Page 37 of Snowbound with the Alpha Wolf
Darcy laughed, and Adrian did a face palm. She needed this laugh, needed levity when everything in her world seemed to crash aroundher.
Tristan’s dark gaze twinkled as he looked at her. He’d done this forher benefit, she realized. The wizard flicked a finger, and the fire vanished. Such power. She marveled atit.
“Stand back,” Tristanordered.
Then the wizard stretched out his hands and murmured a spell. Power filled the air, so much power that it pushed at her skin, threatened to suffocate her. She’d seen a wizard’s power before. But this wasdifferent.
Silver bolts of pureenergy streamed from Tristan’s hands, streaking into the dark mineshaft. The entire mine lit up like fireworks on a dark night. And then they heard a rumble of a cave-in as the mountain began to collapse uponitself.
A puff of silver smoke blew out of the mine, and then the entrancecollapsed.
It was completely sealedoff.
“The dead will walk no more inside, and the evil onesin the afterlife cannot use it as a portal to gain entrance into this world.” Tristan blew on his index finger as if it were a smoking gun then buffed his nails on hischest.
And then he waved a hand, and they found themselves back in the cabin, a fire glowing on the hearth in the livingroom.
“This transport is free. I’ll put the snowmobile back into the shed as well,” Tristan toldthem. “Your job is to get stronger, Darcy, and you will help her,Adrian.”
The wizard waved a hand anddisappeared.
Shivering, she sighed as he rubbed her arms while murmuring to her. “You’re going to be all right,Darcy.”
Adrian swung her into his arms and marched into the bedroom. He removed her clothing, and then tucked her under the covers. Unable to stop shivering, Darcycurled into a ball. She’d lost her powers, and the day turned out to be pretty damnterrible.
And then Adrian stripped. Naked, he climbed into bed with her, tucking his powerful body around her like a living blanket. The toasty heat of his body sank into her skin. Darcy smiled as she drifted off tosleep.
Well, perhaps not quite sobad.
She slept almostthe entire afternoon.When she woke, feeling sluggish but otherwise fine, the sun had started to descend behind the jaggedmountaintops.
She was alone in the big bed. Snowflakes blew against the window, but in the bedroom, she felt warm and safe anddry.
Adrian entered the room. “Good. You’reawake.”
“What are youdoing?”
“Dinner’s ready.” Adrian sat on the bed, brushing back of lock ofher hair. “Beef stew in the crockpot.”
The idea of such a lethal alpha as a cook amused her. “Killer of demons in the morning, chef by night. Is there anything you can’tdo?”
“Cure you.” His mouth turned down. “I would give my right arm to give your powers back, sweetheart. I am sorry you lostthem.”
Darcy shrugged. He did not know it wasn’t Lars who had drained them butrather her own failure to replenish them after her lastassignment.
“How are you feeling?” heasked.
Her stomach trembled inside, but otherwise, she felt fine. Darcy flung back the covers and began to dress. “I’mhungry.”
Hopefully he wouldn’t inquire about the exchange she and Lars had in the mine. Start askingquestions.
Wonder why Lars had called her such an affectionateterm.
They ate dinner and then washed up. In the kitchen, she set about making hot chocolate for dessert, dumping the cocoa into the milk when it began to steam. Adrian paced the kitchen like a cagedanimal.
“You certain you’re all right?” heasked.
“A little shaky but fine.” Darcy stirred the milk and sighed. “I’m only sorry you had to use it on me. I wish…I could have healedyou without usingit.”
