Page 50 of The Mating Quest
Ethan’s heart sank. “The real danger isn’t in the cave, but with those dragons who want the scale’s power forthemselves.”
All threenodded.
“Fan-fucking tastic.” Ilana paced the floor. “As if spiders, snakes and who knows what else isn’t enough, now we have to worry about a fire-breathing dragon hinderingus?”
“You need not worry. We three, Drust’s closest descendants, have agreed to keep our brethren away from you. It is our duty to see you through this.” Alex’s eyes glowed gold, signaling the rise of hispowers.
Alex looked every inch the regal prince and Ethan trusted him. But they were dealing with dragons. Fierce, unpredictable and now one wanted the scale’spower.
Ilana withdrew her sword and began twirling it. “Pardon me if I don’t wait for rescue, but if some rogue dragon tries to stop us, or worse, harm Chloe, he’ll be missing hishead.”
“Put that thing away,” Ethan snapped. “We need to work on a solution withthem.”
Ilana whirled, lopped off the top of an arrangement of fresh daisies in a crystal vase. Flowers scattered on the tan carpeting. “Solution,granted.”
But she sheathed the sword. Seeing the tension in the dragons, Ethan turned to her. “What the hell is wrong withyou?”
Ilana tugged at the end of her braid. “This place… it’s rife with power. Makes meuneasy.”
“It belonged to the Crystal Wizard,” Chloe told her. “Before he gave it to oursister.”
“No wonder it smells,” Ilana wrinkled her nose. “Him.”
Skylar blinked. “You do not like Xavier? We have met him. He is kind andcompassionate.”
“And never answers any calls for help.” Ilana scoffed. “All the times I called on him, only Caderynanswered.”
All three dragons looked puzzled. “The Shadow Wizard?” Alex shook his head. “He’s the most powerful wizard of all and one big, bad dude. If he’s aiding you, there must be a goodreason.”
Ilana expression became guarded. “Enough of me. What can you tell us about thesetests?”
“First, we have a gift for you.” Skylar reached into her pocket and withdrew a blue velvet bag, handing it to Chloe. “Openit.”
Chloe fished out a gold dragon scale no larger than a quarter. She palmed it, looking at them with a question in hereyes.
“It’s a decoy. A replica of the real item you will retrieve,” Alex told her. “We manufactured it in secret. Only the three of us know of itsexistence.”
“I don’t understand. Why the decoy? Am I supposed to replace it when I get the real dragon’sscale?”
Sebastian grinned. “No, this isn’t Indiana Jones. It’s to have just in case…because…”
He fell silent. Alex looked grim. “Because we do not trust all our brethren. Although most of us regard it as a sacred and not to be touched, the dragon’s scale contains great power and over the centuries as dragons learned of its existence, learned it may grant near immortality and magick almost equal to that of a wizard of theBrehon.”
Skylar studied her hands. “There are dragons who would kill for such powers, or even the gift ofimmortality.”
She drew in a breath. “When Chloe retrieves the scale and returns it here, it must be kept cold or its power will infiltrate the air and sicken everyone. The scale has far too much magick for mortals. There are protocols in place for the transfer of power. Drust will absorb some of the magick in a formal ceremony before Chloe can and then it will bedestroyed.
“A contained cold area is best for the scale. Now for the tests you face. They were put in place centuries ago to guard the real dragon scale. We do not know details, except for the dragon guarding the entrance. There is an elderly dragon sentry and you must answer questions about Drust to gain access.” Skylar smiled at Chloe. “We will give you theanswers.”
Sebastian stretched. “But first, let’s eat. I’m starved. We stocked the fridge with food, but figured you would be tired after your journey. There’s a good place in town that caters toshifters.”
Chapter 16
They haddinner at a bar in town. The dragons told them the answers Chloe needed, ate and then excused themselves, saying they had to keep an eye on things at home. After, Ethan, Ilana, Chloe and Dakota sat at thecounter.
Glowing candles were set in glass jars scattered around the room. Comfortable chairs clustered together around polished, wood tables to encourage conversation, with decorative table lamps giving intimate, low lighting. The wood-paneled walls were accented by deep, forest-green tones. The counter itself was an antique, with glass shelves filled liquor. The place thrummed with a flicker of power that his Lupine sensesappreciated.
Ethan caught the scent of Others, and realized a few Skins were here as well. But mostly Others. Lupine, fox shifters, even elk and bear shifters. The elk shifters gave a nervous glance at the grizzly shifters sitting at a table near thedoor.
