by Ashley Meira
“Two in one day.”
He shrugged languidly, his movements like a smooth wave.
“Someone died.” I shook my cup and frowned. Empty. Damn. “Elizabeth, from the Guild.”
“That fashion forward secretary of yours?” His voice held only mild curiosity. “Accident?”
“Looks more like murder.”
He raised a brow, but no wrinkles formed on his forehead. “Well, now. Who would want to hurt that poor girl?”
“I don’t know.” I sagged into the armchair behind me. “The Council is sending someone, but I still want to look into this.”
“The job I provided didn’t have enough action for you?”
“Tigers,” I said through gritted teeth. “And zombies.”
“You’ve been through worse. Remember what you told me about Apollo’s lute?”
“We don’t ever talk about that job.” I shuddered. “Normally, it would’ve been fine, but Adam took my sword.”
“That’s not my fault,” he said casually. “Did you want me to spank him for taking your toy?”
“Next you’ll be asking me to call you daddy.”
He smiled.
“In case you haven’t noticed,” I said, patting my hip. “I got my sword back.”
His smile faded, but only partially. Symeon always looked pleasant. It was part of his allure. “I could check with my Council friends — see what their agent reports.”
I let go of my sword. “That’s the great thing about our relationship.”
“It’s mutually beneficial?” he said, making his way to another room, probably to get my payment.
“Mhm.” I pulled out my phone and texted Fiona to come pick me up.
“How cruel.” He returned, hands clasped over his chest. “You’ve gotten what you want from me. Now, you’re leaving.”
“I gave you coffee and Hermes’ sandals.”
He stared at me a moment before handing me a deliciously thick envelope. My payment. Yummy. “Fair enough. Turning in for the night?”
“Do not proposition me.”
“I wasn’t.”
I raised a brow.
“Yet.”
How I’d gone three years without punching him amazed me. Oh, wait. I hadn’t. “I wanted to question Sandra, but since Adrienne would eat my face off if I tried, I’ll wait until tomorrow.”
“Jeffery Corbin’s lady friend?”
“Yeah, she’s Elizabeth’s best friend.” I grimaced. “Was.”
“Nereids are a calming race. Usually. Adrienne will do wonders for her state of mind. Just like a siren could do wonders for yours,” Symeon added with a charming smile.
“You’re right,” I said flatly. “About Adrienne. Those two are probably fine and chatting about necklaces by now.”
“Why necklaces? In the market for one?”
“No.” I frowned. Necklaces felt like collars around my neck. With my childhood…. No, thank you. “I hate necklaces. But Sandra had one she wanted Adrienne to appraise.”
“And you didn’t direct her to me?” he said, deadpan. “Darling, I’m hurt.”
“Among other things.”
“Did she mention anything about this necklace?” His eyes gleamed the same way Fiona’s did when gossip was to be had. The collector in him was hungry.
“Just that it weirded her out.”
He frowned. “You’re a terrible investigator.”
“Ask her yourself if you’re so interested.”
“I might. Necklaces are in, darling.”
“The new black?”
“Diamonds are forever.” Symeon stood and led me to the door. For all his lascivity, he was never without manners. “But this is about business. There’s been an anonymous request on the wire about a diamond necklace with oceanic origins.”
“Vague.”
“With a big paycheck attached to it. If I can acquire and sell it before anyone else.”
“Tons of money from a mysterious stranger for a necklace with barely any details. Sounds fishy. Pun unintended.”
“Shame. It was funny.” He kissed my cheek. “But if that girl’s necklace happens to have seashells on it, let me know.”
“Diamond seashells? That’s—” My phone vibrated. “Hello?”
“Are you busy?” Damien’s voice was curt.
“No, but—”
“Sandra Walker’s home. I’m sending you the address. Get here now.”
“Wait, what? Is she okay?”
“No. She’s been murdered — and Adam’s being arrested for it.”
Chapter Five
Sandra lived in a suburban area, more humble than the ritzy penthouses of Water Nymph Bay or grandiose mansions of the Garden District. The homes here weren’t small, but they looked cozy. The kind of places people thought of when imagining a white picket fence life with two kids and a dog. It suited her, I felt. Sweet but affluent.
I rushed out of Fiona’s portal with a promise to fill her in later. Damien had only invited me, and I didn’t want to get on his bad side any more than I already had. A man wearing a jacket with the words “CoM CSI” — Council of Magic Crime Scene Investigator — emblazoned on his chest stopped me in the driveway, citing authorized personnel only.
“She’s with me.” Damien called, his normally mischievous eyes calculating and hard.
I rushed past the CSI as soon as he stepped aside. Sandra’s home was tastefully decorated, warm hued with a definite feminine touch. If Taylor Swift lived in Santa Fae, this is what her house would look like.
Relief filled me as I turned to meet Adam’s gaze. It took a moment to realize I was looking at Damien. Where Adam’s eyes were a piercing gray that could darken into a seductive storm, Damien’s were a baby blue so clear, they could’ve been light gray. I could usually tell the difference, but I was so anxious to find Adam that I’d missed it.
“Calm down,” he said, running a hand through his short blond hair. “Your magic is pulsing.”
A month ago, no one could sense my magic. That had gone to hell after meeting Adam and his brother. I’d been terrified by their comments at first. Was my magic that obvious? My worries had calmed — then skyrocketed — when I learned the Pierce brothers were the highest ranked tracker mages in the world.
Training with Adam had really helped. I was more aware of my magic now. I knew that, despite Damien’s grouching, no one else would be able to sense my magic — even with how worried I was.
Instead of arguing, I said, “Thanks for getting me through.”
“I wouldn’t have called just to make you wait outside,” he said shortly.
When we first met, Damien had been charming and flirty, a behavior he was infamous for. After our second meeting, he’d gotten suspicious of me. Or so it felt. Maybe it was my own guilt and fear acting up, but his behavior had certainly grown frigid since that day.
I resisted the urge to twist the ring on my thumb. It and the lightstone ring I possessed were the only pieces of my past I had. Unlike the lightstone, the ring on my thumb was an antique. A large ruby resting on a platinum band inscribed with ancient writing, the ring looked like it belonged in a museum more than on a pauper’s finger. While looking for the Heart of Gaia, I’d learned it was a Fireborn artifact. Its design perfectly matched the Gem of Anathasia, a teleportation gem that belonged to one of the very first Fireborn.
Unfortunately, I’d learned about the Gem from Damien, from whom it had been stolen. He’d noticed the similarities between the Gem and my ring, but Adam had swept me away before he could say anything. I’d been avoiding him ever since.
“Still, thanks,” I said, swallowing my pride. Adam might be next in line to inherit his father’s Council seat, but Damien was just as dangerous. “Where’s Adam?”
“Terrifying the people trying to cuff him in the next room.” He smirked, his eyes trained on the archway ahead, where a group of agents were gathered. “Agents found him standing over Sandra’s body.”
“Why we
re agents here?” And why was he visiting her this late at night? I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to convince myself that my curiosity wasn’t tinged with jealousy.
“They wanted to ask Sandra some questions about an investigation. Her friend was murdered. Hey,” he called, displeasure marring his handsome features. “Those aren’t necessary.”
I turned to see Adam being marched into the room, arms behind his back. His blank expression morphed into one of rage when he saw me. I reeled back, unused to seeing him direct that emotion at me. He’d been so sweet I forgot how hard he could be.
“What the hell?” He stomped toward us.
The agents leading him stepped back and looked on with wide eyes. Their magic circled the room in panicked sweeps, making my Fire snap its suddenly starving maw. Not only did it want their magic, it liked their fear.
“I called her,” Damien said, unfazed by his brother’s murderous aura. “I think you made all the tracker mages wet themselves.”
Adam pulled his magic back with a glare, and said, “Why did you call her?”
“Can you give us a second?” I asked Damien. “Please.”
Damien gave me another calculating look before shrugging. “Sure. Kick his ass.”
I watched him take two steps to the side before turning to stare at us. “I didn’t mean a literal second.”
“Forget about him,” Adam said. “What are you doing here?”
“He told me you’d gotten arrested for murder. What the hell was I supposed to do, bake a cake?” I hissed.
“You don’t need to be here.” He darted his eyes away and shifted his arms. The clinking of handcuffs made him wince.
“It’s not fair, is it?” I said softly. “You want me to open up and be vulnerable, but you don’t trust me enough to do the same.”
Urgh. If there was an award for sappiest line ever, I’d have won it. Hurt loosened my tongue, however, and the words slipped out.
He pursed his lips and continued avoiding my eyes. His magic was still wrapped tight, and for once, I wasn’t happy about it. The man was a rock, but his magic could’ve let something slip. Finally, he deflated with a sigh.
“You’re right,” he said quietly. “I’m not really good at this relationship stuff.”
I raised a brow. Not good? He’d been doing all the right things since we met.
The skepticism must’ve showed on my face, because he chuckled and said, “Not good when I want it to be something serious.”
I gulped. “Serious?”
His eyes were sincere. “I hope so.”
A whipping sound drew our attention to Damien. “Shame she doesn’t have piercings in her ears. She could wear your balls.”
“I’ll end you,” Adam said with a deadly glare.
“Go for it.” Damien gave him a smug smirk. “Police everywhere.”
“He’d just shift and eat them, too,” I mumbled.
“True,” Damien said. “Can’t eat the entire organization, though.”
“Try me,” Adam said before shaking his head. “Never mind. You’re just embarrassed because I remind you of how sappy you can get.”
“I don’t—”
“Remember mom’s fortieth—”
Damien flipped him off. “Shut up.”
Adam smirked. “Aw, did I hit a nerve?”
“You want to start talking embarrassing secrets? I could tell your girl a few things about—”
“As much as I would love to hear embarrassing stories about Adam—” and as much as I’d like to punch Damien for calling me Adam’s girl “—can we get back to the situation at hand? Why are you here?”
Adam gave his brother one last glare before speaking. “I was at the office when the report on Elizabeth’s phone came in. There were a lot of calls between her and Sandra.”
“Which isn’t surprising since they were best friends,” I said.
“Yes, but there were an influx of texts the hour before her death — mostly about Tommy postponing her date. Remind me to never reschedule on you,” he added. “Apparently, girls get scary about that stuff.”
“Who says there’ll be another date?”
“I do,” he said huskily.
“Gag,” Damien said.
Adam looked at him before leaning toward me.
I pushed his face back. “Do not use me as a pawn in your fraternal games.”
“Maybe I just want to kiss you.”
“I don’t care how many people are here — I will kick your ass.”
Damien smirked. “If this is a ‘fraternal game,’ do I get to kiss you?”
I’d snort at his comment, but hopefully the joking meant he was less likely to throw me in prison. Adam didn’t see it that way. His magic flooded the room, and Damien’s came out to match his, the scent of jasmine diffusing pine. My Fire squealed, the flames swirling around hungrily. It would eat all their magic if it could, but I get the feeling I’d explode from all that power.
Clearing my throat, I said, “Focus. And not on me.”
“I’m always focused on you.” Adam winked.
“True story,” Damien muttered. “Surprised the company hasn’t been renamed after you.”
My cheeks burned. “Please don’t do that.”
Adam grinned. “Deal. Anyway, the last texts were— Well, here.” He nodded at Damien, who handed me Elizabeth’s phone.
Elizabeth: Thx for dinner, babe. Needed some cheering up :(
Sandra: Aw, don’t worry! Sorry about your date, though xx Sure you wanted to return the necklace? Might need it later.
Elizabeth: Nah. It’s too fancy for drinks. But thanks.
Sandra: Of course <3
Elizabeth: G2G. A friend of yours wants to talk to me. Guess some guys still think I’m worth the time ;)
Sandra: LOL. Be nice! Tommy’s crazy about you xoxo
Well, it solved the mystery of who Elizabeth had dinner with — and why Sandra didn’t have the necklace to show Adrienne. Guess Elizabeth returned it after her date was rescheduled. I looked through her other messages but couldn’t find anything helpful. Unless she was killed over a sale of Stella Burmeister pumps. “Still doesn’t explain why you’re here.”
“I think she’s jealous,” Damien whispered loudly.
Adam chuckled and rested his chin on my head. Usually he held me — which I certainly did not miss — but he couldn’t with his bound wrists. How pissed would everyone be if I picked the lock on his handcuffs?
“She has no reason to be,” he said.
“Tell me about it.” Damien leaned against the wall. “All your paperwork is probably filled with doodles of her face.”
“It’s not.” Adam looked at me. “I promise.”
“Probably because you’re a shitty artist,” Damien said.
“If you don’t tell me why you’re here, I’m stabbing both of you.”
Damien grinned. “Hot.”
“I was worried about Sandra,” Adam said, before I could pull out my sword. “Elizabeth sent that text just before she was murdered. If that ‘friend’ is the killer, she could be in danger, too. Turns out I was right,” he finished with a frown. “I arrived too late.”
I crossed my arms. “Why didn’t you call me?”
“I didn’t want to put you in danger.”
That was sweet — and infuriating beyond belief. “I’m a trained mercenary. What gives you the right to decide what I can or cannot handle?” I glared at the metal bracelets. “You deserve to be in custody. Under suspicion of being an idiot and thinking I can’t—”
“Okay, okay,” he said calmly against my temple. “I’m sorry. I thought you were sleeping, and I didn’t want to wake you. This was a thin lead, anyway—”
“Not so thin,” Damien said. “She is dead, after all.”
I nodded along while giving Adam an angry look.
“Thanks,” he told Damien.
“Don’t get mad at me. You pissed her off on your own.”
“Yeah. Seriously,
what—” I gasped and began smacking his chest. “Adrienne!”
“Doesn’t that hurt?” Damien asked.
“Yes,” I said.
“I was asking him.”
“Love taps,” Adam said. “Literally. Ow!”
“I’ll pinch you again,” I warned, too worried to be happy I found a way to hurt him. “Tell me about Adrienne. Was she here? What happened to her? Is she okay?”
“Breath—”
“Answer me!” I brushed past him toward the other room. The agents were gathered in there, so it had to be where the bodies were. Body, I hoped.
“Sophia, wait.” A pair of strong hands grabbed my wrist.
Perplexed, I turned around to see Adam’s back. He was faced away from me, his bound hands holding mine while Damien laughed in the background.
Adam scowled at him. “You could’ve grabbed her.”
“No way. She looks like she bites.”
“I do.”
“I hope so,” Adam said before letting me go and turning around. “Sandra was alone when I found her. Adrienne wasn’t here, which you’d know if you calmed down and checked for her magic.”
I pinched him again for good measure before doing as he said. It was hard with all the magic in the room, but the taste of blueberries lingered on my palate. Adrienne’s magic… trailing away from this house. Wrinkling my nose, I tried to place what was bothering me.
A large body pressed against mine. “Happy?”
“Something’s weird.”
“Maybe he’s just happy to see you,” Damien said.
“I am,” Adam told me. “But I don’t think that’s what you meant.”
“You didn’t seem happy to see me before.”
“Embarrassed,” he admitted with a huff. I tried to ignore the smoke that came out of his nose. Silly firebirds. “But not unhappy. Never unhappy. What’s bothering you, Sophia?”
My heart fluttered at his honeyed words. The way he whispered them directly into my ear wasn’t helping either. I stuck out my tongue, making sure to turn my head so it wasn’t anywhere near his face. My Fire wanting to taste his magic was bad enough.
“Keep wagging that tongue, and I’ll bite it,” Adam whispered huskily.
“Ice,” I finally said, the taste lingering on my tongue. “Frost? Cold air? Something like that is mixed with Addi’s magic and—” I followed the trail, stopping cold when I caught sight of blond hair splayed across the fluffy white carpet. “And around her.”
