Page 28

TWENTY-EIGHT

A nother knock interrupted them. This time, the visitor was Kalyna Foxworthy, clutching ancient-looking scrolls.

“I found something,” she announced without preamble, slipping past Xai into the living room. Her eyes widened at Zina’s condition, but she pressed on. “These are land records from when Enchanted Falls was first settled. The Gravemont and Parker families both appear, along with...” she glanced at Xai, “the Emberwyldes.”

The dragon elder stilled. “My family?”

“All three were original settlers, according to these documents.” Kalyna spread a yellowed map across the coffee table. “And all three contributed to a special trust or repository beneath what is now Purrfect Oasis.”

“What kind of repository?” Zina asked, leaning forward despite her pain.

“That’s where it gets tricky. The records are deliberately obscure—magical redaction to prevent misuse.” Kalyna pointed to symbols along the map’s edge. “But I recognize these runes. They indicate a powerful artifact, something requiring multiple bloodlines to access or control.”

The implications settled over the room like a heavy cloak.

“So Madrigal doesn’t just want the property,” Xai mused. “He wants whatever lies beneath it—something his ancestors helped create or protect.”

“But why attack now?” Bryn wondered. “The spa’s been in Zina’s family for generations.”

“Because of me,” Zina realized. “I’m the last Parker. If something requires bloodline access and I’m gone...”

“The remaining protective barriers would weaken,” Kalyna confirmed. “Especially if he’s acquired access to Emberwylde blood somehow.”

All eyes turned to Xai, whose expression had darkened dangerously.

“That would explain his sudden interest in council politics and his attempts to forge alliances with dragon clan members.” His voice carried the rumble of distant thunder. “He’s been seeking a way to circumvent blood protections.”

“We definitely need to speak with Luciana,” Noven stated. “She might know details about this artifact that aren’t in any records.”

“I’ll go,” Bryn volunteered. “She knows me from charity events. It won’t seem suspicious.”

“Not alone,” Xai countered. “Madrigal is clearly willing to attack women when it suits his purpose.”

“I’ll accompany her,” Noven offered. “I can be discreet when needed.”

Xai nodded his approval, though his attention remained primarily on Zina. “The rest of us need to prepare. If what Kalyna says is true, Madrigal won’t stop until he gets what he wants.”

“Then we make sure he doesn’t get it,” Zina declared, her lioness spirit evident despite her weakened state.

The visitors departed, leaving Xai alone with Zina once more. The silence between them hummed with unspoken emotions and the memory of their kiss.

“You should rest,” he finally said, helping her back to a reclining position.

“So should you. You’ve been up all night.”

“Dragons require less sleep than lions.”

She caught his hand before he could withdraw. “Thank you. Not just for the healing, but for...” She struggled to find the right words.

“For what?” he prompted, allowing his fingers to intertwine with hers.

“For seeing me as more than just a spa owner to protect. For trusting my strength even when I’m at my weakest.”

The simple honesty in her words touched something long dormant within him. He leaned down, pressing his forehead to hers in an ancient gesture of draconic affection.

“Rest now, fierce lioness. When you wake, we begin planning our counterattack.”

Her lips curved into a smile as she drifted toward sleep. “Promise you’ll be here?”

“Wild magic couldn’t drag me away.”