Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 115860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
“Enough. We must cease this foolish sparring and leave before Mathias locates your girlfriend,” Duke admonishes.
That breaks the tension between Bram and me.
Sydney is still processing. “This is truly real? I mean, I wondered. But…magickind and Mathias and this book, it’s all connected and not a byproduct of a tortured woman’s mind?”
Bram rolls his eyes. “Aren’t you the clever cogs?”
Sydney glares at Bram. “Prove it’s real.”
“Once we’re not lounging about like clay pigeons at a shooting party, I’d be delighted.”
“Stop patronizing her,” I demand. “She’s had three minutes to adjust to magickind. You’ve had four hundred years.”
“Four hundred!” Sydney’s jaw drops.
“Bugger off,” Bram snarls at me. “I’m only three hundred ninety-eight. And Duke is right; we need to get the bloody hell out of here. I’ll yell at you both once we’re safe.”
“It’s my book, my flat, and my article. I’m not leaving without answers.” Sydney braces her hands on her hips.
Duke sighs as if he’s grappling for patience. “You’re certain about this one? Seems more trouble than she’s worth.”
I pull Sydney against me. “I won’t leave her here.”
“God, no. She’ll be dead by noon—after she’s told Mathias everything she knows.” Bram elbows me aside and seizes Sydney’s wrist. “If you want to live, come with us.”
She turns to me.
“Please.” I extricate her from Bram’s grip. “If you’ve ever believed a single word I’ve said, believe that I would die if Mathias hurt you. And he will, if you stay.”
She bites her lower lip, clearly thinking. “All right.”
I exhale the tense breath I’ve been holding. It will be all right. She will be all right. Whatever else happens, I’ll have the assurance of knowing she’s safe from the clutches of a madman who would use her in the cruelest way possible until she broke, then discard her without a second thought.
“Thank you.” I enfold her against my chest, resisting the urge to press my mouth to hers. Need burns me like a fever, and the words of the Call keep echoing in my brain. I bury my face in her fiery hair and resist—barely.
“Enough. Let’s go,” Bram says.
Collectively, we turn for the door—and I see a familiar, elfin-looking flower child standing there, crying.
“Aquarius!” Sydney breaks free from my hold and dashes to her friend.
The other woman embraces Sydney, clutching her as if in pain.
“What’s the matter?”
Bram grabs hold of Aquarius, who stares with watery eyes.
“Mellow,” she suggests. “Your aura is full of anger and—”
“I don’t give a bloody damn.” Bram plucks the book from Sydney, then barks at Aquarius, “Who gave this to you?”
“I can’t say.”
Bram clenches his teeth. “Is this the day for difficult females?”
“Bring her with us,” Duke suggests. “Question her at your leisure. But we’re wasting time.”
“Indeed.” Bram herds Aquarius toward the door. “Come along.”
The small woman plants her heels. “Forcing me is bad karma.”
“I’ve had a run of it lately. A bit more won’t matter.”
Aquarius ignores him and casts fearful green eyes at Sydney. “My cousin, have you seen her?”
“No.” Sydney tenses.
“I popped out earlier. When I returned, she was gone. I hoped perhaps she’d come here.”
My heart skids to a screeching halt. Gone?
“Was she your source?” I demand.
Sydney hesitates, and I can practically hear her thoughts churning until she finally nods.
I grab Aquarius by the shoulders. “What is your cousin’s name?”
The little brunette presses her lips together in a silent protest.
“Please!” I implore. “I think—I’m almost certain she’s my brother’s missing wife.”
God, it finally feels good to ask a direct question. Now that Bram has spilled the truth, I no longer have to think of an angle that won’t arouse suspicion or give away magickind’s existence.
At my side, Sydney gasps. Her softening expression blasts me in the chest. Seeing her compassion now, when I need it, only adds to my feelings for her.
Aquarius cocks her head. “If she’s your brother’s wife, what is her name?”
“Anka. Anka MacTavish. Please.”
Tearing up, Aquarius nods. “She couldn’t recall her last name. Since my only introduction to Anka was through my late aunt’s stories, I didn’t know much about her. A few weeks ago, she found me. She was near death, shortly after—”
“Mathias raped her,” I finish when Aquarius can’t.
Dread swells inside me. I feel terrible for all Anka has endured—and what that knowledge will do to Lucan, should he live. Knowing that she’s alone again, where Mathias might find her… I shudder. Why did she flee relative safety?
As Sydney enfolds Aquarius in her arms, fresh tears ensue. “It was awful. She was getting by on adrenaline and grit, but once she reached safety, she gave in to her injuries. Took her over a week to heal enough to stand. She could remember little beyond her first name and girlhood memories of family long dead. But the townspeople directed her to me. That’s why she came. That, and the fact Mathias has no idea I exist.”