I can’t believe you’re bonded to that sweet bundle of sunshine?” He pushed down the plunger on the French Press, then filled the mugs. He slid one over to Xavier before taking a sip of his own as if to show it wasn’t poisoned.
“I am, and if I don’t get him back soon, you won’t like the results.” He let his magic rise to the surface. As a Blood Mage, Xavier usually dealt with passive magic. However, most people forget that Blood Mages can channel most magic because every bit of their blood is infused.
Jared pointed at him. “And that is why Melcori endlessly brags about you when he’s drinking. He’s like a proud papa.”
Xavier took a sip of his coffee and waited. Jared had an agenda he would share when he was ready and not a minute more. He took a cookie out of the bag and ate it. Flavor exploded across his tongue. A satisfied hum slipped out as he took another bite.
“Good, aren’t they?” Jared’s knowing smile made him scowl. He refused to contribute to any friendly banter with the enemy. “I can see you still love cookies. Haven’t changed much, have you?” Jared asked idly.
Xavier swallowed. “I have. I’ve gotten meaner, and you’ll find out how mean if you don’t return them unharmed.”
Jared pouted. “Why do you keep insisting I’d harm them?”
“Because people with good motives don’t kidnap other people.”
