Page 26 of Knight of the Sword

“Smith asked her to. He also makes generous donations to this clinic. I would think an attorney like you would understand politics,” Michael said.

Robert narrowed his eyes just as his cell binged a text message. He pulled it out, scowling as he read it. “I’ve got to go. The judge moved my case up on the docket.” He shoved the phone back into his pocket. “But I’m not finished with this conversation, Sophie. I’ll call you soon.”

As Janie showed him to the door, Sophie turned her attention back to Michael.

The road trip. How in the world was she going to be able to spend time in a car or plane with him after that dream? To say nothing of hotel rooms… Sophie folded her hands around her coffee cup to keep them from trembling.

“Maybe Robert is right. I still don’t see how I can be of help in finding the Sword. How do you know that riddle was meant for me? That part about “he who sees the firedrake, the Sword will take”—well, a lot of people have seen the dragon. That’s why the reporters are out there.”

“True, but the dragon only sits on your lawn,” Michael answered, “and he’s not done any damage. I’d say that’s pretty clear-cut that you have something to do with finding the Sword.” He leaned toward her. “Have you never felt—sensed—special powers? Visionary, maybe?”

Sophie felt her cheeks flame. Dear God. Visions? Could he know about the erotic dream she’d had? She would be totally mortified if he even thought—and why was he looking at her so strangely? Another wave of heat fanned her face.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

She was definitely not “all right.” She’d never had a hot, porno dream in her life, let alone climaxed from one—and that had happened. And now, all she could think of was what Michael looked like without his shirt on. Damn again. In all likelihood, she might just be having a nervous breakdown to boot.

“Sure,” she finally said, “if you count the fact that a dragon visits me and last night he brought a friend who looked like he was on fire, but wasn’t burning. If that’s normal, then I’m fine.”

Michael sat up straighter. “A man on fire?”

Sophie set her cup down. He was probably going to suggest she see a psychiatrist or, worse, call 911 and have her taken away. But she had to tell someone. The Media, thankfully, had not arrived until after the man and dragon had already disappeared.

“I know it sounds crazy. The guy was standing next to the dragon and there were orange, red, and blue flames surrounding him. It was almost like he was wearing the fire.” She suddenly hid her face in both hands, tears spilling over. “It’s crazy. Maybe I’m crazy—”

“You’re not crazy.” In one swift move, he was holding her in his arms and her head was resting against his hard chest. His hands stroked up and down her back in a soothing motion. She could feel the steady beating of his heart. So normal. For a few moments she allowed herself to bask in his comforting touch. Sophie swiped at a tear and managed a trembling smile as she straightened.

“How many women do you know that see dragons and men-on-fire?” She stifled a hiccup. “There are all sorts of mental disorders that can cause hallucinations—”

“You listen to me, Sophie.” Michael set her down gently in her chair and perched on the desktop next to her. “The dragon is real. The reporters wouldn’t be outside if they hadn’t seen him too. And the man—well, he really isn’t a man.”

Sophie stared at him. “I’m making him up?”

“No. He’s real. He’s just not human.” Michael took her hand and held it between his. “He is the Celtic god of fire. His name is Tanio.”

“A god of fire,” Sophie repeated, still staring at him. “Sure. Why not?”

“I know this all sounds strange to you,” Michael said, “and I know you have a hard time accepting something that can’t be proved by science, but these ancient gods still exist. Remember the talk we had?” When she nodded slowly, he continued. “Tanio is the god of dragons. It was he who provided the special fire that forged Excalibur. It’s not surprising that he is here. What is surprising is that he showed himself to you. The ancient gods normally prefer to stay hidden from today’s world. It only proves, though, that you are going to be important in finding the Sword.” He released her hand and stood. “I need to check on a few things—and I think the sooner we can get started in our search, the better it will be.”

“It doesn’t sound like I have a choice anymore,” she said resignedly. “Thank God the Media doesn’t know about the “Come to the lake” part of the riddle or they’d be swarming over the shores of every lake within a hundred miles.”

Michael smiled. “If the Tarot correlation holds true, Texas would be too far west for the Sword. It’s somewhere in the deep South.” He leaned down and gave her a quick kiss on her cheek. “I’ll call you later.”

Watching him leave, Sophie touched her cheek where he had kissed her. It had been a gentle, brotherly kiss, nothing at all like last night’s torrid ones. And that was fine. Michael didn’t seem to be harboring any lustful thoughts about her. Maybe this would work out. They could find the Sword, for whatever it was worth, and then her life could get back to normal. She would be in control of herself again. No more dragons or men to give her sleepless nights.

So why didn’t that sound good?

****

Morgan narrowed her eyes as she removed the coffee cup from Sophie’s desk. The woman had to be a witch from another coven. Why else would Michael—who usually had a devil-may-care bad-boy attitude—be so attentive and caring over that bitch? The way he held Sophie—Morgan had seen the healing blue aura surrounding them, and she hadn’t missed the flecks of bright orange that was his lust, either. Michael had never held her that way, not even when she’d managed to trip and fall right into his embrace at the moon ritual a few nights ago. And he had never looked at her the way he did Sophie.

She looked down at the empty cup. Maybe next time she would put something else into it. Something that would make Sophie break out in hives and rashes. Michael wouldn’t think the bitch so beautiful when she was itching and mottled with a rash.

Glancing through the door to make sure she wasn’t watched, Morgan quickly put her hand under the desk and removed the tiny clip from the listening device and inserted a new one. Part of their conversation had been about the Sword, but she’d not been able to hear all of it, due to the blasted phone ringing.

She slipped the clip into her pocket and smiled. Baylor would be pleased. And when Baylor was pleased, she could get more modeling contracts from him, not to mention he would teach her new sexual skills as well—skills she would use on Michael. Skills that other women didn’t even know of. Pain and pleasure.

Michael would be so pleased with her ministrations.