Page 14 of The Mating Claim
“This sword has shed much blood,” Caderyn mused. “Too much. Time and again, I have used it to behead followers of the DarkLord.”
And those followers would clamor to get their hands on a magick book that probably contained spells to empowerthem.
Perhaps Caderyn could find the book’s hiding place. But when Drust asked, the Shadow Wizard shook his head. “The book has a spell on it to hide it from beings of tremendous power, such as us. It is a dual-edged sword, for though we cannot find it, neither can followers of the Dark Lord. And yet mortals, innocents such as Lacey, put themselves into jeopardy with itspossession.”
All the more reason he felt thisurgency.
“Tell me, Caderyn, why is the Book of Shadows so dangerous? Tristan has yet to inform me of everything known aboutit.”
If he was to urge Lacey to destroy it, he needed to know what it contained and what he faced, and why Lacey refused to surrenderit.
“The Book of Shadows is inherently dangerous because a wizard of the Brehon authored it and added spells to increase power, or strip it from the powerful. A wizard with intimate knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of the Brehon. It was never intended for mortal use, but this foolish wizard was in love with a witch who passed the book to her coven so they could become morepowerful.”
A heavy sigh fled Caderyn. “But even the wisest men are foolish in affairs of theheart.”
Sudden insight struck Drust. “You wrote it…the witch was yourlover.”
Caderyn’s gray gaze sharpened. “You may be a young wizard, Drust, but what you lack in years you make up for in intelligence. Yes, I authored it. More than a thousand years ago, I foolishly fell in love with a witch of pale beauty and wrote it as a gift as mortals will write poetry. Of this I will say no more. I would much appreciate you keeping silent on this. Danu knows, but I have no desire for the others toknow.”
“They respect you and would not judge you for it.” Drust thought about how both Tristan and Xavier had changed with fatherhood. Both wizards had softened with theexperience.
“It matters not. They look to me at times for guidance. If they knew of this, my influence would … shall we say… diminish. And there is much wisdom I have for them, words they need to hear and take under advisement, especially in the coming dark times weface.”
Drust nodded. “Thankyou.”
As he went to leave, Caderyn clapped a hand on his shoulder. “One word of warning, Drust. So far, we have been fortunate. Lacey has only consulted with the book to create a potion. The spells in the back are far more potent, and with more extreme consequences if something goes wrong. If Lacey uses a spell from the book, she will be tied to the book and there is no return. Not only that, but your magick may not mend whatever mistake shemakes.”
Alarmed, he shrugged off the other wizard’s hand. This was much worse than he’d realized. Lacey not only possessed a powerful book of ancient magick, but he couldn’t reverse thespells?
Remembering how the dragonspice potion she’d created turned his nephew into a monster, he fisted his hands in rising anger. “My magick can’t counteract the spells in that book? Because I am a new wizard and I’m still honing mypowers?”
“No. Tristan, Gideon and Xavier would most likely fail as youwould.”
“Why the hell did you create it if you couldn’t counter it?” His voice rose to a furiousshout.
For the first time since he’d joined the wizards of the Brehon, Caderyn’s big body sagged and his gaze clouded. “It was my greatest mistake, Danu knows. It was during a time when I was mad with desire and would have done anything for …love.”
The wizard snorted. “What I thought was love. Love is for sentimental fools and starry-eyedwomen.”
Then his gaze sharpened. “Promise you will call upon me if you run into trouble. I may be able tohelp.”
Reeling in his temper, Drust gave a curt nod. “Thank you. I will hold you to that promise. But if anything happens toLacey…”
Unable to voice his innermost fears, fears that made no sense to him since Lacey was only one of his dragon charges, Drust waved a hand and vanished from the Shadow Wizard’shome.
After giving himself several minutes to calm down, his next stop was at Xavier’s home, where the wizard himself opened the door to allow himentrance.
Xavier put a finger to his mouth. “Both Ciara and the baby are napping. I had several assignments and Sonia kept her up all night. But I have a gift for you that will aid you withLacey.”
“A net to catch dragons?” he suggested, keeping his voice down as they entered the living room andsat.
Xavier grinned. “She’s quite a handful, that Lacey. No, this is better. I’m guessing you are still experiencing trouble tracking herdown?”
How he wished otherwise. It stung to admit this weakness, but as he did with Caderyn, he would admit to it if it meant fulfilling hisduty.
“Each time I try to envision her location, it goes cloudy, as if something prohibits me from seeingher.”
Xavier waved a hand and a clear crystal ball hovered in the air. He donned a shiny lime green, pink and electric blue turban. Drust blinked. “What are youdoing?”
