Part 23 (2/2)
”I'll help,” she said. ”If moving him will help his condition improve.”
”I can lend a hand,” Sydney offered.
”No,” Caden bit out. ”But thank you.”
His immediate, adamant refusal stung.
Caden leaned closer and murmured, ”I don't want to involve you any more than I must. Let me protect you.”
Was he simply trying to keep her safe or had that been a lie to soften the blow? What danger could there be in cleaning up a house?
Sydney suspected that he simply didn't want her there. Had the tenderness he'd once shown her been manufactured by the Doomsday Diary? After all, it granted wishes, and she'd fantasized about him on the page. What they shared had been more than s.e.x. For her, anyway. Now that the spell was gone, so, it appeared, was his caring.
In some ways, she wished she'd never laid eyes on that book. But had she not, Caden would never have let down that mammoth self-control and become her lover.
He had a lot on his plate, true. But deep down she feared he simply didn't want her for more than a s.h.a.g, and she had no one to blame but herself. Rather than dwelling on her screwup, she'd be better served by focusing on her story. Once this ordeal was over, releasing it would be safe. With great copy and proof of magickind's existence, she'd be a journalistic sensation.
But right now, her old life seemed a million miles away. Sydney pushed her plate aside.
”Anyone seen Shock?” Duke ventured, more to change the subject than anything she suspected. The man had disappeared again late last night.
”No. I tried to reach him earlier today to coordinate some last minute plans for our-” Bram glanced her way, then pursed his lips together. ”He didn't answer.” And whatever he'd been about to say would remain a secret. She understood why Bram didn't trust her, but she wouldn't write a word for Out of This Realm when doing so would endanger them. She'd made that clear to Holly. But they had no reason to trust her.
A series of trills and gongs sounded. Bram sat up straight, listening intently. As soon as the last note faded away, he rose and stalked from the room.
”What's that?” Sydney asked.
Sabelle looked puzzled, but explained, ”It's a magical calling card. To be polite, we send a distinct sound to another residence when we wish to visit.”
”Each person has an individual bell ring?”
”Something like that.”
”Do you know who that one belongs to?” she asked.
”Everyone,” Bram called from the narrow dining room's portal. ”This is Tynan O'Shea.” Mr. O'Shea was, in a word, yummy. Hair as dark and s.h.i.+ny as ink and slightly spiked, as if he were ready for a photo shoot. A rugged face, a strong chin, and bronzed skin all gave the appearance of a hearty outdoorsman. But his flat gray eyes looked as if all life and happiness had been sucked dry.
He held up a large palm by way of greeting, not meeting anyone's eye, then turned an intense gaze back to Bram. Clearly, he wasn't here to be sociable.
”Sit.” Bram gestured toward an empty seat at the table.
”Hungry?”
O'Shea shook his head. ”I came to talk. I want answers.”
”Has something happened to your family?”
Slowly, he shook his head, then he swallowed. ”I've heard whispers that Mathias has returned.” Sydney frowned. Whispers? Of course Mathias had returned. How could Tynan not know?
Bram s.h.i.+fted in his chair. ”Have you asked your grandfather?” Tynan drilled him with a derisive stare. ”Would I be here if I'd gotten answers?”
”Officially, as a Council member, I'm not at liberty to -”
”The devil with the Council!” Tynan erupted suddenly.
”Who killed Auropha MacKinnett?”
Clearing his throat, Bram sighed. Sydney got the distinct impression that Bram was stalling for time.
”We haven't yet determined precisely-”
”The truth, d.a.m.n you!” O'Shea looked ready to burst a blood vessel. His olive complexion flushed red.
His eyes flared to furious life, like smoke and danger and determination. ”Was it Mathias?”
”There are rumors that some rogue vestige of the Anarki are trying to wreak havoc.”
”I hear others have been attacked!” O'Shea pointed out. ”People claim they've seen Mathias. I saw Auropha's body.” He choked on the last word.
Sydney's heart went out to him. The man looked genuinely anguished. And furious, as if he had a death wish. As long as he could avenge Auropha first, Tynan O'Shea would die a satisfied man.
”Tell me the b.l.o.o.d.y truth!” Tynan demanded.
Mathias on the loose should be all over magickind's version of the news. Maybe he'd been living in a fishbowl? Sydney saw confusion and desperate need in his expression. The man fisted his hands, clearly trying to hold back. Tension vibrated in the air, and she had little doubt O'Shea was close to snapping.
”You know I'm not allowed to speak of Council matters,” Bram said finally.
”Do not f.u.c.k with me,” he growled. ”I loved Auropha. She was to be my mate after her transition next year. If that Satan's sp.a.w.n raped her until she found her nextlife, then I want to show him his. The more painful his death, the better.”
Sydney held her breath. Ice cursed softly. Duke looked at Bram, seemingly waiting for a cue. Would no one tell this grieving man about the Doomsday Brethren?
”d.a.m.n it, have you formed a clandestine army? There are whispers. I visited the Pullman family after they were attacked. One of the neighbors thought you might be gathering warriors to combat Mathias, and doing it under the Council's nose.” He rose and growled. ”If you're fighting, I want in.”
”Mere rumors,” Bram said weakly.
Sydney's jaw dropped, then she snapped her mouth shut.
Why would Bram lie?
Tynan sneered. ”Only in dire circ.u.mstances would I find a Deprived like Rykard supping at the same table as the ultimate Privileged. You need only your friend Lucan MacTavish to complete the picture.
Where is he?”
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