Page 81 of Seduce Me in Shadow

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, butonce 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.”

“Any chance she’ll return?” I grill.

“Dunno. I think she left of her own free will. Nothing in my flat was disturbed. The air didn’t feel violent or scary. Lately, she’s been having dreams of a happier past. I offered to help her find the parts of her she lost, but she was afraid of Mathias harming me and the loved ones she’s convinced she left behind.”

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