Page 19 of Devoted in the Midlife

Jax cleared his throat, breaking the spell. "I think that covers the most pressing concerns. Anything else on the docket?"

Jax and I exchanged a meaningful glance.

"No official business," Dominic replied.

"Just to prepare you, I'd wager a hefty sum that Grim and Nash make moves to turn Cleo sooner rather than later." I grinned. "They'll likely be petitioning the council soon."

Amaya quirked a brow. "Really? I thought they were still playing coy."

"Oh, they're well past coy at this point," Jax scoffed, rolling his eyes. "The way those three have been dancing around each other? I give it a month, tops, before someone makes it official."

"Ach, young love," Dominic sighed theatrically. "Centuries may pass, but some things never change."

"On that philosophical note," I drawled, "I should probably go check in on Kendra."

Amaya nodded understandingly. "Give her our best. And Hailey? Take care of yourself too, yeah? You're no good to anyone if you run yourself ragged."

I mustered up a wry smile. "I'll do my best. Same goes for you both."

Amaya waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, I'll make sure he relaxes," she declared with a salacious wink.

I groaned, making a show of covering Flint's ears. "And on that note, I bid you all adieu. Save the kinky stuff for after the meeting, lovebirds."

"No promises," Dominic retorted cheekily, pulling Amaya close with a grin.

The screen went dark, and I slumped back in my chair with a gusty exhale. Flint chirped quizzically, cocking his head.

Mama okay?he asked, his childlike voice echoing in my mind.

I scooped him up, nuzzling his snout affectionately. "Mama's fine, little man. Just tired. What do you say we go see Aunt Kendra, huh? I'm sure she could use some dragon cuddles."

Flint trilled eagerly, flapping his wings. He paused, considering.Cookies too?

I laughed, rising from my chair and settling him on my shoulder. "Sure, why not? After a meeting like that, I think we deserve some treats."

With a determined smile and my dragon companion babbling happily in my ear, I headed off to face the next challenge. The council could handle the big-picture problems for now. I had a witch friend in need of help, and a bottomless dragon belly to attend to. All in a day's work for this vampire dragon.

10

HAILEY

I rappedmy knuckles against Kendra's door, feeling the thrum of her protective wards assessing me. After a moment, the door swung open, revealing my bestie's pinched face. Kendra looked like she'd aged five years in the span of an afternoon, her shoulders slumped under an invisible weight as she waved me inside.

"Good, you're here," she muttered, turning to lead me into the living room. I caught a whiff of burnt sage and something sharper, like ozone after a lightning strike. Kendra's house was a fascinating blend of suburban normalcy and magical mayhem. Scuffed sneakers littered the floor by the front door while intricate sigils adorned the walls, humming with power.

Bookshelves strained under the weight of countless leather-bound volumes, their spines etched with arcane symbols. In the center of the room, a heavy oak table was strewn with bowls, candles, and the unmistakable glint of silver. The twin daggers. I had no idea when she'd moved her dining room table in here, but I wasn't going to ask right now. She looked too grumpy.

Kendra gestured to the blades with a scowl. "I've tried everything, Hailey. Potion amplification, cleansing rituals, even a blood sigil. Nothing makes a dent."

I picked up one of the daggers, the chill of the metal seeping into my skin. No surge of power, no hint of the magic that had transported me between worlds.

"What about the nullifying one?" I asked.

Kendra jabbed a thumb at a small lead box on the corner of the table. "Locked up tight. But even with it contained, the other dagger is about as magical as a butter knife."

She sank into a chair, running a hand through her hair. I'd never seen Kendra so frustrated. My unflappable, hyper-competent witch friend looked like she was one incantation away from tearing out her own hair.

"Maybe we need a sacrifice," she muttered darkly. "A goat or something."