“No, it’s that bead,” she said, pointing to a plain brown bead worked into the woven collar near the clasp. “Let me touch it.”
We both moved out of the way, and she put a finger on the bead, then shook her head. “This collar is woven out of a mixture of zebra hair and lion's mane. This bead is carved from the scale of a pangolin. While it’s clasped, the magic’s invisible. Once I unlatch it, you’ll be able to see how powerful it is.”
“Are you sure you can take it off Hugo without hurting him?” Marduk asked, voicing my concerns.
“He’ll be perfectly fine,” she assured us. “You need to break the weaving to release the magic stored in it. It’s very typical of how casket druids create spells.”
Using both hands, she undid the clasp. The moment the two ends of the collar separated, bright light filled the room, making me gasp and shut my eyes. When I opened them again, she had the closed collar draped across her palm.
“This is probably one of the most powerful items I’ve ever held,” she murmured. When she met my gaze, her eyes were sad. “Many zebras, lions, pangolins, and more died to make this thing. It has an intended purpose, but I can’t tell what it is, and there’s enough power here to level all of San Diego if it was unleashed in the wrong way.”
Marduk took the collar from her. “We’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.”
I’d told Beatrix to meet us at Jim’s office. Since we were closer, we got there before her. The front door was wide open, but except for an overturned chair, the inside didn’t look disturbed.
Beatrix and Titan, one of her mates, showed up soon after. She was wearing leggings and a racerback style tank top I’d seen a lot of pixies wear. When she turned to grab something out of the back seat of her car, I saw what looked like colorful tattoos peeking out from under the tank top on her back.
When she was ready to fly, those tattoos would emerge from her skin and turn into gorgeous dragon fly wings. It was clear that the shape of the tank top would accommodate unfolding or refolding her wings so she could fly.
It was a relief to see blatant evidence of her ability to take flight. Marduk and I moved to the front door of the office to urge the two of them inside.
She eyed me, looking doubtful. “How small can you make yourself?”
Instead of answering, I shifted into my snake form, predictably getting tangled in my clothes. Marduk was quick to fish me out and hold me up so Beatrix could see my size.
“Oh, you’re adorable!” she exclaimed, holding her hand out so I could move from Marduk to her. “What’s the best way to hold you so you can see and be secure while I fly?”
I moved up her arm and wrapped loosely around her throat.
“Is that going to be okay?” Marduk asked. She nodded so he explained how I’d tell her where to go. “He’ll tap on the left orright side of your throat to tell you which direction to go. If he gives a little squeeze, it means he’s spotted something.”
She nodded as she clipped a small bag across her body. “I can do that. I’ve got my phone, so I’ll call you when we find her.”
“I’m not sure about this,” Titan said. The giant wolf shifter was a gentle soul who’d made it his life’s mission to rescue animals. It was only fitting he’d ended up mated to Arthur, a powerful, protective vampire, and a strong-willed pixie who wouldn’t let anyone bully him.
Beatrix looked up at her wolf shifter. “I know you’re worried about me, but this is important.”
“If we wait until it’s dark, Arthur can carry Danzig around,” Titan said.
“That’s too late,” Beatrix reminded him. “Bec’s in trouble, and we can help. I promise I’ll stay out of danger. All we’ll do is find them, we’re not going to engage until everyone gets there.”
“I don’t know if I trust your promises,” Titan grumbled, stepping out of the way so she could walk out of the office.
“You can trust me to do my best,” she responded with a grin, making Titan chuckle.
“Sometimes your best is very confrontational,” he said under his breath. I’d only met them a few times, but I’d be forever in their debt for this help.
We all stepped into the daylight, and I felt a wash of magic. A glance over her shoulder showed her beautiful, shimmering wings had emerged.
“Wait a moment,” Marduk said, then touched me.Don’t go in alone! I know it’s tempting, but I can't lose both of you in one day.
I’m going to make sure you don’t lose either of us,I said.
Marduk sent me a feeling of love, then stepped back to give Beatrix room. She lifted up in one smooth motion and soon wewere flying. I spotted a trail of Bec’s unique aura right away and tapped.
Relief filled me. I’d have Bec safe in my arms very soon.
Chapter 25
