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“What did you find out?”
    “We need to get out of here. Now.”
     “What do you mean?”
    “When is your brother’s birthday?”
    Callie knitted her brow. “In a few days I think. What does that have to do with anything?”
    “In case you’ve forgotten, it’ll be his twenty-fifth. The – parden the pun – magic year for a wizard. He’ll come into his full power during his birth minute on his twenty-fifth birthday.”
    Callie nodded. “That’s true. I came into mine three years ago, but I haven’t let my Magik come to fruition. I’ve kept mine subdued. It’s better that way.”
    “There’s more.” Brayden paused. It pained him to have to tell her, but she needed to know. Her life depended on it. “He invoked Cyrus for a ritual. We think he plans to kill you to take your Magik. According to Jarithian lore, a wizard or sorceress can harness the power of any family member who dies during the birth minute of the Magik maker’s twenty-fifth birthday.” 
           All the color drained from Callie’s face. “Omigod! My mother died on my father’s twenty-fifth birthday. I remember hearing the rumors as I was growing up. I just didn’t know what they meant. Do you think my father killed my mother for her powers too?”
           “I don’t know. Quite possibly. You said yourself you didn’t believe it was an accident.” Brayden thinned his lips. “It seems Grigori is carved from the same mold as your father.”
             Callie swallowed hard. “You’re sure he’s going to do this? I know he has a bit of a black heart, but he is my brother. He couldn’t do this to me. He just couldn’t.”
           Brayden reached for her hand. It trembled as it nestled in his. “My source is reliable, Callie. The Gatekeepers have been investigating Cyrus ever since I discovered his presence at that first fire. What I’m telling you is true. You are in danger. You’re a full-blooded sorceress. Both of your parents were Magik makers. Grigori’s only a half-blood. You have much more power than he’ll ever have, and he wants yours enough to kill for it.”
           “I just don’t understand. What does Cyrus have to do with all of this?”
           “Two things. First, he’s here to cause chaos. The fires are just a ruse to draw you out. Grigori knew you’d confront him when you realized he was behind them. Second, your brother has cast a spell on Cyrus to harness the black dragon’s power as well.”
           “How do I know you’re telling the truth?” Callie’s shoulders sagged. “How do I know you’re not the one trying to lure me to my death.”
    “You’ll just have to trust me. We have to go. Now. You’re not safe here.” Brayden squeezed her hand. It felt soft and warm in his with just a hint of nervous moisture. A sudden protective instinct exploded inside him. An intense desire to keep Callie safe at all cost.
    Why in the name of Hades did he suddenly feel such a strong need to protect a sorceress?
    Callie hesitated for a moment. Doubt battled in the stormy depths of her eyes. Then as if deciding he might be the lesser of the two evils she took a deep breath and nodded.
    Brayden’s heart squeezed as he took in Callie’s pale face. She tried to mask her fear but her lower lip trembled. A river of rage washed over him. At that moment, Brayden realized he’d do whatever it took to keep her safe.
     He just wasn’t sure if the sexy sorceress had managed to bewitch him after all or if there was another force – a more human one – taking control of his heart. And he wasn’t positive which would be worse.
    * * *
     
    Callie wasn’t quite sure what possessed her to go with Brayden. After all, he was the enemy. A dragon of all things. Maybe it was the fact she really didn’t want to confront Grigori just yet. Or maybe it was because she really didn’t want to know if her only flesh and blood really planned to kill her. In the end, she suspected,