Page 23 of The Demon's Fire
“I may call you back, but you’re not getting my number, luv. I don’t know you well enough to dance so close.”
She gave the caller her contact info. “Fair enough. Why so paranoid?”
“Somebody’s after me. They tried to slip a bag over my head and shove me into a van, but I got away.”
Braelyn shivered, sitting straighter in the chair, recalling when Silas had kidnapped her. This information alone made her believe the caller. “What do you know about Masoud?”
“My family is English royalty. We’re uppity shites who’ve kept genealogy records dating back centuries. Nearly a thousand years ago, an ancestor claimed to be a warlock offspring of Masoud. Time’s up. Goodbye.”
“Wait. Wait. I was kidnapped and locked in a cell. Probably the same bastards are after you. Stay safe.”
The caller paused. “I’ll call.”
Braelyn bit her lower lip, the Alliance agents gathered around her. “He hung up, but he might be legit.”
A few minutes later, her cell phone rang. The screen read anonymous. “Braelyn here.”
“It’s the crazy warlock.”
“Why did you respond to the newspaper article?”
“I need the money to stay on the run, luv. Can’t use my usual resources since I think they are being used to track me.”
“If you are a warlock descendant, I will get $50,000 to you, but I need verification. Have you had blood tests run recently?”
“That’s a strange question.”
“Go with me on this. Have you?”
He paused for so long Braelyn thought maybe she had lost him. “Six months ago, I was in an auto accident.”
“Is that about the time they started chasing you?”
“Spot on, luv.”
“I need your name and the hospital.”
“Tit for tat. I want intel on you. How do I know you’re not out to bag me?”
“I know the people who came after you are dangerous because, as I said, they succeeded in kidnapping me. I was held in a cell until my … um … husband rescued me. I don’t want that to happen to you. Not only are you in danger because you are a human descendant of a mage, but your ancestor was Blood Coven. They want you super bad. They won’t give up. I can protect you. I’m Braelyn James. My father ownsStrange but True.”
There was silence. “Miller Nash. The hospital is Surgeon’s General in Knoxville. I’ll be in touch.”
“Wait. When?” Her caller had disconnected, though.
****
Koleleaned a shoulder against the wall, confabbing with Laegon and Caleth while tracking Skyler’s movement through the crowd.
“Lovely. You must enjoy taking the new CLO around Scath. It does not seem to be an unpleasant task.” The ylve leader winked at his soulmate.
“I should say not.” Caleth stroked Laegon’s shoulder.
“It’s not as pleasant as you might think. She isn’t always easy to get along with.” Kole watched Skyler chit-chat with small groups. He wanted to yank Thannor’s arm from its socket. If his fingers dipped any closer to her ass, he might do it.
“Still, she is easy on the eyes.” Laegon threw an arm around Caleth, pulling her close to his body. “A mate is a wonderful asset. Someone to warm your bed every night so you don’t have to go looking.”
“That’s my worth to you—keeping your bed toasty?” Caleth humphed.
