Page 52 of The Mating Claim

He chanted something and she stepped back, her stomach lurching. For a tremendous power filled the air, as if a live electrical line suddenly sizzled and cracked in hermidst.

Droplets of gray mist descended into the room, only this mist was charged with crackling electrical energy. A wizard materialized before them, the silver light wreathing his body. A bruising hulk of a man stood in the room, and a shiver of fear skated down herspine.

Dressed in black leather pants, the wizard wore long-sleeved armor made of boiledleather.

Two leather straps crossed his muscled chest and were held together with a brass ring. Twin swords were sheathed in leather scabbards upon his back. His eyes seemed dark as pitch, flickering with gray shadows like mist. Long, dark blond streaked hair was tipped with silver strands, partly tied back to keep it off hisface.

“Caderyn, the Shadow Wizard,” Drust murmured. “Guardian and judge of Mages, witches and similarOthers.”

Caderyn regarded her with those dark eyes, now shaded silver. “And collector ofdragons.”

The wizard raked his gaze over her. “You will suffice. A nice addition to mycollection.”

“Back off. She’smine.”

The Shadow Wizard raised a dark brow. “Yours?”

For a moment Drust blinked. “My charge. Do not touch her,Caderyn.”

“As you wish,” the other wizard murmured, and there was the faintest smile ghosting hismouth.

It vanished as he looked around theroom.

While she sometimes feared Drust, and for good reason, this wizard terrified her. He glowed with power and purpose and… the weight of an ancient. She had the sense of a man who had walked on earth for far too many centuries, perhaps even millennia. It hurt to even look at him, so she turned herhead.

To her surprise, Drust stepped closer to her, blocking her view of the Shadow Wizard, as if protecting her. “Caderyn is a softie,” Drust murmured. “He does not truly collect dragons, but rescues them and pays fines they’ve accrued and sets themfree.”

“Only the ones who do no harm.” The Shadow Wizard sidestepped Drust, and pointed at her. “You used a spell from the book. The doubling spell, which doubles the elements of objects. Including thisdog.”

Her mouth closed and opened. All she could manage was a slight nod. If she said more, and said the wrong thing, this wizard might vaporize her, despite Drust’s protection. Or leave poor Lucky in this sadstate.

“I restored his original state, but it changed back to… this.” Drust gestured to the coweringLucky.

“Something here is prohibiting your reversal of the spell. Eh, you’re a fine mess, pup.” The big wizard crouched down and stroked the dog’s head. “Fear not, I shall restoreyou.”

Unsheathing one of his swords, he stood and lifted it. Lacey’s heart raced. He was going to killLucky.

“No, please, don’t kill him.” She raced forward, but Drust grabbed her around the waist. The contact between them practically sizzled withheat.

“Easy,” he murmured into her ear. “Caderyn will cure him.Watch.”

The big wizard murmured words and suddenly flames raced along the sword. Marveling she watched the flames glow pure white. Her eyes watered from thebrightness.

Caderyn touched the tip of the sword to Lucky’s head and chanted more words she did not understand, yet she knew they were ancient and filled withpower.

A flash of light and a soft pop of air. She squeezed her eyes shut, feeling Drust’s arm anchor her close to him. For the first time, Lacey felt glad of hispresence.

“You may look now, mortal.” Amusement filled the Shadow Wizard’svoice.

Opening her eyes, she saw Lucky restored to his original dog self. Lacey dropped to her knees and hugged herpet.

“Give him something to eat, for it requires much energy for his molecules to right themselves. And plenty of water,” Caderyn advised, sheathing hissword.

Tears clogged her throat. “Thank you,” she murmured, her voice muffled by the dog’sfur.

The Shadow Wizard gestured to Drust. “Tara, the witch next door, has requested to see me afterward, but there is something I must discuss with youfirst.”

Lacey lifted her head a little to see both wizards approach the back door, talking too quietly for her to hear. It didn’t matter. Lucky wasfine.