Page 52 of Fired Up Love

“I’ve been monitoring magical signatures throughout Enchanted Falls since before you were born, young Madrigal,” she stated, her tone gentle but brook no argument. Her fingers traced delicate symbols in the air that coalesced into shimmering data graphs that hovered above the table.

“The Parker bloodline has always protected our town’s foundations. In fact...” She guided her ethereal charts to overlay with Severin’s photographs. Where they intersected, discrepancies glowed bright red. “These images show manipulated data. The energy patterns have been artificially enhanced to suggest instability.”

Rust Leonid, the current mayor and lion elder, produced documents from his portfolio. The golden-haired lion shifter’s movements carried the same confidence as Zina’s, reminding Xai of their distant family connection.

“I find it interesting,” Rust began, sliding papers across the table, “that properties owned by Madrigal Enterprises sit adjacent to three of the seven disturbed junctions.” He tapped a manicured nail against a property deed. “Properties acquired within the last month.”

Severin’s expression hardened momentarily before smoothing back to practiced charm. “Coincidental real estate investments. My company acquires promising properties throughout Enchanted Falls.”

“Perhaps,” Elder Fenris growled, his gravelly voice carrying the hint of a lupine snarl. “Perhaps not.”

Xai studied the room, suddenly aware of subtle alliances forming beneath the surface politeness. Despite Severin’s considerable influence and financial resources, several council members clearly shared his suspicions. Hope kindled in his chest—they might gain official support against whatever Madrigal planned.

The meeting continued for another hour with Severin eventually withdrawing his formal complaint “pending further investigation.” Xai recognized the tactical retreat for what it was—Madrigal would simply find another angle of attack.

As the council dispersed, a slender figure approached Xai in the marble-floored corridor outside the chamber—Luciana Madrigal. Unlike her brother, Luciana’s eyes held genuine warmth, though anxiety pinched the corners of her mouth.

“Elder Emberwylde,” she glanced over her shoulder nervously. “Might I have a moment of your time?”

Xai nodded, guiding her to a secluded alcove beneath a stained-glass window depicting the founding of Enchanted Falls. “How can I help you, Ms. Madrigal?”

“It’s about my brother.” She twisted her hands, a gold bracelet catching the colored light from the window above. “He’s purchased ritual components—ancient artifacts associated with something called ‘forced dominion over triadic power sources.’ I found the receipts in his study.”

Xai frowned. “Did you happen to see what specifically?”

“Blood moon chalices, crystallized phoenix tears, and texts about the Founding Pyre.” Her voice dropped to a whisper, fear evident in her eyes. “His obsession is getting more dangerous.”

The Founding Pyre. All of their suspicions had been proven correct.

“How long has he been researching this?” Xai asked quietly.

“Years.” Luciana tucked a strand of honey-blonde hair behind her ear. “But he’s become almost manic since the spa opened. Something about the Parker bloodline activating dormant magic.”

Before Xai could question further, the building shuddered violently around them. The stained glass above cracked with a musical tinkle, colored shards raining down. Xai pulled Luciana away from the falling glass as a magical tremor rocked the foundation, powerful enough to split the marble floor beneath their feet.

“That’s not possible,” Xai muttered, steadying Luciana as the tremors continued. Ley line disturbances shouldn’t manifest physically this quickly unless something—or someone—was deliberately accelerating the process.

Around them, chaos erupted. Windows shattered throughout the council hall, releasing balls of contained light that had illuminated the interior for centuries. Magical artifacts activated randomly on display shelves, small whirlwinds and frost patches forming in midair. Elder Jinli called for order from the chamber doorway, demanding everyone remain for emergency discussion.

Xai met her gaze across the debris-strewn corridor. “Sometimes action precedes deliberation,” he stated firmly before turning to Luciana. “Get somewhere safe. This building’s old wards should stabilize soon.”

He moved against the flow of confused council members, ignoring Elder Jinli’s sharp command to return. Five centuries of deference to protocol fell away as dragon instincts screamed that Zina needed protection. Whatever threatened their town centered on her spa—on her.

Behind him, the council erupted into factional disputes. Through the closing door, he heard Fenris Stormclaw’s gravelly voice rising in argument with Tygra Fangcross. “The dragon elder abandoning a formal session—unprecedented!”

“Perhaps warranted,” Elder Willow’s calmer tones responded. “If what we fear about the Madrigal intentions is true?—”

“This is exactly what I warned about,” Jinli Leonid cut in. “Dragon loyalty shifting from council concerns to personal ones. My pride foresaw this when the Emberwyldes first claimed seats.” Lysander Foxworthy’s measured voice added, “Yet we may need that dragon fire before this is through. The fox clan’s illusions can only distract Madrigal’s enforcers for so long.”

Selene Moonlace’s ethereal laugh floated above the argument. “How amusing that you all fixate on protocol while ancient magic awakens beneath our town. The dragon follows his instincts—perhaps wiser than our endless debates.”

The voices faded as Xai strode away, centuries of political maneuvering abandoned in favor of something far more primal: the need to protect what was his. Let the council squabble with their ancient rivalries and power plays. For once, something mattered more than their approval.

Outside, morning sunlight struck his eyes with painful brightness after the dim council hall. Xai paused on the cobblestone street, orienting himself toward the Parker spa. His control slipped further than it had in centuries, partial transformation overtaking him despite the risk of public exposure. His eyes shifted from their normal golden-brown to molten red, wing-like projections forming beneath his suit jacket. Each footstep left scorch marks on stone as his temperature soared beyond human norms.

The usually impeccable elder raced through town, breaking every rule of his careful existence. Something deeper than logic told him Zina Parker stood at the center of whatever threatened Enchanted Falls.

And somehow, that terrified him less than the thought of losing her.

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