Page 9 of Dragon's Golden Mate
“It needs some repairs, of course, but it’s not the foundation or the roof that concern me. Something else is there, somethingother.It’s almost like a presence or a magical energy.”
Now, he’d truly had her attention, and it wasn’t just the bulging muscles of his arms. “Magical?”
“That’s the only way I know how to describe it. There’s something sacred about any church, but I know that feeling. I’ve been in plenty of them. This building has a secret.” He ran his hand along his jaw, just under his mouth. “It’s also being protected.”
“By what?” Her first thought was a spell of some sort that would ward off those who might harm the place.
“Gargoyles,” he answered, putting one hand in the air. “I know, that sounds crazy. I saw them with my own eyes, and I recognized the runes that were carved on at least a couple of them. They’re ancient ones that I haven’t seen in a very long time.”
His eyes grew distant, and suddenly, Maeve wasn’t thinking about how attractive he was. She felt pulled into the mystery of this building, curious about what Kendrick had seen and what it meant. “Where did you see them before?”
Kendrick let out a long breath. “It was a ruin, essentially. I’ve always been interested in architecture, and when you’re as old as I am, you have to find some ancient places if you want to see something that’s before your time. This was at a place in Ireland that I’d been told of, but it was all crumbled andcaved in. There was nothing significant that I could find there, other than a feeling very similar to the one at this church. Stone guardians were nearly buried in the foliage, but they had markings in Ogham.”
“Ogham? Many of us have cast runestones in search of guidance, much like using tarot cards. It’s very normal for us, but that’s not what I would expect to see at a church.” Now Maeve was leaning forward, wanting to know more.
“You’re precisely right,” he agreed. “It’s all very odd. I need to know more about the building before I can give my official recommendation. I can look through city records and such, but they’re not going to help me get to the root of what’s going on here. I thought you might.”
Maeve sat back and allowed herself a moment to think. Kendrick had said he hadn’t even intended to come by. He was just thinking about this problem and had ended up on her doorstep. Many things, she believed, were controlled by fate. Who was she to say otherwise? Besides, this was unlike anything she’d encountered before. “I’d be happy to help.”
“Wonderful. Can you come and look at the building with me sometime soon?”
“Yes, but we should do some specific researchfirst.” She explained her thoughts to him, and he readily agreed.
“I’ll meet you there tomorrow, then.” Kendrick rose from his seat. When he nodded at her, it was almost like a slight bow. “Thank you again for your time, and I’m sorry to impose on you like this. Can I just step out here?”
“Of course.” She opened the door that led off the porch to a small walkway, which wrapped around the side of the house to the street. Maeve’s wolf thrashed as he went down the steps and walked away from her, but she was relieved not to have to parade him through the covenstead again.
The girls were probably going to give her enough hell as it was.
4
Kendrick steppedup to the door of The Crystal Cauldron. Through the window, he could see displays of sage bundles, tarot cards, and wands mixed with jewelry, framed prints, and soaps.
He also saw Maeve.
His dragon lurched as he opened the door and stepped inside. Kendrick was immediately wrapped in the soothing scent of sandalwood and the sound of meditation music. Though the shop was painted in dark colors, the displays were well-lit. It made him feel like everyone could only see the merchandise and not him. Clearly, Tina knew how to create an experience for her customers.
She stood at the counter, speaking with her mother. Maeve was on the customers’ side of thecounter, with her silvery hair streaking down her back. Kendrick dared to take a look at her figure and the way her long, soft dress skimmed over her hips. Corbin might call her Granny, but she sure didn’t look like one to Kendrick.
Spotting him, Tina smiled and waggled her fingers. “We were just talking about you!”
“Is that why my ears were burning?” Kendrick stepped up next to Maeve. “It was all bad, I’m sure.”
“Absolutely,” Maeve agreed with a small smile, her brown eyes sparkling a little in that perfect lighting. “You’re early.”
“Which means I’m right on time.” He tugged his gaze away from Maeve, aware that Tina was watching them closely. He’d seen the way all the women had turned to stare when he’d shown up at the covenstead the previous day. Though he knew they were curious about him and what he might have to do with their High Priestess, it would be easy to be intimidated by so many watchful eyes.
“Tina, Maeve tells me you might have some good information for me.” He smiled at her, noting how much she looked like her mother. Her dark auburn hair was cut short, and a pair of slim wire frames was perched on her nose, but her eyes and facial structure were very similar.
“I do, but not out here. Give me a second. Nia? Colette?” She lifted her head to look through the shop.
Two girls appeared a moment later, and Kendrick thought he’d seen them at the covenstead the previous day. Nia had dark hair and eyes, and was dressed very conservatively. Colette’s dishwater blonde hair had been dyed blue and red on the underside, and she sported two gold nose rings and plenty more in her ears.
“Could you girls work on the inventory and mind the cash register? I’ll be in the back room for a minute, but we had a big shipment come in,” Tina explained as she pulled a folding knife out of her pocket and flipped open the black blade. She sliced open a couple of boxes and put the knife away.
“Yay, new stuff!” Colette instantly dug her hands into one of the boxes, sifting through the packing material.
“Tina, did I tell you Gavin’s band got booked for a big gig?” Nia asked before her boss could walk away.
