Page 45 of Kidnapped Plus-Size Mate

Hesitantly reaching for my glass, I keep my eyes lowered when I say, “Me too…”

“What did you need the computer for?”

“I needed to do some research,” I explained earnestly. “Like I said before, I don’t plan on outing the existence of the dragons.”

“I trust you, Cami,” Olivia assures me. “But you know what happened with Stryder and me in the mortal world. I wouldn’t want Stryker to get into any trouble.”

“Neither do I,” I whisper. It’s true—I don’t want him to get into any trouble.

Least of all by my hand…

I just need to put my doubts to rest.

“If you want to do research, I can show you to the library,” Olivia offers.

I nod. “That sounds like a plan.”

When we’re done having breakfast, Olivia shows me around the lavish castle on Aurora Island. It’s a stunning place doused in history. A museum of its own, and I find myself intrigued by the rich history the castle has to offer. With every room we pass, and with everything I learn from her, I realize that I could get used to being an immortal in this place.

Only if I’m not destined to kill the man who’s meant to be my mate.

In hindsight, the castle is the perfect place to become immersed in, and spend my time gaining more knowledge than I could ever dream of finding in the Fresno Museum. I just need to know what my dreams mean so that I can put my doubts to rest once and for all.

After witnessing and experiencing Stryker’s gentle nature last night, I saw the man I’d met in the mortal world. I have no regrets about giving my body to him, and until that dreamhaunted me again, I was convinced that I could open up my heart to him.

Now, with the cloud that hangs over me and the weight of that knife in the palm of my hand, I have to be sure that I’m not carrying some kind of curse that might distort my happy ending. As soon as we enter the library on the second floor, I’m mesmerized by the full shelves of books that might contain the answers I seek.

“I need to go check up on Blair,” Olivia says as she hangs by the door. “Please make yourself at home. As Stryker’s mate, that’s exactly what Aurora Island is to you.”

I offer her a wistful smile in acknowledgment of her statement as I wait for her to leave before embarking on my search for answers. The Aurora Island library is full of authors, known and unknown, books I’ve read, and many more that I would love to read. But my search takes me to the non-fiction section on the west wall, where books about the dragon shifter race are stacked.

Skimming a hand across the spines, I find myself relying on a deep sense of intuition that has me stopping at a leather-jacketed book near the end of the row. Taking a deep breath, I pull the book out and frown at the title.

The Grimoire.

I’ve heard that name before, but I only discover what it contains when I take the book to the chaise lounge beside the window and open the first page with the book on my lap. The subtitle reads,A Book of Spells, causing a gasp to escape my lips.

Upon further inspection, I realize that the book isn’t strictly about dragon shifters but about a certain species of great power.

Witches…

Turning another page, my heart begins to race when the image at the top resembles the engraving, I saw on the wooden handle of the knife the woman in my dreams passed to me.

The same image I recalled was the pendant hanging on Abuela’s neck.

“The Order of The Crescent Moon Coven” is printed beneath the image.

“Hi…”

I slam the book shut the moment I hear Stryker’s terse voice greet me from the doorway. Surprised by his unannounced appearance, I can only stare at him as images of our passionate tryst come flooding into my mind’s eye.

Gosh…

Seeing him with tousled hair and bedroom eyes shimmering in the dazzling shade of earthly green sparks awareness inside me, forcing me to squeeze my thighs together when I remember what it felt like having his face between them.

Whatever this book of spells contains as a link to my dreams, it doesn’t outweigh the force of the magnetic pull and attraction I feel for Stryker.

There’s no way that my destiny could be tied to the blade ending his life. All I feel right now as I watch him hesitantly enter the library is immense attraction, arousal pooling at my core and forcing me to clutch my thighs even tighter together. I’d neglected to wear panties in my haste to find answers, and now I can’t risk standing up to feel slick trickling down my legs.

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