A Wizard for Christmas by Dorothy McFalls Read Free Book Online

see here,” Newton protested. “This is a crime scene. I can’t just let you carry the body off.”
    “We’re handling this one,” Hadrian said. The team from the café carefully wrapped their friend in a silvery cloth and then lifted him from the ground.
    “But—but—” Newton sputtered.
    “Don’t file a report. Don’t do anything. The mayor will back me up on this.” The power rolling off Hadrian intensified to the point that Holly was even nodding in agreement and Hadrian wasn’t even speaking to her.
    Newton’s shoulders fell. “I understand. But what about Miss Post? If she was attacked last night, perhaps she can help us stop the bas—”
    “This will end,” Hadrian said, grimly. “One way or the other it will end.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Despite Hadrian’s concern that Holly might try and bolt again, he decided to bring her back to The Oblique Café. If the creature was targeting the group, it would be safer for them to stick together. Besides, he’d told her that she was a wizard and she didn’t scream or try to run away. Perhaps her powers were finally starting to wake up.
    Frank Stone had called a meeting at the café. Hadrian could see through the glassed café door that the inside of the café was packed.
    “The café is exactly where I expected it to be,” Holly was saying as Hadrian put his hand on the front door. “It’s exactly where it is every time you bring me here and exactly where it isn’t every time I go looking for it. Why is that?”
    “Because you’re not ready to find it on your own.”
    She tilted her head and considered that a moment. “And am I ready now?”
    “Did you see the café before I touched the door?”
    The thought about it for a moment and then frowned. “No, I didn’t. What does that mean?”
    “It means you’re not ready.” He wished she was, but she wasn’t.
    And if she still wasn’t ready for the magic to flare to life, he doubted she’d handle returning to the café now any better than the first two times that she’d run away as if demons from hell were chasing her. Still, letting her go back to her apartment was too dangerous. The creature had tasted her. It had formed a connection with her.
    If he had to, he would use his powers against her. He’d hold her against her will. He would keep her safe from the soul eater, even if it meant forcing her to face a life that her mind wasn’t ready to face.
    Better to have a broken mind than no soul.
    Hadrian ran a hand over his face as he fought an urge to turn her head to his and kiss away those fears that were darkening her pretty eyes. Damn it, he’d started to have feelings for Holly Post. Strong feelings.
    Feelings that could prove fatal for the both of them. Frank Stone had said several times that they needed Holly to defeat the soul eater. But how could a New One who didn’t have enough magic inside her to find the doorway to the café defeat one of the oldest creatures on Earth? Hell, the soul eater had nearly chewed her up and spit her out without a second thought. And it had defeated Justin, who had been a scary wizard with some amazing powers.
    So why did Stone want Holly? Why had he insisted that Hadrian force her to accept that she was a wizard before she was ready?
    Hadrian didn’t like it. And he didn’t like the way his chest tightened when he thought about sending Holly back out to face the soul eater again.
    He took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. “I’m not going to let anything bad happen to you. I promise. I’ll protect you from anything that might want to harm you.” He’d even stand against the powerful Frank Stone if necessary.
    “Thank you.” Holly rose up onto her toes and pressed her lips to his.
    She might not have any magical powers, but that kiss... The heat of it nearly knocked Hadrian onto his backside. His head was still spinning as he pushed open the café door and led Holly down the rabbit hole.
    As anticipated, the café was crowded. Hushed