Ancient Magic (Dragon's Gift: The Huntress #1)(33)

Aidan closed his mouth, but the look on his face was clear. This discussion wasn’t over. He looked like he was sorry he’d brought up a subject that clearly made me uncomfortable, but also like he wasn’t going to let go of it.

Just what I needed on top of feeling like I’d been run over by a truck.

“Thank you.” Gratefully, I took the steaming cup from Claire and sipped it.

Warmth and strength flowed into me. Not enough to repair me fully, but I felt a bit better.

“Brought you one of the same,” Connor said as he handed a cup to Aidan. “You don’t look as beat as Cass, but you could probably use it. “

“Thanks,” Aidan said.

“And some pasties.” Connor put the plate of savory treats on the little table in front of our chairs. His apron was dusty with flour, but the rest of his clothes—jeans, a t-shirt, and Converse—were spotless.

“You’re the best.” I grabbed one, not caring that it was hot, and bit into it. My stomach was suddenly cavernous. I vaguely remembered being famished after I’d used my magic in the past. The pasty was so good I almost groaned.

“What’s got you looking like you were dragged through a harpy nest?” Claire asked.

“Job gone wrong,” I said around a bite of pasty. “We’re looking for a tracking spell now.”

“You can’t get a read on something?” Connor asked.

I swallowed hard, the pasty suddenly a lump in my throat. Time to lie. They also thought I was a Seeker. I hated lying to my friends, but it protected them. They could get in trouble for knowingly harboring a FireSoul. If I were an actual good person, I’d probably stay away from them.

But I was weak. I liked my friends. And as long as I was careful, I could keep my secret and keep them safe.

“Yeah, this one is tough,” I said. “Don’t know why. Maybe the guy is using a concealment charm. Do you know anyone strong enough to make a tracking charm off a bit of blood?”

Connor and Claire looked at each other. They both had different contacts given that Connor stuck to potions and baking for a living, and Claire hunted bad guys and only occasionally helped out at P & P, but their circle of friends was wide.

“What about Mordaca?” Connor asked. “She’s a Seeker, right?”

“The one you have the hots for?” Claire asked.

“That’s the one.” Connor grinned.

“She’s scary, but yeah, she could probably do it.” Claire met my gaze. “I’ve got one friend I can call. Give me a sec.”

She got up and moved to the window, then pulled out her phone.

“Mordaca?” I asked Connor as Claire made the call.

“Yeah. Sexy Blood Sorceress with some Seeker talent like you. Bit scary like Claire said, but she could probably use her sorcery to make you a charm.”

“Sounds perfect.”

Claire returned a second later. “All right. She’s in LA tonight, but she’ll be back by morning. She said she should be able to make you a charm, but it’ll cost you.”

I glanced at Aidan, but I figured he was good for it.

He nodded once. “Thank you.”

“Can’t we meet her tonight? We can fly to LA.”

“She insisted she was busy,” Claire said.

“And you need to rest,” Aidan said.

“I’m fine.”

“Actually, you look like you’re melting into a puddle,” Claire said.

I glanced down at myself. Okay, yeah, my posture was so slumped that I might look like I was about to pass out. That coffee hadn’t fixed me as much as I’d thought.

I turned to Aidan. “What if the guy who stole the scroll reads it?”

“For one, he might not be able to read old Irish. And if he did and poses a threat, we’ll kill him.”

The threat in his eyes was so real that I believed him. And he was right, I could barely walk. Without sleep, I’d be worthless. “Fine. We’ll wait.”

“Why are you so interested?” he asked. “You seem to be taking this more personally than a normal job.”

My heart jumped into my throat. He couldn’t be onto me. “I take all my jobs personally. That’s why I’m the best.”

“Uh huh,” Aidan said, suspicion still in his eyes. He turned to Claire. “When do we meet Mordaca?”

“She said to meet her at eight at the Apothecary’s Jungle in Darklane.” Claire glanced at her cellphone. “I’ve got to run. A client is waiting on me.”

“I thought you just finished a job?” I asked, glancing at her hair.

“Yep. Nasty Sorabug infestation at a rich guy’s house over in Enchanter’s Bluff.”

“Ew.” Sorabugs were gross. They were the size of ponies—hence the reason for hiring a mercenary instead of an exterminator—and had giant pincers. Even the nicest neighborhood in town wasn’t immune to their gross invasions. Fortunately they stuck to magical cities or else humans would think aliens had invaded.

“Yeah, this job should be better. Protection detail for a visiting aristocrat,” she said.

“Protection from what?”

“That’s the thing—I’m not sure. And I don’t like that.”