“Your life wasn’t in danger,” Pruwist argued. “And it was irresponsible of you to throw yourself into danger to save one person, when the Alliance needed you.”
I gripped the sides of my chair in an effort to get my temper under control. Gray seemed equally dumbfounded.
“Let me be clear about my intentions,” Pruwist told Graysen, still cutting me out of the conversation. “I want you to work in my administration once I’m officially elected Director, but I can’t have you on my team with a cloud of scandal hanging over you.”
“I’m dedicated to our city and the Alliance,” Graysen told Pruwist. “But I’m not going to apologize for caring more about Kaira’s life than recapturing two criminals.”
A tense silence filled the room, until Pruwist broke it with a soft chuckle.
“I envy your rigid principles,” Pruwist told Graysen. “It’s a luxury the Alliance Director can’t afford, I’m afraid.”
“The interim Director, you mean,” I corrected, before berating myself for my poor attitude again.
This man held my future in the palm of his hand, and I was goading him. I needed to get it together.
A dark look passed across Pruwist’s face before he schooled his features.
“Yes, well, my advisors tell me I’m a virtual shoe-in for the November election,” Pruwist said. “As long as nothing…unexpected arises.” He gave me a sidelong glance that had stay out of trouble written all over it.
“Speaking of Remwald and Valencia,” Graysen said, clearing the air with a change in subject. “We had a little run-in with some of the UnAllied. Valencia is making a martyr out of Remwald and killing Nat cops. What are you planning to do about that?”
Pruwist let out a whistling breath. “My people are working on it, but it’s a delicate situation. I can’t risk anyone else getting hurt in an attempt to apprehend her.”
“But you can’t just let her run wild around Boston,” I said in disbelief. “Don’t forget that Valencia tried to take down the entire Alliance. She declared war on the city’s Nats.”
You should be out hunting her instead of threatening me, is what I really wanted to say.
“With her Shield brother and that Energy Manipulator, there’s not much we can do that wouldn’t result in a massacre,” Pruwist said, clearly finished with this part of the conversation. “You can set aside your concerns and know that the Alliance has everything in hand.”
Riiight. I bit my tongue and swallowed down my frustration.
“What’s being done to get the Super Mags out of MagLab?” Graysen asked, since we obviously weren’t getting any further on the topic of Valencia.
Pruwist raked his fingers through his already-tousled hair.
“Progress is slow on that front,” he replied. “First, they would all need to be Marked, and then—”
“They don’t have to be Marked,” I said. It was taking all of my self-control to keep my voice even.
Pruwist gave me a patronizing half-smile. “And even if they were all Marked, we have no laws established for their kind. Until we can understand more about their magic, it’s safer for them and us to keep them in MagLab.”
“They’re still people, Dr. Pruwist,” I said through gritted teeth. “They don’t deserve to be locked up like criminals.”
“I understand this is personal for you,” Pruwist began.
“Damn right it is,” Graysen cut in. His eyes were a storm of emotions. “We have an obligation to every resident of this city, and that includes the children who were born in that lab.”
“These things take time,” Pruwist said gently.
“Dr. Pruwist, you have two children,” Graysen said. “Can you imagine how you would feel if they were denied basic humanitarian protections?”
“Of course, but—”
“Kaira and my future children deserve those same rights. So does every child born in Boston, regardless of how much magic they might or might not possess.”
In spite of my fury, my heart expanded. The mention of our children was both wonderful and terrifying. I had barely managed to wrap my mind around the fact that we even could have children.
“I understand your concerns,” Pruwist said. “And I pledge to make Super Magic rights a cornerstone of my campaign.” He held up a finger. “But there is no getting around the fact that the Naturals in this city are scared. And there’s another complication you aren’t aware of.”
I held back a retort about how people weren’t a complication.
“I received a call from the United States President earlier today. He said the whole country is watching to see how this situation is resolved, and if we can’t clean up our mess, he’s going to send in the Federal Security Enforcers.”
Gray and I exchanged a horrified look.
The US Federal Security Enforcers was a branch of the Nat military that had formed after the Slaughters. Their members were called the Enforcers for good reason. The elite group was dispatched to territories that couldn’t contain the violence within their own borders.
The Enforcers killed so many, they’d inadvertently left a void for even more dangerous rulers to take over the territories. The stability they brought was dangerous and fickle.
The US central government, and by extension the Enforcers, was made up solely of Nats, most of whom believed that Mags weren’t human. If the President sent in the Enforcers, it would undermine everything we’d accomplished as a city. And it certainly wouldn’t curb violence among the UnAllied. Their presence in Boston would give extremist Nats and Mags more reason to hate the other.
“You can’t allow that,” Graysen said, finding his voice first.
“I agree,” Pruwist said, “which is why we can’t rock the boat with the UnAllied until the murderer threatening our city is neutralized.”
At that moment, the door opened. Pruwist’s wife, followed by her yappy dog, came in with a coffee tray. Mrs. Pruwist set it down on top of the piles of mail and papers, making the whole ensemble wobble precariously.
“Thank you, my love,” Pruwist said, reaching for silver pot before the coffee ended up on our laps.
His wife planted her hands on her bony hips and glared as Pruwist offered the coffee pot to Graysen and me.
“You promised you would be on time for dinner tonight,” Pruwist’s wife sulked.
“I know, my love.” Pruwist didn’t look at his wife as he reached for the pot of creamer. “As soon as I’m finished with this meeting, I’ll be right with you.”
“Always another meeting,” his wife muttered. She glared at Gray and me, like we were to blame for the late hour.
Trust me, I don’t want to be here, either, I thought.
“You’re that baby killing couple,” Pruwist’s wife said as she loomed over us.
Pruwist winced. “Love, we don’t call them baby killers anymore, remember?”
Instead of answering, Pruwist’s wife turned her attention on me.
“I hope you’re a generous woman,” she said. “The Alliance is a possessive lover. And if your boyfriend is anything like my husband, he’ll heed that siren call and never look back.”
“Now, don’t be like that, love,” Pruwist pleaded with his wife.
I didn’t hear the rest of their hushed argument. The knot of guilt I’d been feeling all night expanded.
The Alliance needed Gray. Boston needed him. And I would always be pulling him away from all of that.
As though he could read my thoughts, Graysen took my hand under the table and squeezed.
The click of the door shutting behind Pruwist’s wife brought my mind back into focus.
“I think we’re all a little on edge at the moment,” Pruwist said in a light voice. He cleared his throat. “But time is short, and we need to get to the reason why you are here in the first place.”
He fixed his attention on me. I tried to keep my face expressionless.
“The Magical Law Office has decided to pardon both of you for breaking the third h
igh law, since the reason for that law’s inception no longer applies. However—”
Gray’s hand tightened on mine under the table.
My hope plummeted. I knew what Pruwist was going to say before the words were even out of his mouth.
“To appease the growing distrust among this city’s Natural population, it is imperative that we hold second high law breakers to the highest standard of the law.”
“Dr. Pruwist,” Graysen began, but the Director held up a hand.
“The Alliance is inordinately grateful to both of you for exposing Remwald and Valencia. Thus, neither of you will be arrested for your prior violations, provided that you meet one stipulation.” He paused and sipped his coffee. I stopped breathing.
Pruwist pinned me with a hard stare. “You, Kaira Hansley, need to get Marked.”
CHAPTER 15
It’s really no big deal,” Pruwist said, having no idea that my world was imploding. “Just a small slice, a quick insertion, and you’re done. You won’t even need stitches.”
My vision started to go hazy.
“Marking isn’t an option,” Graysen said. His voice sounded far away, even though I knew he was sitting right next to me.
The only other time in my life I’d passed out was when I’d been bleeding to death from a bullet wound. I blinked several times and forced oxygen into my lungs.
“Marking is the only option,” Pruwist said.
Gray must have sensed I couldn’t make my mouth form words and took charge of the conversation.
“You can change the law for Boston citizens,” Graysen said. “If you convince the Magical Marking Office to support you, you won’t even need to go through the regular ratification process. According to Section 558 in the Alliance’s Report of Laws—”
“I don’t have that flexibility as the interim Director,” Pruwist interrupted. “And even if I did, the situation in Boston is too volatile to tolerate such a radical deviation from the way things have always been done.” He sipped his coffee. “It’s the tracker or execution. An easy decision, I should think.”
But it wasn’t.
I realized I had been rubbing the scar on my forearm and forced myself to stop.
“We’ll endorse you,” Graysen told Pruwist. “We’ll help you campaign. I’ll even write the law. All you have to do is sign your goddamn name.”
Pruwist looked between us. “Why is this such a big deal to you?” He gave Graysen a suspicious look. “What’s in it for you?”
“It’s just…important to me,” I said, barely managing to get the words out. My insides felt like they’d turned to ice.
Pruwist raised his eyebrows.
I stayed silent. There was no way I was going to bare my deepest fears to this man. I couldn’t tell Pruwist why the thought of that small chip embedded inside my arm made me want to claw off my own skin. I didn’t want to talk about how I could still hear Ma’s screams from the day my dad was murdered.
“I understand you are reluctant to be Marked,” Pruwist told me. “But the reality is that your people have a distinct advantage over mine.” He gestured to himself and Gray. “You have magic.”
“Dr. Pruwist—” Graysen began.
We all jumped when the study door flew open. A man wearing a crisp suit burst in.
“Sir.” The man took a breath. His face was shiny with perspiration.
“Pardon me,” Pruwist said, getting up and following the other man out of the room.
As soon as we were alone, Graysen turned so we were facing each other.
“Hey.” He lifted my ice-cold hands to his lips. “We’re going to figure this out.”
I just nodded, because I didn’t trust myself to speak.
Gray leaned forward and gave me a hard kiss. “I love you, babe. So much.”
“I love you, too,” I croaked.
We separated when the door opened.
Pruwist appeared in the doorway, his eyes wild.
“Has something happened?” Graysen asked.
Pruwist started to shake his head and stopped halfway through. His shoulders slumped as he sank back into his chair.
“There has been another murder,” he said.
“What?” I looked from Graysen to the Director.
“A good friend of mine in the Alliance.” Pruwist’s voice hitched, letting through the first bit of emotion that didn’t seem laced with an ulterior motive.
“I’m sorry,” I told him, and I meant it.
“Who was killed?” Graysen asked. “Are there any leads?”
“Cooper Zillin,” Pruwist said, distractedly. “He was found like Remwald with no evidence of how he died. But a Level 5 Competitor doesn’t just drop dead for no reason.”
That particular name meant nothing to me, but I knew about Competitors. They were the reason why there were separate Olympics for Mags and Nats. After Mags came out in the open and no longer needed to hide their abilities, Competitors became pro athletes and mopped the floor with their opponents in every sport.
Pruwist was right about Competitors not dropping dead for no reason. Those Mags were healthier than horses.
“Kai.” Gray gave me a wondering look. “We were wrong—these murders have nothing to do with the trial. Or at least, not directly.” He shook his head. “I was so fixated on the fact that Mallorie was Remwald’s lawyer that I missed the other connection.”
“Yes,” Pruwist said slowly. “I’d had an inkling before, but now, there is no question.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked, clearly having missed something both men had seen.
“Remwald, Jenny Yang, William Mallorie, and now Cooper Zillin,” Graysen said. “They’re all members on the Alliance’s Board of Peaceful Resolutions.”
The first question that popped into my head was why?
The Board of Peaceful Resolutions was ceremonial and had no lawmaking power. They weren’t even elected; each Director hand-selected the Board members. Most of the general public—myself included—couldn’t name the people on the board. The group was pure fluff.
Why would someone go around killing and mind-melting members of such an innocuous group?
My mind caught up just in time to remember another fact about the board. There were eight members, and Pruwist was one of them.
“We have to keep this quiet,” Pruwist muttered, more like he was talking to himself than either of us.
Pruwist’s face had gone ashen.
“Do you have any idea what this murderer might be after?” I asked Pruwist.
“That’s the least of our problems,” Pruwist snapped. “My life’s in danger!”
He stood up, not even noticing when envelopes and papers fluttered off the table. “I have to go. I need…protection. Combat Mags, and bodyguards….” He continued to mutter to himself as he strode to the door.
As though remembering we were still there, he turned back.
“Please excuse me,” he said. “Someone from the Magical Marking Office will reach out to you tomorrow.”
Panic surged inside me. The Magical Marking officials would hunt me down. Now that they knew my name, they knew who my family was. They could arrest Ma, Grandma Tashi, and my younger cousins unless I agreed to be Marked. They could come after Gray.
“I’ll make you a deal,” I said quickly, before I’d even considered whether my idea was a good one…or even plausible. “If we find the murderer and bring him in, you’ll give me a permanent pass on being Marked.”
Gray made a choking sound, but he recovered quickly.
“That sounds like a reasonable trade to me,” Graysen said, as though we had discussed all of this beforehand and I hadn’t completely blindsided him. “We would need everything in writing, of course.”
Pruwist scoffed. “If Alliance detectives can’t find this monster, what makes you think you can?”
I folded my arms and stared Pruwist down. “I don’t know if you remember, but we uncovered the biggest conspiracy Boston has ever seen. And
then we handed you Remwald and Valencia on a silver platter.
“I’m pretty sure we can handle finding one murderer.”
Even as I spoke, a voice in the back of my mind was screaming Are you insane? You can’t track down a ghost!
Pruwist opened his mouth and then shrugged. “I suppose it can’t hurt to have all hands on deck.”
Gray looked at me, a victorious smile lighting his face. I didn’t let my own shock and relief show.
While Gray wrote up our agreement on a blank sheet of printer paper, I debated whether we should add in a provision that extended the deal for the rest of the Seven. In the end, I decided against it. If I mentioned my friends and we didn’t find the murderer, then that would put them at risk.
It would be better for their sake not to draw attention to them when there was so much uncertainty.
“I’ll give you until Monday night to apprehend the murderer,” Pruwist said.
“This Monday?” I gaped at him. That was exactly a week from today.
“We need more time,” Graysen said. “Two weeks, at least.”
“The President is sending in the Enforcers after Monday if we haven’t found the murderer before then,” Pruwist said. “And every day that goes by with this murderer on the loose puts Boston at risk of losing its next Director.”
I swallowed a derisive laugh. It was painfully obvious that Pruwist didn’t care about much beyond his own skin.
“You have a week to find the murderer,” Pruwist said, his tone final.
“And if we don’t find him by Monday?” Graysen asked, his pen hovering over the hand-written contract.
“Kaira will need to be Marked. Publicly.” Pruwist narrowed his gaze at me. “And I’m sure I don’t need to tell you what will happen if you refuse.”
If we failed, it wouldn’t just be my life on the line. It would be Gray’s and my family’s.
We had to find a murderer who hadn’t left behind a single clue. And we had one week to do it.
CHAPTER 16
Mags & Nats 3-Book Box Set Page 43
