Page 88 of Seduce Me in Shadow

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

“You two.” Bram points 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 challenges.

“He’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 nods. “Focusing on Mathias, Zain, and the Anarki will better help me find Anka and keep Sydney safe.”

“That’s sorted, then. Good to know your loyalties haven’t changed.” Bram’s tone sounds biting. “Shock, take Aquarius upstairs. We haven’t much time to save her.”If it isn’t already too late.

The unspoken words hang in the air.

Shock nods. “As long as you remember I’m not your fucking errand boy.”

Bram sighs. “Duly noted. 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, I’m dismissed. I cast a gaze toward Caden, feeling lost in Wonderland without a map or any bleeding clue what to do next. He squeezes my hand and nods.

“I’ll find you soon. I promise.”

What choice do I have? Aquarius’s life hangs in the balance, and my friend will likely need love and support to pull through. But the reporter in me wants to stay behind. Something tells me the men are about to have a conversation I would kill to hear. But as the door to that museum-quality office closes behind me, it’s clear I won’t get that chance. At least not today.

Chapter

Thirty-Nine

Shock lays Aquarius on the massive four-poster bed, her limp form a stark contrast to the luxurious beige silk coverlet. His lingering gaze mirrors the question clawing at my insides: Will she survive? Worry carves into my composure like a rusty blade.

I have to be strong for Aquarius. Shouldering past Shock, I clasp my friend’s hand, willing life into her still form.

He adjusts his sunglasses, his glare piercing even through the dark lenses.

What’s with the hostility? As if I’m the villain here when his psychotic brother just barbecued my friend from the inside out.

Olivia, the American I met at the pub, glides in, her touch on my shoulder a balm. “Thanks for your help, Shock. We’ve got it from here.”

He spares Aquarius a final, inscrutable look before his contempt zeroes in on me. “Got it, have you? Then why are the fucking humans here?”

I instantly despise him. Shock is every bit the prat Zain is, and his attitude is as toxic as a viper’s venom.

His scathing glower intensifies. “Oh, boo-hoo. I’m gutted that I’ve missed out on a new BFF.”

Olivia’s eyes roll skyward. “That’s rude. Having humans involved isn’t necessarily a bad thing.”

“Right,” he sneers. “Because what this magical clusterfuck really needs is more cannon fodder.” With a final disgusted shake of his head, he stalks out, his exit as silent as a ghost’s.

“Don’t mind him. And don’t try to figure him out,” Olivia advises. “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 lives here? “Marrok?”

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

I remember him vividly. Imposing bloke. Hard to imagine that the tiny, violet-eyed beauty belongs with such a huge hunk of a man. But lately, I’ve seen far more unusual things.

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

“She understands heart magic and is something of a healer,” Olivia explains.

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