Free Twin Alphas: Desired (A BBW Paranormal Romance) by Georgette St. Clair

bottles, and held it up to the light. “Eww, by the way.  What kind of eyeballs are these?”
                  “Give me that!” Cornelius lunged for it, but Barron snatched it away.
                  “Newt eyeballs?” Barron asked coolly, holding it up to the light. “I understand there’s a limit on how many you can buy per year, and that’s only through licensed dealers. The wild ones are an endangered species thanks to all you Mages.  If I reported you to the Council of Mages, what would happen?”
                  Cornelius glared at him. “Fine. I will not call the authorities if you leave at once. And give me back the jar.”
                  “No. Read the damned curse and tell me where it came from.” Barron had a determined glower and he stood with arms folded across his broad chest. It was clear he wasn’t going anywhere until he got what he wanted.
                  Muttering angrily to himself, Cornelius grabbed a gnarled wooden wand from his desk. A chunk of white crystal was fixed to the end of it with leather straps. He waved it over Barron, and then shrugged. “Sorry. Can’t tell its origin. It is a curse to repay someone for a powerful betrayal.  If the curse was on your fathers, then they clearly did something very dishonorable, whether you like it or not.”
                  “You’re lying.” Barron’s eyes glowed with fury. “And you’re stonewalling me. Who are you protecting?”
                  “Nobody. And we are done here. I can not help you,” Cornelius said. He held out his hand. “My jar.”
                  In response, Barron let it drop to the floor and shatter, and then turned on his heel and stalked out of the room.  Karlie followed him, as Cornelius let out a stream of expletives.
                  As they walked outside, Barron’s cell phone rang. It was Ajax, with more bad news. The bartender from last night had never showed up at the bar. He’d missed his shift. The waiter who had served them the beer was there, and he insisted he didn’t know anything about any drugged or bewitched brew, and Ajax felt that he was telling the truth.
                  Barron hung up the phone and shoved it in his pocket. “We’re getting nowhere.”
                  “Well, if you could prove that your family is unfairly cursed, and Cornelius still wouldn’t help you, could you go over Cornelius’ head and approach the Council of Mages?” Karlie asked.
                  “Yes. We’d just have to pray Mackenzie doesn’t trip and break her neck before that happens.” Barron’s tone was grim.
                  “All right.  We’ve struck out twice today. Third time’s a charm,” Karlie said, pulling her phone out.  She called the number on the card that Fabian had given her.  It went to voicemail. She sighed. She hadn’t really expected anything from the skinny teenaged shyster, but it had been worth a shot.
                  “It’s me, the woman you just saw at the Curse Mage’s office,” she said.  “We do need something. Call me back if—”
                  “Aha! I knew you needed something!” His voice sounded right behind her. She spun around with a yelp.   Barron let out a low growl.  Fabian stepped out of a doorway, looking around furtively.
                  “What the heck?” she said indignantly. 
                  “I had a feeling you’d need me right away,” Fabian said. “I’m very intuitive like that.” He rubbed his hands together enthusiastically.
                  “Okay, what is it you’re looking for? Spice up the love life? I got stuff for that. I’ve got potions, spells, ingredients—”
                  “No!” Barron burst in. “We’re not together. I already have a mate.”
                  “I