Free The Golden Dragon by Tianna Xander Page B

hell?”
    They were everywhere. The fungi covered the entire end of the alley where he stood behind an old, rundown used bookstore.
    “Killer toadstools!” Martin screamed, then turned 7

     

     
    and ran toward the road with a gurgle of terror.
    Drake couldn’t do anything but stare after him with shock.
    “Killer toadstools? You’re kidding me, right?”
    The sound of a woman’s sultry voice wrapped around his insides and squeezed. Gods, he hadn’t had a woman affect him this way in centuries. Not since that little witch in Spain showed him her belly-dancing moves. Too bad she met her end during the inquisition.
    He may have offered for her had she lived. He never did learn where she learned to dance like that.
    “I can’t believe you’re afraid of toadstools.”
    He turned to face the owner of that amazing voice, certain his shock was evident on his face. “Pardon me? I never said anything about them.” He jerked his thumb toward the mouth of the alley. “That was Martin, my assistant with the overactive imagination.” He chuckled.
    “Apparently, he’s allergic and the appearance of so many toadstools caused him to believe we were under attack.”
    The woman merely smiled and raised one perfect brow, her expression bemused. “May I ask who in the world he thought would use toadstools to attack someone?”
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    Drake stared at the charming woman who appeared before him like an apparition. Her glowing, white-blonde hair that gleamed with golden highlights fell in long waves down her back and over her shoulders. Sea-blue eyes pierced him with a look of disbelief. Her full-length deep red cape, tied at the neck, had the hood resting on her shoulders. It fastened at the neck with a golden clasp. The slight opening caused by her full breasts, gave him a peek at the white blouse and dark calf-length skirt she wore beneath it. What held him rapt was the dainty hand at her side holding a wand that appeared to be made of Elder.
    Not five minutes ago, he had wished for a witch and now, one stood before him. She was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. His stomach clenched at the sound of her voice, the way her laugh tinkled like little bells and her eyes gleamed in the dim light of the moon above.
    He shook his head to clear it. He was dreaming there was no other explanation for the apparition in front of him or the magical sound of her laughter.
    “He’s certain that one of my enemies has discovered he is allergic to fungi.” Was that his voice? He sounded like an untried youth speaking to his first milkmaid.
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    Drake fought the urge to scowl at himself.
    “Do you have many enemies?” She frowned, then bit her lip when she glanced around and obviously realized they were truly alone. “Should I be worried?” she looked frightened now and he lamented the loss of her smile.
    “I have my fair share of enemies.” He shrugged.
    “Perhaps more than my fair share.” He held up his hand.
    “And before you ask, yes, they would probably exploit Martin’s weakness if they knew of it.”
    She bit the corner of her lower lip and smiled. “Is this information worth money?”
    Drake watched as she surreptitiously pocketed her wand on the side farthest from him. He understood her need to hide what she was. Not many people knew of or appreciated the talents of a good witch.
    Instead of commenting on her actions, Drake grinned at her attempt at humor and inclined his head. “Some may pay for this information. However, I would not advise approaching them. They aren’t the kind of people with whom I would keep company.”
    She tilted her head to the side, her smile still in place. “And you are?”
    “I am Kendrake Delfavaro.” He reached out to take 10
     
     

     
    her proffered hand. “I am pleased to meet you…”
    The blush that crept up her neck to cover her face was the most charming sight. He was unaware that women still blushed in this day and age. It was refreshing to know