Chapter Twenty-Two
Nessa inhaled, hoping Kyle would believe her. “Tom Delaney is really Landry Madison. The bastard must have been planning his revenge for quite some time, waiting for the right moment to strike.”
Kyle shook his head. “I don’t believe it.”
“Why? He’s an affable guy so he can’t be a liar and a possible killer?”
“Something like that. He’s always been such a straight arrow. He would never harm me.”
This was going to be more difficult than she realized. “When you walked over to the table, did you sense something about Tom, such as a small vibration coming off his body or a scent that was distinct—not unlike cinnamon?”
His jaw dropped. “I did. Don’t tell me he’s a dragon shifter?”
“He is.”
Kyle scrubbed a hand down his jaw. “He’s always acted as if he feared dragons.”
That should prove to Kyle just what a sleaze ball Dennis’ assistant was. “He knew I’d figure out our criminal was a shifter, so that’s probably why he never mentioned the fact to you.”
Kyle’s shoulders slumped. “He also was rarely available to question the mine workers. I’m thinking he must have been afraid to run into you.” Kyle’s face paled.
“Exactly. I bet he only came the day of the explosion because he thought I was dead.”
Kyle finished off his drink. “I’m stunned. Both Dennis and I trusted Tom. As much as I want to confront him, I doubt he’ll cop to the deception.”
Nessa leaned forward. “He saw me look over at the table. He knows I know he’s posing as Dennis’ assistant.” Now would be the time to tell her mate about her other secret. “Have you ever heard of the Guardians?”
“Of course. Everyone has.” His brows pinched together. “Don’t tell me you know who they are.”
She blew out a breath. “Yes. I’m one, as are the rest of my family and the Sinclairs.”
His eyes widened. “Well, I’ll be damned. It’s why your whole family rushed out to help those in Plux.”
She smiled. “A lot of people helped, but yes. That’s what we do, as well as a host of other things.” Nessa inhaled. “I know I’m not an official part of this investigation, but I have an idea that might help you.”
“Hey, my head is spinning so fast, I’ll listen to anything.”
“Then let’s pay and get out of here.”
Kyle pulled out his wallet. “I know that look in your eye, and I can feel waves of excitement rolling off you. What are you planning?”
She smiled. “You’ll see.” She held up a hand. “Nothing that involves fighting though.”
The plan involved the Four Sisters of Fate. If anyone could help them, it would be one of them.
Once Kyle paid, they drove to the SinCas building, parked, and headed on up to the rooftop.
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” Kyle finally asked.
“I didn’t mention it before, but when a Guardian cloaks himself, no one can detect him except other Guardians. We however, can detect other dragons.”
“That’s awesome, but it doesn’t tell me what you’re planning.”
“I can’t be sure, but I get the sense that when Landry is in his human form and cloaks himself, I can’t detect him, which makes him very dangerous. I want to even the odds.”
Kyle smiled. “Let’s do it.”
They shifted and took off.
“It gets easier each time,” he telepathed with quite a lot of joy in his voice.
“I wouldn’t know since it was over a hundred years ago when I first shifted.”
“You make me feel like a young pup.”
Nessa inwardly smiled. Within minutes, she spotted the shop. She lowered her head in an effort to point. “We’re here.”
Kyle landed a few seconds after she did. They quickly shifted into their human form. “The shop’s closed,” he said.
“The sisters live in back. They usually don’t mind being disturbed at night if it’s for a good cause.”
Nessa rang the buzzer at the front door and waited. Even without letting them know they were there, Nessa had the sense the sisters were always aware of any visitors. A few seconds later, the light in the back lit up and then the store lights came on. Primrose, the youngest sister—though youngest was a relative term where they were concerned—answered. While these sisters weren’t shifters, they seemed to have been around for a long time.
“Nessa, is that you? What a surprise. Come in.” Primrose glanced over at Kyle. “And this must be your young man.” She smiled.
Kyle stuck out his hand. “Kyle Harper.”
“How can I help you?” Primrose asked as she ushered them in.
Nessa hadn’t seen her in a while. Her red hair had been cut short, giving her pixie face an even more youthful look. Tonight, she had on a long-sleeved white button down shirt over worn jeans. As usual, her boots were caked in clay.
“Did Magnolia tell you what happened at the mine?” Nessa asked.
“Why yes. Did the stone she gave you help?”
“Completely, and please tell her thanks.”
“I will.”
Nessa inhaled, hoping Primrose would be willing to help. “There’s a shifter, who in his human form is able to become invisible. The problem is that I can’t detect him.”
“That’s not good.”
“No, it’s not. Is there anything you can give me to help know when he’s near? He’s trying to kill us and must be stopped.”
“Oh, my. That is serious.” She glanced at the ceiling. “I do have a spray that if pointed in his direction would show his presence, but that won’t do you any good unless you know he’s there.”
“Exactly.”
Primrose turned around and walked along a row of shelves lined with different colored bowls. After she reached the end, she turned around and smiled. “I’ve got it! I’ll do a spell to give both of you enough magic to detect all means of cloaking, whether he’s in shifter or human form.”
Nessa believed she could detect all cloaked dragon shifters, but maybe she couldn’t. “How long does this spell last?”
“Forever of course.”
Nessa had never heard of anything being forever. The Four Sisters only seemed willing to do short term solutions. “That would be great.” She wasn’t sure what else to say.
“Give me a minute to gather a few herbs.”
Nessa’s dad claimed the sisters used the herbs and potions to make the Guardians think the sisters were mere witches. The truth didn’t really matter. If they said something would work, it would.
Primrose picked up a pottery bowl, went into the back room, and returned after a few minutes. “This should do it.”
She waved the bowl full of who knew what around in a circle and said an incantation in a language Nessa didn’t recognize. Primrose then set down the bowl. “Both of you need to place your hand over the top.”
Nessa had no idea what that would do, but she was game. With their fingers splayed over the top, a bright white glow traveled up her arm toward her face. The area around her eyes warmed, and Nessa wondered if Kyle was experiencing the same thing.
After thirty seconds, their gracious host exhaled. “That’s it. If you encounter this invisible man, you’ll be able to see his outline and sense his presence.”
Nessa didn’t dare look over at Kyle. He was radiating disbelieve, but thankfully, he said nothing. “Thank you again,” Nessa said to Primrose. “You’ve saved our lives.”
She smiled, looking prettier than she ever had before. “I’m glad I could help.”
Not wanting to overstay their welcome, they left.
As soon as Primrose closed the shop door, Nessa shifted. Kyle would want to discuss what happened, and she couldn’t chance Primrose overhearing. He changed into a dragon, and when she took off, he followed.
“Did you believe her?” he telepathed. “It seemed all smoke and mirrors to me.”
“None of the sisters have ever led us astray. Did you feel the warmth around your eyes?”
“I did.”
“I’m thinking that’s how the magic was transmitted.”
“If you say so.” He pulled alongside her, but he seemed to be lost in thought.
As the landscape fell below them, her plan for catching Landry turned clearer. “I want to discuss something with you. How about we head to the SinCas building where no one can hear us?”
“I’d loved to be filled in.”
He seemed a bit peeved, but that was understandable. Once they landed, they shifted and headed down to an empty conference room on the top floor. “Coffee or tea?” she asked.
“Coffee is good. What’s going on?” Kyle asked.
He’d always been in charge of this whole investigation. “I’ve come up with a plan to lure Landry into a trap.” She poured two cups of coffee, placed the drinks on the table, and then sat across from him. “I believe Landry suspects we’re on to him.”
“If he saw you look over, I’ll have to agree.” Kyle sipped the coffee but set it down right away.
Before she had the chance to detail her plan, her cell rang. When she saw the name on the screen, her heart stopped.
Nessa held up the screen. Tom Delaney. “Shit.”