Lila nodded with a smile. “I’ll claim him as kin. He’s an ice dragon.”
Billie’s eyes widened. “I’ve never met a dragon before. That’s amazing.”
I puffed out my chest, not used to receiving such a welcome reception for being a dragon. “Well, maybe later I can shift into my form for you.”
She clapped her hands excitedly. “Ooh, can I take a picture of you when you do?”
“I don’t know what that is but sure.”
Lila leaned toward us. “It’s a copy of your appearance. Like a painting but much quicker.”
I never had anyone want a painting of me before. Even in dragon form. Between the bourbon, Billie’s pack, and now this adoration, the human world really wasn’t what I thought. Despite the unnatural scent in the air.
Xander clapped his hands together, grabbing our attention. “So, what’s the plan? These two only have a month here before the court starts imprisoning their family.”
Billie’s honey-colored eyes rounded in shock. “Right, so I think we should start with my coven. It’s probable that someone can help you. I called a friend to stop by who might help. She does mind magic.”
Daniel nodded. “Also, I can put feelers out to the fae in this realm and Kai, our incubus, is good at tracking down types of magic. For all we know, it could be demon, angelic, or elven magic.”
I hadn’t thought about that, but if witches could get in our realm, it wouldn’t be surprising if other beings could as well. “Oh, that reminds me. I need to find a family member here as well. He’s an ice dragon, and Lila, he could be of help to you with finding your people.”
“Do you know where he is?” Daniel asked.
I nodded confidently. “Yes, he is in the United States.”
Lila cackled. “Care to narrow it down?”
I lifted my shoulders. “That’s all I got. Why, that’s not enough?”
Daniel rested his head on the back of the couch. “Like a needle in a haystack.”
“Well, that’s all my family would tell me. My mother was estranged from her brother. I don’t even know if he knows she’s gone.”
Jalisa placed a hand on my back, slowly rubbing in circles. It wasn’t a leap for her to figure out that the lack of information was frustrating for me, even with our bond. “We should be happy they knew enough to tell us he went to the United States. We can give you his name. Assuming he didn’t change it.”
We heard the doorbell ring, and Billie moved to get up. However, Daniel patted her knee and stood up. “That should be Shante,” he stated before leaving.
I rubbed my forehead, suddenly tired. “It’s very probable that my uncle is in hiding and using a false name.”
Billie frowned. “Why would he be in hiding?”
“He left because he did something really bad and had to go on the run. He was giving the family a bad name and putting us in jeopardy. My father only knew a little of the details because my mother didn’t talk much about it. Apparently to protect him.”
Xander gave a low whistle, gray eyes excited. “Family mystery. Intriguing.”
Approaching footsteps stole my attention, and I looked behind me to see Daniel return with a wide eyed, polished woman. She had long, straight, black hair and was wearing a purple dress and knee-high boots. A small, structured bag hung from the inside of her right elbow. I wasn’t great at reading energy, but there was something very confident about her. If she was here to help, she certainly gave the aura of someone who could get things done.
“It’s a packed house tonight,” she surmised. She waved at Billie and Lila. “Hey girls.” Then her eyes went to Xander, and she narrowed them. “Xander.”
He wrapped his arms around himself and shivered, his face highly amused. “Chilly greeting.”
“You caused a fight at a bar when you last visited that my husband had to pull several strings to cover up. He owes favors he shouldn’t have to owe in order to protect you. I thought he banned you from ever coming back.”
Xander raised a finger, looking far from remorseful. “Actually, he said, I was only allowed to move about if supervised.” He pointed to Lila. “My guardian is right here with me.”
She sucked her teeth. “I should call him. You should have told me he was here, Billie.”
Billie gave an apologetic shrug. “Sorry, Shante.”
