Page 17 of An Enchanted Knight

Suddenly Liam held both hands out for silence and his eyes shut. “The mountain of lightning houses a dragon.”

Then he opened his eyes and looked at them, shrugging. “Whatever that means, I am not sure. I say we are to go forth and convince him to share his toys with us.” Liam motioned toward snowcapped mountains to their right.

A disgusted look on his face, Gavin pulled out his dirk and cut the dragon emblem from the prisoner’s breastplate, while the downed man didn’t stir but watched through cold, flat eyes.

He held the emblem up studying it. “Is this a foresight, Murray? Or are ye just making up shit?”

Liam’s jaw visibly tensed, but he didn’t reply. Instead, he turned away and looked up at the cloudless sky and raised his arms, palms up, as he often did when seeking foresight. A grunt from their prisoner the only sound as they waited.

Tristan kneeled down to the warrior and pulled his helmet off. Other than cloudy eyes, the soulless creature didn’t project any emotion. “What is your purpose?” Tristan asked him.

No answer.

“Tell me why I shouldn’t end your miserable life right now.”

The creature seemed to consider his answer before speaking. “I know where the dragon’s lair is.” The voice a mixture of many.

“So do I.” Tristan pulled out his dirk, about to cut the cursed thing’s throat, when Liam’s curt order stopped him.

“He must accompany us. The reason will become clear.”

Chapter Ten

Gwen didn’t know what to think when she woke up on the edge of the bed covered with the spare blanket. If it wasn’t for the damp cloth Tristan left on the side table, she’d convince herself it’d been another strange dream. Maybe this was it. She’d finally gone over the edge like her Great-Aunt Bernice.

Aunt Bernice, her grandmother’s sister, had spent the last years of her life in a mental institution, convinced the ghost of a Civil War general followed her around like a puppy. Her aunt would insist people acknowledge the general, to the point of becoming angry if one looked in the wrong direction when talking to him.

Gwen wondered if they’d been unfair to Aunt Bernice. After the past few days, she could sincerely relate.

Would she come to the same belief as Edith? That Tristan McRainey was a real man, not a ghost, a man trapped in an enchantment. An enchantment, which could only be broken by her.

Reaching for her cell phone, she called her sisters. Faced with the tremendous situation, she needed their help.

She also needed for them to pull out their most precious item when faced with situations like this. It was a book of spells their mother had used when training them.

The “Magic book,” as they’d come to call it, contained recipes for potions, the aged pages filled with scribbles and notes from generations past. There were spells, letters, and all kinds of annotations referring to certain experiences. Everything was covered, from simple elixirs for aches, to dealing with the paranormal.

Gwen and her sisters currently shared a spacious condo in the Buckhead area of Atlanta. Originally, Gwen had purchased it. Her sister Sabrina, a photographer, had moved in a year later, upon accepting a photo shoot that would last months.

Although Sabrina considered Atlanta her residence, the successful photographer spent most of her time traveling all over the world for shoots.

The youngest, Tamara, had recently moved into the condo after a breakup. The consummate free spirit and fun company to have, Gwen doubted Tamara would remain long.

When Tamara’s voice chirped a hello, Gwen couldn’t help but smile, picturing the pixie sitting cross-legged on the bed, probably in pink shorts and t-shirt, her blonde hair in a messy ponytail.

“Hey, Sis,” Tammie exclaimed. “I’m so glad you called. Sabrina and I were wondering how it’s been going.” She continued without giving Gwen a chance to answer—typical. “How beautiful is that place? It looks amazing from the pictures you sent.”

Sabrina must have taken the phone from Tammie. “Hey, Sis. Please tell me there is a handsome laird who lives in that castle. I am tempted to rush there just to take pictures.”

“There is one man who will inherit the castle. His name is Derrick and yes, he is handsome,” Gwen said, wanting to tell them about Tristan and how she found him much more alluring.

She had to move the phone away from her ear at Tammie’s excited scream. “I am googling him right now.”

Ignoring her sister, Gwen continued. “I am faced with something a bit different than I expected. The woman who hired me insists the apparition is not a ghost, but someone trapped in an enchantment of some sort. I am definitely going to need to refer to the Magic Book.”

Sabrina’s husky voice sounded serious. “You need the book? Really? How are we going to get it to you? We can’t very well mail it.”

Gwen fidgeted a little. She hadn’t thought about that. “Video call?”