Page 56 of Seduce Me in Shadow

“It would not leave Sydney’s space with you. Interesting… I might know why. You’ve heard me say the book is an object of feminine reverence? That means it responds only to women.”

“And I’m male. But I didn’t try to use it to grant a wish.”

Bram hesitates. “Stealing it may work the same way. We’re learning as we go, but it makes sense. Eons ago, Marrok paid a woman to steal it from Morgana. After she did, shegaveit to him. Marrok kept it in the same cottage for centuries. Then came Olivia. She brought the book to my estate and hid it. I assumed at the time that anyone could transport the book, but given your experience, clearly not. Neither Marrok nor I could write in it when Mathias abducted Olivia. Sabelle, however, could. A wish to fix a button was granted instantly. Her wish to save Olivia was not, and we discerned that whoever uses the book must have both great power and great desire to fulfill the wish. My mate stole it from me. Somehow, it fell into this Aquarius’s hands, and she gave it to Sydney. Female to female to female. When you tried to steal it from Sydney?—”

“It reverted to where she last set it.”

“Exactly.”

That’s interesting, but… “I’ve barely met Aquarius, so I don’t know about her, but Sydney is definitely human, not magical.”

“Apparently having two X chromosomes is more important than having a magical one.”

“Even more reason you should send someone else in my place—Olivia, perhaps—and let me look for Anka elsewhere.”

Bram huffs. “Is giving up what the Marines taught you? Last I heard, failure wasn’t an option.”

Blast it, the wizard is right. I didn’t ask for this mission, but guilt and worry eat at me. I can’t leave Sydney unprotected. But how do I work my way back into her life?

“I may have some information about the book and how Aquarius acquired it.”

“I’m listening.”

I grip the phone. “I don’t know how she fits into the equation, but Aquarius mentioned someone named Emma.”

“What did you say?”

The violence of Bram’s question stuns me. “Emma?”

“You’re certain?”

“I overheard a telephone conversation, but reasonably so, yes.”

“Then you have a new mission. Besides getting that book away from Sydney, make her tell you more about Emma. Immediately.”

“You don’t have time to help me when you’re throwing me to the wolves, but when I mention some woman?—”

A loud chirp, a flap of wings, followed by a woman’s panicked voice interrupt the beginnings of my tirade. Some witch has compelled a bird to deliver a message to Bram. And from the sound of it, the message is urgent.

“I must go. I’ll send you help to obtain the book since you’re not female. But get all the information you can about Emma, then call me.”

“Damn it, I’m not your errand boy. Who is Emma?”

“My mate. This is the first clue I’ve had of her since she disappeared. And I’m going to find that woman if it’s the last bloody thing I do.”

Chapter

Twenty-Six

Sydney

After the worst Tuesday ever, I’m more than happy to escape to my flat. I shed my clothes as I head to my bedroom. I shed tears just as easily.

My careless words got Caden dismissed. Granted, he was eavesdropping when we’re all suspicious that he’s trying to steal my story. I did my best to persuade Holly to take him back. No luck. Now Caden likely assumes that I tattled to my editor because he hurt my feelings by leaving my bed this morning. He must think I’m a spiteful shrew and never wants to see me again.

I’m crushed. I’ve got to find Caden and set matters straight. Already, I miss him with a yearning I don’t understand. Surely it’s impossible to fall in love in a handful of days with a man who’s only shared himself begrudgingly. Blast, he’s never even kissed me.

If he wants nothing more to do with me, I’ll have to accept that. But I hate him believing that I had him binned in a scorned woman’s act of vengeance. Normally, I would ringhim, apologize, and explain. But I have no means of getting in touch with Caden—no idea where he lives, no mobile number…nothing.

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