Chapter Twelve #2
Michael studied him. The dragon had really been pretty complacent, all things considered.
“Tell you what,” he said. “Let me do a little surveillance on my own for today. If I’m lucky, Sophie will be back home tonight.
If not, you can come with me tomorrow.” As the dragon started to protest with another whiff of smoke, Michael added, “She might try to call. You’d be here to answer the phone.
” He lifted the handheld off its cradle and laid it down.
“You can press the green button with your claw, can’t you? ”
“Of course I can. Dragon claws are very flexible.” Pendragon glared at him, momentarily distracted from the conversation. “But—”
“Then it’s settled,” Michael interrupted. “Just for today. Stay home. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
The dragon wasn’t happy, but Michael’s thoughts were already on how he’d get Sophie back from Robert as he sped along I-30 toward north Dallas in the rented car he’d used to bring Sophie home earlier.
Half an hour later, he parked down the street from a stately two-story brick home, worth millions, in the suburb of Highland Park.
Thankfully, most of the residents here were Old Money and not Nouveau Riche.
Security systems were undoubtedly in place everywhere, but nothing so mundane or obvious as gates or armed security.
Michael rolled down the windows to allow the air in and closed his eyes.
He opened his brow chakra, sending weblike tentacles of light toward the house.
He picked up no trace of Sophie’s essence, but then, her own magic unwittingly kept her shields up.
She was one of the very few humans he’d ever encountered who could totally block him.
Not that she’d believe that, of course. She still thought he’d manipulated her thoughts and sent her that erotic dream.
For a fleeting moment, he allowed himself to remember the silky texture of her skin and the salty musk taste of her.
He shook his head in frustration as he opened his eyes.
Ironically, he could have used the help of Lucas Ramsey right now.
The man was a wolf-shifter and not only would have a keener scent but would be able to trot right up to the building in dog form, undetected, and peer in the windows.
But Lucas and Sara were stuck in Merlin’s cave, if Nimue told the truth.
By the Goddess, he’d welcome the faerie right now!
She could easily float by each window and no one would notice.
He closed his eyes again, summoning her.
Nothing. All he felt was his will vibrating from the nearby ancient oaks where tree dryads’ silent laughter gently rustled the leaves. They’d be no help either.
Fickle faeries.
He could simply approach and ring the bell. With luck, Robert would be in his office downtown and Michael could mesmerize the butler—or whoever answered the door—into letting him in. It was worth a try.
Michael gathered his energy, concentrating on the spell that would allow him to bend the butler’s will to his for a few moments.
It was a particularly dangerous spell to cast since it was often used with black magic for personal gain.
The gods would not be pleased if it went awry.
No doubt he would have to pay some penance even for using it in this situation, but Sophie was worth it.
He was about to get out of his car when a red sports car he recognized as Morgan’s pulled directly into the driveway of Robert’s house. Michael frowned, gathering his spell inward quickly and cloaking his presence. What in the name of Holy Avalon was she doing here?
****
As Morgan walked up to the door of Robert’s home, she caught a whiff of magic.
Her head snapped up, nostrils flaring, trying to catch its direction.
Nothing. Yet she could have sworn she felt the metallic tingle in the air…
She narrowed her eyes and looked around.
Next door, a yardman clipped a hedge, but she detected no magic from him.
Across the street, a young woman, probably a nanny, walked with a small child.
No magic there either. Down the street, a dark sedan was parked, and she hesitated.
Was there a slight crystalline vibration surrounding it?
The air seemed to shimmer like a desert heat wave, but even as she watched, it dissipated to nothing.
Morgan sighed. She wished she were a more experienced witch, but the Sisterhood Circle had not deemed her ready for initiation into truly powerful spells.
Damn them. She was getting a little fed up with playing the whore.
Sex was a tool—and a powerful one to use with black magic—if she could just learn the spells.
She wanted the power to stand up to Adam Baylor.
One day she would make him pay for not respecting her.
Not just yet, though. She could sense the evil the exuded from him. It was intoxicating. Every time he came inside her, she captured a little more of its essence. She smiled. The man was a fool if he thought he was using her. But she was wise enough not to test him. Yet.
She rang the doorbell, glad she had called ahead and Robert had arranged for her to meet him here. She hated driving through the mess of Stemmons and Thornton where his office was.
“We’ll take the Hummer,” he said as he stepped out and eyed her small car. “The dragon will never fit in that.” He snapped his fingers and, a few minutes later, a servant brought the big vehicle around.
As Morgan settled into its luxuriously padded leather seat, she hiked up her skirt to mid-thigh and gave Robert a seductive smile.
It never hurt to gather a bit of power from wealthy, successful men.
Besides, the guy was Sophie’s ex, and there was a certain amount of satisfaction in taking what had belonged to another woman.
Especially that bitch who had Michael enthralled.
Robert glanced at her and then away. “I appreciate the invitation,” he said in a dry tone, “but this is strictly business. I want to capture that dragon.”
Morgan thrust her lower lip out, but kept her skirt hiked.
“Don’t worry. You will. I explained the plan to you on the phone.
” Adam had gone over it with her in detail while he wove dark threads of sorcery into the garrote she had in her purse.
“But what’s the harm in a little romp in celebration?
You’re a really awesome-looking guy and I’ve never had any complaints about my skills. ”
“I’m sure you haven’t,” he said in that same dry voice and then turned up the volume on the CD that had started to play.