Page 67 of The Mating Quest

Ryan, Dakota and Chloe came downstairs, clean and scrubbed and wearing sweatshirts and sweatpants. Lucas stood by the sofa, his broken arm hanging at his side. They looked as exhausted as hefelt.

Tristan brought a pot over to the table, set with bowls and spoons. “Stew with plenty of vegetables and raw beef to renew your magick. Everyone eat. You too, Lucas. Drust will be here soon. You must replenish yourstrength.”

“Ilana,” Ethanbegan.

Tristan shook his head. “Nothing. Not evenwater.”

He didn’t want to leave her. She still looked too pale. He rubbed her arms, trying to get her blood tocirculate.

“She may throw up again. I am not sure all the spiders left her system,” Tristan said. “I would not get close right now,Ethan.”

Suddenly Ilana leaned over the sofa and moaned. Alarmed, Ethan jumped back. Tristan was at her side, holding a bucket. She vomitedagain.

A black spider crawled out of the bucket, jumped onto the floor. Tristan threw a bolt of energy, and destroyed it and then made the bucketvanish.

Tristan blew at one of his fingers as if it were a smoking gun. “There. All the spiders are gone now. Ethan, goeat.”

Ethan’s gorge rose, but he forced it down. “I’m not leavingher.”

“Eat before I turn you into a spider, Ethan. You need your strength back!” Tristanroared.

Ethan joined the others at the table and forced himself to spoon the stew. It did taste delicious and suddenly he was ravenous. No one made a sound as they ate, pausing only to sip at the water Tristan had poured. It was wonderful. He felt his strength returning and realized the wizard was right. He had beenweak.

“Of course I am right,” Tristan murmured from the sofa as he sat next to a shivering Ilana, rubbing her arms. “I am the SilverWizard.”

After they finished, they cleaned up. Ethan sat next to Ilana as Tristanpaced.

“None of you leave this place tonight, no matter what. Until the dragon scale’s power is transferred, it is far too dangerous. I will ward the exterior with magick so nothing may get inside.” He gave them a meaningful look. “There are many dark creatures, dragons included, that itch to seize that level ofpower.”

Tristan vanished. Ethan looked at Ilana, still so damnpale.

“Water,” shewhispered.

“I’m sorry. Tristan said you can’t have anything untilmorning.”

A soft pop of air and Ethan watched as Drust materialized into the living room. The Coldfire Wizard regarded them all with a gravelook.

“You have done well. Fought like warriors with tremendous courage. Tomorrow is the formal ceremony. There is protocol for the transfer of power from the dragon scale. Dragons from every clan across the globe will be there. You need rest. All of you are required to attend, since you will be honored for what you haveaccomplished.”

Ethan wished they could take a rain check. All those dragons? How could Drust keep them inline?

Drust turned to Lucas, saw his arm in a sling and frowned. “As for you… what the hell were you thinking, abandoning your post? What if George had attacked inside the cave instead of waiting for Chloe toemerge?”

Lucas hung his head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think… I only wanted to helpthem.”

“No, you didn’t think. You are young, impulsive and brash.” Drust looked at Lucas’ broken arm. “I trust thathurts?”

“Alittle.”

“Foolish, brave youngling. I surmise you have been punished enough for your actions.” The Coldfire Wizard touched Lucas’ arm and a blue glow surrounded his skin as his armhealed.

Lucas shivered. “Thank you,sire.”

Drust cuffed the dragon on the head. Lucaswinced.

“That is for disobeying yourorders.”

“I am sorry,” Lucas saidagain.