Page 97 of Christmas Magic

A fridge.

Fridge?

His eyes opened. A white-painted ceiling stretched above him. Ah. The antique store’s back room. Why, though, was he lying on the floor? His sluggish mind seemed reluctant to divulge the answer.

As he lifted his right arm to drag his hand down his face, he heard a faint squeaking sound. What the—?

Pop.

He abruptly sat up. Grimaced. His body ached like he’d been thrown from a galloping steed.

“Lucian popped.” Galahad.

“Again,” a childlike voice said, followed by giggling. “Pop. Pop!”

As he remembered Molly’s assault—and realized the squire’s treachery—Lucian scowled. Galahad and Tim lay like grinning sphynxes on the threshold of the room.

“Uh-oh. He’s mad,” Tim mewled.

“Maybe he’s going to pop again,” Galahad said.

The kitten giggled. “A reawwy woud pop!”

“He’s trying to hold it in.”

Both cats, laughing, collapsed onto their sides.

Gritting his teeth, Lucian glanced behind him. As he’d thought: bubble wrap. While it must have been the most convenient thing to grab for a pillow, Molly could have fetched him a cushion from an antique chair.

Cora, his lady love, would never have treated him in such a way. Yet another reason that proved he and Molly were not destined to be together.

He pushed to standing. He yearned to see Cora, to make sure she was all right. She’d better not have been harmed in any way while he’d been oblivious.

Misgiving gnawed at him, because he had no idea why Molly had used her magic on him—and strong enough magic enough to incapacitate him. There must have been a reason.

He wasn’t under an enchantment. The idea was preposterous. So, why had she knocked him out? What had she done while he’d been unable to stop her?

She could have been in touch with Dealers.

She could have sold him out to them.

She could have given the Dealers dangerous items from the dark magic collection.

God, no. Please, no.

He was going to get answers from Molly. Right now.

He headed to the door. Seeing him approach, Galahad and Tim stood.

“Lucian’s headed our way,” the squire yowled, as though to warn the others in the store.

Fury burned in Lucian’s veins. They’d better be worried—each and every one of them. He didn’t appreciate being betrayed by those he trusted.

As he approached the threshold, he heard Molly’s voice. She was in the room beyond—

Thud.

A flash of light.