Seduce Me in Shadow

by Seduce Me in Shadow (lit)

  Truly? “Anka has spoken of them. Only a bit, but . . .” She hadn’t been sure of their role earlier, but now? These imposing wizards fought on the side of right.

  “I teleported you here,” Duke said quietly. “This is Bram’s office.”

  “Good. How am I getting home?” She put a hand on her hip.

  The blokes all looked at one another, then Caden sighed. “We’ll work it out.”

  Oh. She got the feeling that her concept of home had just changed. If the Anarki knew where she lived and believed that she had possession of a magic book . . . no “if “ anymore, really. There was danger, just as Caden had said. She’d landed in the middle of it. Caden had tried to talk her out of running the story on the book. Though he’d given her no substantial reasons, she wished she’d listened. But now that danger wasn’t imminent, her inner journalist was thrilled to be embroiled in the paranormal.

  Her next story for Out of This Realm would turn heads and win awards!

  First, she had to help Aquarius and get the information she needed, then make haste to somewhere safe. Then perhaps once the article printed and she brought forth proof this magickind existed, her parents would have to look outside their academic box and take her seriously. Dare she even hope they’d be proud for bringing in a story no other journalist had?

  Holding Zain in one arm, Bram appeared a few meters away and dropped the unconscious wizard on the ground. In the other arm, he held her friend cradled against his chest, the little woman so heartbreakingly still.

  “Aquarius!” She dashed for her friend.

  As soon as she drew close, the big blond wizard snatched the red diary from her hands.

  “That’s mine!” she protested.

  “No.” Bram’s tone didn’t invite argument. “It was stolen from us. Thank you for returning it. We will keep it safe.”

  “But—”

  “After what you saw today, do you honestly believe you can defend yourself against the kind of garbage who will hunt you for this?” He held up the journal.

  The wizard had a point. She might be able to fend off a normal man, but Zain wasn’t normal. None of the wizards she’d seen today were, Caden included.

  She had been making love with someone magical. Oh. My. God.

  As if the thought had conjured him by her side, Caden took her by the hand and led her to a love seat. “Let him have it, firecracker. Please.”

  What would she do with it? Coerce Caden into bed again? Be a target for Mathias? Sydney nodded.

  Bram accepted with a smile, then nodded to all the men in the room. “You’re all here. Excellent.”

  “Waiting for news of the book,” said another, a big bloke with a goatee, a sword at his side, and the look of a battle-hardened warrior. “Thank God you recaptured it.”

  “Indeed.” Then he stuck his head out the door and yelled, “Sabelle!”

  A moment later, a breathtaking blonde appeared—literally out of nowhere—looking tired and disheveled.

  Bram narrowed his eyes. “Where have you been?”

  “Nowhere you’d disapprove of, big brother. Merely helping Lucan.”

  Caden’s brother? Bram’s sister knew him?

  “You had assistance, yes?” Bram prompted.

  “Yes,” Sabelle assured.

  “Did he take your energy?” Caden asked, sounding choked and desperate.

  Sydney’s heart went out to him. Then she realized . . . Zain had been telling the truth about Caden’s magical people shagging to rev themselves up. Which explained a lot about his stamina with her. And why his brother was bedding Bram’s sister. His wife was the missing Anka.

  “Some. He’s a bit stronger than the last time you saw him. I’m trying.” Sabelle laid a soft hand on Caden’s forearm.

  Sydney didn’t like the gorgeous woman touching him. At all.

  Gritting her teeth, she said, “Could someone explain to me how we’re going to help Aquarius?”

  “Aquarius?” Sabelle asked. “Sydney’s friend.” Bram held up the limp figure in his arms.

  She wanted to cry. They desperately needed to get Aquarius some medical care, or . . . no, she wouldn’t think the worst.

  Suddenly, Bram handed the book back to her. Sydney stared at him as she took it cautiously. Was he mad? Hadn’t Caden just pleaded with her to let Bram keep it?

  “Give this to my sister.” His tone didn’t invite argument.

  She held the little book to her chest. “You just told me I couldn’t handle it, now you give it back, then ask me to hand it to another woman who doesn’t look equipped for battle either?”

  “Do. It,” he ordered through clenched teeth. “The book must pass from female to female. The sooner you cooperate, the sooner we can focus on helping your friend.”

  If she didn’t, would they withhold care? Sydney didn’t want to learn the answer the hard way. Not understanding Bram’s female-to-female comment, Sydney glared at the beautiful woman and slapped the book into her hands.

  Sabelle gripped it tightly. “I will guard it with my life.”

  “Hopefully, that will not be necessary,” Bram said grimly. “Just hide it until I’m free. For now, call for Aunt Millie. Have her meet you upstairs.”

  Bram glanced at Zain on the floor, then kicked him aside. When he stepped away, Sydney could see another big bloke on the sofa, shrouded in sunglasses, leather, and bad attitude.

  “Shock.” Bram sounded almost surprised to see him. “You’ve returned, then?”

  What kind of name is that?

  “As of a few minutes ago. I have news.” The man took up the whole sofa.

  Bram nodded. “Good. Will you take the injured woman upstairs? Ice, take Zain to our lovely barred accommodations below. And filch his wand.”

  “Can’t we just kill him?” asked a menacing figure with hair trimmed nearly to his skull.

  Shock growled in response. Bram raised a hand. “No, Ice, we can’t. He has useful information.”

  With a sigh, Ice picked the unconscious Zain up as if he was holding a big pile of refuse, slammed the body over his shoulder, then disappeared.

  The big man on the couch finally rose to his feet. Holy cow! Shock was enormous, easily topping every other man in the room, except perhaps the one with the goatee and sword. Gingerly, he took Aquarius in his arms. He dwarfed Sydney’s friend, but his gentle grip reassured her. The man’s gravelly voice didn’t.

  “I’ll do your bidding this once, but kick Zain again, and I’ll cut off your bloody stones.”

  Sydney didn’t care how big and bad Shock was. If he was going to defend Zain, he was going to hear from her. “Zain nearly murdered my best friend. A swift kick is the very least he deserves.”

  Shock whipped his head around to face her. She couldn’t see his eyes behind the dark sunglasses, but she had an impression of cold fury.

  “He may be a shit, but he’s my brother. Who the hell are you?”

  Caden came to her rescue, putting an arm around her shoulder and sending the other man a challenging glare. “She’s not to be harmed.” Shock raised a questioning brow, black above the rim of his glasses. “Do you think you’re a big, menacing wizard now that you transitioned all of ten minutes ago?”

  Transitioned? From a man to a wizard. Was that why he’d needed so much energy? Why there’d been two of them afterward, his new and old self? What had happened to the other Caden?

  “You two.” Bram pointed to Caden and Shock. “Bury the animosity. We’ve no time for it.”

  “You’re simply going to trust him and hope he doesn’t fuck you over?” Caden challenged.

  “That’s my problem. Marrok has warned us repeatedly about these rows. If we’re too busy fighting one another, how will we ever unite against our common enemy?”

  “Agreed.” Caden nodded. “Only because focusing on Mathias, Zain, and the Anarki will better help me find Anka and keep Sydney safe.”

  “Fine.” Shock rolled his eyes.

  “Good.” Bram
nodded. “Shock, take Aquarius upstairs. Please. We haven’t much time to save her.”

  If it’s not already too late. The unspoken words hung in the air.

  Bram sighed. “When that’s done, return here. Sabelle, follow and wait for Aunt Millie. Sydney, you’ll want to stay with your friend, I presume? Go with them.”

  With that, she was dismissed. She cast a gaze toward Caden, feeling lost in Wonderland without a map or any bleeding clue what to do next. He squeezed her hand and nodded.

  “I’ll find you soon. I promise.”

  What choice did she have? Aquarius’s life hung in the balance, and her friend might need her if she had any hope of pulling through. But the reporter in her wanted to stay behind. Something told her the men were about to have a conversation she’d kill to hear. But as the door to that museum-quality office closed behind her, Sydney knew she wouldn’t get that chance. At least not today.

  The giant, Shock, laid Aquarius on an enormous four-poster bed with a sumptuous beige silk coverlet. He took a half step back, still staring. His expression seemed to ask the same question tearing through Sydney’s mind: Would she live? The worry was like an awl gouging out her composure.

  For Aquarius, she had to be strong.

  Sydney grabbed her friend’s hand, edging Shock aside. He adjusted his sunglasses on his face, then glanced her way. “Need anything more?”

  How would she know? Sydney could barely comprehend that this giant’s brother had nearly fried her friend’s insides. But Shock looked at Aquarius with something like compassion.

  Olivia, the woman she’d met in the pub, entered the room and grabbed Sydney’s hand while answering Shock. “If we do, we’ll let you know. We’re fine for now.”

  Shock hesitated, brushed a knuckle down Aquarius’s arm, then turned away. Staring after him as he left, Sydney wondered what that was all about.

  The question must have shown on her face because Olivia said, “Don’t try to figure him out. You’ll give yourself a headache. I’ve been living here with my mate Marrok for about six weeks, so I see the guys often. Except Shock. He completely baffles me.”

  She lived here? “Marrok?”

  “Yeah. Big, bossy warrior, carries a sword.”

  Indeed. Sydney remembered him vividly. Imposing bloke. Hard to imagine that the tiny, violet-eyed beauty belonged with such a man. But lately she’d seen far more unusual things.

  “Smashing.” Sabelle breezed into the room, rubbing her hands together—the only indication of her nervousness. “Aunt Millie will be here shortly.”

  “She’s got heart magic and can do a bit of healing,” Olivia whispered to her.

  “Precisely. Sorry.” Sabelle sent her a rueful grin. “Ask me questions when I don’t explain. I’m a bit topsy-turvy at the moment.”

  Sabelle might regret that offer someday, but Sydney intended to take advantage of it.

  “How long until this aunt shows up?”

  “I’m here, dear,” a spry voice said from behind her.

  Sydney whirled to see a little woman with lively blue eyes wearing a dotty lace dress and a straw bonnet. This was Aquarius’s savior?

  “No offense, but wouldn’t a doctor be more effective?”

  “Not with a magical malady.” Millie took Sydney’s hand in hers. “Let me have a look, then.”

  The lady with the thick, pale bun ambled past Sydney and put bony hands across Aquarius’s chest. Then frowned. “Does the girl have any magic?”

  Olivia and Sabelle both turned to her. Sydney shrugged. “I-I don’t know. Does it matter for her healing?”

  “A bit.”

  Sydney blew out a breath, then realized that Aquarius had rarely talked about her family. She mentioned friends and lovers, her failed uni days, karma, and her hopes for the future. But the family, she’d carefully danced around that.

  “It’s possible. Caden’s brother’s wife is her cousin, and Anka is a witch, right?”

  “Yes, but your friend may not be magical. It isn’t automatic. I’ll just have to hope I get it right.” Millie sighed, then closed her eyes.

  Long, agonizing moments of silence passed. The woman skimmed her hands above Aquarius’s belly and chest, making only occasional murmurs. Sydney had no idea what the devil they meant. And in the meantime, her friend’s breathing had grown more labored. The purple, swollen color remained. Her lips were blistered, her lids nearly swollen shut, her skin cracking.

  “Can you help her?” Sydney finally asked, losing patience.

  The older woman looked up with regret in her eyes. “I’m sorry. I’ve never seen anything like this. The damage is extensive.”

  The little woman’s answer slammed Sydney’s composure. She covered her mouth with her hand as the little woman left. Somehow, Millie’s poise had made her hope that she could solve Aquarius’s crisis. To hear otherwise crushed her.

  “I think I know someone who might be able to,” Olivia said. “A moment, please.”

  She disappeared. Sydney had no notion what to do or say, so merely grabbed her friend’s hand and held it tightly in her own.

  “Fight,” she whispered to Aquarius. “It’s bad karma for you to leave me all alone.”

  Her breath caught in her throat, and tears stung her eyes. Guilt stabbed her. If Sydney had listened to Bram when he’d said to get out, Aquarius would be well. If I hadn’t struggled to escape Zain or if I’d found some way to protect my friend, no harm would have befallen her. But Sydney couldn’t change any of it now. All she could do was hope.

  “It’s not your fault,” Sabelle offered, stroking her shoulder. Sydney blinked.

  “How—how did you know?”

  “I can read your thoughts. Sorry. Thought I should give you fair warning. But I’ve delved into your friend’s mind. Deep. She’s worried about you.”

  The tears started flowing in earnest. Only a friend like Aquarius would be near death and still worry about someone else.

  “I feel so helpless. Aquarius would at least have some healing crystal, sacred chant, herbal tea. All I’ve got is my hand.”

  “And the power of your friendship. She feels it.”

  Sabelle’s understanding sank into Sydney. Even if she thought the gorgeous blonde was full of rubbish and trying to soothe her, Sydney appreciated the gesture. Perhaps Sabelle wasn’t so bad after all—as long as she kept her hands off Caden.

  “In the future, I will. He’s all yours, I promise.”

  Sydney hiccuped, smiling despite her tears. “You’re not intimidated by me surely?”

  “Caden and Bram both said you’re tough, but no. My attentions are . . . engaged elsewhere.”

  “Olivia said you wanted to see me,” a voice growled from the door.

  Sydney turned, along with the other two women. Ice stood there. His behemoth shoulders bulged out of a black tank. An expressive mouth and the dark stubble dusting his otherwise sleek head, along with the faded fatigues, made him an intimidating figure. And when Sydney looked at him, the hunger in his expression, directed purely at Sabelle, blasted her like a heat wave.

  The blonde merely blushed and cast a demure glance down. Then she sent Ice a nervous smile. “I think Olivia believed you might be able to help.”

  He frowned as he glanced at Aquarius. “I know blast and damn about her condition.”

  “Zain cooked her from the inside out,” Sydney blurted.

  “I’m not a healer.” His craggy face gentled in apology.

  “But Olivia sent you.” Sydney couldn’t understand why she had if Ice couldn’t help.

  He shrugged uncomfortably. “To stand guard?”

  Sabelle edged around Sydney and approached Ice, drawing in a bracing breath. “Your nickname, does it imply ability? Maybe . . .”

  At his scowl, Sabelle broke off. Sydney’s thoughts raced. Did Ice have some ability to cool down Aquarius’s insides?

  He swallowed, hesitated, then nodded. “But I don’t know how to heal.”

  Ice turned away, an
d Sydney moved to chase him down, anger flashing through her. He’s giving up, just like that? Aquarius may not mean anything to him, but her friend meant the world to her. Sabelle pulled her back and held up a steadying palm. Then she stopped Ice herself, wrapping her hand around his huge biceps.

  “Please . . .”

  Sabelle looked up at Ice, beseeching blue eyes wide open. Renewed hunger stormed his face. The wizard wanted her. Badly. And he was letting her see it. Sabelle didn’t back down; she gripped him tighter, though Sydney sensed that the witch was overwhelmed by Ice. Yet she held her ground for Aquarius’s sake, a woman she did not know.