Origin of Magic (Dragon's Gift: The Protector #3)(55)

“How the hell did you get them out of the Vampire Realm?” Ares asked as we walked across the main tower room.

I grabbed my jacket off the ground and shrugged it on. “I have no idea. We’re buddies.”

“Being buddies doesn’t mean you can defy the laws of the supernatural world.”

“Apparently it does.” I stepped out into the cold, shoulders tensed. But the Yetis were still under the dirt, thank fates. I turned to Cass. “I want to destroy the castle itself, and I’ve got a plan, but I’ll need a ride.”

She saluted. “Sure thing, Cap.”

I grinned. “Everyone needs to get far away from here. Then get ready for the fireworks.”

Ares clearly didn’t want to let me go, but I pressed hard on his arm to remove it from my waist. “I’ll be okay, I promise. I’ve got Cass.”

He gave me a skeptical look. “You look ill.”

“I don’t feel so hot from the dark magic, but really—Cass will take care of me. And you can’t be here when I light this place up.”

Finally, he nodded and stepped back. “Be careful.”

Cass shifted into her griffon form as my other friends got the hell out of the castle the way we’d entered. I climbed on top of Cass’s back and she pushed off into the air. From above, I could see everyone sprinting away from the castle, toward Torus and the waiting horses.

“Take us above the tower!” I cried, watchful of the air around us. I didn’t know what Drakon was capable of in his truest form, but I didn’t want to find out right now.

Cass flew us over the top of the tower and hovered about fifty meters above. Once everyone was far enough away, I held my hand out over the air and called upon Old Faithful, my conjuring magic. I was well tapped out of destroyer magic right now. I needed something easy and reliable.

I envisioned a massive boulder as big as Fabio. It formed in the air right under my palm, then plummeted toward the tower. With a crash, it plowed through the roof and then through the floor below, revealing Drakon’s horrible pit to the world. At least it was empty of the oil. Soon, he wouldn’t even be able to refill the pool. His whole place would be gone.

I held my breath and conjured several large sticks of dynamite. I lit them with a conjured match, then dropped them toward the hole the boulder had created. They’d blow up from within, causing the ultimate destruction.

“Go!” I cried.

Cass took off, hurtling toward safety.

A massive boom rent the air and I turned, watching the fiery explosion tear the castle apart. I turned back as Cass flew us toward our friends. I clung to her back, wind tearing at my hair. I couldn’t believe what had just happened. The bad… The good. And the magic that I’d wielded… it had been phenomenal.





Chapter Fifteen





The next night, after we’d all recovered from the expedition to Siberia, we decided to do something totally crazy.

We threw a dinner party.

Because of size restrictions, we had to host it at Ares’s house, which was the only place big enough for all of us.

“This was an excellent idea,” Ares said as he mixed the queso and chiles together.

“Everyone needs to eat.” I dumped chips into a bowl. “And everyone needs a break. Even if it is a short one.”

Cass, who leaned against the granite counter, raised her can of PBR. “Couldn’t agree more.”

I grinned and took a sip of my Four Roses, enjoying the burn. Bourbon was perfect for situations like this. “And we’re not technically taking the evening off. We’re just having our wrap-up with some food and a view.”

“And what a view it is.” Connor hiked his thumb back toward the living room where the expansive windows gave the incredible view of Magic’s Bend at night. “You sure know how to live, Ares.”

“Um, thank you,” Ares said, clearly off kilter with compliments on his fancy apartment. He might not think it was fancy, but we sure did.

“I think we’re ready.” I picked up the bowl of chips and headed toward the living room. “Grab the queso, please.”

Ares picked up the bowl and followed us out. Claire, Del, and Roarke sat on the gray couches, chatting. We joined them, setting the food down on the table. The main courses would come later, but for now, we’d take care of business.

We hadn’t seen each other since our ride back across the desert and the return to Magic’s Bend last night, since everyone had needed some medical care and a good long sleep. It’d taken me last night and today to recover from the dark magic that had surged through me, but I felt mostly better now. I was still haunted by the idea that I’d have to return and live in Elesius if I didn’t want my homeland to die, but I was trying to ignore that worry. First things first, and all that.

“Thanks for your help, guys.” I smiled. “You made all the difference, keeping those Yetis off my back. Not to mention all the rest.”

“Always.” Cass raised her PBR. “Here’s to deadly adventures.”

I raised my glass, enjoying the glint of light on the amber liquid. We clinked our glasses together.

“Torus was so happy about the destruction of the castle,” Claire mused. “I’ve never seen a man so gleeful.”