Page 28 of Fired Up Love

“What of Madrigal himself?” Xai asked.

“Conveniently untraceable,” Noven replied. “Though Rust is putting pressure through official council channels.”

“And Kalyna’s researching property records dating back three centuries,” Bryn added. “If there’s any truth to Madrigal’s claim about family treasure, she’ll find it.”

Throughout this exchange, Xai remained within arm’s reach of Zina, his body angled subconsciously toward her. The dragon’s need to protect radiated from him like physical heat.

“I need to get to the spa,” Zina declared, attempting to stand. Pain flashed across her features. “My staff?—”

“Are safe and handling everything,” Bryn assured her, gently pressing her back down. “Jamie said they’ve got it under control. Besides, you need recovery time.”

“I don’t have time to?—”

“You will take the time,” Xai interrupted, his tone brooking no argument. “Or I’ll be forced to issue an official council order restricting your movement.”

Zina’s eyes narrowed. “You wouldn’t dare.”

The room temperature climbed several degrees.

“Oh my,” Noven stage-whispered to Bryn. “Is it getting hot in here, or is it just them?”

Bryn stifled a laugh. “I’d say it’s definitely them.”

“We need information more than arguments,” Xai stated, ignoring their commentary. “Someone needs to speak with Madrigal’s sister.”

“Luciana?” Zina looked surprised. “You said she’s nothing like Severin.”

“Precisely why she might help us understand his motives.” Xai paced, his natural predator’s grace evident in each step. “If this is about some family treasure or birthright, she would know.”

TWENTY-EIGHT

Another knock interrupted them. This time, the visitor was Kalyna Foxworthy, clutching ancient-looking scrolls.

“I found something,” she announced without preamble, slipping past Xai into the living room. Her eyes widened at Zina’s condition, but she pressed on. “These are land records from when Enchanted Falls was first settled. The Gravemont and Parker families both appear, along with...” she glanced at Xai, “the Emberwyldes.”

The dragon elder stilled. “My family?”

“All three were original settlers, according to these documents.” Kalyna spread a yellowed map across the coffee table. “And all three contributed to a special trust or repository beneath what is now Purrfect Oasis.”

“What kind of repository?” Zina asked, leaning forward despite her pain.

“That’s where it gets tricky. The records are deliberately obscure—magical redaction to prevent misuse.” Kalyna pointed to symbols along the map’s edge. “But I recognize these runes. They indicate a powerful artifact, something requiring multiple bloodlines to access or control.”

The implications settled over the room like a heavy cloak.

“So Madrigal doesn’t just want the property,” Xai mused. “He wants whatever lies beneath it—something his ancestors helped create or protect.”

“But why attack now?” Bryn wondered. “The spa’s been in Zina’s family for generations.”

“Because of me,” Zina realized. “I’m the last Parker. If something requires bloodline access and I’m gone...”

“The remaining protective barriers would weaken,” Kalyna confirmed. “Especially if he’s acquired access to Emberwylde blood somehow.”

All eyes turned to Xai, whose expression had darkened dangerously.

“That would explain his sudden interest in council politics and his attempts to forge alliances with dragon clan members.” His voice carried the rumble of distant thunder. “He’s been seeking a way to circumvent blood protections.”

“We definitely need to speak with Luciana,” Noven stated. “She might know details about this artifact that aren’t in any records.”

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