Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 115860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
“It reverted to where she last set it.”
“Exactly.”
That’s interesting, but… “I’ve barely met Aquarius, so I don’t know about her, but Sydney is definitely human, not magical.”
“Apparently having two X chromosomes is more important than having a magical one.”
“Even more reason you should send someone else in my place—Olivia, perhaps—and let me look for Anka elsewhere.”
Bram huffs. “Is giving up what the Marines taught you? Last I heard, failure wasn’t an option.”
Blast it, the wizard is right. I didn’t ask for this mission, but guilt and worry eat at me. I can’t leave Sydney unprotected. But how do I work my way back into her life?
“I may have some information about the book and how Aquarius acquired it.”
“I’m listening.”
I grip the phone. “I don’t know how she fits into the equation, but Aquarius mentioned someone named Emma.”
“What did you say?”
The violence of Bram’s question stuns me. “Emma?”
“You’re certain?”
“I overheard a telephone conversation, but reasonably so, yes.”
“Then you have a new mission. Besides getting that book away from Sydney, make her tell you more about Emma. Immediately.”
“You don’t have time to help me when you’re throwing me to the wolves, but when I mention some woman—”
A loud chirp, a flap of wings, followed by a woman’s panicked voice interrupt the beginnings of my tirade. Some witch has compelled a bird to deliver a message to Bram. And from the sound of it, the message is urgent.
“I must go. I’ll send you help to obtain the book since you’re not female. But get all the information you can about Emma, then call me.”
“Damn it, I’m not your errand boy. Who is Emma?”
“My mate. This is the first clue I’ve had of her since she disappeared. And I’m going to find that woman if it’s the last bloody thing I do.”
Chapter
Twenty-Six
Sydney
After the worst Tuesday ever, I’m more than happy to escape to my flat. I shed my clothes as I head to my bedroom. I shed tears just as easily.
My careless words got Caden dismissed. Granted, he was eavesdropping when we’re all suspicious that he’s trying to steal my story. I did my best to persuade Holly to take him back. No luck. Now Caden likely assumes that I tattled to my editor because he hurt my feelings by leaving my bed this morning. He must think I’m a spiteful shrew and never wants to see me again.
I’m crushed. I’ve got to find Caden and set matters straight. Already, I miss him with a yearning I don’t understand. Surely it’s impossible to fall in love in a handful of days with a man who’s only shared himself begrudgingly. Blast, he’s never even kissed me.
If he wants nothing more to do with me, I’ll have to accept that. But I hate him believing that I had him binned in a scorned woman’s act of vengeance. Normally, I would ring him, apologize, and explain. But I have no means of getting in touch with Caden—no idea where he lives, no mobile number…nothing.
I bite my lip. Except…I have the magical diary.
Did my previous scrawling really bring Caden to me? Can I know the answer if I don’t experiment?
Determined, I grab my mobile and ring Aquarius. The moment my friend and assistant picks up, I blurt, “Do you swear the book worked for you?”
“Mellow, boss lady. Like I said at lunch, it works. From what you told me, you discovered that yourself.”
“Maybe it was coincidence.”
“I was skeptical at first, but after I wrote about Alex a few times, and all my fantasies came true…I believed.”
Yes, but did I force a man who doesn’t actually want me to come to my flat and shag me? Even the possibility makes me feel unintentionally manipulative and wretched.
“It’s such a pathetic thing to do, write such a fantasy, regardless of what he wants.”
“You’re worried about bad karma. I get it.”
Not precisely, but… “Something like that.”
“Alex never minded, and we’re still friendly. But if you’re going to report on the book, you should test it again. Be certain and all.”
She’s not wrong. But Caden is the only man I fantasize about.
On the other hand, Holly will want a new twist on this magic story, and until I shore up a few facts, I can’t move forward with a piece about the identities of the bodies in the tunnel. That really only leaves the book. Unless…
“I didn’t have the heart to ask your cousin any more questions after she broke down at lunch. She looked so pale and tired. Is she all right?”
“As well as can be expected, but she won’t talk anymore, Sydney. When she asked me if you were a journalist, I couldn’t lie. She knows she’s said too much, and when I admitted you’ve been writing stories based on her experiences, she was terrified Mathias will find her.”
Damn it all! There goes my only other angle. “I’ve never given details about her identity. I never would.”