Page 49 of Draven

She glanced around the library, as if suddenly aware of our surroundings.

"We should talk somewhere more private," Lucinda suggested.

"Private? But we're... at work?" I asked, feeling a bit foolish, but her words had me deeply concerned.

"We'll close up for a bit. No one comes here at this hour anyway," she assured me.

I nodded, feeling a little numb. After closing up, Lucinda gently led me to her car. I felt that odd sensation again, as if someone was watching us.

I looked around, but only saw normal townsfolk going about their business. Lucinda called my name and I looked at her.

"Do you sense that?" I asked.

She frowned, following my gaze to a nearby tree.

"What am I supposed to be sensing?" she asked.

I shook my head. If Lucinda didn't feel threatened, maybe it was just me, overthinking things.

But I remembered the feeling of being watched in the woods and couldn't dismiss the idea entirely.

Unsettled, I got into Lucinda's car. I thought we were going to a café or something, but instead, she drove me to the town's magic store, coincidentally owned by her coven.

I'd never been to the shop before, though I had been curious about it when it first opened.

Shifters generally had very little affinity for magic, so there was no reason for me to have visited it. The bell on the door rang softly as we entered.

"Lucinda, it's good of you to come,” greeted a friendly voice.

An elderly woman looked at me and smiled kindly.

"So, you're the dragon's mate?” She asked.

I blinked, finally fully aware of where I was. I glanced at Lucinda, uncertain about who this other witch was.

"This is Darcy, the head of my coven," Lucinda introduced.

"Earlier, she texted me. Your dragon stopped by the shop, you see, and purchased a protection charm,” Lucinda explained.

I swallowed hard. "Will that help? Against a black witch?" I asked, my desperation showing.

"Against a wannabe witch meddling with dark forces, absolutely. But a member of the Payne coven?" Lucinda responded, her tone grave.

Like Lucinda, Darcy paled at the mention of the Paynes. It sent a chill down my spine and my own sense of unease intensified.

Suddenly, I felt lightheaded, my vision swimming as if the ground had been pulled out from under me.

I swayed on my feet, and Lucinda's quick reflexes saved me from a potential fall. She grabbed my arm, steadying me.

"Tobias, sit down," she urged, guiding me towards a nearby stool.

Darcy acted swiftly, grabbing the stool and placing it beneath me. I lowered myself onto it, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over me.

"Thank you," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.

The room seemed to spin around me so I took a few moments to breathe in and out.

I didn’t know how much time had passed. The next thing I knew, Lucinda handed me a cup of chamomile tea.