Chapter 73 AURORA Panic rising , I dug around for the papers .
I knew they were in my top desk drawer .
Id been so specific .
about leaving them there .
Then I saw them not in a drawer at all , but on top of a paper organizing tray .
I wanted to snatch them up , but the paper was old .
Yellowed and brittle with age .
Carefully , I lifted them and set them I the center of my desk .
You found them , then ? Dane asked .
I flicked my eyes to him , then back to the papers .
That wasnt where I left them .
Im certain of it .
Dane frowned .
Are you ? Yes , I insisted .
I red my nostrils and scented , but without a wolf , there was no way if I could tell someone had been in here .
Seeing me , Dane did the same .
Then he shook his head .
There are no scents here but you and your pack .
I gritted my teeth .
I know it couldnt have been one of my people .
I trust thempletely .
2/6 Do you trust them more than you trust your own memory ? Because either it was them , or you were mistaken about where you put the papers .
I wavered , uncertain .
I knew who I suspected : Evelyn .
My eyes went wide .
There was a chance and not a small one- that Dane could scent Evelyn in here , and he just wasnt telling me .
I searched his face, trying to gauge whether or not he might be lying to protect her .
It would be far , far from the first time .
In fact , Id be much more likely to believe he was lying to protect her than I would that hed tell me the truth .
Theres no scent here that doesnt belong ? I asked , carefully watching to see if I could catch him in a lie .
No , he said .
I pressed my lips together and nodded .
Outside my windows , it was full dark .
I was suddenly so tired .
I wanted to desperately to be with Dane and to trust him .
But my mistrust of myself and the years hed spent as my enemy made it so difficult .
You should go , I said .
Im … unnerved by this .
Id like to get some sleep .
Dane looked from me to my bed .
The way he did it made my Chapter 73 entire body heat with desire , but Id made up my mind .
3/6 Fine , he said .
He wasnt exactly rude about it , but I could tell he was frustrated .
I didnt me him .
If he was half as needy and aching for release as I was , frustration would be putting it mildly .
He walked up to me and bent to kiss my lips .
I turned so he got my cheek instead .
Aurora , he growled .
I put my hand on his chest .
His heartbeat was strong and steady beneath my palm .
Soon , Dane .
I swear .
I want you , too .
But like you said earlier , things areplicated .
He lifted my hand and pressed a kiss to the sensitive skin of my palm that sent fire burning down to my center and nearly made me change my mind .
But I held strong .
If you touch yourself tonight , think of me .
As for myself … I wont know release until Im inside you .
Dont keep me waiting long .
Then he was gone , and I was left alone , trembling for more reasons than one .
***** I hardly slept that night for obvious reasons .
There was no release for me , because nothing couldpare to my need for him .
Chapter 73 4/6 I woke several times , sweating in my twisted sheets .
The fifth or sixth time , the sky was finally gray with dawn .
Sick to death of trying to sleep when sleep only held dreams of Dane that ratcheted my need up to something like pain , I went and sat at my desk .
I flicked on themp and took the papers in my hand .
I wasnt sure where my power to trante hade from .
Only that Id had this journal for most of my life , and its symbols had been meaningless to me almost the entire time .
Then , one day after the twins were born , I opened it again and found that I could read it .
Well , read was a simple way of putting it .
When I looked at the page , the symbols would start to waver .
Sometimes the lines would seem to shift into words .
Sometimes it would be more like … a feeling of meaning in my head .
Staring at the book for too long would give me a headache and make me nauseous .
The best thing topare it to was like the way heat distorted the air around it like the air around a fire or above the pavement on a sunny day .
The magic of this book was like a fire ; so strong it distorted the very air .
I didnt know if I could read it because of the distortions , or in spite of them .
All I knew was that no one else was capable of Chapter 73 doing so .
5/6 This morning , the pages revealed very little .
I could tell they both detailed ceremonies for imbuing the chosen with the goddesss power .
Each chosen had a different job .
I could also .
make out some of the instructions .
I wrote them down , then leaned back and rubbed my temples .
Another book caught my eye : the journal I had kept when I was younger .
Id been too afraid to open it and read more .
Afraid of finding out the depths of how evil I had been before losing most of my memories .
I closed my eyes and put my head down on the desk .
The movement made the pearl pendant dig painfully into my chest .
I dont even think I should have you , I said regretfully as I took it off .
I set it to one side , thenid my head down again .
The night hadnt been good , and I just wanted to rest for a moment … Sometimeter , I jerked awake .
How long did I … ? I thought I was asking the question to an empty room .
Instead , there was a woman sitting in the chair on the opposite side of my desk .
Pale .
Beautiful .
With lc eyes .
6/6 Chapter 73 With a gasp .
I realized it wasnt another woman … It was another version of myself .
Aurora DeVere , she said , and leaned forward with a wicked smile .
Its time for you to move over and let me out .
Who are you ? I asked , terror coating my heart in ice .
Her smile grew .
Sweetheart , Im you .
The real you .
Im Ann Reed .