Rogue Magic
Page 23
Gareth glared at me, but our conversation was cut short. A soft mellifluous voice rang through the air, gentle and sweet. Dorian’s scowl had faded into a smile. “She’s happy.”
Nodding, I looked in her direction. I couldn’t see her. “I don’t think she’s all there, but I’d rather have a happy psycho then someone set on revenge because of some perceived slight.”
I smiled. Answering Gareth’s raised curious brow, I supplied, “I’ve dealt with two possible arrogant psychopaths; this encounter didn’t end with a beheading and a burned body.” Call me a wimp or naïve, but I was more than happy for it not to.
Dorian and the pseudo-centaur posse accompanied us to the shore. In a choreographed, smooth move they all bowed in our direction. Gareth and I looked at each other, shrugged, and returned the display of reverence. I supposed it was the horse-shifter’s apology for trying to gas us, or marking us, or banning us from the island. Maybe it was the number of things they’d planned to do and now felt a little guilty about. I didn’t care. I took Gareth’s hand and we headed for the boat.
It was even more satisfying watching the crew’s shocked faces as we boarded.
“We definitely didn’t expect to see you again!” the wide-eyed captain admitted.
Thanks for your encouragement.
CHAPTER 27
Victor’s professional countenance made it very evident that this was a business meeting. Despite that assertion, Savannah, who was still holding a grudge against him, didn’t want me to go. I didn’t blame her. His invitation wasn’t exactly hospitable. It sounded more like a command when three days after our second return from Menta Island he asked me to meet him at Chauncy, a restaurant a few blocks from the Supernatural Guild’s building.
Sipping on an iced tea, he slid the menu in my direction once I was seated. I glanced at it to see if they had added any new entrees before I ordered my usual. Chauncy was a chain; I’d eaten there more times than I could count. Typical American-style food, so I ordered two cheeseburgers, fries, buffalo wings, a side of onion rings, and a salad with extra cheese—had to have my vegetables.
Grinning at Victor’s surprised and disturbed look, I said, “You’re paying, right?”
“Of course. It’s a business expense.”
Is it? You mean you don’t typically look like you have a stick shoved up your rear?
He did. Professionally stoic, he watched me for several minutes, glancing around the room periodically before settling his full attention on me. “We haven’t had a lot of Legacy come to us. Gareth suspects that most of them probably still don’t trust government officials.”
“I’m not sure if that’s it. There aren’t as many as people might have suspected. Imagine how many Trackers have killed us; those who lived undiscovered were probably afraid to procreate because of it.”
Victor made a grunt of disgust and took another sip from his glass before occupying his hands with drumming on the table. I suspected he wanted to wait until our food arrived, but he definitely shouldn’t have to. I tended to get distracted when fried goodness was in front of me.
“What did you want to talk about?”
Leaning forward, he gave me another appraising look. “I would like you to consider joining the FSR.”
Surprised, I snapped my mouth closed. “What?”
“You’re talented, smart, and skilled. Except for the overabundance of smart quips and snarkiness, something I’m sure training will fix, you would be a great addition to our team.”
“I…What…I…” I never stammered but I was really shocked by his request. My mind went into overdrive, considering training, having to leave Savannah, quitting my job, and being away from— I stopped myself from that thought but it slipped in anyway. Gareth. I didn’t want to be away from him. Kalen and Savannah were big parts of my life and I knew that if I ever had to leave, I’d miss them. Gareth was different. Caring about him was different. Realizing how much I did shocked me.
“I don’t know what to say,” I admitted. “It’s a great offer.”
“Well, technically it’s a suggestion. You’d still have to go through training and pass the test, but I don’t think that’s a problem. I believe my recommendation will work in your favor.” Silent for several minutes, he looked like he was mulling something over. His voice tightened when he continued, “Gareth would like you to join the Supernatural Guild. He’s floated that idea past the ethics committee and me.”
They had an ethics committee? Justice was supposed to be blind, but the SG turned a blind eye to a lot. Had that committee been on vacation when Harrah’d been working? There was absolutely no way the things Harrah had done in her career had been evaluated by an ethics committee.
Noticing the note of interest in my voice when I said, “Really?” Victor frowned. “I advised him against it, and the ethics committee frowned on the idea. Your personal relationship puts the agency and him in a compromising position. I think the Supernatural Guild has more biases against the Legacy than we do.”
I highly doubted that. They all had their biases. I doubted that was going to end overnight. Shapeshifters would dislike me because I was able to use magic against them. Others would because of the history of the Legacy. I wasn’t naïve enough to believe otherwise.
Working with Gareth had piqued my interest and made the idea of joining the Federal Supernatural Reinforcement less appealing, something Victor obviously sensed. “You won’t be able to work for the SG,” he asserted. His shifter ring glinted—he was irritated. Perhaps he couldn’t imagine anyone turning down the opportunity to work with the FSR—which I hadn’t.
“He fired the mage who kept insulting you when we apprehended you.”
Keeping the perplexed, shocked emotion off my face, I kept my voice even when I spoke. “Really?”
“Yes, really. He had every right to do so because of the mage’s insubordination, but Gareth’s reaction to the display of insubordination was inappropriate. Based on his reputation, out of character as well. He reacted that way because of you. That’s not a way to run an agency. Even if hiring you wasn’t ethically ill-advised, it’s a bad decision no matter how much of an asset you would prove to be.”
The mention of the mage made me relive Victor using me as bait. Did I want to work for someone who’d done that? Could I overlook that for this opportunity? “When do I have to make a decision?”
He shrugged. “I’d like to know something by next week.”
I nodded. He waved for the server and asked for the check. Grinning, he said, “No worries, dinner is still coming and it’s on me. Gives you some time to think about it. Levy, your talents need to be used for more than cleaning out attics and selling little knickknacks.”
“Those little knickknack excursions have found many illegal magical objects, some that have been and will be of great help to the SG and the FSR,” I pointed out.
He nodded an acknowledgment.
My lips quirked into a smile and I could picture the smirk and eye roll Kalen was giving me as he responded to the news about Victor’s offer and Gareth asking Victor’s opinion about me joining the SG. “I wonder where I will find a plaid-wearing curmudgeon who managed to be grumpy and snarky at a level that some might consider artistic. You mean I might be able to work with someone who won’t visually assault me with their wardrobe on a daily basis?” he teased in theatrical exasperation.
“Maybe you can hire Blu and you two can spend the day posing and strutting down the hallway like it’s a catwalk,” I shot back.
“There she is,” he quipped. Then there was a long, weighted silence. “I will support whatever you decide to do. You really deserve to be happy.”
“I was happy there, you know.”
“I know, but I want more for you. This is more.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, I couldn’t believe I’d been worried that he’d be upset. He wasn’t—he wanted the best for me. I hung up the phone, feeling lighter as I made my way up Gareth’s driveway. He was wai
ting for me at the door with a knowing grin. He knew about the meeting. I wondered if Victor had asked for his blessing. I highly doubted that.
Gareth pulled me to him and kissed me before I could make my way into the house. “You look troubled, what’s wrong?”
I shook my head.
He groaned. “You’re going to make me do the vitals spiel and tell you how I can use the changes in them to determine if you’re lying, aren’t you? Maybe I should make up cards and hand them to you each time you need a reminder,” he teased. Edging his way closer to me, he placed his hand on my waist. “What has you troubled?”
“I was offered a job today.”
“I’m aware. What are you going to do?”
Shrugging, I found myself staring at him. I didn’t want to—it would only add fuel to the flames of his arrogance—but there was no denying he was nice to look at. “It depends.”
“On what?”
“If there is any way to join the SG. I don’t want to leave. This is my home, and I want to be here with Savannah and Kalen…” I let the rest of my words fade into silence as I said his name under my breath.
“And me? Is that what you said?” He cupped his ear to hear me better, as if he needed to do that. A pin could drop in another room and he would hear it and tell who dropped it based on their scent.
“Yes, and you,” I admitted quietly. You don’t make it easy, do you?
His smile faded as he was drawn into his thoughts. Eventually, he looked past me at the door. Watching him intently, I wondered if he was making the same pros and cons list that I had. My list wasn’t very long. Victor was right, I was good at this, but I hated politics. That was a con. Would someone like me last in law enforcement, either at a city or federal level? The biggest benefit would be greater visibility as a Legacy; those who were reluctant to come out might be emboldened by my presence. I’d be in the public eye, but after being plunged into it as the face of Legacy and because of who I was dating, I’d become used to it.
“They don’t think I can be unbiased when it comes to you,” Gareth started out slowly, then he frowned. “And frankly, they’re right. There are people, even in the agency, who won’t like you because of what you are; I won’t stand for it.”
“You think I should apply for the FSR position?”
He shook his head. “No, I said I’m aware that I’m biased. Knowing it will make me more cautious. The ethics committee never said you shouldn’t work here; they said it wasn’t a good idea. I disagree. You would be an asset to the Supernatural Guild, and if I need to step down, I will. If you accepted a job with us, I would take the necessary precautions not to give you special treatment.” Flashing me a smile, he added, “Some might say I’m unfairly harsh on you.”
“I would expect nothing less. You had your own nephew pulled over by the police. You’re capable of anything.”
“He stole my car,” Gareth reminded.
“The word on the street is that he borrowed it and you overreacted.”
“I would like nothing more than for you to work here.” He moved closer and kissed me.
“I’d like that, too.”
“Good, tomorrow go online and apply.” He moved to the sofa and took a seat. “What are you going to tell Savannah?”
I shrugged. “I have no intention of telling her; you’ll be the one who will have to deal with her impromptu visits checking on me…on us. That should be fun.”
Rolling his eyes, he scoffed, “So much fun.” Flashes of Savannah walking into the Supernatural Guild with her quest bag demanding to help in dangerous situations to make sure that I’d be safe flashed in my head. I wondered how long it would be before she’d try to apply. The thought of Savannah with a badge brought a smile to my lips. A hint of one curved Gareth’s, and I was sure he’d probably encountered a similar image.
Relaxing back, he asked, “Who will be applying for the job, Anya or Olivia?”
That was a good question. I’d been Olivia most of my adult life; it was who I was and had become. I’d acquired my bumps and bruises, my war wounds and lessons, as Olivia. Anya Kismet was my beginning, Olivia was my ending.
“I’m Olivia Michaels—Levy—and I’m a Legacy,” I said with full authority and without any apprehension or fear.
It was a good feeling.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I am forever thankful for my friends and family who continue to support me unconditionally and make sure I manage to leave my writer’s cave.
I’d also like to thank Oriana for the beautiful cover and Luann Reed, who work so hard to help me tell the best story I can.
Last, but never least, I want to thank my readers for following Levy’s (Olivia Michaels) journey and allowing me to entertain you with my writing. I can’t thank you enough.
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