Page 105 of Edge of Darkness

“Yeah, he was.” Connie touched his cheek where Kit had kissed him.

Hudson glanced at Connie, then grinned.

“What?” Connie asked.

“You have the perfect imprint of lips on your cheek. And what do you know? The imprint is kind of an orangey pink. Matches a certain someone’s clothes.”

Connie laughed heartily as he stared at Hudson’s face. “Guess what? So do you. Damn, he literally marked us. Are we sure he doesn’t have dragon blood in him?”

“Since dragons can only reproduce with other dragons, yes, I’m sure. But Idolike his instincts.”

“Yup.” And he knew Hudson would walk back through the main house to his quarters with the lipstick mark on his cheek, just as Connie would, before removing it.

THE NEXT several hours flew by quickly. He and Hudson ate lunch in the communal dining area, then went their separate ways. Since Sheila ate lunch with them, he didn’t need to track her down now that he was ready to go.

The drive into San DeLain was insane as usual. Since Sheila was aware of the witch who’d sold Kit the handmade jewelry, Connie didn’t have to fill her in.

Connie had already looked up the address for Bell, Book, and Cauldron and programmed it into the GPS. He and Sheila made small talk as they drove.

“Huh. According to the GPS we’re getting close. This isn’t too far from Kit’s bookstore.”

“Yeah, I believe he mentioned that. I think that’s how he found the place.”

“I recognize the area. Audrey and I stopped by Kit’s place of business, remember? By the way, have you been there yet?”

“No, but I plan to remedy that today.” Connie stared at the GPS. “We’re almost there.”

The mechanical voice directed them to take the next right. Sheila did as she was told and parked in a parking lot. They both looked at the freestanding store before them. It was a pretty brick building with a black-and-white canopy above the door.

There were windows encased in white wood on either side of a black door. There were also two black planters outside the store exploding with colorful plants.

“Very cute and welcoming,” Sheila said. “I can see why Kit was attracted to the place. I wouldn’t mind looking around in here after our business is done. That is, if we’re still welcome.”

“I’m not going to threaten her,” Connie said, exasperated. “Just going to let her know that Kit has friends in high places.”

“You know what? Why don’t you let me talk to her? You’re not the most rational when it comes to your mate,” Sheila said. “If she decides to be difficult, you can be my muscle.”

“I can do that.” Connie flexed for Sheila.

“Good grief, get your ass out of the car.” Sheila laughed as she opened her door. “Seriously though, let’s try not to make an enemy, okay?”

Connie nodded as he opened the door and got out. He heard the beep of the locks engaging. Sheila caught up with him on the other side of the car.

She looked beautiful as usual. He might be in a suit, but she was dressed in jeans that had silver rivets running down the sides of her thighs.

Something told him that Kit would like those jeans. She wore black heeled boots, a white T-shirt, and a cropped denim jacket that had black fringe around the bottom. She had left her auburn hair loose around her face.

She looked both beautiful and kickass.

Connie opened the store’s door for her, and a little bell chimed sweetly as Sheila sailed inside. The dragon gods must be with them because there wasn’t a single soul inside the shop.

The place smelled like herbs, but the scent wasn’t overpowering. There were all kinds of items placed strategically to draw a customer’s attention, including the handmade jewelry.

He caught Sheila looking at it longingly and just shook his head.

“Hello! Welcome, welcome. How may I…. Well, now. This is interesting.”

A beautiful woman with long brown hair with caramel highlights approached them slowly. Connie wasn’t the best at gauging age, but he would put her in her early 30s. She wore wide-leg jeans that had what he thought might be huge hand-painted butterflies on the legs.

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