Captivating Archives

By CJ Bower

"She who dons the gloves enchants the dragon."

 

When Giuliana Parker was hired at the Bibliotheca Draconis, she hoped her low-key job would keep her out of the spotlight long enough to accept her inheritance and disappear from everyone's radar. She finds the silver, hand-crocheted, dragon-scale gloves adorned with jewels hidden in the back of a red-leather-covered book, and can't resist trying them on. However, she never imagined she'd awaken a dragon-shifter's call to mate.

 

Marek Sawyer kept his eye on the quiet, beautiful assistant, not quite able to put a finger on what drew him to her. He'd been protecting his shifter legacy for so long that he'd all but given up on finding a mate. But one day she found his family's history stashed among the rare books shoved into the bowels of his library.

 

But all is not what it seems, as Giulia has secrets of her own. Secrets that could destroy them both.

• Language: English
• Publisher: CJ Bower
• Release date: Jul 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201672065

CJ Bower

About CJ Bower    Reading and writing have always been a part of CJ’s life. Ever since she can remember, she’s been putting pen to paper, creating complex characters in rich environments. She lives in Western Wisconsin with her husband and fur-baby. When she’s not working or writing, she enjoys baking, cake decorating, and of course, watching NASCAR. She picked up her first piping bag at age fourteen and started decorating full-time at age twenty-three. Using the experience she’d gained while working in her family’s bakery, along with her love of racing, she created the setting for her first series of novels.  CJ’s Website: www.cjbowerauthor.wordpress.com Reader eMail: [e-mail] 

Book preview

Dedication:

To everyone who’s ever had a dream. A dream with a plan is a goal.

Take it one step at a time.

Don’t ever lose sight; don’t ever lose hope. You’ve got this.

Acknowledgements:

Ashlynn, without your encouragement, I would never have found the courage to dabble in the dark side. But don’t expect me to set up camp and stay a while, because I don’t know if I have another one in me.

To my fellow LAWGers, without your love and support, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Thank you for being my personal hack-and-maim squad.

To my beta readers, thank you for having the courage to be honest. It takes guts to tell a writer when a particular scene has failed its purpose. I genuinely appreciate every one of you.

Chapter 1

She who dons the gloves enchants the dragon

Giuliana Parker – Giulia to her friends – lost her balance on the ornately-carved, rolling ladder, sending the heavy book crashing to the marble floor as she gripped the brass rail with all of her strength. The boom echoed off the walls like cannon fire.

What on earth –? The head librarian poked her head around the floor-to-ceiling bookcases in the Rare Books Room. Oh, I should have known it was you.

Giulia groaned softly as she hurried down the steps and retrieved the leather-bound book. Of course the dour Mrs. Winchester had to see her at her most vulnerable. I’m sorry, Mrs. Winchester. I – I lost my balance, and it slipped out of my hands.

You clumsy girl. The older woman glared at her over the readers perched on her beaked nose. Do you know how old these books are? How irreplaceable?

Meaning I’m not, Giulia fumed silently. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.

You’re right it won’t. Mrs. Winchester crossed her arms over her small bosom. Collect your things.

Giulia stared incredulously. You’re firing me for dropping a book one time? Even after she gave three years of loyal dedication to the Bibliotheca Draconis, the old woman seemed desperate to get rid of her.

Yes, I am. She snatched the book from Giulia’s hands and cradled it like a baby, though it looked like the tome was so heavy that it could break her skinny arms. If this book had been damaged, it would have cost more than your annual salary to replace it. She pursed her lips and gave Giulia another piercing glare. "That is, if we were able to locate another."

Giulia opened her mouth to protest, but a smooth voice from behind her cut off her words. A rush of gratitude flooded her at her boss’s interference, followed by an equally strong wave of annoyance. He immediately took control of the situation, not giving the unimportant underling – namely her – a chance to speak.

Mrs. Winchester, surely you could give the lady another chance, Marek Sawyer said. After all, no damage was done.

Giulia stared, transfixed. Under Mr. Sawyer’s charm, the old prune-face transformed in front of her. Behind the readers, the old lady’s eyes sparkled like emeralds, and her parchment-pale cheeks turned pink. And when she smiled...Giulia almost didn’t recognize her.

Marek, I – Mrs. Winchester swallowed, regaining her composure. Surely if she’s done it once, she’ll do it again. We can’t have some inept girl damaging our priceless treasures.

It took months to fill the position, and frankly I’d rather not deal with having to replace such an excellent employee. Mr. Sawyer stepped from behind Giulia and wrapped his arm around Mrs. Winchester’s bony shoulders and handed Giulia the book. His shoulder-length, dark hair obscured his face and the broad expanse of his back nearly dwarfed her.

Though Giulia was nearby, she could barely make out their voices. Mrs. Winchester’s features softened as she gazed at Mr. Sawyer with admiration. Giulia stared, transfixed, as he worked his charm on the older woman. She’d always been awed and overwhelmed by his presence, and this time was no different. Though she was right there, she could barely hear the reason why Mrs. Winchester thought she should be let go.

Mr. Sawyer made a few comments of his own. Though his words were barely discernible, Giulia still heard his melodious voice.

Mrs. Winchester slightly turned her head and glared at Giulia as he guided her between two bookcases a couple rows down from her. Giulia didn’t hear her reply as they disappeared around a corner, though it sounded like she was explaining why Giulia should be let go. The hostility in the woman’s gaze sent shivers of foreboding down her spine.

Giulia had only seen Mr. Sawyer’s face in profile (intentional, perhaps?) but she’d heard him talk many times in her three-year employment. He was always polite and courteous with the staff, but the only one he treated with real affection was Mrs. Winchester.

Shaking off her bewilderment, Giulia carefully ascended the ornately carved, wood and metal rolling ladder one more time, the treasured volume clutched to her chest. Her free hand gripped the brass rail. She slid it back into its resting place without further incident. As much pleasure as it gave her to have the library owner come to her rescue, her pride dictated that she politely decline whatever was offered. She had never begged for anything in her life – not even when her stepmother threatened to kick her out – and she certainly wasn’t going to start now.

Mr. Sawyer was still talking to Mrs. Winchester when Giulia hurried down the ladder and dashed out of the Rare Books Room, making sure the electronic lock engaged in her wake. The main salon had an Old World feel of towering polished Corinthian columns, intricately carved moldings, and exquisite artwork adorning the walls. The frescoes on the ceilings rivaled those of Michelangelo’s work in the Sistine chapel. She ignored it all as she dashed to the employees’ lounge to retrieve her belongings.

Despite the spark of hope at Mr. Sawyer’s intervention, she wasn’t entirely convinced he would be able to convince the old prune-face to keep her on. The row of tall, arched windows on either side did little to revive her spirits. Mrs. Winchester was a hard-nosed bitch. 

Giulia refused to wait around for them to fire her.

A sob caught in her throat at the idea of losing her job, especially one she’d grown to love. If she couldn’t make rent, she’d be homeless as well as jobless, and the idea of having to move back into the Parker Mansion with her stepmother made her ill.

The old hag was just dying to get her greedy paws on Giulia’s inheritance. If Donatella Parker could prove that Giulia had violated the terms of the trust fund, then she’d get the whole lot.

Not to mention the fact that her step-monster was still trying to pawn her off onto Stefano Deluca in an archaic arranged marriage. If Giulia did return to the ghastly, gaudy monstrosity that Donatella Parker called home, she’d be pushed at Stefano around every turn.

Giulia had loved her childhood house. The stone castle-like mansion had turrets on the northeast and southeast corners, a huge yard with an Olympic-sized pool, and a garden with her mother’s prized rose bushes just beyond.

Inside, the bright, airy rooms always made her feel like it was an actual loving home and not just a palatial estate. The soft, white walls, diaphanous sheers over the floor-to-ceiling windows and soft tan carpets invited her to run and play.

But once her father had remarried, the new Mrs. Parker had turned it into a cold decorator’s showplace. Wall-to-wall rose-patterned chintz and white carpets that barely gave when stepped on replaced her mother’s softer touches. By the time Donatella was done, the entire interior had ended up looking like a tart’s boudoir, and the garden was removed. Every trace of the first Mrs. Parker had been erased.

As for Stefano...shuddering at the thought, Giulia set her jaw. Only three months left. She hoisted her handbag over her shoulder and strode with her head high toward the doors, resolving to make a dignified exit.

Once she was on the street, she turned and looked at the marble columns and arched entryways towering toward the sky. Her heart cracked just a little, knowing she’d probably never work there again. A tear slipped from her lashes and slid down her cheek. Wiping it away, she turned and headed for her apartment.

I DON’T SEE THE NECESSITY of having to fire her. Marek frowned, his eyebrows drawing together. It was just the one incident, correct?

Mrs. Winchester nodded once.

The book was undamaged, and it’s now back where it belongs, he reasoned.

She pursed her lips. "You do realize we can’t have her snooping."

He understood what she meant. The entire staff knows perfectly well that these books aren’t available for check-out. He was supremely confident that his family history was safe here, buried in a forgotten, dusty corner of the least-used room in the entire building. What better place to hide an old book than at a library? Especially in a room that isn’t open to the public.

But, Marek –

He held up his hand. It didn’t make sense that someone should lose their job over such an insignificant thing. She stays.

Though he wasn’t sure what made him so adamant. What annoyed him even more was that he realized his interest wasn’t just professional.

Giuliana had snared his attention from the moment she’d started working for him, with her long golden hair and sparkling jewel eyes. Something inside him had stirred the first time their paths crossed, and every time after that it just grew. Lately he’d been spending more time closeted in his office under the pretense of getting work done, just so he could avoid bumping into her.

Marek had been so careful in keeping his emotions under lock and key, but now he couldn’t help wondering if he’d inadvertently let something slip in front of his former governess.

Marek concluded his discussion with Mrs. Winchester and turned to reassure Giuliana that her job was secure. But, when he rounded the floor-to-ceiling bookcase where she’d been working, she was gone.

He escorted Agatha out of the room and engaged the coded lock behind them. Leaving his former governess behind, he ascended the wide stone steps two-by-two as he entered the main salon, the midday sun streaming through the high, arched windows lining the walls along the center aisle. His family had purchased the building two generations ago with money they had converted from their stores of gold and gemstones collected over many centuries.

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