Drift: The Renegades Saga: Book Two

by E. M. Whittaker

  This is pomp and circumstance. My opinion means nothing without power.

  “You’re using the question as a smokescreen,” Aviere voiced, bowing over the counter. “If you’re asking my opinion, you’ve formed your own.”

  “True.”

  “My experience holds merit, except with the Renegades. To them, I’m considered an amateur under a protection order from Sanderson.”

  The harsh reality stung as Aviere thumped her head on the bar top.

  “Since I can’t discredit their views, your best candidate is Jemina. She carries enough experience, has contacts within the organization, and actively works for Evelyn. As much as I despise the woman, Jemina’s built quite a reputation for herself, , and holds Evelyn’s favor to succeed her.”

  “Good suggestion…with two complications.”

  “Of course there are,” she replied, twisting her body to face Travis. “Rodriguez is prolific, and her temperament clashes with Sebastian.”

  “If Rodriguez takes over, I’m with Wolfman on the drinking,” Travis proclaimed next to her. “I pity the man.”

  “I don’t. Joe realized Jemina’s history when he mated with her. He didn’t ask for Evelyn to immigrate here, but she did legally.”

  “Aviere dear, I negotiate with one high-strung woman. I’m not compromising with her cousin, even if Evelyn begged me or bought out my business.”

  What is Louis eluding to? I’m not nominating myself on principle!

  Aviere banged a hand on the countertop before standing on her tiptoes. As she spoke, her voice came in a hurried breath.

  “What game are you playing, Louis? My words hold no merit unless I’m a donna again!”

  “The obvious always eludes you, Mye.”

  Holding her breath, the Poisoner twisted her head toward Travis’s thoughtful expression.

  “I’m surprised you didn’t nominate yourself. You’re qualified enough, bitch about everyone’s lack of efficiency, and took down Donahue during a heinous massacre with a grin on your face. I believe you referred to him as a shit stain before capping the bastard.”

  “While that’s true, wait outside while I finish with Armandi,” she ordered, pointing at the door. “You’re no longer relevant to this conversation.”

  “And miss an interesting conversation? No thanks.”

  She flicked her wrist and clicked the glass of water against his. “You wanted out of my life, right? Then leave.”

  “Consider this a team-building exercise for working overtime,” Travis answered while straightening his suit. “I worked ninety hours for two weeks straight and I’m enjoying watching you squirm.”

  For the second time in an hour, Aviere issued her specialized salute, despite the disapproving look from her employer.

  “Aviere, stop behaving like a child and return to the conversation.”

  “I don’t want the position,” she answered, snarling after snubbing her nose at Travis’s disapproving glare. “Taking over for Gunther is no different from accepting blood money.”

  “Blood money would indicate Limere had no help, but Evelyn and several others knew of his intentions. Even Rodriguez, for all her huffing and puffing, understood what your brother did. Toward the end, she caved, and influenced Sebastian.”

  Two strikes, Jemina, Aviere noted, remembering her encounter with her former lover. After three, I’m demanding an explanation about your conniving behavior.

  “Donahue wanted a cash cow after Limere made several million in the medicinal and drug market. He twisted Limere’s arm after he made parole, promising new facilities and funding for your company. Instead of leaving the issue alone, Limere used it to his advantage and had Darren and I help facilitate key events.”

  Limere, I want to hug you and strangle you. You didn’t have to die for me.

  The only visible indicator of Aviere’s shock was when her right arm jerked against the counter. As Aviere noticed the charming look in the suave businessman’s indigo eyes, she grabbed her water and drank, mirroring when Armandi sipped his own lime mojito.

  Louis, I should strangle you, but you’re not the mastermind behind this entire fiasco. Once I find Angelique, I will make her squeal.

  “I’m sure you suspected a few bad apples inside your organization. It wasn’t something Limere could discuss openly.”

  She followed Armandi’s eyes until they rested on her bulky bracelet.

  “It took me three weeks to find better jamming technology to combat them. I didn’t want your other associate to know and report to Sanderson. No one determined his affiliation before Limere passed away.”

  “I’m already drowning with juggling life,” Aviere said. “There’s no way—”

  “I’m not asking, Aviere. Central Baltimore is yours, so accept it. Think of the advantages and resources you’d gain. You could plan something bigger, perhaps a contingency plan on escaping Lowell Sanderson. The others support your cause. It wasn’t hard to gain a unanimous vote.”

  I’m not your chess piece, Armandi.

  As Aviere sipped on her water, she lowered her glasses. “I’ll ask again. What are you planning, Louis?”

  “Something beneficial, my dear. As soon as you fulfill your part, you’ll act. Until I’m ready, continue as you are. I cannot blame you for circumstances out of your control. However, another dud race, and I won’t be forgiving.”

  “Mye, we’re not criminals! Don’t accept this!”

  Aviere’s breath caught in her throat as Travis overturned a nearby table with a darkened tendril. It shattered the moment the hardened mass impaled the delicate wood.

  As pieces of the table scattered away, Aviere snatched Travis’s arm and slipped it over her insignia, closing her eyes.

  Give me a royal flush today, Lady Luck. I’m not paying to replace Louis Armandi’s headquarters.

  The splintered wood hit the cracked door until it pushed open from another surge of darkened power. Horrified shrieking ran through the Poisoner’s ears as she continued pressing Travis’s bare hand against her skin, trembling at the raw energy circulating around them.

  High-pitched shrieking faded until it turned into hoarse croaking. Warmth flooded her lithe body as she cracked an eye open, staring at the room which was transformed into a psychedelic kaleidoscope of silver, black, blue and green.

  Great, my life is switching genres again.

  “Aviere, what the—”

  “I have no idea,” she said, voice quaking as she clutched onto his arm. “I consorted with mages; I didn’t practice the craft. This is your area.”

  “Weirdness is yours, but someone’s talking. Can’t you hear them?”

  She raised an eyebrow as Travis’s voice turned soft amidst the noises surrounding them. “What are you talking about?”

  “You waited a while to activate the rune, Sis.”

  Aviere gasped, flitting around to find the owner’s voice as it penetrated through her racing thoughts. Between the loud noises, the pounding blood and jellied knees, she clung to Travis as the entire room disappeared into a colorful void.

  “Travis… I’m not imagining Limere’s voice, am I?”

  A sinister glare answered her question.

  “Good. Then Louis didn’t lace our drinks. Thank God for small wonders.”

  Tunnel vision started when her knees gave way and the insignia shined with bright light. Power absorbed through it and wracked her body. Aviere used her arms and kept herself upright before falling on her stomach inside the floorless void.

  “Limere, explain what’s going on! I hate motion sickness, and there’s no goddamn floor!”

  “Insurance. I can’t explain much, but Travis’s magic activates your regeneration. Cel and I tested it when I stole his power. It contains an element we lack, meaning a hybrid poisoned you, Aviere.”

  This changes everything. Our suspicions were correct about why the formulations are so advanced.

  The intense magical power kept her on edge as she peered above her messy
hair and studied Travis’s pained expression. A tiny gasp escaped her as his eyes smoldered, then clouded before whispering to himself.

  Limere, we’re not like humans, goddammit. After all my hard work…

  “Don’t look at me,” he argued, interrupting her thought. “Celene kept ranting about a woman unable to help from purgatory. This entire scheme is her brainchild.”

  You taught her well, you slippery fuck. Protection, insurance, and transfer of power all in one move. Well played.

  Brilliant silver light shined in a beam above her partner’s hand. She met Travis’s distant gaze and hid her mark while he jammed his open palm in from of her face seconds later.

  The same insignia was embedded inside his hand, before several droplets of blood transformed into sapphire pieces. After each shined with various colors, each piece slammed into each circle representing a padded paw print.

  “Fuck me, Lyssa! No amount of pleading can persuade me into collaborating with Aviere Mye! I want no part of this!”

  Lyssa? You mean… Travis never hallucinated hearing her?

  “Your wife is one cruel bitch, agent man. Fate paired you with Sis. Someone above has a wicked sense of humor.”

  “Bite me!”

  Aviere laughed, covering her mouth as her partner grumbled under his breath.

  “Nah, I’ll pass. You’re spunky enough to continue on where I failed, Travis. I don’t want that sniveling weasel protecting my sister. You handle Sis better and motivate her somehow. Finish my work and you’ll kill Lyssa’s murderer as a reward.”

  “Listen to Lim,” Aviere said, thumbing to thin air. “He blows up a building and thinks he’s God because he can cross dimensions or whatever with his stupid blade. Asking permission would be nice.”

  “He got shafted and died, Aviere. Don’t make jokes at his expense.”

  “The seal negates the influx of negative power. I couldn’t absorb all of Demetrius’s powers, so I fixed the situation until you see a specialist. They’re expensive but worth their price. The seal won’t absorb your overflow forever.”

  Aviere slipped a hand over Travis’s bleeding one, perplexed when the blood trailed back inside the wounds. At the same time, her chest tingled, warming while flesh reformed itself around the brand.

  “Your chest… wasn’t it infected?”

  She swayed her head, still bedazzled by the kaleidoscope of colors. “Lim. He’s a genius, I said. The calculations for this rune… well, they bled into another class of black magic. He understood it, but lacked the expertise. Wizardry, sorcerer… whatever it was. I can’t remember.”

  “I wanted out of your crazy life, not become a permanent member of your crew.”

  “Sorry, Keith,” she apologized as he helped her stand. “I planned on indoctrinating you this evening so everyone stopped hunting you. However, this works, too. Insurance and proof you’re with me.”

  “You owe me more than coffee. Dalara manipulated my dead wife, and she twisted my arm.”

  “He claimed—”

  “Mini-Rodriguez is your responsibility.”

  “Agreed.”

  “I’m on limited time, and Celene borrowed Karyn to activate my Book of Shadows. Cut the banter until I leave.”

  “No more mages,” Aviere breathed, praying the supernatural interference blocked her muttered comment. “God, Lim was enough to handle, yet you cursed me again.”

  “Aviere, I fixed what I screwed up. You got your territory back, found some decent allies, and almost scored a date again. Use everything to your advantage, and for everyone’s sanity, get laid.”

  She nodded, clutching her fists where the peridot once hung. “Thank you.”

  “Maurice will serve the Administration. He has the law degree, but we fronted another so you’d quit worrying. The minor was in fashion design, and he bitched every semester about both. Same with Celene, but you stumbled upon those. They’ll cover you while you investigate Sanderson’s project and their weird behavior.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Karyn’s good, but she’s a firecracker. Between her and Cel, you should have enough firepower to get back on the tracks.”

  “I’m thrilled,” she said while her voice oozed contempt. “Celene makes sense, but Karyn is a flake.”

  “Karyn’s a tough broad. She lost her way, but you’re excellent at nudging people. She’ll grow into an asset if you play your cards right.”

  “You’re assigning an online gaming addict to my crusade.”

  “Joe adopted her, and she works for his wolves. That counts, right?”

  “I’d rather operate under Agent Neuro,” Aviere spat. “At least he doesn’t chew bubble gum until I dream of choking him.”

  “Gunther… well, you’re responsible for bringing him home, even if Maurice disagrees. He wouldn’t listen to me when I explained, so I stopped reasoning with him.”

  “Any other confessions while you’re clearing the air?” Aviere asked before emitting a hiss. “This whooshing magic and psychedelic light show screws with my senses.”

  “The magic interference blocks the collars better than Armandi’s jamming devices. Our cell phones took damage in Kilgore Forest and we ordered replacements. Texting isn’t effective for intimate conversations.”

  “Totally pocketing this tidbit,” Aviere said to herself in a singsong voice while psyching herself in excitement. “Private phone calls, here I come.”

  “There is one more piece. Your weasel’s harboring his own secrets, so mind that slippery bastard.”

  “Peters isn’t worth investigating,” Travis interjected. “His only flaw is his asinine personality.”

  “Celene will help once she’s done sulking. I’m still pissed she trapped me in another dimension using the Arbitrator. This isn’t how you send your boyfriend on vacation.”

  “And he called Lyssa cruel, Mye.”

  “Celene’s vindictive,” Aviere answered with a smile. “Counterbalances my brother’s stupidity.”

  “Sis, I love you, but stop pissing in everyone’s Cheerios. Ma might scold me for your filthy language. You never swore when we were kids. If I’m lucky, I might become a hybrid.”

  “Didn’t you learn anything!” she admonished. “You’re—”

  “As I understand it, I’m infected with dark magic, so becoming a hybrid is possible after training. Besides, it’d be neat to detect scents once I’m out of magic. The shedding got tedious, but with God’s sense of humor, I might return as a piranha instead.”

  Aviere snickered as Travis sighed in irritation, thinking of his feline allergies.

  “Whenever the powers-that-be allow it, I’ll grace the world with my presence again. It’ll take years, though, so watch Cel for me. You’ll do fine, you hear?”

  “I love you, too. Now, warp us back before people worry.”

  Distorted beatboxing echoed as the scenery returned to the damaged room inside the Tethered Mistress. After Aviere reassured herself she knelt on top of solid ground, she sat on her knees and blinked when Travis held a hand toward her.

  “In the end, Dalara wasn’t a bad brother. You didn’t create your family drama, either.”

  Her ruined glove brushed against his marked palm. “No.”

  “We’re being played, Mye.”

  “Of course we are,” she said with a fiendish grin. “It’s a cat-and-mouse game.”

  “I don’t like your smile.”

  “You shouldn’t. I’m waiting.” Canines gleamed when Aviere widened her smile. “McSeeten was a small fry and Donahue ripped hope from me. If we handle the Argroves, I should know who is responsible afterward. The true mastermind will lose patience and hang themselves.”

  “What about Soulstealer?”

  “She’ll get her dues. There’s more than one way to skin a cat.” Aviere waved a hand to Armandi, who protested at his half-ruined sanctuary. “I’ll pay for repairs, but fix me two drinks. We’re off duty, and I think we’ve earned them after this hellish assignment. Everyone els
e is loaded, so why not join the fun?”

  “You have an example to uphold.”

  “Tomorrow.” Aviere draped an arm around Travis’s shoulder when he stood nearby. “Tonight, I’m just a woman who craves a stiff drink, a pack of grape Pop-Tarts and pleasant company to offset the awkwardness at home.”

  “Should I invite the human inside? Marco feels sorry for the poor sod.”

  Aviere snorted before waggling her eyebrows while Travis cleared his throat. “Nah. He’ll get the wrong message if I start being nice. Once Neuro earns his stripes, I’ll consider sharing a bar with him. Until then, he’s lucky enough to be my designated driver.”

  “What a way to shaft Peters.”

  “I did my Good Samaritan deed. Anything more and he’ll wonder what I’m planning.”

  She removed her ruined gloves and shoved them into her back pocket, savoring the condensation as her favorite drink slid across the countertop. When the strawberry daiquiri refreshed her dry mouth, the Poisoner raised an eyebrow at the scotch in a small glass.

  Once she placed it in Travis’s reddened hand, he bumped his glass against her tall one.

  After returning the bump, Aviere sipped again, contemplating her next move.

  Author’s Note

  Thank you for reading Drift, and I hope you enjoyed the second book of The Renegades Saga.

  There are several dynamics going on inside this series, which shall all come together as the other books continue. On the next few pages, you will see some projects slated for release next year.

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