by TL Reeve
“You like her?” Abraham lifted his chin in the direction of the glass separating the rooms.
“No.” He shook his head, opening the file in his hand. “She’s trouble.”
“She seems like she enjoys life. Has fun.” Warren shrugged.
“Fun?” He gazed at the stalky, lesser demon. His blue eyes glowed with a hint of mischief. “Not at all.”
“He likes her.” Warren chuckled while catching Abraham's eye.
“Yep. This should be fun.” The vampire joined his demon boyfriend in a quick laugh.
He shook his head. “She’s been in trouble the whole time she’s been here. Egging the Carmine house. Toilet papering the park trees for Samhain. She scribbled a horrible message under Mr. Hitchenson’s classroom window.”
“And?” Warren cocked a brow. “We’ve all done childish shit. Sounds to me like she’s protesting due to her heartache.”
He blew out a breath and slammed the file closed. “Both of you are agents of PRA. We have been trained to squirrel out the enemy. You should be worried about her activity escalating.”
As a member of the Psychic Retrieval Agency, he took his job seriously. Protecting their anonymity was first and foremost. Having someone like Fallon there would expose them. There were no ifs or buts about it. It was all a matter of time. Plus, he couldn’t decide if she was just some hapless soul who lost her parents or a plant in their community. He’d even begun investigating her brother Ji, to be on the safe side.
“Have you read her folder in its entirety?” Abraham took the file from him and flipped to the part about her parents. “She’s acting out man. Her parents are dead.”
He understood, but it could all be an act as well. “So, she gets a pass?”
Abraham shook his head. “Not in the least, but it sounds like what she’d been doing tonight, wasn’t just for some incantation her friend could do.”
“It’s for memories,” Warren added. “My mom used to use it on my grandmother before she passed.”
Grainger frowned. Human afflictions were rare for supernatural beings. However, his grandmother, like his mother, was human. When Warren’s grandmother started forgetting small things, no one thought anything of it. A human entering their eighties could have a faulty mind a time or two. Obviously, she’d seen and done so much over her lifespan, it was expected. Unfortunately, the small lapses in memory became full-fledged episodes of complete loss. Warren’s mother used the potion to help her mother through the daily turmoil, but it became too much. Her body and mind failed three months after the first episode.
“Doesn’t matter. It’s not a good enough reason to steal.”
“You’re right,” Abraham sighed. “It’s not. So, how do you explain her leaving money behind for the herb?”
“You’re assuming there’s money left behind.” Grainger stared at Warren. “How do we know she’s telling the truth?”
“Oh, for fuck’s sakes.” Warren opened the file again and showed Grainger the picture of two ten-dollar bills sitting on the register with a note from Fú zé. “Sometimes your prejudices blind you, friend. Sometimes, you believe everyone is your enemy until they prove they’re your friend.”
Grainger glanced between the two men he considered his friends. Warren had a point, he did have issues with trust, but it came from years of not having anyone, except for a select few he could call an ally. With Fallon, she rubbed him the wrong way since her arrival in Window Rock, but he couldn't put his finger on why. “Why are you defending her so much?”
“I’m trying to give you a reason to look at her, not as a criminal but a girl who’s lost everything.” Warren shrugged. “We’ve all had a pretty good life here. Safe, secure. We know our worth and our parents don’t treat us differently. She, on the other hand, has had everything stripped from her, including her safety and her normal life.”
Then shouldn't she want to find commonality within a community where she's equal? “Doesn't make sense.” He tapped his thumb against the file as he watched her through the two-way glass. “There's more to what happened tonight. I can feel it.”
“Maybe that’s not what you feel, but something else,” Abraham teased, elbowing him. Though they were exceptional agents, they could cut up worse than a pre-teen on sugar. It sometimes made him feel as though he were the adult and they were his subordinates, instead of the other way around.
He shook his head. “Stop thinking with the little head and start using the big one.” He gave them a droll stare. “She’s the criminal. We’re the law.”
“Relax, lawman,” Warren replied, with a subtle edge of censure in his voice. “We understand the implications of what she’s accused of. We happened to believe people are innocent until proven guilty, unlike you.”
They. Caught. Her. Red-handed. “How does the evidence fit into your believing someone was innocent until proven guilty? It’s not like they found the herb in her bag and, as she said, “I took it,” but wouldn’t explain why.” They even had the incident on video because of the security system Keeley installed. He turned his ire on Abraham. “I’m not even going to qualify your comment with an answer.”
“Well, you better get the stick out of your ass.” Warren pointed to the room adjoining them. “Looks like Suān ní has arrived.”
Suān ní wasn’t an agent. He was the personal security for Mrs. Chen’s shop. An integral part of the shop, as Mrs. Chen stated. He was a gargoyle. Older than most of the people in Window Rock, even the vampires. No one had ever seen him, except for his tendrils of smoke and even then, he’d taken on the shape of a guardian lion.
“What’s he doing here?” Grainger frowned as the gargoyle took on a human shape. “More importantly how did he get here without anyone knowing?”
The interrogation room filled with a brilliant blue light as energy snapped and crackled in the air. The ghostly shape of Fallon’s tiger mingled with the gargoyle lion twinning together as the wave of energy expanded toward the viewing room. Grainger had never seen anything like it before. Then in another flash of white light, the two spectral felines were gone, and the room settled. What in the world just happened?
The door opened beside them, and Kalkin entered. “All right you three.” He blocked their view of Fallon and Suān ní. “You’ve been listening to our conversation. You’ve heard my proposal, and you’ve seen their bonding. Now, I need to know if you’re willing to work with her.”
“Warren and I are, Sheriff. You might have to convince Grainger though. He’s got a hardon for her to be thrown in jail.” Abraham nudged Grainger.
Kalkin crossed his arms and narrowed his gaze on Grainger. The Alpha wolf had a keen sense about him and could make even the hardest of paranormal being squirm. “What’s the problem?”
“For one thing, she did it. She broke the rules—several times. I don't understand why you'd want someone like her working with us.” Grainger ignored the haughty tone of his voice. If no one else would see reason, he’d point out the obvious.
“She’s also the asset we’ve been looking for,” Kalkin replied. “Look, since Adrian was forced to flee PBH, we have been trying to find another way to infiltrate their organization. We know they’re working on something big, and we know teen groups of hunters have been poaching shifters and children with abilities for years now. With the four of you, we can finally shut this down. If you can put aside your preconceived notions about her.”
Grainger frowned. The plan put everyone at risk, and he hated it. The unknown elements of their plot or supposed strategy could bring down the whole community and no one cared. “How do you know she won't double-cross us?”
“Good old fashion trust,” the man replied. “I believe she understands the severity of the situation and will cooperate. She also has her brother to worry about as well.”
“How does Suān ní factor into all of this, Sheriff?” Warren’s gaze was stuck on the pair who carried on a conversation in the next room.
Kalkin shrugged. “He i
s her familiar now. I don’t get how all that new age, magical bullshit works, but if he says he’s hers, then so be it. He might even be a positive influence on her life.”
So, technically there were five of them on the team, and they had to trust the thief? What part of this new scenario made sense to anyone? Fú zé had no loyalty to anyone including her family. All she cared about was herself. “This won’t end well.”
“It’s a chance you’re going to have to take.” Kalkin shrugged, his hard, unyielding cobalt blue eyes bore into Grainger’s. “She will be a part of this team and you will take the lead on it.” He shoved the mission folder into his hands then stepped aside. “Go talk to her, explain how things are going to go and then get to work. I understand her training will take months if not a year, but don’t dally. The quicker we can get you into place, the better off we’ll all be.”
“Fine.” Grainger frowned.
No. Pressure. Petulance filled him as he stomped through the door, then stopping in front of the interrogation room. Warren or Abraham could do this part, they’d hang back and observe. They might have a job to do, but it didn’t mean he had to be her friend. For now, he was her superior officer. She’d do what he said, when he said it, no matter what. If she couldn’t follow his simple instructions, he’d make sure she ended up in an eight by ten cell somewhere far away from Window Rock.
“Don’t look so put out,” Warren murmured. “We have a job to do, and you’re the one on point.”
Don’t remind me. “I don’t want this job. I think it’s asinine that a girl who can’t even stay out of trouble is helping us.” Anger burned through his veins. He held on to his steadfast control by the tips of his fingernails.
“This girl doesn’t give a crap about you either.” Several purple highlighted strands of her hair hung in her face, giving her more of a human appearance than a tiger-shifter. Her dark brown eyes locked with his, challenging him. Her bow-shaped lips were compressed by the tension radiating off of her.
A tornado of sensations whipped through him. If he were like the fictional vampires, his heart would have given a hardy thump at emotions she kindled within him. Instead, he pushed it down, even as the word; beloved floated through his mind. Hell. No. Not happening.
“Good, then we’re on even footing.” His lip curled in disdain, trying to hide the effect she had on him. “They say I have to work with you. I say you'll muck all of this up.”
She shrugged while sitting back. Her smooth, porcelain skin glowed as her tiger lurked below, peeking out at him with curious eyes. Everything about her screamed rebel, however, the mask she held in place cracked a bit at the seams. Was it from bonding with Suān ní? The thought pissed him off more. A familiar had made more headway with her in minutes, while she’d already been there for a year with no end to her destructive ways.
Her heart pounded, sending blood singing through her veins, and the scent... Jasmine and sweet pea. The sweet aroma called to him like nothing ever hard. His mouth watered. Not since his transition had been tested in such a way. Taking a drop of her blood would spell disaster for all of them. He hated her for it.
“As far as I am concerned, I could leave this place and be so much happier without it.” Her voice trembled. Her gaze darted from his. For being such a badass, fear prowled within her. “However, an offer is an offer.”
“Too bad you aren’t leaving.” Grainger threw her file on the table between them. For all his bluster of not wanting to be a part of the mission where she’d been concerned, he took control, using his abilities as a detector of sorts. “It says here you’re a petty criminal. You have a reputation for pulling off some crazy stuff, and you’re the likely choice to get us into sketchy situations when push comes to shove. I have my reservations, nonetheless, I've been outvoted.”
“Congratulations.” The corner of her mouth lifted in a smug smirk. “Or should I say, my condolences?”
Her insolence came from pain. Deep cutting pain he could scent. He shouldn’t feel an ounce of remorse for her, but he did. Losing her parents had to be rough. It was always Grainger and his mother for as long as he could remember. He clenched his fists at his side, pushing the errant thought away. He couldn’t let his guard down with her. She’d use it to her advantage. “Condolences works perfectly. So, here are your choices, Fallon. Either help us infiltrate PBH or you can kiss your sweet, Window Rock life goodbye.” He took a step forward and braced his hands on the table. “I’m sure you won’t last a week in the outside world.”
She laughed at him. “I come from the human world. I’d last longer than you, vampire.” Fallon sat forward, the wild hint of her scent clung to him, clawing at his senses. “Your idle threats will get you nowhere with me. I came here with nothing, leaving without anything won’t bother me.”
“Enough posturing.” Warren placed his hand on Grainger’s chest and pushed backward. “My name is Warren, and that’s Abraham.” He pointed to the PRA vampire agent with short blond hair and vivid green eyes. “We need you, plain and simple.”
She crossed her arms. “So, let me get this right. A lessor demon, two vampires and PRA need a tiger’s help.”
“Yes,” Abraham answered. “Please.”
Fallon snorted. “Good cop, bad cop doesn’t work with me. This is ridiculous. I shouldn’t be here. I should be at home. I could be doing better things with my time than having to be interrogated by the likes of you.”
Her hand twitched before the tendrils of Suān ní began to form beside her. “What are your intentions with my mistress?” The familiar set himself into a fighting stance. “So far you have badgered, threatened and tried to coerce Fú zé into doing something she is not ready for.”
Warren held up his hands. “We’re the good guys. We need her help.”
Fallon shook her head. “Must be hard asking lowly old me, a grifter-thief for help.”
She was scared. Maybe not because she got caught but for another reason. Yeah, Grainger knew about Warren’s grandmother and yes he understood Fallon left money for the herb, but this was more. They couldn’t be partners if she continued to hold back on them. Then again, she was giving everything and all she’d get out of it was being able to stay in Window Rock. Like she’d said, she came from the human realm and survived without a pack or pride to assist her. He had no doubt she could do it again.
“You took the herb for a reason. How about I make you a deal,” Warren offered, cutting through their mutual hostility.
She perked up. Her scent shifted to curious as she sat up a bit more in her chair. “Go on. I’m listening.” Beside her, Suān ní relaxed and took up position behind her right shoulder.
“You needed the Huperzia to do what exactly? Make a potion? I think it has more to do with you than your friend Calli. So, here is my bargain. You help us get with our mission. and I will help you legally acquire the herb, plus I’ll help you do the spell. No questions asked.”
She glanced between all three of them while biting her bottom lip. “That’s it then? I help you, and you help me?”
“Yes.” Abraham joined Warren. “You’re hurting, Fallon. Even though you believe you can hide within yourself, we see you. Let us help you.” Shit, the vampire pushed too hard. She’d balk at Abraham’s attempts at getting her to consider Warren’s arrangement.
“You don't understand what I need right now.” Her words were barely above a whisper when she said them, but the anguish behind them struck Grainger in the gut. For all her bluster and her rebellious ways, she was lost and lonely, even if she and Ji survived, he wasn’t her parents.
“Yes, I do,” Grainger spoke his thoughts aloud and cringed. “Work for us, and I will personally make sure whatever you need will be afforded to you.” He tucked away the emotional thread beginning to form between Fallon and him. It would be more advantageous for him to keep the distance. She was a criminal and he had been the law.
“Besides,” Warren added. “Do you want to be alone right now? Would you be happier o
ut in the human world unable to shift? To not truly be who and what you are meant to be without reprimand or hatred?”
She stared at them, her hazel-eyed gaze dancing between them “Does it matter? Everything special is gone. The humans took it all. At least out there, I could exact some revenge.”
“Is revenge all you think about?” Abraham rounded the table and knelt beside her. “Hurting those who hurt you?”
“Yes.” She gave a curt nod. Her gaze hardened losing their curiousness. “You wouldn’t understand.”
“I see more and know more than you realize, Fallon.” Abraham left her side then took Warren’s hand. “Not everyone is out to get you. Not everyone will hate you.”
All the tension left her body. “Fine. I'll help you. But, afterward, I'm gone. I don't care about any of you. I don't care about this place. I hate it here. Hate the rules. Hate the people. Hate all of you. Now get me out of this room so I can go the hell home.”
No, she didn’t. The venom in her voice had been used to protect her. This girl had a lot to learn about them and the community of Window Rock. “Yes. We’ll be taking you home now. However, there is another stipulation.”
“Of course, there is,” she snapped. “Out with it.”
“We will be your chaperone at school, so you can’t do anything stupid.”
She winced. He'd hit her hard with the truth, and it didn't sit well with her. “Fine. I have babysitters, so I don’t ruin your precious community. Can I go now?”
He nodded. “Warren and Abraham will see you home. I have better things to do with my time.” With that, Grainger walked out of the room. He had to get away from her. He feared if he spent another moment with her, he might do something stupid, like claim her.
“Well, I see you’re making new friends.” Kalkin pushed off the wall and followed Grainger toward the exit.
