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“Any change in Aquarius?” Bra the heavy silence

Sydney shook her head and picked at the tender meat on her plate Guilt and heartache were appetite killers “No”

She supposed she should be thankful that Zain had left her friend alive She didn’t know if his spell prevented her fro from her injuries or if Sydney’s efforts to keep Aquarius cool with compresses and ice packs had helped Whatever the cause, thankfully, her resilient friend had hung on

Bram turned to his sister “Did you call for Conrad, the healer? He’s had h a feeeks past”

The blonde glanced at Ice before she focused on her brother “He popped by earlier Said he’s never seen anything like it either He can’t help, but suggested the helbresele spell”

“A healing spell would be lovely, but until Zain awakens and gives his blessing, that’s impossible”

That didn’t improve Sydney’s mood She didn’t fully understand the spell, but even if Zain was conscious, he certainly wouldn’t consent to help Aquarius

Sabelle turned toward Caden “He also looked in on Lucan”

“I spoke with Conrad before he left” From Caden’s tone she wondered if his brother’s condition had worsened

“He told you that we should try ht is?”

“Yes I’ll be preparing his house over the next day or two Anka put up a quite a fight, and it’s in shambles As soon as it’s ready, I’llhim will help his condition improve”

“I can lend a hand,” Sydney offered

“No,” Caden bit out “But thank you”

His i

Caden leaned closer and murmured, “I don’t want to involve you anyto 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 ranted wishes, and she’d fantasized about hie What they shared had been one, 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 si, and she had no one to bla 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 ickind’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,she suspected The ht

“No I tried to reach him earlier today to coordinate solanced 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 Realer them She’d made that clear to Holly But they had no reason to trust her

A series of trills and gongs sounded Bra 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 acard To be polite, we send a distinct sound to another residence ish to visit”

“Each person has an individual bell ring?”

“Sos to?” she asked

“Everyone,” Bra room’s portal “This is Tynan O’Shea”

Mr O’Shea was, in a word, yuhtly 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 outdoorsray eyes looked as if all life and happiness had been sucked dry

He held up a large pal anyone’s eye, then turned an intense gaze back to Braestured toward an ery?”

O’Shea shook his head “I ca happened to your family?”

Slowly, he shook his head, then he sed “I’ve heard whispers that Mathias has returned”

Sydney frowned Whispers? Of course Mathias had returned How could Tynan not know?

Brarandfather?”

Tynan drilled hiotten 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, Braot the distinct i for time

“We haven’t yet determined precisely—”

“The truth, damn you!” O’Shea looked ready to burst a blood vessel His olive complexion flushed red His eyes flared to furious life, like ser and deterue 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 hiuished 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 bloody truth!” Tynan deickind’s version of the news Maybe he’d been living in a fishbowl? Sydney saw confusion and desperate need in his expression Theto hold back Tension vibrated in the air, and she had little doubt O’Shea was close to snapping