Which means she may choose to write about the diary. He groaned. How can there possibly be good news?
She doesnt know its purpose. Yet. Shes been told that writing in the book will grant her sexual fantasies. And Im not sure shes convinced its real.
Pray it stays that way, at least long enough for you to do whatever you muststeal, sweet talk, or seduce her away from that book.
Ill work on that while determining the name of her source. Youre coming to help, right? Use a bit of magic and . . .
Cant. There was another Anarki attack two hours ago. Ive just left what was the Pullmans estate. Burned to the ground. Their newly transitioned daughter is missing. Everyone else is dead. I have to report to the Council.
That wasnt good news. If the Anarki were attacking again, that meant Mathias was on the mend and his power rising once more. Caden didnt want to care, but . . . he rubbed his tired eyes with his fingers. After seeing so much war and death in his life, attacks on families, on women, troubled him.
What will you do next?
Bram sighed. What we have been: keep searching for Mathias, not to mention Shock and his brother, Zain, who appears to be the evil bastards right-hand lackey.
Have you considered telling other magical families about this attack? They have to start protecting themselves.
So youre going to pretend you care about magickind now?
Caden restrained a growl. I would not wish whats happened to my family on another.
Rumors are beginning to spread about Mathiass return, but the decision to officially tell magickind falls with the Council. They approve transcasts and issue edicts.
Certainly a few words on how best to defend yourself
Which is why no such edict will be created any time soon. No one knows how to defend against Mathias, and the Council would rather err on the side of silence than inaccuracy. Bloody stupid bastards.
Youre one of them, Caden pointed out.
The lone voice of reason, I assure you. Ive long argued that we should communicate magical news via transcasts or the like frequently. But by the time the Council agrees to the verbiage . . . Bram scoffed. Its old news.
That didnt surprise Caden. Dawdling old fools, Lucan had long said, even their Uncle Sterling at times.
Caden was curious why Bram stayed on the Council, likely enduring one frustration after another. But it was none of Cadens affair. He didnt want to become more entangled in the magical world. Already, he was in too deep.
Youll come to assist with the diary once youve helped the victims of the latest attack?
As soon as I can, Bram said. Keep working on Sydney Blair.
Caden could think of any number of ways in which hed like to work on Sydney. Completely naked with her on her back, came immediately to mind. But that couldnt happen. Now he needed to focus on his brother. I will.
CHAPTER TWO
CADEN RANG OFF WITH Bram just before Sydneys door burst open. In walked the source of his frustrations and fantasies, carrying the little red book.
A fresh wave of lust blazed across his senses. An electric pulse revved down his spine, shuddered across his skin. He burned with need. What the devil was wrong with him? Lately, hed felt . . . off. Tired one minute, wired the next. His senses quickened, his fingertips tingled. The odd sweating out of nowhere . . . bloody awful, but it fit with his libido being ever ready.
What ailed him? A frustrating mission? The redheaded dynamo who drove him beyond sanity? Yes to both. The stress wasnt helping. And he missed his job and his adopted home in Dallas, away from all this hocus-pocus. But he feared the problems true cause was magic. The urge to flee before it ripped away another loved one loomed large.
What is it, MacTavish? She thrust one hand on her hip. The other held the Doomsday Diary casually. God, if she had any idea what that book could do . . . he had to wrest it from her as quickly as possible.
Surreptitiously, he withdrew his mobile phone from his belt, pretending to sort through the menus. Quickly, he snapped a picture.
Hey! she protested.
Sorry. New phone. Was trying to silence it. Still learning.
She paused. What do you want? If youve no need to talk, I have a pub stool and a pint waiting for me.
She was in a snit. Caden hoped she wasnt angry that hed dismissed Jamie. The thought that she might have any interest in that knuckle-dragger made him grind his teeth.
Right, then. I have some questions.
Shocking. She crossed the room, slim hips swaying.
A caustic Sydney was a dazzling sight. He shouldnt stare, but shed snared him from the first, dug under his skin. Pink tinged her fair face, and her auburn hair tumbled across her shoulders. Those flashing brown eyes were a sucker punch to his gut.
Dont think about her. Think smart. Think mission.
Hed rather think about having her naked underneath him.
Ill get to the point.
Lovely.
Sydney stood her ground and stared back with admirable moxie for someone who didnt reach his chin. She defended her stories with considerable passion and wit, fighting back when things got rough. The fact she was also smart and sexy made her damn near impossible to resist.
But let me first say, she went on. If youre going to warn me about the evils of Jamie, Im a big girl.
He hadnt planned on it, but since shed brought it up. . . .Are you actually interested in him?
She shrugged defensively. Why do you care?
The possibility drove him mad. Hed never been jealous of such a wanker. Hed never been jealous, period. Splendid, a new low for him. And if the truth slipped out, she would know he wanted her in his bed, her nails in his back, screaming his name. Shed given off clues that she felt similarly, so revealing his desire would be a match on kindling. Still, he must have latent masochistic tendencies because the urge to tell Sydney in excruciating detail exactly how he wanted her bombarded him. But if he let himself be distracted, he might never find Anka. And his brother could pass to his nextlife.
Its none of my business, I grant you. Weve been working together just a few days, and I dont know you well. But I think you can do better.
Sydney cocked her head. Are you offering?
Cadens heart skipped a beat before blasting into a furious rhythm. Though every muscle in his body tensed at her suggestion, he doubted Sydney knew how close she was to feeling her desk against her back.
Im merely saying that youre a beautiful, talented woman. You deserve more.
Sydney looked at him from beneath the veil of her ginger-shaded lashes. Cunning shone in those brown eyes. And desire. The seductive sight was a blow to his gut. Bloody hell, that was the kind of look that made him ache to give her everything she desired.
Why do you care?
The truth would land them both in trouble. If Jamie turns out to be an ax murderer, Im out of a job.
Sydney rolled her eyes. Prat. Im leaving. On Monday, well continue with the magical battle story. I might have the needed facts by then.
He tensed, but did his best to act casually. Youll be talking to your source over the weekend?
Perhaps. It depends on how willing she is to talk.
Not only did Caden need to find out if Anka was her source, he feared that Syndeys stories made her a target for Mathias. Now that she had the Doomsday Diary, he worried even more.
I have a great deal of experience at extracting information from interview subjects. If you brought me along
Nice try, but no. Besides, Im not certain shell emerge from hiding.
Ill protect her, if thats her concern. And you.
She waved his suggestion away. You cant, not against magic. But this conversation leads me to wonder . . . if you have so much experience back in the States working for a reputable paper, why have you chosen to work for Out of This Realm?
Clever. Caden wasnt surprised she was questioning his cover. Maddened . . . but not surprised.
As I mentioned when I started Monday, my brother is ill and requires my care. I dont know how long hell need me, and a man has to make a living.
Indeed. What ails him again?
Explaining mate mourning to a human? A definite no-no. His physicians arent certain, so I may be here for some time. While here, I could be very beneficial to you.
Beneficial, indeed. Sydney could picture it. Craved it, in fact. But if he was interested in anything beyond a platonic working relationship, he was doing a bloody good job of hiding it.
Ill keep that in mind, she said finally. Im off for the weekend. Ta ta.
She turned to go, but he grabbed her arm. His hand felt warm, large. Real honest-to-goodness tingles shot through her body as he swung her around.
Wait! The continuation of the battle in the tunnel, will you run that story next week?
She drew in a shaky breath. If my source talks more over the weekend, I might have enough information. If not, I have a list of related stories I may be able to flesh out. Holly says circulation is up, and readers are eager for more about magickind.
Let me help you. Please.
Because . . . ?
Your work is fascinating.
Really? He usually seemed annoyed. Why arent you interested in my other stories?
Cheeseburger-addicted alien attacks London McDonalds? Stonehenge vandalized by ghosts? A vicars conversation with Kurt Cobain?
The first story wasnt mine originally. I only followed up, as ordered. The other two might be perfectly legitimate. Who knows Stonehenges secrets, and the vicar might have connections to the other side. How are those less credible than a magical war?
He hesitated, rubbing that square chin shed spent hours looking at of late. You have an information source who isnt in an asylum, for one. At least you havent mentioned that she is. But given that shes a recluse. . . .
Shes not mad, but she fears shes in danger, Sydney replied tartly. Her fear may be nothing more than a punchline to you, but this poor woman has been terrorized
Im not laughing. If shes afraid, Im a former U.S. Marine, skilled at hand-to-hand combat and trained as a sniper. I could lend a sense of security, which might persuade her to open up.
Truly? Sydney hadnt known any of that, but he had a military sharpness about him. Your shoulders are as wide as a mountain and you smile as often as a mortician. The woman was repeatedly raped. Youll scare the piss out of her, more like. Youre not going. Anything else?
Caden clenched his jaw. Youre making a mistake.
Its mine to make. Arguments aside, a few of my friends are waiting for me at the pub round the corner. Join us?
Sydney held her breath. Spending the evening with Caden, knocking back a few, flirting . . . seeing where it led, would be one of the best birthday presents ever. Yes, he worked with her, and she knew she shouldnt shit where she ate, as the saying went. But something about him had her positively giddy.
He shook his head. I need to visit my brother. Enjoy your birthday.
Without him? It wouldnt be nearly as much fun. His refusal hurt more than it should. She wanted him. Short of stripping off and dancing naked for the man, how else could she show it? This conversation only proved that he wasnt interested.
But shed sure love to change his mind.
Sydney shooed him out and exited the room, Doomsday Diary in hand. Damn!
Still, he could ask Aquarius how shed acquired it and look for clues about the identity of Sydneys source. Since the redheaded reporter worked quite late usually, he hadnt yet had the chance.
Five minutes. Hed give her that long to visit the loo, collect her things, and leave the old building.
While waiting, he sent the picture of the book to Bram. In moments, the wizard answered: Bingo! Grab it. Caden sighed. As if it were that simple . . .
While waiting for Sydneys departure, he popped by Aquariuss cubicle. Gone, damn it. Lights out, hippie tie-dye coat off its hook. Hed never thought to ask where Aquarius was taking her holiday or when shed return. Caden winced against an oncoming headache. Well, hed simply focus on Sydney until the other woman returned. He could think of plenty of ways to keep busy with her.
Four minutes and fifty-eight seconds later, Caden moved nonchalantly down the hallway. Sydneys office was clear, thank goodness. Laptop shut down, lights off. Good.
If the woman wasnt going to take him along when she talked to her source, he had to find some way to learn the womans identity. That was top priority. Bram would disagree . . . but so bloody what. Caden prayed Sydney knew Ankas location and was helping her. This might be his only chance to find his brothers mate, bring her home, and restore his brothers sanity.
Easing into Sydneys office, he shut the door. Total darkness enveloped him. The November sun set much earlier in London than in his adopted home, Texas. Though hed grown up in the UK, hed forgotten its long nights. It was past five and pitch black out, so he didnt dare turn the lights on. At least a faint glow from the streetlamps filtered in. He took out a pocket flashlight and flicked it on.
Sydney often jotted thoughts on little pieces of paper. Now, where would she keep those notes?
He opened a few drawers. Plastic spoons, snack crackers, chewing gum, a calculator, lots of red pens, and paper clips by the dozens. Some old news articles, now yellowing, about nothing of importance, but nothing in her handwriting, no addresses, nor anything that might lead him to Anka.