Free The Emerald Key by Vicky Burkholder

and bad connection made it difficult to hear.
    “Well as long as you’re okay. See you tomorrow.”
    “Yeah. See you.” She frowned at the dead phone. He’d been in a hurry to ring off. Wait. Philly? Tomorrow? That was where he’d gone? And he was supposed to be back tonight. She didn’t understand. Cass hung up the phone and shook her head. She didn’t need any more questions. But they would definitely have a talk when he did finally return. She didn’t know if they could remain friends, but they were definitely no longer a couple. Not even casually. After meeting Nic, she knew Steve would never work for her on any level. Time to make a clean cut.
    By closing time, order had been restored and Cass got to work sorting through the hundreds of different crystals and stones she kept in open bins. The bell at the front door tinkled and she looked up to find Nic standing there, plastic bag in hand. She’d thought him still outside somewhere going over the wiring. He had on well-worn jeans and a black T-shirt that molded to his chest, showing off every muscle and her breath caught in her throat.
    She rose and dusted her hands, trying to find a semblance of sanity. Unfortunately, it didn’t work very well.
    * * * *
    William flung the leaded crystal goblet against the wall. It shattered, dripping wine and shards of glass down the wall onto the plush carpet. Idiots. He was working with idiots. The general Brotherhood had devolved over the years, but this…this went beyond incompetency. They treated the sacred vows and rituals as if they’d joined some sort of social club. He had the captains of industry, lawyers, cops, and politicians in his pockets. All that money and influence and still, they’d failed. They’d made a mess of everything. Not only had they failed to capture the key, but they hadn’t taken out the protector or the guardian.
    He’d gone through every piece of jewelry in the damned store and nothing. He’d taken his rage out on the remains. Besides, his Cassandra didn’t need all that fakery. Once she was his, she’d have anything she wanted. Of course, not for long, but still, all would be hers.
    The time of convergence drew near. He had to have Cassandra and the key by the solstice or the doorway would remain closed to him.
    The three holding the other keys would come to his Cassandra—she had the honor of being the first, the one with the true power—like him. With her blood, he’d be able to open the doorway between this world and the magic realm, fair Lemuria. This would be his last chance. Twice he had tried, and twice he had failed. No more. This time, he would have her completely.
    But he didn’t understand her. Why did she run? He’d shown her how noble her death would be. His e-mails should have enthralled her. She would be honored above all others. The other three would die ignoble deaths, but hers—hers would be glorious. He paced the room, his fingers beating a tattoo against his legs. He needed to take care of everything himself. If his people couldn’t do the job, he’d hire those who could, though it irritated him that he had to stoop so low. Calling on those who lived on the bottom edges of society was beneath him. He glanced at the list of available members once more and stopped on a name. This person. This one person. This man not only knew his fair Cassandra and kept her safe for him, but he would be acquainted with the right people to do the job. Finally, someone who could take care of things. He needed to call him. But first, he needed to rest. He felt so tired. Something—or someone—had to be draining him. Who would dare? And why now?

Chapter 6
    Nic held the bag out to her. “I thought you could use this.” He’d considered her pretty last night, but now, standing there with strands of hair escaping, old jeans, and an oversize T-shirt covered with dirt, she looked enchanting. After going over her security measures and repairing the damage, he’d spent part of the