Page 15 of The Mating Claim

“I’m playing the part of the all-seeing genie to help you findher.”

“You could tone down the turban. You are burning myretinas.”

Xavier waved a hand over theball.

Drust stared at the clear globe. “What do you see? Where isLacey?”

Xavier squinted. “I see… a woman undressing…whoa… nice bra, matching panties… boring white but a nice figurebeneath…”

The distinct growl rumbling from his throat had Xavier look up with a sheepish grin. “Just kidding,dragon.”

“Where. Is. Lacey?” he growled. “And if you tell me she’s in the shower and naked,I’ll…”

“Relax dude. I was playing with you. She’s at hershop.”

“Good. I will gothere.”

“Be careful, dragon. Lacey’s not only hurting emotionally but financially and that makes her even more dangerous. Did you know she has a part-time jobnow?”

He went still, angry at himself that he knew so little about her and could not use his powers to find out more about herlife.

“She works at a restaurant called The Burning Taco.” Xavier waved a hand again and the turban and crystal ball vanished. “It’s named for the spicy food that burns you twice. Dragons love it, especially theguys.”

He didn’t like that Lacey worked amongst other dragons, especially males. “How am I to find her again? I cannot keep returning here to consult with any ofyou.”

“I have an answer that willhelp.”

Drust followed him down the hallway to an expansive room filled with a rocking chair, carpet and brightly-colored walls. Toys were scattered over thecarpet.

“Here.” Xavier went to a toy chest and pulled out a bracelet strung with glittering plastic gems in blue and white. “If you need to locate her, usethis.”

Drust stared at the toy bracelet. “Truly X, if I wished Lacey to have jewels, I could conjure something more elegant. Or visit amerchant.”

Sapphires would sit well on her. Blue stones to bring out the cobalt flecks in her greeneyes.

Xavier rolled his own eyes. “You are so smart, and so dense at times, Drust. It’s not jewelry. It’s a tracking device. I invented it for Sonia when she started to walk. It tells us where she is at alltimes.”

The Crystal Wizard’s gaze softened as he looked over his sleeping daughter. “The bracelet is attuned to you and your magick once you hold it and say thisspell.”

After Xavier told him the words, and Drust repeated them, the Crystal Wizard nodded. “Make sure to slip it onto her wrist. It should work well on yourLacey.”

“She’s not mine,” he corrected absently, studying the bracelet. “You have no need ofit?”

“Not since I installed a new tracking device in her favorite toy.” Xaviersighed.

Drust followed Xavier into the nursery. In a large crib, Sonia napped, clutching a blue dragon in her chubbyarms.

Grinning, he clapped a hand on Xavier’s shoulder. “She has goodtaste.”

X raised a dark brow. “She likes you, and for what reason, I don’t know. But whatever Sonia likes, there is usually a reason. Put the bracelet on Lacey and since she is an adult, it will absorb into her skin like a tattoo. When you are ready to remove it, simply use your powers and she will be free ofit.”

And you, the unspoken wordshinted.

Already in a pensive mood, he glanced over at the sleeping baby. Then he went to Sonia, and waved a hand over the child, murmuring an ancient blessing in dragon tongue. The words came out as a roughgrowl.

The Crystal Wizard stiffened as he joined him at the crib. “Are you teaching her how to growl indragon?”

“No. It’s a protective spell my people use for their children. It will keep her safe when she is amongstdragons.”