Page 99 of The Mating Claim

“It’s morphing and taking form in its desire to be free in the physical world. Demons will use it to gain access to the mortal plane. They will ruin theearth.”

“Well, damnit, you should have told me this couldhappen!”

Caderyn had the grace to look guilty. “I am sorry. I never envisioned it. When I created this book more than a millennia ago, I failed to foresee it would take a life of its own. All the spells within it have their own energy taken from witches living in the Shadow Lands, which makes the Book of Shadows so dangerous. Lacey has witch’s blood, and the book reacted to it, taking her energy to empower itself and take form. You must destroy it, Drust. Lacey aswell.”

“No. Lacey cannotdie.”

The Shadow Wizard did not argue. “There is another reason I am here, Drust. Tristan is in trouble and needs your help. He is at his brother-in-law’s ranch inMontana.”

Drust’s blood ran cold. “Whathappened?”

“He would not say, only urged me to find you and bring youthere.”

Hell and fire. He needed to secure the book first. Lacey would go with him. He would not risk her being alone, not when the other wizards kept urging herdemise.

“How can we mute the power of the book until I return?” he askedCaderyn.

“I will take care of it and bury it in the ground guarding the entrance to the Shadow Lands near yourcastle.”

“Go. Do it while I aidTristan.”

“Tis but a temporary solution.” Caderyn gave him a pitying look. “You know what must happen in theend.”

He would deal with it when he must “Go. Tristan needs myhelp.”

“To me,” Caderyn roared, and the book soared into the air in his hands. The Shadow Wizard gave it a disgusted look. “I wish I had never created it. Witches are clever manipulators. And tis useless regretting thepast.”

With a wave of his hand, the Shadow Wizardvanished.

Drust buried his face in his hands. To kill Lacey, after discovering she was his soulmate…

He could not contemplate ending her life. For now, his friend neededhim.

When he returned inside the house, Lacey stood near the sliding glass doors. Fear poured off her in waves. “I’m sorry! I didn’t know… that damn book… it’s my personal albatross. Is that what’s going on? I feel like it’s sinking intome.”

Drust chose his words carefully. “The book is coming to life, a dark life, and the more it is around you, the more it becomes entangled with your spirit, your soul. Until it sucks it all up and there is nothing of you that remains but puredarkness.”

Minutes later,he and Lacey materialized at the Mitchell Ranch in Montana. Lupines congregated on the grass near the barn, talking in whispers, looking agitated. Fear shot through the air in a thick miasma. A tall, bearded Lupine with black hair, wearing a cowboy hat and with an air of authority, seemed to be organizing theLupines.

Aiden Mitchell. Tristan’s brother-in-law, mate to Nia, Nikita’stwin.

He couldn’t read the situation, which meant Tristan was using his powers to shield thearea.

That meant it was bad. Andpersonal.

Tristan stood beneath a sheltering oak tree. No Lupines ventured near him. Little wonder as well, for the Silver Wizard radiated a furious energy, pulsing with rage and grief. Anyone venturing close risked a nasty burn, orworse.

“Do not follow me. Remain here,” he orderedLacey.

Drust approached Tristan with caution, not fearing the crackling energy, for the wizards could not harm each other, but his friend’s turbulentemotions.

For the first time since Drust had known him as a fellow wizard, Tristan looked utterly stricken, as if someone yanked his immortality fromhim.

Or worse – hurt his belovedNikita.

“What’s wrong?” he asked in a low, urgentvoice.

Tristan spread out his hands, staring into the distance. “He’s gone. My baby boy. Someone tookKeegan.”