Page 7 of Lunar Diamonds (Celestial Magic #1)
DRAKE
I marched Riley along the road, saying nothing more.
Let Erin Lovell explain the finer details to him. That was her job, after all.
Honestly, I felt some guilt at dropping this bombshell on him. With the myriad of research and my careful planning, I’d overlooked the possibility of him having no idea about his heritage. Which was puzzling considering he wore that diamond ring. After all, the stone was a lunar diamond. Hidden by magic, yes, but a scrying witch like me couldn’t be fooled.
Why did I care how sad his stunning face looked?
Don’t worry about him. Focus on the goal.
And what a beautiful face he possessed. A pale alabaster complexion with incredible blue eyes as vibrant as sapphires. And his hair was fascinating—raven black with a mesmerizing streak of silver running through the front of it.
I wanted to lock myself in a room with him and draw those features. But what pencil or pen could do justice to his gorgeous lines?
Man, the moment I saw him up close shifted something inside me. An instant attraction. From mark to core-shaker.
I’d been watching him for weeks, getting a feel of his routine, preparing to play my hand. Charm him, befriend him, use my apparently dazzling smile to put him at ease. Do whatever it took to make him vulnerable.
Make Rhianna happy…
But I hadn’t expected the…sparks.
Shit. His aesthetic appeal hadn’t been on the cards. Neither was coming so close to asking him for a kiss in that bar, my hand on his.
I sparked with him…
…I think.
And I hated dropping this in his lap. Scaring him, being so blunt.
Fuck it. That wasn’t my problem, only my freedom was. The moment we were picked up, I’d make my demands, sell my proposal. Help them out.
Finding Riley before them showed how useful I could be.
Man, did they need my help if they were on the rise again. Those lunar diamonds weren’t going to be in their hands without me.
I finally saw headlights in the distance.
Here we go…
I braced myself as the vehicle came in hot.
“Get behind me,” I demanded.
Riley obeyed, releasing a shaky breath.
Poor thing.
No. Nothing poor about him and the silver spoon he was about to lick. At least he got to have a family and a sense of place. All the things denied to me.
Stop…
The car screeched to a stop and three people jumped out. Two witch women and one fae man, according to my lenses.
“Now listen up!” I called.
But they moved faster than me, an expertly aimed hide spell confusing me enough for Riley to be plucked from my proximity.
“What—”
One of them women aimed a gun at my head, cutting me off. “Who are you?”
They were all redheads with the same fair complexion. Triplets? Certainly not sacred witches, though.
My vision cleared, spotting Riley being led toward the black car.
Shit. Shit. Shit. “I… I…” I was lost for words, my plan going down the toilet fast.
Pull this back! You have the upper hand here!
The witch pressed the gun into my forehead. “Speak now or die right here.”
Having seconds to live, I found the strength to let the words spill. “I’m Drake Parish. Scrying witch. See how I found Riley? I can also help find the lunar diamonds.”
Man, I needed a hit of my ginkgo blend right now.
The gun remained in place, the woman not even flinching. “Are you working with the Kingwoods?”
I didn’t flinch either, steeling myself against her cold menace. “No. Let me speak with Erin. Broker a deal.”
She tilted her head slightly to the right. “A deal?”
Were we really doing this? Time wasn’t on our side. “Look, take me to the mansion, and I’ll explain everything.”
A long beat of silence, the car engine idling, the two of us caught in its headlights as she stared into my soul.
I hope Riley’s alright…
Fuck this shimmer witch. She wouldn’t be messing this up for me. Not after everything I’d been through. One way or another, I’d get to Aurora Mansion.
I scratched at the burning irritation on my left wrist.
I’ll be free…
“You need me,” I pressed.
The witch finally blinked. “Fine.”
“Great. I?—”
She smashed her gun into my skull, sending me plummeting into unconsciousness.
Charming.