Page 1 of Knight of the Sword

Chapter One

Present Day, Dallas, Texas

“Come on, baby. I could make you come in ten seconds.” The male voice on the other end of the phone sounded smug. “Or maybe less.”

Sophie Cameron clenched a fist and willed herself not to slam the phone down on her ex-husband. She would not give him the satisfaction of riling her. Lord, the divorce had been final for over a year.

“Remember how I used to—”

“That’s enough, Robert. I don’t care to have phone sex with you.”

“I could come over. It would be more fun that way.”

“No, thanks.”

“Why not?”

He actually sounded hurt and confused. Sophie made a sound of disgust. Robert was a good actor, a trait he used as a courtroom lawyer to his advantage. He’d totally had her believing he was faithful—looking her straight in the eyes and telling her he loved her—only his version of love included dalliances with whoever else caught his fancy.

“Did you and Amber have another spat?” she asked. That’s when he usually called.

There was silence on the other end. Then he said, “We broke it off.”

“Seems to me that happens about once a month.”

“Ah, baby. Don’t be so hard on me. This time’s for real. I came home last night and another guy was in our bed. You were right, baby, about everything. Amber was just using me. Liked the fact that I’m a big-shot attorney.” He sighed audibly and his tone softened. “I could have you hot for me in five minutes. Sex was always great for us.”

“I suspect sex is great for you no matter who is in your bed,” Sophie replied. “The answer is no.”

“Ah, baby, you’re just angry with me. I can’t blame you. Just let me come over there and I’ll prove I can make you feel—”

Sophie clicked the Off button silently in the middle of his spiel. What he had done to her was far worse than physically being unfaithful. She had lost her ability to trust any man. They all thought with their smaller head than the one that was attached to their shoulders. Who needed them anyway?

Besides which, she had her work. Sophie picked up her truck keys and headed out the door for the animal clinic. At least there she had unconditional love. Four-legged animals didn’t betray you.

****

Nimue wasn’t exactly the most reliable faerie in the realm.

Michael McCain ran a hand through his unruly dark hair and looked around the hotel room again, his warlock senses on high alert. Little tendrils of magic still laced the air…thin silvery threads that were his friend Sara’s, and stronger golden ones that were no doubt the shifter, Lucas Ramsey’s. Michael sniffed the air. A slight trace of sulfur also lingered. No doubt, Adam Baylor had been here too, but Michael felt no life essence.

The immortal bastard had escaped.

If Nimue were to be believed, Lucas and Sara had successfully recovered the Spear of Light, one of four sacred relics the Lady had given the human world centuries ago to protect it from infinite evil, and they were in hiding somewhere. Nimue had hardly made sense last night when she arrived, chattering about that damn fool Merlin, who couldn’t unbind his own spells. She had thrust a piece of paper into Michael’s hands, told him he had to go to Lewiston, Maine immediately, and then she had vanished before he could question her further.

Typical faerie.

He took the paper from his jeans and unfolded it to read a poem of sorts that didn’t make much sense.

The sky’s afire

With one knight’s sire

He who sees the firedrake

The Sword will take

Come, come to the lake