Dragon Magic: Ever Witch, #4

By Kit Bladegrave

Mysterious dragons. Fierce witches. Secret councils. Forbidden alliances. The Ever Witch Saga is just starting.

Life in the valley isn't exactly what Amelie thought it would be. She's not exactly happy with Jared, and she can't get her mind off of a specific dragon. Tank.

Tank's been in love with Amelie since that one fated kiss, years ago, when the war ended. He's tried to sink himself into projects to get her out of his mind.

Amelie invites Tank to a witch gathering. What they didn't count on was walking into a murder.

They also didn't count on the ghosts of dead dragons that would haunt Tank and need resolution.

 

Beware: Cliffhangers, violence can be found in this serial series of swicked action-packed fantasy, hot dragons, and fierce witches.

• Language: English
• Publisher: KitBla
• Release date: May 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393033974

Book preview

One

Tank

You know, if you get any bigger, you’re not going to fit through the door.

Slade sputtered on his beer.

Everest glowered at me from across the kitchen island as I waggled my eyebrows at her.

Are you trying to get yourself killed, man? Slade asked as he laughed.

I bit back a grin. I’m just saying.

Everest scratched her nose, turning her back to me. You know, Tank, one of these days you’ll have a wife of your own and a little Tank on the way, too. Giving her crap about her size is not going to be the first thing on your mind. She snapped her fingers.

I cursed as an electric shock raced up my back.

She smirked at me over her shoulder.

At least I didn’t say anything about her waddling, I added under my breath.

Slade clapped me on the shoulder.

I turned his way and grinned. Can’t believe it, mate. You’re going to be a dad.

Yeah, hasn’t really hit me yet either. Little over two months left to go. Crazy.

And Everest? How’s she doing, really? I still kept my voice low though she’d moved a few paces away, then left the kitchen.

Excited. Her mom’s been over here helping out when I’m too busy with being the official clan leader of the Shadowguards.

You’ve officially been the leader for almost—what? A couple years, I pointed out.

He nodded slowly. Still feels like yesterday. You’d tell me if I’m messing up, right?

Who are you talking to? ‘Course I would.

In the time since Radnak’s defeat, a lot had changed in the world of dragons and witches.

Slade and Everest lived in Leora-Pierce Valley with the majority of the Shadowguard dragons, including myself, Jenny and Preston, Davis, and Everest’s parents and brother. Everest’s dad, Aiden, was part of the Council. Major changes had been made, as far as rights for all dragon clans.

I hesitated to say the world was perfect, but compared to how life was before, we were living damned well.

For the first couple of years, I remained as Slade’s bodyguard, but there was no real need for him to have so many of us around. He and Everest hinted quite a few times that I needed to go out there and find my new life, whatever the hell that meant. It was wrong of me to say that without a war I didn’t have a purpose, but a lot of days I wasn’t sure what to do with myself. I wandered aimlessly around town, helping with odd jobs. There was no more need for training, but I stuck to my morning routine anyway. One hour working out, then another two training and sparring. Slade joined me most of the time unless he was needed elsewhere.

Everest wants you to go out with us this weekend, Slade said, sliding me another beer.

I grunted. Not happening.

Why not? You got big plans you haven’t shared with us?

I know what she’s up to, and it’s not going to work, I yelled into the doorway, so she could hear me. You hear me, Everest? Stop trying to set me up with single dragons.

You need a girlfriend, she shouted right back.

I’m just fine on my own.

Tank, it’s been years, Slade told me as if I needed reminding. There’s no war. The dragon clans are all at peace. The Council is working for us again. The valley is as perfect as it’s ever going to be. One of these days, you’re going to run out of projects at your house. Then what?

I downed the beer in my hand and slid it across the counter with the other empty bottles. I’ll think of something.

What’s wrong with dating a bit? Everest asked, returning to the kitchen.

Get that look off your face, I warned, pointing my finger at them both. I am fine. Hear me? I’m doing what I do. Living each day and all that crap.

Everest and Slade exchanged a look then she put her hand on my arm. We just want you to be happy. After the war, a lot of dragons lost so much. You’re not alone you know, in trying to cope. To find a new life.

Says the woman who’s happily married and having a baby.

Everest ran her hand over her growing belly, grinning. Yeah well, you should’ve been in this house with us for those first few months. Not all sprinkles and rainbows.

I mouthed those words—sprinkles and rainbows?—to Slade.

He rolled his eyes. Hormones. She’s been talking like that a lot.

What? Everest gave me a look. I don’t want the baby’s first word to be a curse word. She pulled me into a hug, or as much of a hug as she could manage, and I let her. If you ever need anything, you know we’re both here for you. The door’s always open.

I hugged her a bit tighter. I might not have been the one to slay Radnak, but I’d been through every fight with them, each one bloodier than the last. I’d told myself I was over all that, but every now and again I’d wake up from a nightmare thinking we were about to charge headlong into battle. I was anxious. This civilian life was not for me. Wishing for another war was horrible, but what else was a warrior like me supposed to do? Garden?

You two go out and have fun. I released her and shook Slade’s hand. I’ll find something to keep myself busy.

That’s what worries us. Slade gripped my hand a few seconds longer than necessary.

See you guys later.

I exited the house quickly, not giving them a chance to convince me to go out with them anyway. Too many evenings in the past, Everest said it would be the three of us, and then when I got there, we’d be joined by another single female Shadowguard she found in the valley. They were nice; that wasn’t the issue. There wasn’t a good fit. Having friends who cared was cool, but after a while it got old.

I trudged down the sidewalk from Slade and Everest’s home, a couple streets over to my own.

The simple one-story cottage had grown over the last few years. I’d added on an extra room, then another. A bathroom went in next and a large workshop. Though the inside was a mess most of the time. I changed the paint colors every couple of months, knocked down walls, added new ones. The kitchen wasn’t even suitable to use since I turned it into an almost full-time war room of sorts for all my renovations.

Walking inside, I shoved aside the hanging plastic and flipped on the lights.

What to do tonight?

The living room needed trim. I rolled up the sleeves of my flannel shirt and went to work cutting the trim and staining it. Rock music blared around me, not letting me fall victim to my memories. The truth was, no matter who Everest tried to set me up with, none of them was the one person I wanted to see joining them for dinner.

At least, not joining them to see me. During that final fight against Radnak, amid the chaos, a certain witch found herself surrounded by Blood Moon Priests ready to kill her. I’d rushed in without a thought and helped her fight them off. For the rest of the battle, we fought back to back as the enemy swarmed us. We fought as one.

Out of all my years of being a warrior, I never found that one person who I reacted to on pure instinct. When the battle ended, she found me later and kissed my cheek in thanks. I held her close, and the simple gesture had turned into an actual kiss that had stayed with me all this time.

Afterward, I told myself it was the adrenaline that made me do it, nothing more. Told her the same thing when she panicked, even as she held onto me like she hadn’t wanted to leave my arms. I’d backed away from her at that moment.

Coming between her and someone else was not the type of dragon I was.

A couple months later, I saw them together, hand in hand. They’d finally made themselves an official couple.

Gah, damn it!

Blood welled on my hand where the jagged edge of the wood cut into it. Women were trouble, nothing more, especially that one. I saw all the torment Slade went through with Everest, the emotional upheaval. Nope, that was not the life I wanted. I was doing fine on my own. Perfectly, fantastically fine.

Yeah, keep telling yourself that, I grunted as I wrapped a clean rag around my hand to stop the bleeding. Maybe I would go out tonight. Just not where Slade and Everest would be. They had enough on their plates with the baby coming. I did not need them worrying about my being alone.

Hand bandaged, I headed into the heart of town to grab a drink at the local bar that Jenny and Preston had opened. They’d managed to find a life after the war. Then again, they had each other, and I was still the loner.

I found my place at the end of the bar and ordered a lager. Jenny and Preston were absent, which was good. One lecture per day was enough for me. Too many actually, but still.

I’d drink my beer in peace, maybe have another, then go back home and wait for another day to be over.

Country music played over the speakers. Laughter and happy conversation filled the bar. I hunched my shoulders realizing this was a bad idea when someone plopped down a few stools away from me and ordered a shot.

The second I heard her voice, I froze. Why did I come out tonight?

You know what, make it two shots, the witch corrected.

She hadn’t seen me yet. I had a chance to sneak away and pretend I hadn’t realized she was here. Even as I told myself not to look her way, my eyes refused to listen, and I shifted on my stool. Her red hair was pulled back in a messy bun, and she tapped her nails loudly on the bar top. Her eyes were red and puffy like she’d been crying, and I grunted. She was upset. It wasn’t any of my business. Shouldn’t be.

Amelie. I inwardly cursed the second her name left my mouth.

She swallowed the first shot of clear liquid back and coughed as she spun around on her stool. Tank, hey. Her cheeks reddened as she continued to cough.

Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you.

No, it’s fine. She cleared her throat one more time, wiping at her eyes. I—uh, I didn’t expect to see anyone tonight. I look terrible I’m sure. She smoothed back her messy hair and thanked the bartender when he dropped off the second shot. What are you doing out tonight?

Not much. Having a beer. I hesitated to ask her if she was alright or not. Jared wasn’t here though, and I wasn’t an idiot. A small sliver of hope formed in the back of my mind that she wasn’t with him anymore. That, however, was a terrible thought to have for two people supposed to be my friends, and I shoved it away. Bad day?

Bad month, she mumbled, spinning the second shot glass around instead of taking it. You think everything is going to work out the way you see in the damned movies, but it never does.

I took a long drink of beer. I’d been thinking that for the last three years. Trouble in paradise?

She scowled at me as she drank the second shot, grimacing as it went down. Damn.

Do you drink like this often?

Nope, but I think tonight will be a special occasion. She raised her hand to the bartender, shaking the empty glass.

Maybe you should slow down. I scooted closer, so we sat right next to each other.

Maybe you should let a girl drink when her boyfriend just broke up with her and the guy she wasn’t expecting to spill her guts to shows up at the bar. Hey, she said loudly, trying to get the bartender’s attention. Make it a double.

I shook my head adamantly behind her.

The bartender winked.

I saw that.

Amelie shook her head at me.

I shrugged. What? And for the record, I was here first.

She mocked my words as the bartender brought her a single shot. She sighed, then lifted her hand. Green mist slipped from her fingers, and the bottle behind the bar lifted into the air, sailed across the bar, and landed right in front of her. She smirked as she reached for it.

I was faster and snatched it away.

Hey. Do you mind? She reached around me, but I easily held it out of her reach over my head. Even sitting down, I was way taller than her.

Grinning smugly, I gently shoved her back onto her stool. Have that one, then we’ll talk.

Whatever. She drank the other shot down, smacked her lips, and then hung her head. She grunted angrily as she messed up her hair with her hands.

When she was finished, I gave in and poured her another shot, but placed the bottle out of her reach.

Thanks. Her forehead rested on the bar, and she made no move to take the drink.

You—uh, you need something to eat if you’re going to drink like this.

Not hungry, she mumbled, her voice nearly drowned out by the music as she spoke to the floor.

I puffed out my cheeks, not sure what I was supposed to do in this situation. You, uh… hmm.

I rubbed the back of my neck debating on texting Everest to let her know her friend was here. She’d be better at handling this. Me, I was fighting between the urge to grin at the fact she was no longer with Jared and being the supportive friend I’d been these last few years.

You want to talk about it? Really? That was the best I could come up with? Rolling my eyes, I mentally smacked myself upside the head. How lame did that sound? Why would she want to talk about it with me?

No.

Then what do you want to do?

She perked up then, eyed the bottle, and shot me a grin. Two shots and she was already tipsy.

I’m not going to sit here and watch you drink all night, I warned.

No one said you had to.

My cell was in my hand to text Everest when Amelie sniffed hard and wiped at her eyes. Crying. She was crying, and I was going to leave her sitting at the bar alone. Grumbling to myself and considering kicking Jared around the next time I saw him, I shoved my phone away and poured Amelie a drink.

Did you drive here?

Nope, I walked so I can stumble my depressed ass all the way back home.

The typically happy, chipper Amelie was nowhere in sight when she took the next shot. She didn’t want to talk about what happened with her and Jared. That was fine. I’d get her mind off him somehow.

The song changed on the overhead speakers and checking to make sure Preston was nowhere in sight to give me shit for it later, I got off my stool. I held out my hand to Amelie, but all she did was stare at it.

Come on.

What are we doing? Her hand slipped into mine.

And suddenly, I was back at the end of the battle when we kissed.

Roughly, I cleared my throat and without a word, guided her to the small open area by the jukebox. I placed my hand on her hip after placing her free one on my shoulder.

She burst out in laughter.

My brow rose as we moved around. I was doing most of the work since she was laughing too hard to be much help. I expected her to pull away and go back to the bar, but then I spun her out and brought her back in.

Her laughter died down, and she simply smiled at me, her hair a right mess, and those green eyes regaining some of their happiness. The first song drifted into another, and we danced on and on, not saying a word.

If Slade saw this, I’d never hear the end of it.

Thank you, Amelie finally said when we came to a slow stop, and just swayed.

Didn’t do much.

Yes, you did, and you know it. Tank, the big tough dragon is really just a big soft teddy bear. She giggled again. That’s it, that’s your new name.

What?

Bear. I like it.

Think I’ll stick with Tank.

She sighed as I gave her a wolfish grin.

You can’t let anyone know my secret.

That you’re a nice guy under all that hardassness?

Hardassness? I repeated.

She laughed.

Wow, that’s it, cutting you off.

What else would you call it? You walk around all macho man, she said as she planted her fists on her hips and puffed out her cheeks, just like this, see?

I couldn’t help but smile with her. You saying you don’t like how I look?

Never said that. Her smile fell, and a weird look came over her face. She hurried back to the bar.

I frowned, wondering what I said wrong.

As I approached, and she poured herself another shot.

She gave me a sad, sideways look. You know, I never forgot.

I swallowed hard. Forgot what?

Don’t do that. You know exactly what I’m talking about. She drank the liquor and shivered. Damn. Her face screwed up and then she burst out laughing. Funny, isn’t it? I thought all this time I really liked Jared, but then he was never around, and when he was, he wasn’t. You know? And then everywhere I go in this town, I have to see happy dragon couples. And Everest and Slade… and they’re having a baby. She wiped angrily at her eyes.

I shifted uncomfortably, not sure what to do.

I’m sorry, I just… years, you know? It’s a long time, and I messed up.

No, you didn’t, I let slip out.

She nodded sending her hair flying. Yeah, I did. I let myself get caught up in all the happiness hype. It was all a lie. She turned around like she was going to march out the door but tripped over her own feet.

I snatched her up, not letting her hit the floor, and sighed.

Why are you being nice to me? she mumbled as I held her against my side, reaching for my wallet to pay.

I’m your friend. It’s what friends do. I tossed some bills on the counter then tried to help Amelie walk out the door. We managed to reach the sidewalk when her legs gave out, and I picked her up instead. Right, time for you to go to sleep.

Not my place, she mumbled, curling in against my chest.

Warmth rushed through me, and I froze, hearing her breathe in my shirt and sigh content. Then where? Amelie?

Her eyes were closed as she breathed deep.

Great, she passed out.

I’m going to regret this. I hefted her up in my arms.

Better then set off for my place.

She’d wake up in the morning and forget everything she said to me.

None of it would matter.

She would leave, and I’d go back to attempting to forget that one damned kiss.

Yeah, right.

Two

Amelie

I opened my eyes then shut them just as fast with a curse. Why did the light burn? Sitting up was even worse. It felt like my brain was rolling around inside my skull, crashing into the sides of my skull repeatedly. What had I done last night? The last thing I remembered was Jared and I getting in a fight and him flying away as I yelled after him that he was wrong.

Now in the glaring morning sun, I realized he was right.

We both thought the feelings we had for each other in the beginning would last. As time went on though, we drifted apart. He was constantly working to restructure the new Hunters and aiding his father with the Council. I was busy helping those here in the valley, keeping up with my witch training under Selma, and being there for Everest.

I grunted in annoyance and hunkered back down on the couch. I loved Everest and Slade, was glad they were together, but their happiness sometimes made me wish I had my own. Probably why I refused to admit Jared was right about our not working out. Why we should’ve given up years ago and just been friends.

I let my arm fall to the couch then frowned.

Couch.

Why was I on a couch?

Slowly opening my eyes and squinting against the sunlight, I glanced around. Plastic covered furniture and hung from a doorway across the room. A set of stairs were behind me, and there were a