“Here, here’s the rope.” The warlock came back as Aiden shifted back into his bear and joined Caleb as they ran back down the mountain.
“Tie her up, bind her hands. I’ll take her back to town.” Ivan helped Jeremy bind Sophie. “Logan, call Valerie and tell her we’re coming. She needs to alert the authorities.”
Logan nodded and tapped the phone screen to call Valerie. The night was almost over, the threat to his mate almost gone. But until the witch was dealt with properly, she was still a threat.
They had underestimated Sophie once, they could not afford to again.
Chapter Twenty-Nine – Penny
“We’re all going to ride on the back of the dragon?” Penny asked.
“Yes!” Milo pumped his fist in the air, his excitement chasing away his fear.
“Yes. We need to hurry.” Logan held out his hand. “Can I have the talisman? I’ll hold onto Sophie. If she regains consciousness, with the help of the talisman, I should be strong enough to keep her contained until we get to town.”
Ivan shifted into his dragon and lowered himself closer to the ground as Logan picked up Sophie and carried her to the dragon. Jeremy had brought rope from the shed and tied up the witch tightly. Possibly a little too tightly, but no one argued for the ropes to be loosened. They were all aware of the danger she posed, even with her arms bound to her side.
“Don’t let her speak,” the warlock advised as Logan mounted the dragon and positioned Sophie in front of him.
“I won’t.” Logan bound his arms around the witch and gripped a bony horn along the dragon’s back.
“You’re up next,” Penny said to the warlock. “Then Milo can sit behind you and I’ll sit at the back.”
The warlock scrambled onto the dragon’s back without hesitation. As soon as he was seated in position, he held out his hand to Milo. “Come on, Milo.”
Milo scampered onto the dragon’s back and settled himself down, his short legs hardly long enough to reach either side. He looked so small up there, but his smile was broad, the danger of the night forgotten as he readied himself for their next adventure.
“Penny.” Logan’s voice propelled her to move and she climbed onto Ivan’s leg, reached for Jeremy’s offered hand, and then finally scrambled onto Ivan’s back.
The dragon waited for her to wrap her arms around Milo before he crouched down and leaped into the air. The world below them faded into darkness as he headed for the stars, now partly obscured by the steadily falling snow.
Tears blinded her eyes as the cold air hit her and then snowflakes flew in her face. She kept hold of her son, who trembled in her arms, she suspected, and hoped, from the thrill of excitement.
“This is amazing!” His voice was swept away as the dragon swooped down and flew straight and true toward town.
“It is!” Even in these potentially dire circumstances, their journey was incredible. Perhaps when the summer came and the weather warmed, she could ask Ivan to give them another ride, one that they could enjoy fully. One free from peril.
In minutes they had passed over the mountains and were gliding over the tops of buildings, most of which Penny didn’t recognize. They were traveling toward the far side of town, past the hotel.
She tilted to the left to check on Logan, the old woman in his arms still unconscious, or pretending to be. Would the witch wake up and cause them harm before she could be taken into custody?
And what kind of custody would she be taken into? How would they contain such a powerful witch?
The dragon slowed, his wings dipping as he came in to land. With barely a thud, his feet struck the ground, and he eased his wings back before tucking them into his sides.
“We need to get off, quickly,” Jeremy called to Penny.
She hooked her stiff leg behind her and slid down onto Ivan’s leg as he crouched close to the ground. Holding her hands out to Milo, she grabbed her son as he slid off the dragon and then hurried out of the way.
The warlock dismounted and then turned around to help Logan, but before Penny’s mate could drag the witch from the back of the dragon, she made her move.
Sophie sat bolt upright, her arms clenched by her sides as a rush of wind swept toward her, leaving the hair on Penny’s neck standing on end. A guttural cry emanated from her as she chanted a spell.
Penny backed away, holding Milo in her arms. She was torn between protecting her son or helping Logan who wrapped his arms tighter around the witch. She screamed, curses flying in the air as Logan restrained her.
Then, from behind Penny, a new chant rose like a choir singing and Sophie went limp in Logan’s arms. He lifted her and hooked his leg over the side of the dragon, sliding down with the witch in his arms.
“We will take her from here,” a woman’s voice said quietly. She stood at the front of a small group of people, a mix of men and women. Penny guessed they were witches and warlocks, and it was these powerful people who would take Sophie into custody.
Logan handed Sophie over to a large broad-chested man, dressed in jeans and a thick winter coat. Somehow, she’d imagined witches and warlocks would wear cloaks and old-fashioned clothes, but these people looked as if they had just stepped away from a family dinner, or a night out at a bar.
“Thank you.” Logan nodded his head and relinquished his hold on Sophie, a look of sorrow on his face as he glanced down at the old woman. “Goodbye, Sophie.”
The chanting faded as they walked off into the night, the snow now falling all around them.
“It’s over,” the warlock assured Penny.
“Not quite,” Logan said. “Ivan is going to take us back to the hotel.”
“We get to ride the dragon again?” Milo asked.
“We do.” Logan held out his hand to Milo and Penny. “Let’s go home.”
The warlock stood still, and Penny tugged on Logan’s sleeve. “He saved our lives.”
“Then he’d better come with us,” Logan grumbled but his gruff voice didn’t hide his true feelings. “Thank you for saving my mate and her son.”
“No problem at all.”
“We did save him, too,” Milo piped up. “He was tied up in your bedroom.”
“What?” Logan snapped.
“You’re lucky I never soiled the bed since she left me there for hours,” Jeremy answered.
“That is an image I never want to think of again,” Logan groaned as he sprang up onto Ivan’s back and reached down for Milo.
“We can go clean your cabin tomorrow.” Penny helped her son and then climbed on the dragon’s back, her legs ached, and she was grateful for the ride back to the hotel. “We need to change your bed anyway, since your bedspread is outside, along with the contents of your food cupboard.”
“As long as you’re both safe, that’s all that matters.” He turned around and kissed her cheek as the warlock climbed on. Then Ivan shifted his weight and sprang into the air, flying low over the rooftops as he carried them back to the hotel.
They landed safely in the hotel parking lot, and the four passengers scrambled off the dragon. Ivan shifted into his human form and stretched his arms above his head. “I should fly more often, I’m a little stiff.”
“We can’t thank you enough.” Penny wrapped her arms around him, and after a moment of surprise, he lowered his arms and hugged her back.
“You are welcome.” Ivan’s arms tightened around her. “You’re family now. We’d all do anything for you.”
“I think I’m getting that now.” She took a step back and sniffed loudly. “I should get Milo to bed.” She leaned down and held out her arms to Milo, who looked as if he might fall asleep on his feet now that the excitement of dragon-riding had passed. “Are you all right?”
“I rode on the back of a dragon.” He rested his head on her shoulder. “I’m more than all right.”
“Children are good at forgetting the bad stuff and holding onto the good.” Logan stroked Milo’s cheek. “You were very brave.”
�
�You’re all safe!” Valerie burst out of the hotel, Rift supporting his mom as she hobbled toward them.
“We are.” Logan hugged his mom and then slipped his hand into Penny’s. “Although, we’re going to need a new receptionist.”
Valerie covered her face with her hand. “I am so sorry. I had no idea about Sophie. No idea at all. She seemed perfect.”
“You know what they say, if something seems too perfect, then it probably is,” Rift cut in.
“Oh, I don’t know about that.” Logan lowered his head and kissed Penny on the lips. She shuddered and nestled closer to him.
“I’d have to agree,” she murmured.
“I’ll have to start looking for someone new tomorrow,” Valerie sighed.
“I would like to apply for that job.” Jeremy put his hand up and they all turned to look at him.
“You put a mouse in my soup,” Ivan said hotly. “You planned to blackmail the hotel into giving you a free stay.”
“Exactly, I know all the sneaky tricks a guest might try. I’ve checked into plenty of hotels.” He held out his hands, pleading with them to give him a chance. “Just give me a trial, please.”
“We would not be here now if Jeremy hadn’t helped us. He could have cut and run but he stayed with us. He protected Milo.” Penny’s voice wavered, the realization of what could have happened sweeping over her like an avalanche until she could hardly breathe.
“Hey, it’s okay. It’s over.” Logan cupped her face in his hands. “And I promise you, these kinds of incidents are rare in Wishing Moon Bay.”
“Logan’s right.” Valerie tilted her head back and looked up at the hotel. “I’ll have to get someone in to deal with Rad’s spirit. If it really is stuck in the hotel, I want it gone.”
“I thought you always told us there were no such things as ghosts.” Logan tightened his grip on Penny.
“There isn’t. But no one ever knew what happened to Rad. He just disappeared.” Valerie turned to look at her family. “I just want to make sure you are all safe.” Her eyes glistened with tears. “I’m sorry if we put you in danger, Penny, and you, Milo.”
“None of this was your fault,” Penny assured her. “The only person to blame for Sophie’s actions was Sophie. She’s been planning this, getting stronger ever since Rad disappeared. I think she’s mentally unhinged.”
“Let’s go inside.” Logan ushered Penny toward the hotel. “You’re shivering.”
“It’s cold and I don’t have your warm shifter blood.” Her teeth chattered as they approached the door. Penny hoped that Sophie’s actions hadn’t stirred the ghosts of the past. Valerie might think they weren’t real, but Sophie was certain she could pull Rad’s spirit into Jeremy’s body.
“I’ve put all of your stuff back into your room,” Rift told Penny as they assembled in the reception area.
“Sophie cleared your room to make it look as if you’d left town,” Logan explained.
“Oh. Did you believe her?” Penny glanced up at her mate. “I wouldn’t leave town without telling you.” She turned to face him. “I’m not planning on leaving town at all.”
“I was just scared,” Logan confessed. “The last couple of days have been full-on for you. Finding out that so much that you believed wasn’t real is true.”
“The one thing I have found to be real is your love and the love of your family. I’ll take that over witches and spells and anything else that wants to make trouble. I’m strong enough to conquer it all with you by my side.” She kissed his cheek.
“Ah, there you are.” An elderly man came downstairs with an elegantly dressed woman by his side.
“Mr. and Mrs. Madilyn, is everything all right?” Logan slipped away from her and she missed the warmth of his body. Even inside the hotel, Penny couldn’t shake off the chill in her bones.
“We just wanted to say we love what you’ve done with the hotel.” Mr. Madilyn reached the bottom of the stairs and went to Valerie with his hand outstretched.
“Thank you,” Valerie said.
“Mr. and Mrs. Madilyn used to stay here before you bought it.” Logan’s voice held a hint of wariness.
Mr. Madilyn chuckled. “We had always dreamed of coming back here. And when we got your kind offer of a half-price stay for previous guests, we couldn’t resist.”
“Even though we said we would never come back,” Mrs. Madilyn glanced at her husband.
“I’m sorry, I have no idea what you are talking about.” Valerie glanced at Jeremy. “Is this the sort of scam you pull?”
“Scam?” Mrs. Madilyn looked quite offended as she reached into her purse and pulled out an envelope, which she handed to Logan. “See for yourself. You sent a handwritten invitation.”
Logan opened the envelope and pulled out an invitation card. “Sophie.”
“Sophie?” Mr. Madilyn’s voice wavered.
“I think our receptionist sent this to you. Although I have no idea why.” Logan handed the invitation to Valerie. “That’s Sophie’s handwriting. She’s tried to forge my signature, but it’s not right.”
“Sophie is still here?” Mrs. Madilyn hooked her hand under her husband’s elbow and steered him back toward the stairs. “We should leave.”
“Wait.” Ivan dodged behind them and blocked their way. “We’ve just had an encounter with Sophie. She’s now in the hands of the authorities. So why don’t you tell us what exactly is going on?”
“Sophie has been arrested?” Mrs. Madilyn’s relief was evident.
“You know Sophie?” Penny asked.
“She was the reason I disappeared.” Mr. Madilyn turned to face them all. “I am Radley Lomax, aka Rad the Bad.”
“Sophie had a fixation with Rad,” his wife explained. “We could sense the darkness in her. She was so jealous of our relationship. Then one day I nearly died in an accident. Only it wasn’t an accident.”
“Sophie tried to kill Camilla, that’s when we realized that the only way to escape Sophie was through death.”
“I left Radley. We had a blazing argument and I stormed out, taking all my belongings with me.” She clasped her husband’s hand. “Radley stayed on here. He pretended he was over me while I made a new start outside of Wishing Moon Bay.”
“After a few months, I staged my disappearance and left everything behind to go join Camilla.” Radley’s adoration shone from his face. “I loved her enough to give up everything.”
“Rad’s reputation of being something of an experimental warlock meant that people were all too willing to believe he had done something to himself.” Mrs. Madilyn sighed. “We lived a good life but Wishing Moon Bay was always our home.”
“Sophie must have discovered your secret.” Logan turned to face the reception desk. “A location spell.”
“She must have tracked me down. Although, I have no idea why. I’m too old for games.”
“She planned to put your spirit into a younger body.” Penny’s words were met with horror from the Madilyns.
“That’s the darkest, most heinous magic on this Earth,” Camilla whispered.
“Luckily, we don’t have to worry anymore.” Logan steered Penny toward the stairs. “Come on, Milo is already asleep, and you look as if you need something to eat.”
“Goodnight, everyone,” Penny said with some relief, her arms were aching from holding her son. “And thank you all again.”
“Here, why don’t you let me take Milo?” Rift offered. “I’ll get him into bed while you go grab something to eat and take a hot shower.”
“Use my apartment,” Valerie offered. “If Mr. and Mrs. Madilyn have the time, I’d love to ask you all about your time here at the hotel.”
“If you’re going to ask me about the staircases moving, then I’ll tell you straight, it never happened,” Radley said.
“I don’t know who would believe it did,” Valerie said.
They all shot a look in Ivan’s direction, but he turned and headed back into the kitchen. “I’ll fix you something t
o eat, Penny.”
Logan slipped his arm around Penny’s shoulders as Rift carried her son upstairs to bed. She snuggled into her mate’s arms, welcoming the warmth of his body and the comfort of his presence.
Logan made her feel safe, made her feel as if she were home.
Made her feel as if she never wanted to leave.
Chapter Thirty – Logan
“Do you feel better now?” Logan asked as his mate came into the living room, wrapped in a bathrobe with a towel wound around her damp hair.
“So much better.” She slid down onto the sofa next to him. “I can actually feel my toes again after being under the hot shower.” She lifted her legs and wiggled her toes. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so cold.”
“I’m sorry you got caught up in all of this.” Logan leaned forward and lifted the cover off the tray Ivan had brought in. “Aiden also found your phone in Sophie’s car.” He passed the phone to her, happy she was here with him and not a hundred miles outside of Wishing Moon Bay.
“Oh, that smells divine.” Penny inhaled deeply.
“Dig in. You should feel better once you’ve eaten.” Logan reached for the tray and placed it on Penny’s lap. “He took some food up to Milo, too, but he’s sound asleep.”
“He’s so tired.” Penny picked up her fork and dug into the lasagna Ivan had heated up for her. There were thick slices of garlic bread and a chocolate dessert on the tray, too. “I should be with him.”
“Rift likes watching over him.” Logan paused. “I’m sorry. Really sorry.”
“Don’t be. None of this is your fault. As I said, Sophie is the only one to blame. How could you know what she was planning?” She tasted the food and her eyes rolled up into her head. “This is amazing.”
“I just can’t believe she’s been hooked on Radley for so long.” He raked his hand through his hair, his body tense. “Or what she planned.”
“It’s a good thing I came to town or she would have had her very wicked way with you.” Penny placed her hand on Logan’s thigh. “And that pleasure is all mine.”
His mouth twitched, her sour mood receding. He would love to be very wicked with his mate.
The White Wolf of Wishing Moon Bay Page 22
