Read Online The Jade Dragon by Rowena May O'Sullivan - Free Book Online

would be hard enough to actually admit Gregori had outsmarted him. Eleisha would be furious with her brother and he had no energy to deal with his formidable Dragoness right now. “That’s true. But you’re defying my word as the leader of Marylebone.”
    â€œI can’t go back!” Gregori’s words were heated. “You’ve no idea what it was like in that cold hard stone. I may as well have been dead. I’m determined to prove my innocence and I won’t allow you to stop me.”
    â€œAlanna is magic bound, plus she’s mortal. The bells haven’t tolled for her. Go back in the stone. Wait until her magic is unbound. Once she has her power back, we will decide whether she is worthy of inviting to Marylebone. Then you will have all the time in the world to investigate the cause of her parents’ death. Believe me, we’ve tried already, but have come up empty-handed every time. Even Zelda has found nothing.”
    Stepping into the sole pair of jeans Anton appeared to own, Gregori snagged the only black T-shirt, that wasn’t singed by Mistletoe, from a hanger and put it on. It was tight, fitting him a little too closely, but it was the best he could do. He would not waste precious magic on conjuring clothes, just as he would not risk flaming out unnecessarily, even if he silently acknowledged Anton’s wisdom.
    â€œI’ll make a pact with you.”
    Anton grunted. “I don’t do pacts with Dragon warlocks in danger of flaming out. Even if you are my brother-in-law.”
    â€œI’m more powerful than you. Give me credit where it’s due.”
    â€œSo powerful you have to steal magic from others. You know when you’re finally caught; you will have to pay for this infringement. You could have killed us both!”
    â€œI’ll come to you if I’m unsuccessful in my hunt forty-eight hours before my deadline. You can do whatever you like with me then.”
    â€œYou’re playing with fire. If I have to report you to the Supreme Council of Magical Beings as missing, you’ll have more than dragons to worry about.”
    â€œI’ve never broken a Warlocks’ Oath.”
    â€œYou just did by stealing my magic. Plus, I can’t fight the combined power of the Council.”
    â€œAnton, listen. I can find the Greenwoods’ killer. I’m sure of it. I was there within minutes of it happening, and I’m positive it wasn’t an accident. I need to get to know Alanna in order to plumb her memory of that day. I’ll be building a relationship with her as I’m hunting.”
    He quirked his head to the doorway and went still, as if hearing something. “Damn it!” He twisted back to Anton. “I’d hoped for more time to convince you. I’ll not break my promise. I will return within forty-eight hours of my deadline.”
    And he disappeared, quietly, without an extravagant burst of power, ensuring his trail of magic would be difficult to pursue, even along all the ley lines surrounding the earth.

Chapter Ten
    Rosa arrived in the Gallery in a small gentle burst of crimson light within minutes of Clarissa’s departure. Without saying anything she took Goran to Lavender Cottage to rest before returning and pinning Alanna with a stern glare. “I can’t believe you kept this a secret for so long!”
    Here we go. Bossy-boots had arrived.
“I’ve heard that already from Beth. Try something new.”
    â€œHow about you start at the beginning and tell us everything?”
    â€œThat would require a couple of hours and the Gallery is due to open any second. Plus, we need a replacement dragon in the courtyard.”
    â€œCall Zelda. She’ll look after the Gallery. Aden will craft a new dragon. Or you could if you put your mind to it.”
    When would she stop harping at her?
“Zelda? She’ll scare the customers away. Besides, I don’t want her to know