Free Dunn, Daisy - Earth's Desire [Elemental Magic 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Daisy Dunn Page A

it open. “Ivy?” Not a soul could be seen in the back lane. Frustration turned to fear. Ivy would never leave with a stranger.
    She tried to remember the man who had lured Ivy out of the store, but she never took a good look at him, only the briefest of glances. Think, Flame, think.
    She ran back inside the store and found her cell phone in her purse in the stockroom. She looked up Luke’s or Levi’s phone number, she didn’t know which, and called one of them. Flame usually remained calm in most situations, but losing an Elemental sister wreaked havoc in her soul.
    “Hello?” A deep male voice came on the line.
    “Luke?”
    “No, this is Levi.”
    “This is Flame. Ivy’s missing. I think someone took her.” The tears rolled down her cheeks as she tried to keep her hysteria in check.
    “What happened?” She heard the unmistakable sound of panic in his voice.
    “A man came in the shop, and Ivy went out to the back lane to help him unload some items. I overheard a bit of the conversation, but I didn’t really pay too close attention. I haven’t seen her for about twenty minutes or so. I don’t know what to do.”
    He paused briefly, and then she listened to him take a deep, cleansing breath and slowly let it out. “Where are you right now?” Levi’s now-soothing voice helped to calm Flame down a little.
    “I’m still at the shop.”
    “Luke and I will be there shortly.”
    “Thank you, Levi. Please hurry.” She hung up the phone, not knowing what else to do but sit and wait for the men.

    * * * *

    Flame heard a pounding knock on the door. Luke and Levi had arrived in only ten minutes, but to her it had felt like a lifetime. She unlocked the front door for them and ushered them into the shop, locking the door again behind them.
    “I’m so glad you two came. I don’t know what to do.”
    “Can you show us where he stood or if he touched anything?” Luke asked anxiously, his face wrought with worry.
    “I’m sorry. I can’t tell you too much because I didn’t pay close enough attention. All I remember is he stood at the front counter and talked to Ivy. I didn’t hear everything, but I think he said his name was Simon.”
    The twins looked at each other warily. A hint of familiarity with the name ran across their faces.
    “Do you know who Simon is?” Flame felt a renewal of hope run through her veins.
    “Yes, we do. He’s a scout for the hunters. He’s always searching for our kind,” Levi stated. A look of regret crossed his face as soon as he said it.
    “Do you mean werewolves? Ivy told me, but don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me. Now tell me about this Simon.”
    “We’ve never had the pleasure of meeting him, but he has a reputation for being ruthless. I can’t imagine why he’s taken Ivy. He doesn’t know about us.” Luke looked perplexed while he ran his hands through his hair in a gruff manner. His frustration and worry were evident to Flame.
    “Or does he? Maybe he picked up something about you two and has been keeping an eye on you. Do you turn into werewolves around the full moon? Could he have seen you?”
    Levi paced the shop like a caged beast, seemingly half listening to Flame. “Changing during the full moon is a myth. We can change at will and always have dominance over our wolves. They try to break free, but we keep a tight rein on them.” Levi walked to the front counter and sniffed the air. Luke walked to the other side of Levi and started to sniff the counter itself.
    “Do you smell it, Luke?”
    “It’s subtle, but it’s there.”
    “What is it?” Flame asked anxiously.
    “Chloroform,” they both replied.
    “Can you follow the scent?”
    “Let’s go outside to where she disappeared,” Luke commanded, the tremor in his voice almost imperceptible.
    Flame could feel the anger and worry rolling off both men. “Follow me.”
    They all ran to the far end of the store and into the back lane. The men continued to sniff the air around them, walking