“Are you sure we’re allowed to window shop?” Ivy asked. “We could get in trouble for loitering.”
“My grandmother and the Women’s League have been butting heads with the Directorate over this whole situation. So far, the guards have agreed to stay alert and watch for anyone who might be a threat without badgering people who appear to be shopping.”
“It’ll be hard.” Clint rolled his shoulders back and puffed out his chest. “But I’ll try not to appear threatening.”
“Uh-oh,” Ivy said. “Is it my imagination, or is that guard following us?” She nodded her head at the guard across the street.
Bryn checked to make sure before she said anything. “That’s Derek. He’s with me. My grandmother sent him with orders to stay nearby. Before that might have annoyed me, but now I’m okay with it.”
“Plus he’s kind of cute,” Ivy said.
“I hadn’t noticed,” Bryn said, practicing her polite Blue social skills because Derek was cute and God forbid anyone overheard her say that and pass the information back to Jaxon.
“Nice diplomacy act. Anyway, are we actually shopping for anything, or are we browsing?” Ivy asked.
“I wanted to pick up some Christmas ornaments for my parents,” Bryn said.
“They should be on sale now,” Ivy said.
“Funny how everything is on sale after you’ve spent all your money,” Clint said. “If we were smart we’d wait to buy gifts after Christmas and exchange them on New Year’s Eve.”
Bryn nodded along, despite the pang of guilt at having a ready supply of money, due to her grandparents. She’d never had money growing up. Having a bottomless purse now was fun, but it also made her uncomfortable.
“Let’s go by the art store,” Ivy said. “They had ornaments from local artisans which were really cool. Maybe they have some left.”
When they reached the art store, Bryn found handblown glass ornaments that were amazing. “I love this one.” She held up a globe made from swirling blue and green glass.
Ivy picked up a tear drop with white-and-red streaks. “I think I need this one.”
“Oh, that is pretty. Is there another one like it?” Bryn asked.
“They’re all unique,” Ivy said. “But here’s another red one your mom would probably love.”
Bryn accepted the swirling red globe Ivy held out to her. “How many should I buy?”
“That depends,” Clint said. “How big is your mom’s tree?”
“They dug up a three-foot tree that they’re going to transplant to their front yard after Christmas,” Bryn said. “So I have no idea what size they’ll have next year.”
“Whatever you pick can be a starter ornament set,” Ivy said. “They can always add more each year. That’s what my parents did.”
Westgates didn’t do starter-anything. Maybe Bryn should pick out some ornaments for the tree she’d have one day.
Clint picked up a red and blue globe with swirls of purple where the colors blended. “I think your parents need this one. It’s kind of symbolic.”
“I like that.” By the time she was done, Bryn had a dozen ornaments wrapped in tissue paper and sealed in protective cardboard sleeves inside another larger box.
After paying for the ornaments, Bryn said, “I wonder if I could ride out to see my parents and deliver these ornaments now?”
“We could go with you,” Ivy said, “if that would help.”
Bryn reached for the handle to the door when it was flung open and Derek the guard rushed inside. “Everyone get back,” he warned as he turned to face the door.
Bryn stumbled backwards dropping the box of ornaments. She reached for her wrist and activated her elemental sword. Her heart hammered in her chest while she waited to see what was coming.
The door banged open and a man with dark skin and eyes the color of steel entered the store. He seemed unconcerned with the large Red guard who stood blocking his path. His eyes were on Bryn. “There you are. That is an impressive weapon, young lady. I hoped you’d have it with you.”
“It’s of no use to you and I know how to use it,” Bryn warned. “So get the hell out of here.”
“How rude. I thought your grandparents would’ve raised you better.”
“They didn’t raise me,” Bryn said.
“That’s right. Your parents mentioned that.”
“You know my parents?” That didn’t seem right.
“I am acquainted with them. Right now, they are my guests.”
“Don’t come any closer,” Derek said. “You’re not welcome here.”
“I’m merely here to extend an invitation. Bryn, you’re invited to join us in Sanctuary for a belated Christmas dinner. Your parents and I will be waiting for you.”
Bryn gripped the sword tighter and pushed down the fire blazing in her gut. “What have you done with my parents?”
“Nothing permanent, yet.”
“Who are you and what do you want with Bryn?” Clint asked as he produced balls of lightning in both of his hands.
“My name is Adden. And I’m a Silver dragon.” He seemed to be waiting for them to be afraid or impressed.
“That explains the funky eyes,” Clint said.
“What do you want with me?” Bryn asked. She wanted to save her parents, but she also wanted to know what she was walking into.
“It’s simple. I’m using your parents to get to you. I’ll use you to get something I want—starting with that bracelet.”
He wanted her bracelet which was meant for a Red-Blue hybrid? It would kill him and right now she didn’t feel so bad about that.
“Let my parents go, and let us go, and I’ll give you the bracelet,” Bryn said.
“You’d just hand it over?” Adden said. “I find that hard to believe.”
“My parents are more important than a bracelet. Where are they?”
Adden pulled a phone from his pocket and hit a button. “There’s been an interesting development. Put her mom on the phone.” He pushed the speaker button.
“Bryn, are you there?” Her mom sounded stressed.
“I’m at the art store with some asshat named Adden. Where are you?”
“We’re in our house with some uninvited guests, but we’re fine,” her mom said.
“Your daughter lacks manners,” Adden said.
“Hurt her and you’ll be lacking your balls,” Bryn’s mom growled through the phone.
Adden blinked. “I see where she gets it from. Stay on the line until your daughter gives me her bracelet.”
Bryn removed the bracelet but held onto it. “I give you this, your people leave my parents’ house, and you let everyone go.”
“Agreed.”
“Is there a back door?” Derek asked the girl behind the counter.
She nodded.
“Go,” Derek stood between her and Adden. “All of you go. Bryn, give me the bracelet.”
She didn’t trust Adden to keep his word. “I have a better idea. We’ll all back up, and I’ll leave the bracelet here.” She deactivated the safety and set the bracelet on a display of colored pencils. “We back out of the store and you come get this.”
“That is acceptable.” He chuckled. “Leave the McKenna’s home,” he spoke into his phone.
Bryn backed away from the bracelet. Derek stayed between her and Adden. Clint and Ivy and the cashier headed for the exit.
“They’re gone, Bryn,” her mom said. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. I’ll call you soon,” Bryn hollered so her mother could hear her as she dashed toward the exit.
Adden confidently strode across the store and picked up the bracelet. He bent the ends out so it would wrap part way around his wrist. Bryn hovered in the doorway, waiting to see what the disembodied voice would do to him when he failed the Trial-by-Fire. With the bracelet in place, Adden stiffened and closed his eyes. This was it. He would fail because he wasn’t a Red-Blue hybrid.
“Yes,” Adden growled. “I knew I was right.” A sword of fire and ice shot from his hand. He smiled at Bryn. “Surprise.”
What the hell? “How is that possible?”
“I’m a master of all five elements,” he bragged. “Therefore, all the artifacts will work for me.” He came toward them, swinging the sword, cutting through book displays and bins of paint brushes.
“Time to go,” Clint said.