Chapter 12
LEO’S NOTES
Place: Aberdeen University Library, Scotland
Found: Aberdeen Bestiary, illuminated manuscript of twelfth-century origin
Favorite illustrations: Among the lions and boars and elephants are illuminated illustrations of unicorns, satyrs, and griffins, inked in golds and reds and greens
Misc: What was it like living in a time when magical creatures were only as exotic as tigers and bears? Were they as dangerous?
The mere sight of the illuminated manuscript had made Leo feel like he was falling off a cliff—then he’d touched the leather binding.
His gift had overwhelmed him like the first time he’d sensed it, on that school trip to the National Archives.
Except now he knew his gift wasn’t pointing him toward the manuscript.
It had simply short-circuited at the sheer power radiating from the illuminations.
Leo closed his eyes and enjoyed the wind on his face, sitting beside Pan as she drove him home.
He enjoyed her concern, too. The worry in her voice and the care in how she’d helped him downstairs.
Though, apparently, she’d slapped him after he’d fainted, which she’d confessed with far too much relish.
Still, jouncing along with her in the zippy old golf cart made him happy.
He should be thinking about that glorious, unnerving manuscript but he kept thinking about the glorious, unnerving Pandora instead.
He’d forgotten how much he liked her. Everything was better with her around.
Not to mention that she’d grown into this lush, sexy creature whose body he wanted to explore with a thoroughness he usually only devoted to obscure manuscripts.
Though speaking of manuscripts, what just happened? He’d passed out and woke up horny. That’s what happened.
“What’re you smiling about?” Pan asked him.
“I’m just pleased that I found such a rare treasure.”
“I found a rare treasure! You got knocked on your ass by a rare treasure.”
“I certainly did,” Leo said.
Pan tapped the brakes. “Maybe we should stop at the doctor.”
“I’m fine, Pan. Really.”
“Then how about Deja’s shop?”
“You said you already shoved one of her pills down my throat.”
“It was like giving medicine to a disgruntled cat,” Pan said. “Don’t laugh! I was so scared, Leo.”
“I’m sorry,” he said. “Thanks for taking care of me.”
A few minutes later, Pan pulled to a halt outside his house. She hopped out of the cart, and ran around to his side like a real gentleman. She unbuckled his seatbelt, then cupped his face in her hands and eyed him.
Her expression softened. “You look better.”
Leo felt completely fine, but he enjoyed the attention. “I’m still a little woozy.”
She squeezed closer. Leo touched her waist to lever himself from his seat and she said, “You can lean on me.”
“Likewise,” he said.
She eyed him dubiously. “Are you teasing me?”
“Never. Anyway, uh, this is kind of huge.”
“Yeah, you collapsed.”
“Not that, that’s just, like, when someone gets their gift. Physical reactions are common. I mean, we found an antique illuminated manuscript so magical that it knocked me over.” He felt an eagerness rise in him. “I can’t wait to have another look. And more kisses.”
“Never mind the kiss. You can’t go near that book again, Leo.”
“Ha! Like I’m going to walk away from a manuscript that lit up my gift like fireworks.”
“That’s exactly what you’re going to do!”
He didn’t find it adorable that she stomped her foot in the gravel drive. “Pan, there’s no way I’m not studying that book.”
“You’ll have to go through me first.”
“Gladly,” he said, with a little too much heat.
She just blinked at him.
“And afterwards,” he continued, “you’ll realize I’m the only one on the island who can figure out what that manuscript is.”
“Afterwards?”
“While we’re basking in the afterglow.”
“Are we talking about sex now?”
Apparently the blood had rushed from his head straight to his dick. Well, getting horny was one possible reaction to kindling your gift. Not to mention the kisses. “Of course not.”
She eyed him skeptically. “Sure. So we agree you’ll stay away from the manuscript?”
“Pan. It would be irresponsible of me to—”
“To die because of a book?”
“I’m not going to die. I’ll just—”
“Collapse!” she said. “You stay away from that manuscript, Leo Carter.”
“Let’s make a deal,” he said.