Page 4 of Shadow Spirit

“That’s good. That’s good.” Wordsworth turned back to his stacks.

“Wordsworth?”

“Yes, Captain.” Wordsworth turned back to him.

“I need to do some research on the whole fated mate legends.”

“They’re not just legends, Captain. The stories of fated mates go back for millennia,” he said with a wistful smile. “If you’ve ever watched our alpha and his mate, you would have no question about the veracity of the stories. And once you’ve felt the tendrils of fate wrapping around your heart, you have no need to ask.”

“And have those icy fingers ever wrapped around yours?”

He nodded. “Yes, but unlike you wolves, when a male eagle owl loses his fated mate, he doesn’t follow her into the grave in short order. I lost mine many, many years ago. I’m not one to give advice, Captain, but if you believe you have found your fated mate, don’t seek refuge in my library, but go out and claim her. Hold her tight and keep her close for as long as you can.”

Decker was surprised to hear the librarian speak with such passion about anything other than the books, scrolls and files that had been left in his care.

“I never said that it was my fated mate…”

Wordsworth chuckled. “No, but you didn’t say it wasn’t.”

Decker grinned. “I’d prefer if that tidbit of information remained between us.”

“The confidentiality between a librarian and a reader is sacrosanct.” Wordsworth lifted his index finger to the side of his nose.

Decker laughed. “If you could show me to that section of the library, I’d be most appreciative.”

“Of course, Captain. Of course.” Wordsworth led him to the back of the archives and indicated he should sit at one of the long library tables. He brought Decker stack after stack of books. “Start with these. If you want more, I can bring you more, but these should answer your questions, Captain.”

Decker looked at the towering piles of books. Taking a deep breath, he shook his head as he stood up. “I think I’m going to need coffee and breakfast before getting started.”

“I suggest you eat upstairs in the dining hall. See that you keep the food and the coffee away from my books and scrolls. If you spill anything, I’ll have your head.”

Decker glanced up, expecting to see a smile or anything that suggested Wordsworth was joking, but there was nothing to suggest anything but deadly seriousness on his face.

“Yes, sir. I won’t bring anything down that might harm your materials.” Decker stood up and placed his hand on Wordsworth’s shoulder. “You know, there’s no one here that doesn’t appreciate all you’ve done to create this repository of information. The information you’ve brought us and that we’ve downloaded into the system so far has been invaluable to the cause. Never doubt for even a moment that your contribution isn’t recognized.”

A momentary look of surprise crossed Wordsworth’s face. “Thank you. Sometimes I wish I were younger and could do more…”

“Fighting men are a dime a dozen, but someone with your depth of wisdom and knowledge is vital to our fight.”

Wordsworth nodded. “It’s good enough to know that I play my part.”

Decker nodded, left the library and headed to the dining hall. As he jogged up the stone, spiral staircase to the main floor, a kind of calm began to wrap itself around him. Adriana might have a mate, but she was his fated mate. He knew that as well as he knew his own name. Prior claim or not, Decker planned to claim Adriana for himself.

CHAPTER 3

ADRIANA

Adriana didn’t run directly back to her room. Her first thought was to put distance between Decker and herself. Given that the captain of the guard was bigger and stronger, Adriana didn’t want to run in a straight line or to a destination that might be logical to him. Instead, she entered one of the towers and ran down the steps to get out into the bailey. She considered going up, but it would be too easy for Decker to trap her there.

Why was it the idea of Decker cornering her wasn’t so much frightening as it was arousing? What was it about the captain that made her pulse race and every erotic synapse in her body come alive? Why had she wanted to melt into his strength and surrender herself into his keeping? Wasn’t she all about living free of any male encumbrances and giving the same chance to other women?

Once she walked out into the fresh air of the abbey’s courtyard, it was easier to assess her physical status. The insistent buzzing in her head and dizziness were still there, as was a rising sense of nausea and a piercing migraine. Basically, she felt like shit. She hadn’t felt this bad when Eoghan had bitten her and her body had fought the virus that turned her from human to wolf-shifter.

Adriana stopped and leaned against the sturdy stone of the abbey’s walls. She really did feel awful. There was a part of her that wanted to just seek her room and curl up in a ball. She couldn’t recall ever feeling this bad before. It was as if there was a war of some sort raging inside her. She remembered the feeling of her body fighting against Eoghan’s claiming bite, but this was far worse. What the hell was going on?

“Adriana? Are you all right?” asked one of the members of the clan.

Adriana straightened up and smoothed the bottom of her robe, ensuring it was still covering everything. She became more aware of the abbey waking and people making their way to the dining hall or to their various duty stations.

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