For Gods sake, give him the bloody book! she snapped at Bram.
He merely raised a superior golden brow at her. Dukes expression was no less assured. Were they utterly mad?
Now that she could breathe, Sydney stomped her foot on Zains instep at the same time she rammed her elbow into his abdomen, grateful for the self-defense class shed taken last year. Zain grunted in pain. In the ensuing moment of surprise, she darted away and ran toward Bram, hand outstretched for the book.
The wizard held it away from her, then shot Caden a glare. Control your woman or I will.
Youll pay, bitch! Zain shouted as he worked to stand upright and charged Bram.
As Caden restrained her, Sydney railed at him. But something inside her savored his touch. His arm around her, holding her close, breath in her ear, made her feel alive. Safe.
Quickly, he shoved her behind him. The blond wizard tossed the book at Duke, who caught it in an efficient grab. Before she could blink, Bram waved his hand. Something that looked like a magic wand appeared.
A wand, seriously? How Harry Potter.
Sydney had barely completed the thought when Bram brandished the wooden stick, jolting Zain with a burst of energy that hit him like a live wire, making the other man jerk and sizzle. Some of his minions rushed toward Bram and Duke, wands suddenly in some upraised hands. The others . . . Oh, God! Now that they stepped into the light, she saw they were little more than skeletons with rotting flesh dripping from gray bones, staring out from under their hoods. Their eyes promised pain.
Retreat! Bram demanded, waving his wand with an efficient flourish that made two of the robed figures crumple into unconscious heaps next to those Caden had subdued earlier.
Someone dragged Sydney close with an arm about her waist while Caden clung to her. She screamed until she turned and saw that the second arm belonged to Duke. Bram reached out for Aquarius, whod been watching in wide-eyed, uncharacteristic silence.
Before Bram could secure Aquarius against his side, one of the mutants in robes grabbed the little woman and tossed her in Zains direction, waves of her light brown hair streaming behind her like a flag. She shrieked, the terrified sound making the hair on the back of Sydneys neck stand up.
No one is leaving! Zain insisted as Aquarius landed against him.
He absorbed her smaller body with a grunt, then trapped her in his arms, gripping her below the breasts. Aquarius jerked, gasped, green eyes popping wide. Suddenly, she loosed a bloodcurdling scream. A moment later, her face turned red, then purple, then swelled into something terrible.
Sydney wriggled against the arms holding her back, struggling to reach her friend. Between Caden and Duke, their grips were unyielding.
Do something. Save her! Sydney screeched.
As her words pinged off the walls, Aquariuss eyes rolled into the back of her head and she fell limp in Zains arms, her entire body bloated, skin blistered. Was she even breathing?
No! Sydney flailed and cursed, redoubling her efforts to get free.
Neither man budged an inch.
Retaining his grip on her, Caden kicked one of the corpse-like attackers, delivering some martial arts trick that snapped the minions spine in half. Blood spurted everywhere. Black blood, just like Chloe had described. Sydney gaped on in horror.
Humans converted to magical zombies, just like the dead soldiers in the tunnel. Oh. My. God, she whispered.
Yes, Anarki. Conscripted men minus a soul. Caden kicked another half-dead creature who tried to sneak up on Bram. Again, the body broke apart and bled black as he collapsed.
Bram, who had been fighting off the others in robes, rushed to her side again. All around was a pile of unconscious Mathias followers, some rotting, some not, littering the ground. Now, only Zain and two of his robed peers stood.
Put the girl down, Bram said. Call off whats left of your lackeys. Theyre no match. Lets fight this fairly, you and I.
Zain scoffed. I dont give two fucks about fighting fairly. The girl is alive. He jostled Aquarius in his grip, and she bounced like a rag doll, making Sydney cry out. But only just. Give me the book and Ill let her live. If not . . .
Sydneys heart nearly stopped.
Give it to him! she screamed at Bram.
Bram huffed, rolled his eyes. He wasnt budging.
The book must be more powerful than Aquarius had indicated. In her head, she knew that putting it in Zains hands would be as good as putting it into Mathiass, but her friend . . . if Bram didnt 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. God, 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. Youre alone, Bram pointed out. Give up or fight me.
Suddenly, he shoved the book into Sydneys hand. Startled, she grasped it. Her eyes met Brams blue ones, sharp with warning. Do not give it to Zain. Hed 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, Dukes arm tightened around Sydney. A sense of falling assailed 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 artworkand a roomful of men so menacing, she took a step back.
Who the hell 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 hadnt 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 Brams office.
Good. How am I getting home? She put a hand on her hip.
The blokes all looked at one another, then Caden sighed. Well 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. Shed landed in the middle of it. Caden had tried to talk her out of running the story on the book. Though hed given her no substantial reasons, she wished shed listened. But now that danger wasnt 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 theyd 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 snatched the red diary from her hands.
Thats mine! she protested.
No. Brams tone didnt 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 wasnt normal. None of the wizards shed seen today were, Caden included.
She had been making love with someone magical. Oh. My. God.
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. Youre 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 God you recaptured it.
Indeed. Then he stuck his head out the door and yelled, Sabelle!
A moment later, a breathtaking blonde appearedliterally out of nowherelooking tired and disheveled.
Bram narrowed his eyes. Where have you been?
Nowhere youd disapprove of, big brother. Merely helping Lucan.
Cadens brother? Brams sister knew him?
You had assistance, yes? Bram prompted.
Yes, Sabelle assured.
Did he take your energy? Caden asked, sounding choked and desperate.
Sydneys heart went out to him. Then she realized . . . Zain had been telling the truth about Cadens magical people shagging to rev themselves up. Which explained a lot about his stamina with her. And why his brother was bedding Brams sister. His wife was the missing Anka.
Some. Hes a bit stronger than the last time you saw him. Im trying. Sabelle laid a soft hand on Cadens forearm.
Sydney didnt like the gorgeous woman touching him. At all.
Gritting her teeth, she said, Could someone explain to me how were going to help Aquarius?
Aquarius? Sabelle asked. Sydneys 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 wouldnt think the worst.
Suddenly, Bram handed the book back to her. Sydney stared at him as she took it cautiously. Was he mad? Hadnt Caden just pleaded with her to let Bram keep it?
Give this to my sister. His tone didnt invite argument.
She held the little book to her chest. You just told me I couldnt handle it, now you give it back, then ask me to hand it to another woman who doesnt look equipped for battle either?
Do. It, he ordered through clenched teeth. The book must pass from female to female. The sooner you cooperate, the sooner we can focus on helping your friend.
If she didnt, would they withhold care? Sydney didnt want to learn the answer the hard way. Not understanding Brams female-to-female comment, Sydney glared at the beautiful woman and slapped the book into her hands.
Sabelle gripped it tightly. I will guard it with my life.
Hopefully, that will not be necessary, Bram said grimly. Just hide it until Im free. For now, call for Aunt Millie. Have her meet you upstairs.
Bram glanced at Zain on the floor, then kicked him aside. When he stepped away, Sydney could see another big bloke on the sofa, shrouded in sunglasses, leather, and bad attitude.
Shock. Bram sounded almost surprised to see him. Youve returned, then?
What kind of name is that?
As of a few minutes ago. I have news. The man took up the whole sofa.
Bram nodded. Good. Will you take the injured woman upstairs? Ice, take Zain to our lovely barred accommodations below. And filch his wand.
Cant we just kill him? asked a menacing figure with hair trimmed nearly to his skull.
Shock growled in response. Bram raised a hand. No, Ice, we cant. He has useful information.
With a sigh, Ice picked the unconscious Zain up as if he was holding a big pile of refuse, slammed the body over his shoulder, then disappeared.
The big man on the couch finally rose to his feet. Holy cow! Shock was enormous, easily topping every other man in the room, except perhaps the one with the goatee and sword. Gingerly, he took Aquarius in his arms. He dwarfed Sydneys friend, but his gentle grip reassured her. The mans gravelly voice didnt.
Ill do your bidding this once, but kick Zain again, and Ill cut off your bloody stones.
Sydney didnt care how big and bad Shock was. If he was going to defend Zain, he was going to hear from her. Zain nearly murdered my best friend. A swift kick is the very least he deserves.
Shock whipped his head around to face her. She couldnt see his eyes behind the dark sunglasses, but she had an impression of cold fury.
He may be a shit, but hes my brother. Who the hell are you?
Caden came to her rescue, putting an arm around her shoulder and sending the other man a challenging glare. Shes not to be harmed. Shock raised a questioning brow, black above the rim of his glasses. Do you think youre a big, menacing wizard now that you transitioned all of ten minutes ago?
Transitioned? From a man to a wizard. Was that why hed needed so much energy? Why thered been two of them afterward, his new and old self? What had happened to the other Caden?