idiot.
“You mean the Boar War,” Collin corrected, ambling out into the hallway.
“Yes, that,” Lachlan agreed, waving his hand as the ground beneath them began rumbling. “Oh, no…brace yourselves!”
In a fluidly quick motion, Collin shielded his eyes. In the next instant, a fiercely brilliant dark pink light shot through the hall.
Molly couldn’t believe what she was seeing. She sheathed Anwyn, bit her lower lip, and knew that her vow of magical abstinence would be tested greatly in the coming moments.
“Hello, Morganna,” she said, wincing as irritation carried through her voice.
LADY PENDRAGON MARLEY MATHEWS 23
Chapter Three
Morganna glanced at Molly briefly, and then turned her piercing blue-eyed stare on the shifty Lachlan.
“I’m going to finally put you out of my misery, you little green wart!” Morganna raged.
Molly watched alarmed as the woman’s flawless alabaster skin became mottled with fury.
Lachlan quickly dashed behind Molly and grabbed hold of her crimson leather trench coat.
“Let go of me, Lachlan,” Molly said, trying to wrench out of his tight-fisted grasp. “What in the great stars above did you wager that has riled Morganna so?” she demanded, calmly staring at her aunt, who was at the moment flexing her long fingers before she used her magic.
“We were playing a wee game of faerie chess,” Lachlan began, poking his head out from behind Molly. “I had a wee bit much of Poteen and well, I was a bit tipsy,” he continued to hedge, as Molly spewed out an impatient gust of air.
Morganna cleared her throat, and was about to speak when Lachlan let out a horrified gasp.
“What am I standing in?” he asked, staring in dismay at his polished black boots. “Saints above, me boots are dirty!” he exclaimed, letting out a loud and clearly emphasized sigh.
Whatever was said about leprechauns, there was one thing one could always count on.
They were lovers of all things that adorned your feet, and prided themselves in the shoemaking craft.
Molly knew it had to be killing Lachlan to see that his prized boots had dust all over their soles. If he knew what kind of dust he would have an even bigger fit. So, she would just have to tell him the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Sometimes, she even impressed herself.
Molly rolled her eyes and casually rested her hand on Anwyn’s jeweled hilt. Trying to maintain her calm composure proved to be quite the challenge. She wouldn’t lose it and start laughing. She’d just dealt with a very serious matter and no matter how funny Lachlan’s reaction might be, she had to stay focused.
“Vampire dust,” she declared nonchalantly.
Lachlan yelped, did a jig and then quickly jumped out of the dust.
Morganna seemed unperturbed by Molly’s announcement, though she did stiffen slightly.
Molly reached behind her and pulled Lachlan out in front of her.
“They aren’t still here, are they?” Lachlan demanded fearfully, darting his head back and forth as he searched for more vampires. “Nasty creatures, always hated them,” Lachlan said shuddering. “I knew I should’ve stayed in the other realm. “ Disgust filled his voice.
“No, Lachlan, they aren’t still here, I’ve slain them,” Molly muttered, unconsciously tapping her foot against the hard wood flooring, as Morganna moved closer to her.
“Thank me lucky rainbow,” Lachlan breathed.
Without one ounce of warning, Morganna shot her hand out for him. She grabbed him by his collar. Molly was surprised that Lachlan hadn’t already made a hasty retreat. If Morganna was out for his jugular, then he was in some heavy-duty trouble. Whatever they’d bet must have been of some importance.
LADY PENDRAGON MARLEY MATHEWS 24
“You tricked me, you smelly little Irish toad,” Morganna seethed, staring down at him in loathing.
Molly’s lips twitched. She shifted her weight to her other foot. She was trying very hard to keep from laughing.
“I