Page 38 of Seduce Me in Shadow

I resist the urge to fan myself. “Prove it.”

“I can’t.” Caden curses, something low and ugly. “I want to; you have no idea how badly. Fuck! This is too bloody complicated.”

Ah, the excuses.“I’m a smart woman. Try me. I’m sure I can keep up.”

Chapter

Eighteen

Caden

For a long moment, Sydney merely stares with that challenging ginger brow raised, as if she’s convinced she has me figured out.

“You don’t understand what’s going on in the magical world,” I gasp out.

She scoffs. “And you do? The magical war is escalating, according to my source. Mathias rose from an exile that was supposed to be like death and last forever. Apparently, no one knows how he did it, but he’s seeking to overthrow a terrible class system that oppresses the poor. His goal is to help them rise up.”

“Or so he says. You never believe everything you hear, so why take this at face value?”

“What I believe isn’t important. This angle makes for a juicy story. Holly wants me to portray Mathias as magickind’s savior rising up so the people can embrace him and his cause. Thebattle in the tunnel a few weeks ago was one of many necessary to throw off the oppressors. Stay tuned for more details.”

Sydney can’t print any of that. I can’t let her. Worse, I can’t even tell her why. But she’s an independent woman. More than likely, the minute I tell her to do one thing, she’ll do the opposite. I need another approach.

“So you’re glorifying the man who raped this poor woman feeding you information? Do you think she sees him as a hero?”

Sydney winces. “That’s been my objection, but Holly likes the angle that this witch was an enemy of his utopia and he dealt harshly with her. I couldn’t think of another slant.”

“Mathias is no hero.”

“How do you know that?”

I don’t dare answer. “And you know nothing about combat.”

“Admittedly.”

“The psychological game is more than half the battle. The aggressor needs the masses on his side, and if he’s in the wrong, he must lie. What if Mathias is bamboozling these magical people? What if he’s claiming to be their savior, but merely wants power for his own gain? What if he’s convinced the poor that he can lift them up, but it’s a huge ruse?” I clench my fists, barely restraining myself from pounding the desk. “And what if he raped that poor witch because she belonged to someone fighting on the right side, and Mathias knew he could crush that wizard by brutalizing his woman?”

“That angle is sexist. Are you saying a woman isn’t capable of fighting?”

“I’m saying she’s likely too smart to take on someone capable of coming back from the dead all alone. You can’t possibly think she’s the only one against Mathias’s return?”

Sydney’s head takes a considering tilt. Then she scrambles for her notepad. “You’re bloody good. This makes more sense,gives the story the balance of both sides. Much more interesting than Holly’s suggestion.”

“If I talked to your source, in addition to protecting you, perhaps we could craft a better story together.”

“Can’t.” Sydney doesn’t miss a beat, just continues jotting down notes. “I’ve told you, the poor witch is terrified. A man, especially one like you, would send her scurrying to dig her own grave. She’d never speak to me again.”

“Tell me about her. Maybe I can find some way to ease her fears. You could assure her that I would never harm her. She trusts you.”

“Very little. She jumps at every shadow. No offense, but you wear that soldier mien a bit too well. You’ll give the poor woman a fright.”

“Then I’ll talk to her on the phone first, allay her worries, and pave the way for a face-to-face meeting. For your safety, I’d rather you not meet with her again unless I’m there.”

Sydney looks up from her notes. “She doesn’t want her picture taken.”

I can’t tell if Sydney believes me or will delay meeting her source without me. Either way, I can’t lose my only lead to Anka or allow Sydney to risk herself.

“Of course not,” I assure her.

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