Magic and Mayhem: How To Date A Dragon (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Baba Yaga Saga Book 2) by Donna McDonald Read Free Book Online Page B

him, Nathaniel? I’ve never laid eyes on him nor come across him in person in three centuries. I know he thinks I’m an idiot for even serving the Council of Witches because he sent someone to tell me so. He suggested I rebel against Morgana and relegate my duties to some other fool. Those were his exact words.”
    Nathaniel’s shoulders moved inside his robes. “I was fifteen and just coming into my power. While walking through the woods, I came across five mages working to bring one lone mage down. They were doing something to drain his power away. It was the first time I felt that level of dark and powerful magic. In my youthful naiveté, all I saw was Zenos trying to defend himself. It didn’t occur to me to wonder if he deserved his fate. I simply helped break their hold on him, then watched him kill all five without a moment’s hesitation. It stuns me now just as much as it did back then. He had absolutely no remorse.”
    Jezibaba smiled. “I cannot judge him for that, Nathaniel. I have felt little remorse for my actions and even that little has dwindled further over time. But back to your story… so for honor’s sake, Zenos let you live and promised you a favor.”
    Nathaniel nodded. “Yes. That’s close enough to what occurred, and really all I can share with you. Calling Zenos can only be done magically, but I have a way. He gave me a charm to use.”
    “Is his magic as large as the legends say it is?” she asked.
    “You’re the only other magical being I’ve ever met who exhibited as much power as he seemed to possess.”
    “Good to know that at least.” Jezibaba shook her head as she frowned. What once was true was no longer the case, but the only person who knew that was Morgana. She had confessed to no other. “Why would Zenos help us, Nathaniel? His non-involvement policy is as equally infamous as his magic. He’s plainly not the altruistic sort. Do you honestly see him being interested in training the girls?”
    “Zenos doesn’t have to be genuinely interested. The charm is an honor bound spell in and of itself. Not to brag about my negotiating skills, M’lady… but Zenos will have no choice but to grant my request. Once I call in the favor, he must fulfill his promise to me or forfeit his life. I know he will never do that because he hates Morgana The Red more than any other creature he’s ever known.”
    ***
    “No… not like that.” Carol vaulted over the fence and ran to the two girls in the training ring. “Melanie, you’re dancing away from the attack again. Shift your right foot until it grounds you to the earth beneath your feet. You’re an elf, not a fairy. You have no wings. You have stealth and the earth will shield you if you ask. You don’t want to be bopping around when Cindi comes after you with her spear. She’ll pop you like a balloon.”
    She stepped in front of Melanie to face Cindi and motioned with her hand for combat. When the girl attacked, Carol grabbed the spear and pulled it easily from her hand. She turned and handed the spear to Melanie.
    “See how that works? If I had done the yank with more force, I would have put Cindi on the ground while I was taking the spear away. That would have given me complete control over her.”
    Melanie nodded, then nervously giggled. “No wonder Iren ended up on the floor.”
    Carol ducked her head and nodded. She sighed because she still hadn’t done what she’d promised herself she would do. “That wasn’t right of me. I owe your older brother an apology.”
    Melanie rolled her eyes and shook her head. “No you don’t. I told him to talk to you if he likes you so much. I did not tell him to cop a feel of your butt. But he’s a stupid guy and wouldn’t listen to me… oh, no.”
    Carol’s head came up. “Are you saying Iren likes me?”
    Melanie chuckled. “In the worst way. You couldn’t tell?”
    “From the slapping, pinching, and ass grabs? No. Not really,” Carol said, grinning. “Maybe I just don’t