Isaac cleared his throat. “Hello, old frie—” The words had barely left his mouth before the alchemist flung out his arm and Isaac grabbed his throat,choking.
“Hey!” I shouted, charging the steps, but Logan caught my arm. Keegan cocked his shotgun and the alchemist met the alpha’seyes.
“This has nothing to do with you. He and I have some unfinished business,” Rufus seethed as Isaac’s lips began to turnashy.
“Let him go now or I will light you on fire!” I roared, holding out myhand.
His eyes flicked to me, fascinated once again. He seemed to think about it and I pushed some of my magic out, letting a small ball of purple fire ignite along mypalm.
The alchemist immediately dropped his powerful hold over Isaac. The druid fell to the floor gasping, leaning on his staff, trying to get someair.
“What did you do to him?!” I shouted, looking concerned for my friend. I remembered how he’d said this man was capable of turning his head tostone.
Rufus raised one eyebrow at me. “I just turned his lungs to metal momentarily. Nothing he didn’tdeserve.”
Isaac coughed and stood. “She begged me! You pressured her for so long for a child. I was just trying tohelp.”
Rufus flew from the doorway and beelined it for Isaac. “So you slept with my wife?” he roared, and everyone backed up, giving them room. If it looked like Rufus was going to kill him, then I would intervene, but I knew the druid could handle his own. Isaac didn’t flinch, and just stood there as Rufus got up in hisface.
“You were sterile, I was not. You wanted a baby and she wanted to give that to you.” Isaac’s voice held so much regret, and holy shit this story just gotjuicy.
Rufus barked out a laugh. “Not with you! I wanted one with her or not atall.”
Isaac looked at the floor. “Well, you got yourwish.”
Before I could move, Rufus’ left arm came out and decked Isaac in the jaw. A crack ricocheted off the big house and we all winced. Dominic took one step forward, gunraised.
“You done?” Domasked.
Rufus looked back at the lion shifter. “Yes, I feel much better, thankyou.”
Isaac rubbed his jaw. “Okay, I deserved that, but we need your help,” he said through gritted teeth, his honey-colored eyes locked on the alchemist. I knew my mentor by now. He’d allowed that one hit to give Rufus a sense of retribution, but if the man came at him again he would bring him to hisknees.
“And why should I help you?” hespat.
Isaac gestured to Logan and I. “Do it for them, not me. ForLaney.”
Rufus inhaled deeply and then sighed. Laney must have been his late wife’sname.
“What do you need?” he asked me,resigned.
Here goesnothing.
“I had a staff like Isaac’s, but then Ardan the big bad evil druid burned it to ash, and I need you to make it new again.” I said in a rush. Keegan held up the bag of ashes Isaac had dropped when he’d almost had his lungs turned togold.
RIPstaff.
“Ardan,” Rufus groaned. “Why didn’t you say that sooner? Come inside. I’ll try mybest.”
Relief poured through me. He was going to try, and he didn’t kill Isaac. Things were looking up. He walked into the open doorway and gestured that we follow. Logan went first and I followed him. At first, I wasn’t sure if what I was seeing was correct. But after my brain had a moment to process it I saw that yes, the molding, doorknobs, lighting fixtures, and staircase were all shinygold.
“Is that real gold?” I asked ournot so kindhost.
He smiled, flashing a set of handsome straight white teeth. “Yes, I am more powerful around precious metals, so I surround myself withthem.”
Goals.
“Isaac, why don’t you make us all some tea? You remember where everything is, yes?” Rufus waved a hand at my mentor as if he were the hiredhelp.
