by B N Miles
“No,” Jared says, meeting her gaze. “I’m not. And you’re not going to run, are you?”
“I don’t think so,” she said and laughed at the look he gave her. “What, do you want me to lie? I can lie if you want. I’d rather we started our new relationship out on a good foot.”
“We’re not in a relationship.”
“Maybe,” she said, but her face went sober. “You saved me back there, you know that, right?”
He shrugged. “Not really. You would’ve been fine if you had just stayed in containment.”
“I don’t know about that,” she said. “I think those Dryads were planning on killing us both to make sure there were no witnesses.”
Jared looked down at the table. “That makes sense,” he said, only now realizing just how close he’d gotten to getting killed.
“Where I come from, a life debt is a serious thing,” she said. “I’m not going to run out on you, at least until I’ve helped you first. But I really don’t want to go to Max. And I don’t want to go back.”
He looked up and frowned. “Where are you from, exactly?”
Before she could answer, the waitress returned with their check. He sighed and slipped from the booth, went to the register, and paid. When he finished, he turned and saw Cassie already standing right behind him.
“Ready?” she asked, sounding cheerful.
“Guess so.”
They left the diner together.
8
“Okay, first rule,” Jared said as they stood in front of the boring, black sedan Wyatt had left them. “Don’t touch anything.”
“Hands to myself, got it.” She grinned at him. “Does that include you?”
“Yes,” he said. “Now, look.” He found the keys on the back right tire and used them to pop the trunk open. It looked like any old trunk until he lifted up the floor mat. Instead of a spare tire, it was filled with equipment. “This stuff is serious, okay? Don’t touch anything.”
She peered over his shoulder. “Ooooh, pretty. Is that body armor?”
“Enchanted, yeah,” he said. “Should take a couple bullets before the magic breaks.”
“And what’s that?” She reached out for something.
But Jared grabbed her wrist. “What did I just say?”
She looked up at him. “Sorry. Don’t touch anything.”
He held her there for a moment. He could feel her body pressing against his side and her eyes met his. He held her wrist tight, feeling the Need rear up inside his body. He wanted her, fuck he wanted her. But he let her wrist go instead.
She didn’t move her body. But she gave him a strange look.
He turned back to the trunk. “Service weapons,” he said, his voice thick. “Some designed to deal with particular Metas. Some survival gear, some medical gear, and a bunch of different tools. It’s a full kit, and probably overkill, but it’s good to have.”
He shut the trunk again and walked over to the driver’s side. He got in and Cassie joined him a moment later. She glanced in the back and frowned at the cuffs lying on the seat. “We won’t need those, right?”
“Not if you behave.”
“Perfect.” She perked up again and sat back. “Where to, leader?”
He arched an eyebrow at her. “I don’t think I like being called leader.”
“Sir? Master?” He grinned. “I like master, personally.”
He tensed his jaw and let out a breath. “Just Jared, please.”
“Fine.” She stretched, her lithe body long and lean and gorgeous. “Where to, Just Jared?”
“I knew you’d make that joke,” he grumbled, pulling out his cell. He typed in the search engine, pulled up an address, and dumped it into the GPS. When he was finished, he set his phone up in the holder, plugged it into the car, and pulled out of the spot.
Cassie squinted at the screen. “Seriously?” she asked.
“Seriously. You got a better idea?”
She frowned, then shrugged. “I guess not.”
“Then let’s hit the road.”
They drove for ten minutes before they pulled into the parking lot of a modern public library. It had a large glass facade that allowed sunlight through and long concrete walkways. He parked, grabbed his phone, and got out. Cassie bounced along on his heels.
“I’m going to need more clothes, you know,” she said. “Maybe I can go shopping while you do your research?”
“Nope,” he said.
“Please?”
“Nope.”
“I can’t just live in this one outfit.”
“We’ll get you more.”
“Oh, I see. You want to be there with me.” She leaned up against him and grinned up into his face. “You want to help me get changed, don’t you?”
“Not in the least.”
“Oh, come on. I know a little about human magicians.”
“Magi,” he grumbled.
“Whatever. I know about your little hunger.”
“Yeah? Then you know it’s dangerous, and you shouldn’t push me.”
“Maybe I want to push. Oh, don’t give me that look.”
He was glaring at her. He wanted to push her off him, but her body felt good, and his Need was driving him crazy again. Another day and it would fade, but he was starting to think he wouldn’t be able to go a day without magic for a while.
“It’s not safe,” he said.
“It’s just sex.”
He stared at her. “Come on. Don’t just…”
“Don’t just, what? Say it?” She laughed and shrugged. “You’re a human magician. I thought you were all a bunch of debauched heathens.”
“We are,” he said. “Mostly. But still, this is a public library.”
She stopped him before they could go inside. Her face got sober as she looked up into his face. “Listen, I’m being serious. There weren’t a lot of human magicians—sorry, Magi, where I’m from. But I know that the hunger that comes with using magic can really… mess with them. I can help you.”
He turned to face her and took a step toward her. She stepped back, surprised at the look in his eyes. It was pure, unadulterated lust, mingled with the desire for more power and a deep, dark, impossible rage. It was all the emotion he’d carried for so long tangled with this aching, driving Need.
She pressed back against the wall, just outside the library’s entrance. They were in the shade of an overhang as he leaned over her, one hand over her right shoulder, his left hand on her hip.
“How the fuck do you think you can help me?” he growled.
She looked up and he saw fear in her eyes. For a second, he didn’t give a damn. He wanted to take her, right there and then. He could sate his Need with this gorgeous girl, and fuck, would it be nice. She was beautiful, curvy, and willing. It’d be easy to give in to what he wanted. He was a Magi, a powerful fucking Magi, and the Magi didn’t wait for anything.
“Jared,” she said.
He clenched his jaw. “You don’t know me,” he said. “Don’t think you can help.”
She reached out and touched his face.
It surprised him. He could see fear in her eyes still, but she wasn’t backing down. He’d gone through this before, the rage, the hunger, and it was enough to scare most sane women away. That’s what he wanted, he knew. He wanted to scare Cassie away, make her never mention sex with him again.
Because if they went down that path, he was afraid he’d never be able to get off it again.
“It’s okay,” she said. “You’re okay.”
They stared at each other for a long moment until the library doors opened. An old woman stepped out, her puffy white hair sparkling in the sunlight. She glanced at them and gave them a disapproving frown as she tottered over to the parking lot.
Jared pulled himself away. “Don’t bring that up again.”
She shrugged and all the fear went away. “Offer stands,” she said. “Even though you’re a little terrifying.”
“It’s not a game
.”
“I know. But I’m just saying. You being a little scary makes it more fun. And way hotter.” She grinned as she slipped toward the doors. “I mean, wow, did you feel that? Your hand on my hip?” She laughed. “I thought you would take me right then and there.”
Jared let out a lengthy breath and closed his eyes.
This girl was going to fucking kill him.
He followed her inside. The library itself was cool, brightly lit, and mostly empty. Fortunately, there’s nothing sexy about a public library, since they’re the dirtiest places in the world, and also the most boring. Cassie looked around like she was lost, but Jared went right to the computers. He sat down, logged in, and started typing.
“So what’s the plan?” she asked.
“The plan is, you sit there and don’t get in trouble, and I do some research.”
She frowned at him. “Oh, come on. Let me help. I’m not an idiot.”
“I know you’re not.”
“Then use me, master.”
He glared at her and she laughed. He shook his head. “All right, fine. So I’m going to make a list of as many mines as I can. Then I’m going to figure out which ones are still in operation and which ones aren’t.”
“Sounds reasonable,” she says.
“From there, we’ll need to narrow it down further. Dryads have a particular type of magic that I think will be helpful here.”
“In what way?”
“Well, they’re forest spirits, right?”
“Forest gods. Sure.”
He frowned at her but went on. “So they grow things. Can’t really help themselves.”
“Ah,” she said. “We’re looking for a mine that sprung up a bunch of old growth.”
“I think so,” he said. “I’m not even sure how we’ll figure that out, though.”
“Better get to work.”
He nodded and got to reading.
Three hours later, he had a list.
It was a big, beautiful list. One of the best lists he’d ever made.
But holy shit, there were a lot of mines around Pittsburgh.
“This is impossible,” Cassie said. “There are hundreds.”
“Coal,” Jared grumbled. “I had no clue.”
She leaned back in her chair and groaned. She’d been helpful, he had to admit. She found more than a few good sources and even sweet-talked the librarian into giving them a hand. Between the three of them, they’d come up with a comprehensive list.
“But a lot of these are active,” he said. “We need to narrow it down to the inactive ones.”
“Even then, we’re going to have dozens, if not hundreds still.”
“So we’ve got a lot of driving ahead of us.”
She crossed her arms. “Maybe going to Max wouldn’t be so bad, I mean, better than being stuck with a grumpy magician.”
Jared laughed at that. She grinned at him in response. He was starting to feel comfortable with her, and he knew that was a problem.
But it was easy to be comfortable around Cassie. She had such a simple, direct way about her. When she thought of something, she said it. And she was funny, cute, and easy going. At least so far.
He had to admit, she was a good partner. And easy on the eyes.
Jared got up to find the librarian to ask if she knew of any way to narrow down by mine activity. As he walked toward the main information desk, he saw a movement from the corner of his eye.
The library had been quiet since they arrived a few hours ago. Locals came and went, used computers, checked out books, the usual stuff. But mostly, Jared and Cassie had been alone. That was probably why the librarian was so helpful. Not often she got to assist in actual research.
But the movement caught his eye. It was a figure, back in the stacks. The person turned when Jared looked and started walking away. He wouldn’t have thought anything of it, if it weren’t for the long, dark hair that flowed down the person’s back.
He followed. It was an instinctual move, but he couldn’t help it. The person took a left and walked faster through the stacks. He glimpsed hips, saw the long dark hair flow in the light, and a hint of pale skin that was almost tinged green.
He walked faster. The person turned again and again, getting deeper into the stacks. He started jogging to catch up, his heart racing. He made a turn toward the back and stopped in his tracks.
She was standing with her back to an emergency exit door. She wore black, tight jeans, a black t-shirt cut low, and a black leather jacket. Her inky hair hung in ribbons around her shoulders and her deep brown eyes stared hatefully at him. Her skin was pale with that strange, greenish cast that most Dryads had.
And she was pointing a gun at his chest.
“Don’t move,” she said.
“Okay. Okay, don’t do anything dumb.” He raised his hands. “It’s just us here.”
“No shit.” She stared at him and she was breathing fast. He couldn’t help but notice her full breasts rising and falling. His stupid fucking Need wouldn’t shut up even when his life was on the line.
If anything, it roared louder.
She was pretty. She had full lips, a small nose. Dryads looked dainty, and she had that same manner about her. She was slight, shorter than Jared and even Cassie, but her hips and breasts were full and wide. Her hands didn’t shake as she pointed the gun at Jared’s chest in an easy, practiced stance.
“You’ve been following me,” he said.
“That’s right.” She gave him a vicious grin. “You made it easy.”
“I have to admit, I didn’t think about it.”
“Of course not. Arrogant Magi.”
He winced. “Okay. That’s fair.”
“Stop coming for us,” she growled.
“Are you one of Ferric’s clan?” he asked.
“I am.”
“And were you the one that tried to kill me?”
She hesitated. “No,” she said. “If they’d followed instead of me, you’d be dead already.”
He nodded. “I believe you.”
“Good. Then believe this. They’re not going to stop and they’re not going to shy away from killing a MetaDept officer. So take your pretty Shifter girl and go home.”
“I can’t do that,” he said. “I’m sorry. This is my job.”
Her jaw tightened. “And this is your life. Go home, Magi. Go do whatever sick shit you Magi love to do.”
He shrugged. “I retired from that life. I’m just a Meta Marshal now. And we’re not really into anything unusual”
She snorted. “Once a Magi, always a Magi.”
“That doesn’t seem very fair.”
“I’m not going to warn you again.” She lowered the weapon and Jared let out a breath. He had the shield memgram just on the edge of his consciousness, ready to call on if she fired, but he wasn’t sure he’d be fast enough, or if it would be strong enough to deflect a bullet at close range. It looked like she was holding a Glock 26, but he wasn’t sure. “Don’t follow us anymore. Don’t come any closer. We won’t hesitate to hurt you.”
She turned, shoved through the emergency exit, and disappeared outside. Jared expected an alarm to go off, but nothing happened.
He stood there for a long moment and steadied his heart. He wished that was the first time a woman had pulled a gun on him, but unfortunately, it wasn’t. And he knew it wouldn’t be the last.
He turned away and found Cassie standing in the stacks. She had a feral look on her face and was half crouched. She glared up at him and he tilted his head.
“It’s okay,” he said.
She relaxed and came up into a standing position. “I was going to flank her,” she said. “I could take her if I shifted.”
He snorted. “I know. I’ve seen you in action.”
“Who was that?”
“One of Ferric’s,” he said. “I suspect we’ll see her again soon.”
She was still tense as her eyes swept to the door. Jared could tell what she was thinkin
g, and he shook his head.
“Let her go,” he said.
“Why? She could lead us right to him.”
“She’ll know we’re following and get violent. If she was willing to expose herself like that, it means we’re on the right track.”
Cassie’s face lost its feral edge and was replaced with her sweet, genuine smile. Jared remembered the enormous vicious fox creature she had shifted into just the day before and reminded himself not to let his guard down with her.
“Well then, that’s great news,” she said. “Means we didn’t just waste all our time in this stinky library for nothing.”
Jared laughed and relief flooded through him. He didn’t have to use magic and he didn’t get shot. Today was a great day already.
“It’s not stinky,” he said, heading back toward the main part of the library. “I like it.”
“Smells like glue and paper.”
“Exactly.” He breathed deep. “Smells like heaven.”
“Ugh. Typical magician. I’d rather have the smell of leaves and dirt than this processed, recycled air.”
“Typical Shifter. Thinking with your animal instead of your human.”
She laughed and nudged against him as she ran past. He smiled a little and let himself enjoy that brief moment of contact.
9
The head librarian, an older woman in her fifties named Beth, with curly brown hair and wide, happy eyes, watched as Jared and Cassie headed back into the main part of the library. He caught her eye and she frowned at him.
“I heard shouting,” she said.
“Sorry about that.”
“Be quiet in the library.” She gave him a hard look then laughed. “I’m just kidding, there’s nobody else here. You guys having a little lover’s quarrel?”
“Yes,” Cassie said.
“No,” Jared cut in. “We’re partners. Not lovers.”
Cassie gave him a look. “I thought that was the same thing.”
“Partners is the modern way of saying lovers,” Beth said.
“No, not that kind of partners.” Jared glared at the two women.
Cassie walked over to the desk and leaned against it. “Now you see why we’re fighting.”
