Part 20 (1/2)

”Give it to him!” she screamed at Bram.

Bram huffed, rolled his eyes. He wasn't budging.

The book must be more powerful than Aquarius had indicated. In her head, she knew that putting it in Zain's hands would be as good as putting it into Mathias's, but her friend . . . if Bram didn't comply, Zain would kill her.

To her surprise, he eased the book toward Zain, who reached for it while retaining his hold on Aquarius.

Sydney cast an anxious glance at her friend. G.o.d, she looks so still, so dead. Sydney held in a cry.

At the last second, Bram pulled the book back into his protective clutch and slung the tip of his wand toward Aquarius. The little woman was suddenly caught up in a sweep of wind, like a giant vacuum that sucked her toward Bram.

But Zain was having none of that. He brandished his wand at Aquarius, too, and her body jolted as she stopped, jerking in midair. She keened, the sound rife with pain.

Around her, Duke dispatched the final two Anarki with a pair of spells, both normal looking men who clutched wands in their frozen fists.

”Your Anarki are all unconscious. You're alone,” Bram pointed out. ”Give up or fight me.” Suddenly, he shoved the book into Sydney's hand. Startled, she grasped it. Her eyes met Bram's blue ones, sharp with warning. Do not give it to Zain. He'd described it as a weapon of some sort, but what about Aquarius?

Zain paused, looking uncertain for the first time. Bram took advantage of the opening and lunged, hooking one arm around the other man. With his free hand, he grabbed Aquarius.

”Go!” he shouted at Duke.

Instantly, Duke's arm tightened around Sydney. A sense of falling a.s.sailed her. Like being in a dark, endless well. She thrashed about, looking for escape, but Duke and Caden both held her tight. She squeezed her eyes shut.

Long moments later, the sensation stopped. Cautiously, Sydney opened her eyes to a stunning office, filled with weak afternoon sunlight, pricy artwork-and a roomful of men so menacing, she took a step back.

”Who the h.e.l.l are these people, where am I, and how did I get here?”

”The Doomsday Brethren,” Caden whispered in her ear.

Truly? ”Anka has spoken of them. Only a bit, but . . .” She hadn't been sure of their role earlier, but now? These imposing wizards fought on the side of right.

”I teleported you here,” Duke said quietly. ”This is Bram's office.”

”Good. How am I getting home?” She put a hand on her hip.

The blokes all looked at one another, then Caden sighed. ”We'll work it out.” Oh. She got the feeling that her concept of home had just changed. If the Anarki knew where she lived and believed that she had possession of a magic book . . . no ”if ” anymore, really. There was danger, just as Caden had said. She'd landed in the middle of it. Caden had tried to talk her out of running the story on the book. Though he'd given her no substantial reasons, she wished she'd listened. But now that danger wasn't imminent, her inner journalist was thrilled to be embroiled in the paranormal.

Her next story for Out of This Realm would turn heads and win awards!

First, she had to help Aquarius and get the information she needed, then make haste to somewhere safe.

Then perhaps once the article printed and she brought forth proof this magickind existed, her parents would have to look outside their academic box and take her seriously. Dare she even hope they'd be proud for bringing in a story no other journalist had?

Holding Zain in one arm, Bram appeared a few meters away and dropped the unconscious wizard on the ground. In the other arm, he held her friend cradled against his chest, the little woman so heartbreakingly still.

”Aquarius!” She dashed for her friend.

As soon as she drew close, the big blond wizard s.n.a.t.c.hed the red diary from her hands.

”That's mine!” she protested.

”No.” Bram's tone didn't invite argument. ”It was stolen from us. Thank you for returning it. We will keep it safe.”

”But-”

”After what you saw today, do you honestly believe you can defend yourself against the kind of garbage who will hunt you for this?” He held up the journal.

The wizard had a point. She might be able to fend off a normal man, but Zain wasn't normal. None of the wizards she'd seen today were, Caden included.

She had been making love with someone magical. Oh. My. G.o.d.

As if the thought had conjured him by her side, Caden took her by the hand and led her to a love seat.

”Let him have it, firecracker. Please.”

What would she do with it? Coerce Caden into bed again? Be a target for Mathias? Sydney nodded.

Bram accepted with a smile, then nodded to all the men in the room. ”You're all here. Excellent.”

”Waiting for news of the book,” said another, a big bloke with a goatee, a sword at his side, and the look of a battle-hardened warrior. ”Thank G.o.d you recaptured it.”

”Indeed.” Then he stuck his head out the door and yelled, ”Sabelle!” A moment later, a breathtaking blonde appeared-literally out of nowhere-looking tired and disheveled.

Bram narrowed his eyes. ”Where have you been?”

”Nowhere you'd disapprove of, big brother. Merely helping Lucan.” Caden's brother? Bram's sister knew him?

”You had a.s.sistance, yes?” Bram prompted.

”Yes,” Sabelle a.s.sured.

”Did he take your energy?” Caden asked, sounding choked and desperate.

Sydney's heart went out to him. Then she realized . . . Zain had been telling the truth about Caden's magical people s.h.a.gging to rev themselves up. Which explained a lot about his stamina with her. And why his brother was bedding Bram's sister. His wife was the missing Anka.

”Some. He's a bit stronger than the last time you saw him. I'm trying.” Sabelle laid a soft hand on Caden's forearm.

Sydney didn't like the gorgeous woman touching him. At all.

Gritting her teeth, she said, ”Could someone explain to me how we're going to help Aquarius?”

”Aquarius?” Sabelle asked. ”Sydney's friend.” Bram held up the limp figure in his arms.

She wanted to cry. They desperately needed to get Aquarius some medical care, or . . . no, she wouldn't think the worst.

Suddenly, Bram handed the book back to her. Sydney stared at him as she took it cautiously. Was he mad? Hadn't Caden just pleaded with her to let Bram keep it?

”Give this to my sister.” His tone didn't invite argument.

She held the little book to her chest. ”You just told me I couldn't handle it, now you give it back, then ask me to hand it to another woman who doesn't look equipped for battle either?”