Page 106 of Edge of Darkness

There was a thick brown leather belt around her waist, and her brown boots were nearly the same color as the belt. Her blouse was red with those drapey sleeves that seemed to be so popular. She wore an opaque white stone on a leather necklace around her neck. The same stone hung from her ears.

“Are you the owner of this establishment?” Sheila asked.

“I am. My name is Wendy McCallahan. How may I help you, Mistress?”

“If you know my title, I’m going to assume you know what I am,” Sheila said.

“Of course I know who you are. I make it a point to know all the movers and shakers in our community. I take it this isn’t a social call,” Wendy said.

“Yes and no. Could we speak to you privately?” Sheila asked.

“Of course. Just a moment.” Wendy went to the front of the store and turned the ‘open’ sign to ‘closed.’ Then she took keys out of her pocket and locked the door. “There. Now we won’t be disturbed. Why don’t the both of you come to my office?”

“Thank you,” Sheila said.

Connie followed behind the two women. He was getting a good vibe off Wendy, which was reassuring. They followed her into an office that was as comfortable as it was stylish.

“Please, have a seat.” Wendy sat behind her desk. Connie and Sheila took the two chairs in front of the desk.

“Now, why don’t we fully introduce ourselves,” Wendy said. “I am Wendy McCallahan of the McCallahan coven.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Wendy. I am Mistress Sheila Walker of the Fire Court of San DeLain. This is Sir Conrad Turner, right hand to King Hudson Redmond of the Fire Court of San DeLain.”

Wendy whistled long and loudly. “Well, it’s not every day I end up with two dragons in my shop. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I’m going to be blunt as I believe it saves time,” Sheila said. “There is a human who frequents your shop. He owns a business not far from you called The Book Spot. His name is—”

“Kit Meadows,” Wendy interrupted. “Who happens to be one of the sweetest humans I have ever met. Now I’m going to be blunt. I am not his friend, but Iamacquainted with him. If you have a problem with him, then I’m going to have a problem with that.”

“Oh, thank the dragon gods,” Connie breathed.

Wendy raised an eyebrow at Connie.

“Sorry,” Connie said. “I can’t tell you how relieved I am to hear that. Kit is under the protection of Elder Kage Dargan and—”

Wendy straightened in her desk chair. “Shit. The daemon?”

“Yup,” Sheila said.

“—and our court. Kit is friends with Austin, who is Kage’s mate,” Connie finished.

“Holy hell, this human has friends in high places,” Wendy muttered.

Connie found it funny that she had said exactly the same thing he thought earlier.

Wendy suddenly stared at Connie. “And why do the dragons have an interest in Kit? Is it related to the attack on him by the mimic?”

“So you have heard?” Connie asked.

“Who hasn’t?”

“Yes, Kit came to our attention thanks to the attack on him by Nox,” Connie said. That was all he planned to tell her because that was all she needed to know.

“I see.” Wendy stared at Connie a few more seconds. “And you thought to come meet me because he sometimes frequents my shop?”

“And because he wears jewelry that is made from here,” Sheila said.

“Ah, I see. I do find it kind of insulting that you think I would sell handmade jewelry with spells attached—and don’t try to tell me that wasn’t what you thought,” Wendy said.

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