by Linzi Baxter
“Come in.”
The way she said "come in" matched the way the house had looked when they first drove up. Diem hoped Gideon knew what he was doing because the woman didn’t seem to be trustworthy.
6
Gideon
“This place is so cool.” Diem held a small gem in her hand.
“Let’s look over there.” He pointed to the back door. Shops like this one kept the good things hidden. Gideon could feel the pull of the magic from the back room.
“I think that’s for employees only.” Diem bit her lip as she looked up at him.
“So?” Gideon shrugged. “What we need is back there.”
Ursula would hide her gems in the back. Like she hides her true self.
The woman was pure evil but would have what they needed. Gideon didn’t have time to find another shop. He wished Kirin had mentioned that Ursula ran the shop. He could feel Ursula's eyes on him as he pulled open the back door. Magic hummed around him as he took a step into the small room.
“These don’t look any different from the ones in the main area,” Diem said.
She was right. They looked exactly the same. Yet these were ten times the price. He knew she couldn’t tell the difference between magic stones, but the fairy they were buying it for could, and he could as well.
Gideon picked up a pink gem like the one she held in the other room. “This stone can help boost healing powers.”
“How?” Diem asked.
“Some supernaturals don’t have enough power to do certain spells,” Gideon explained. “If they hold this stone while trying to cast a spell, it will help enhance their powers.”
“Oh.”
“Fairies do like trinkets for their gardens, but they love enhanced gems. They can help guide someone without a boost, but they can’t cast a spell.”
“How can we tell what the gems do?”
“I can sense the magic in the stones. Unlike fairies, warlocks don’t need the extra boost.”
Diem picked up a white gem that most would mistake for a diamond. Her delicate fingers wrapped around it, and the small action made Gideon’s dick semihard.
What the hell is wrong with me?
“What can this gem help with?” she asked.
“The clear white gems have the power to heal.”
Some gems he didn’t need to touch to know what they did. Different shades of white and clear were healing stones. The clearer the gem, the more powerful it was. Pink and red ones were linked to fire, blue gems let someone utilize the power of water, green pulled magic from the ground, and black gems were banned. They were the only kind of gem that someone could use to kill a shifter. All other color gems someone had enhanced with magic, and he would need to touch them to figure out their powers.
“What do you think the fairy would want?”
Fairies were close with nature, and when they used magic, they wanted to pull it from the ground. He scanned the small area and pulled out a green gem. “This one.”
Diem’s eyes went back to the pink gem. “Why not that one?”
It didn’t surprise him. She was reaching for the pink gem. Her dragon would want to be close to the fire magic.
And he wanted her to have it. Something deep inside him turned, knowing he might be the person to buy her dragon its first treasure.
“Pink is fire gems. Your dragon doesn’t need it, but from the flicker in your eyes, it wants it.”
He would teach her how to use the gem. They still had eight hours left on the trip. Most stores sold necklaces that would stretch during a shift. If she placed the pink gem around her neck and shifted, Diem would have more control over her fire. It would also burn hotter.
Since they were hunting the people who held her sister, it was a good idea to increase her powers. He wasn’t sure what they were going to come up against.
She placed the gem back on the shelf. “I can’t have everything I want.”
Gideon reached over and grabbed the gem. “Let’s pay and get out of here before something happens.”
Diem’s eyes widened. He didn’t answer the question hanging in the air. He reached for her hand, and they walked back out into the common area. Ursula stood behind the counter, watching them with her black eyes. She long ago had sold her soul to the devil. Rumor had it she died a few times, but Lucifer hadn’t wanted to deal with her. So she continued to live on the earth plane.
He set the two gems on the counter.
“I’m willing to do barter for these instead of money,” Ursula said, looking at Diem.
“No,” Gideon said.
Fuck. This wasn’t going to end well. When Ursula had set her sights on someone or something, she wouldn’t stop until she got what she wanted. And her current target was Diem. Gideon’s magic was strong enough to take her down, but it didn’t mean they wouldn’t come out unharmed. Diem glanced at him as his magic rolled off him in waves.
“What do you mean, ‘barter’?” Diem asked. “We don’t have anything you would want.”
Gideon pulled his magic to the surface and waited for Ursula to answer.
“All I want is a scale,” she told them in the sweetest voice.
“No!” he ground out.
If someone got ahold of a dragon scale, that person could control the dragon. This was a legend passed down through the ages. He didn’t know if it was true, but there was no way he would let Diem take the chance.
“It’s not your choice, Gideon. It’s hers. You can give me a scale and you can have the gems, or you can leave.”
“I’ll pay you for the gems.”
“One of the things I changed when I took over the shop is all magical items are bought by barter.” Her lip twitched into an evil grin. “I know your dragon wants that gem.”
Fuck. Diem tensed next to them. The only way they were going to get out of the shop was by fighting. Nobody in the spiritual community would be upset if something happened to Ursula. Still, he didn’t want to bring Diem into the fight.
“You know what?” Diem said. “I don’t think I like you very much. Gideon, we can find another store. As for the gem, my dragon couldn't care less.”
Gideon tasted the lie in the air. Her dragon still wanted the gem.
“Doesn’t matter anymore. You’re in my shop, and I want the scale.” Ursula's eyes flashed deep red.
Diem grabbed his hand, and he moved a little to the left, blocking her. The fight was going to happen, no matter what. He reached for the gems and swiped them off the counter before Ursula could grab them.
“Run!” Gideon hissed at Diem.
The stubborn woman didn’t move. She squared her shoulders and stood next to him. Ursula's face twisted, and her hair went from blond to black. Keeping a disguise on took up magic, and Ursula was ready to fight.
“Don’t change,” Gideon ground out. If Diem changed, it would give Ursula a better chance to get what she wanted.
“I can’t help you unless I change,” she pointed out. “And I really want to eat that bitch.”
That bitch was now nine feet tall. Her tentacles reached out for them. Gideon called on his magic and blocked her.
When he touched Diem again, he could feel her fire course through his body. In over a thousand years, he’d never had this reaction when he touched someone. He closed his eyes and concentrated on the ball of fire.
Ursula was building up her magic. It wasn’t something she carried inside of her. She had to work to use it. He took that opportunity to send a bolt of fire at the woman. It knocked her over, and she screamed in pain. If Diem hadn’t been with him, he would have used the opportunity to take Ursula out. There would still be a chance Lucifer wouldn’t take her, but he wanted to get Diem to safety.
He grabbed her hand and ran toward the door. “Get in the passenger side,” Gideon yelled.
Diem didn’t fight him. She let go of his hand, ran to the other side of the car, and got in. He jumped into the driver's side. Ursula burst through her shop door. Black magic
flickered from her hands. He didn’t wait to see what she’d planned. Gideon pushed the start button on his car and took off. A blast of magic hit the back of his car, pushing them forward.
He’d put a spell on his vehicles so magic couldn’t penetrate. Some might think he was a little over the top, but after coming out of mind control, he’d upped his security in every aspect of his life.
“What the hell was that?” Diem screeched as she peered over the back of the seat. They were a mile away. Ursula wasn’t behind them, but that didn’t mean he didn’t worry about her coming after them later.
“Ursula,” he answered.
Diem glared over at him. “I know what her name is, but that was a little unbelievable.”
“She is a prime example of what happens when you make a deal with Lucifer.”
“As in, the devil?” She laughed. When he didn’t respond immediately, she continued. “You’re joking, right?”
“Rumors have floated around that she sold her soul and Lucifer doesn’t want her in hell.”
Over a thousand years, he’d seen death and destruction. He believed the rumors about Lucifer. But he wasn’t sure he accepted that the man’s bodyguard was a pandacorn.
“Do you still have the white gem?” she asked.
He drew it out of his pocket and handed it to her.
“Do you think she will give us some information?” she asked.
“Fairies are not always trustworthy, but we can try. Emma is a good person. Kirin is working with the council, so these are our only options.”
“I’m worried about my sister.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the other gem. “I got this for your dragon.”
Her fingers brushed against his palm as she grabbed the gem. “Thank you.” She was quiet for a couple of seconds. “Is this how you sent the fire?”
“No.” He let out a sigh. “When I touched your hand, I could pull from your fire. I think it has something to do with the fact that we’re mates.”
“Why would that happen?”
Over the years, his friends had found mates, and he’d worked with people who were mated, but he never asked what changed. He’d never thought he would find his mate. Sitting next to Diem, he didn’t know what he would do without her, but telling her that would reveal a weakness. Gideon refused to let anyone find his faults again. He knew it would be hard to fight the bond between them.
“It happens because our powers bind together. When two mate, their powers will lock, and different powers might appear.”
They sat in silence for a few hours until Diem’s stomach growled. It was getting late, and they needed to stop for the night. He was sure Ursula hadn’t followed, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t come after them.
“Hungry?” he asked.
“I’m constantly hungry. Haven’t you learned that about me yet?” Diem grumbled.
They were close to the Florida-Georgia border. They would spend the night in the hotel and get up early to finish the drive. And hopefully, they would get answers about her sister.
7
Diem
Another night with little sleep. Gideon had insisted they share a room—a one-bed room. Once again, the sexy man slept without his shirt on, and she’d spent the night trying not to touch him.
Now they were turning off the exit to Cassadaga, and hopefully, she could get some answers. The pink gem Gideon had stolen for her was in her pocket. Her dragon wanted to fly to a cave and put it away for safekeeping.
She didn’t have a cave. The dragon reminded her about the one Gideon said she could use. But her life would have to wait until she found Kayda.
“Do you know where you’re going?” she asked. Little shops lined the streets, all with signs claiming they could read her palm. Her gaze met that of an elderly woman walking out of the shop with a smile on her face.
“Yes. I take a right at the next turn, and it’s almost at the end of the road.”
She couldn’t help but smile at the Spirits Crossing sign. “Have you been here before?”
“Yes,” he grumbled. The way he answered her made her feel a little uneasy. “This is it.” Gideon pulled into a gravel parking space.
A yellow sign marked the start of the trail. She didn’t understand why they were heading to the garden area.
“You’re dealing with fairies. This might not seem like much yet, but wait until we get through the magic barrier.” Gideon grabbed her hand and led her down the path.
So many sections were colorful. The little details in the tiny homes caught her attention, but Gideon kept pulling her down the trail. When they reached the giant butterfly wings, she demanded a picture. The man rolled his eyes but snapped one for her—Kia had given them a burner phone before they left. He refused to stand next to the wings so she could take a photo of him. At the end of the path was a park bench, but Gideon didn’t slow down. He tugged her through the branches and overgrown bushes.
On the other side was a cute white home. Colorful wind chimes lined the trees. The soft Florida breeze caused them to play a sweet melody. It was almost hypnotizing.
They walked up the stairs to the house, and Gideon knocked on the door. He still clutched her hand, and she liked how it made her feel safer.
The door swung open, and a woman stood frowning at them. Behind her was a large man. He had to be close to seven feet tall.
“Gideon, what are you doing here?” Her words came out almost as a whisper.
The man behind her crossed his arms and glared down at Gideon. It seemed that Gideon wasn’t liked by many. Diem wasn’t sure if this encounter was going to go like the one at the shop.
“Hello, Emma and Garth,” Gideon said. “I didn’t know you guys were together.”
The giant reached around the woman’s waist and drew her closer. He hadn’t stopped glaring, and she thought he was also growling. “Emma is my mate.”
Gideon pulled Diem to his side and wrapped his arm around her waist. “We need your help.”
“You think my mate will help you after what you did?” the man growled. “You left with no word. We were supposed to look out for each other.”
Diem didn’t like how the man was talking to Gideon. Something came over her. “I’m sure you heard that someone had mind control over him. He couldn’t have known what he was doing. We worked hard to bring you something so you can help me.”
The tall man growled louder. Fuck.
Emma patted her man on the chest. “Stop growling, Garth.” She turned toward Gideon and Diem. “I’m sorry that happened to you, Gideon, but what you did happened way before the mind control.”
Diem was worried. “You know that’s over a hundred years ago, right?”
“There was nothing I could do.” Gideon shrugged. “I tried to save her.”
Emma closed her eyes for a second. “I know it’s not your fault. It’s—”
“It’s hard to see me.” Gideon let out a sigh. “That’s why I left, but I need your help.”
Diem held out her hand. “We brought you this. Gideon thought you would trade this for help.”
Emma wiped a tear from her eyes. “You remembered.” She knitted her brow. “I thought Ursula took over her mom’s shop. That’s the only place you can find these.”
“She was there.”
The woman put the gem in her pocket and stepped to the side. Her husband did the same, but he still frowned at Gideon. There was something between the three, and Diem felt out of place. Gideon was keeping secrets from her, and based on the conversation, it seemed like that might affect her ability to see her sister again.
“Thank you.”
She and Gideon walked into the home. She followed Emma into a small room. Red drapes covered the wall. In the center was a small table with two chairs. Gideon leaned against the doorframe, not stepping completely into the room.
Emma nodded toward the open chair. “I don’t know how all this works.”
“Take a deep breath.” Emma s
et a globe on the table before sitting down.
Diem tried not to laugh. The woman was going to tell her where her sister was with a globe. It wouldn’t be the strangest thing to happen in the last twenty-four hours, but it was hard to believe the globe knew the truth. She watched as it magically filled with smoke. The side of her brain that still didn’t understand the supernatural world didn’t believe a smoke-filled globe would hold the answer.
Movement near the door caught her attention. Garth was motioning for Gideon to follow him out the door. Gideon’s eyes were on Diem. She understood the silent question and nodded. He turned and walked out with Garth. Now she was alone with Emma and a smoked-filled ball. Butterflies danced in her stomach, making her want to throw up.
“You want answers about your sister,” Emma said.
“How do you know that?”
The pretty woman arched her manicured brow.
“Sorry—still new to this supernatural stuff,” Diem said and regretted letting that piece of information slip.
“You will struggle at first, but Gideon will help you find your way.”
“Is that what you see?”
“No. I can see the struggle in your face. Your aura has red in it, and I’m guessing that is from anger mixed with turmoil.”
“How do you know Gideon will help me?”
Emma smiled softly. “Whenever he looks at you, his eyes soften. I’ve known him for three hundred years, and I’ve never seen him soften around anyone. His aura has also changed, but Gideon will fight for what he feels for you because he thinks he doesn’t deserve happiness. He’s a good man.”
There was no doubt in her mind that Gideon was a good man. He’d agreed to drive with her, even after someone came after her. “Why does he think he doesn’t deserve happiness?”
“That isn’t my story to tell,” Emma said.
“How about why you looked shocked to see him and your husband wanted to kill him? How sure can I be that your husband isn’t trying to kill him right now?”
“Garth wouldn’t hurt Gideon. You’ll need to have him tell you the story. My mate is a good man. He can tell when my mood changes, and when I saw Gideon, I was sad—not because of him but because of the memory that came to mind.”
