“I was trying to figure out if they were being harassed and threatened or if they were just wasting our time. I felt that they wanted to use us as their on-call life changers.”
“What gave you that impression?” asked Mikael.
Esai cut his eyes at him. “You’re so naïve. Two young women who lived in a crap area want to stay at the Order for a while before moving to California after hearing about our team from their Vespers friends? They were probably in debt up to their eyeballs and were just using us to get away from their problems.”
I focused on the watercolor painting behind his head. Most days, staring at the serene lakeside image was enough to soothe my nerves. Today, however, was not one of those occasions. “Your imagination is intact, if not your sanity. Our goal was to get them out. They were being menaced. There was blood smeared on their back door forming the symbol of the cult. Dead animals were left on their porch. Their tires had been slashed. It’s a miracle nothing worse happened.”
“You’re just as naïve,” Esai said. “You’re so into being the big, bad boss of the assassins you see cult members everywhere, even when there are none to be found. I’m not saying they aren’t out there, but I doubt they’re hounding random Vespers.”
That damn eye ticked harder to the point of distraction. I withdrew my hands from the table and placed them flat on my thighs where they couldn’t be seen. It was petty, but I stuck my middle finger in his direction and mentally stuck my tongue out at him. “My job is to save Vespers and to kill the cult that has been plaguing us for years. We were lucky that there was no one to fight this time around, only a mess to clean up. Next time, we may not be as lucky. It’s not your place to decide who needs our help and who doesn’t. And it sure as hell isn’t your place to make the calls in the field.”
Esai jumped to his feet. “You’re wrong,” he shouted. “I have the experience of leading an elite team. You’re just a little girl who got this job out of sheer stupidity by someone else. Your presence makes a mockery of everything the assassins could be! We could be a true force in the world, something so powerful that no cult would ever interfere with the Balance. But we’re a laughingstock because of you.”
“Sit down,” said Voss with quiet authority. “If you want to talk, we can do that, but standing and yelling are childish.”
Esai stomped his foot and threw his hands in the air. “This is ridiculous. You need to be thrown out or handled.”
He was ridiculous, what with the stomping around like a toddler. I straightened my ponytail, crossed my legs, and stared at him with an amused silence.
“Do not threaten our leader,” said Mikael, fire in his eyes and thunder in his voice. “I will not tolerate another word from your lips. It is only by her grace you are still alive.”
Esai stared at me with his chest heaving, waiting for some kind of response.
My lips curled into half a smile. “This little girl is still your boss, and neither hell nor high water will remove me from this seat. You will get your act together or find yourself benched. Do we understand each other?”
Voss glanced at me and grabbed Esai’s arm. “You can work in the armory today. We have a new shipment coming in. We both know you enjoy the work.”
Esai shrugged him off and pointed at me. “You will regret this. Not the Order, but you will regret the day you mocked me. One day, you’ll be in a tight spot. You’ll need me to act, and I will turn my back on you. You’ll suffer because you were too soft and gullible. I want you to remember this conversation then.”
I waited until he stormed down the hallway and out of earshot before turning to Voss. “Thanks, but I don’t need you to defend me.”
He grimaced. “I wasn’t protecting you. Esai may not want to acknowledge it, but if you got angry enough, you’d fry the entire building and leave him alive just so you could torture him. I can’t sign off on that.”
“You can be scary,” added Mikael. “Although, you were calm. I am proud.” He scratched his head. “He is becoming a real threat to the Order.”
It would have been satisfying to remind them I’d been saying as much since my return, but it wouldn’t have accomplished anything. Instead, I fished out my makeup bag and mirror. I gestured for Mikael to close the door. Starting with my favorite moisturizer, I got to work.
“Yes, he’s a threat, and he’s becoming unstable. I don’t have the answer of how to handle him, and I doubt I’ll figure it out today. Voss, keep him busy. He can take part in group training. Just keep him away from me. I don’t want to fight one of our own. Mikael, can you set up an official meeting with Dakarai to discuss this issue?”
“Consider it done,” he said.
Voss watched me apply concealer beneath my eyes with fascination. He had a weird obsession with watching me put on makeup as if I was showing him the secrets of a woman’s magical war paint. I guessed that I was, in a manner of speaking. “There’s only so much he can do in the armory, and he refuses to work on building security. We will have to find a more permanent solution to keep him busy.”
“I know. There are a few things in the works. I can’t talk about it yet, but I promise to tell you everything in a couple of days. Maybe, if it all works out, we’ll have an answer.”
“I sure as hell hope so. His people have come to the gym while we’re working out. It’s creepy as if they are looking for our weaknesses. It feels like we have an enemy from within our ranks and from the cult outside.”
I shrugged as I added another layer of product. “If they want to be weirdos and watch us train, that’s on them. I can’t stop them, and I don’t care to get involved either. Esai needs to be brought to heel, and I don’t think I’m the person who can do that. Like I said, I need to talk to Dakarai. Cross your fingers that the other thing works out.”
“Can you share anything?” asked Voss.
“Give me until the end of the week, and I promise I’ll tell you everything.”
Voss nodded and promised to keep me updated on Esai’s activities. Mikael and I watched him leave. Once the door closed behind him, I looked up from my mirror, face almost done, and smiled.
“I have something for you to do today.”
“As long as it doesn’t involve tracking down Esai or his people, I am happy to help.” He shuddered. “His anger is palpable. I can feel it pushing against me, like someone leaning on a bubble, if that makes sense.”
“It does. Mikael, I have so much I want to tell you.”
“What is this surprise you mentioned earlier?”
My smile reached my eyes. “You have to run an errand, and it will take you the rest of the day. Don’t come back to the office.”
“Now I am very curious.”
“First, you’ll have to go to Jordan’s apartment. The last time I was there, I saw a book on his coffee table. Grab it. Read the first few pages, and you’ll know what to do after that. There are instructions of sorts.”
“Can you be vaguer?” he asked, crossing his arms and scrunching his face up like a little boy. I wanted to pinch his cheeks.
“I could, but then you’d hate me. Trust me when I say it is worthwhile.”
Mikael still looked confused, but he agreed. I waited until he left my office to finish my makeup, repacked, and opened my door a crack.
“Benjamin,” I called, holding in the laughter. “Oh, Benny!”
Voss stormed into my office. “Do not call me Benny. I don’t care that you’re my boss. Call me Benny again and I’ll… I’ll do something destructive.”
The giggles that had been building up escaped. “Sorry. Now I know.”
He sniffed. “Now you know. Don’t do it again. Please.”
“Fine. The thing I’m working on… I’m trying to arrange for a meeting the day after tomorrow. Can you keep your schedule open?”
“You are the boss. Can you tell me anything?”
“Just that it’s a game changer.”
✽ ✽ ✽
Twenty minutes later, m
y phone rang. Mikael shouted in Russian, his language of rage and excitement. He spoke so fast I couldn’t tell what he was saying, but I gathered that he’d found Jordan. “When did you find out?” he blurted in English.
“This morning. It’s kind of a long story. I haven’t told anyone else, so keep it quiet. Why are you calling me when you could catch up?”
“He wants to stop in on Dakarai and have lunch with us. How are you not more excited?”
“I cried a lot,” I confessed. “That’s why my face was puffy. If I didn’t have to work, I’d be freaking out and joining you. He won’t take the job back.”
“We’ll change his mind. We must celebrate. Tonight? I’ll cook for us.”
Mikael’s brother was back home, and nothing could have made him happier. That I’d had a small part in that surprise pleased me. “You two figure it out, and I’ll make time.”
“And Nicholas?”
My balloon of happiness deflated. I had no idea how Nicholas would react. While he would be thrilled to have Jordan within shouting distance, and therefore safer, I doubted that he’d share the same enthusiasm. I believed he’d even be disappointed to have such a magnetic force back in our lives.
“I will tell him. I’ll let you worry about telling Danny and Cecilia,” I giggled. “Esai will lose his mind.”
“Yes, he is. Hold on. Jordan wants to talk to you.”
There was a pause, then Jordan’s soothing baritone came through the phone. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed it until that moment. “Are you sure you can’t join us for lunch? We’ll order out if you’re tied to the building.”
“I wish I could,” I told him, “but duty calls. Your idea of an administrator sounds better and better by the minute.”
“I’m full of great ideas,” he said with laughter brimming in every word. “Well, call me later if you’re free.”
“Mikael mentioned something about dinner. I’ll leave on time, and we can catch up then. Just tell me where and I’ll meet you.”
I leaned back in my chair and hung up the phone, that pit in my stomach back. Jordan’s reappearance meant a lot of things, most of which I was too wired to consider at the moment. The team would expect him to resume his duties, which is what I wanted. Esai would try to go over my head as if Jordan would take him more seriously. The Circle’s dynamic would change again. After all this time we’d reached a place of respectful, if not peaceful meetings. He’d change all of that, no doubt. I still wasn’t sure how it would affect my life. Besides having my training buddy back, it would be interesting to see if our bond would grow. If he had the ability to know when I was thinking about him from what I could only assume were great distances, then what was possible when we were near?
Nicholas and Jordan had had a grudging alliance before. I already had the sense of being torn, and I didn’t like it. As if he’d known I was thinking about him, my phone rang. Nicholas’ face appeared, smiling, those dimples popping in a way that made my insides gooey.
“Hey,” I said. “You were on my mind.”
“Good,” he said, chuckling, “because you’ve been on my mind all morning. First, you slap me around in my sleep, then run out before drinking the second cup of coffee. I’m dying to know what’s going on.”
“It’s a long story, but Jordan’s back,” I said, damn near giddy. “I wasn’t positive at first because I thought I was dreaming. I had this super vivid dream with Ashor, so it only made sense that Jordan’s appearance was a dream. I’m still getting over the shock.”
“Wow.”
I let out a small laugh. “I know. Would you have dinner with us tonight? Dakarai, Jordan, and Mikael, I mean. It would mean a lot.”
Nicholas was quiet for a moment, and I heard him take in a deep rush of air before responding. “That’s a lot to take in. No wonder you’re out of sorts. As for tonight why don’t you celebrate without me? The three of you should have a proper reunion. You and I can hang out tomorrow night.”
“You’re great,” I gushed. “Today has been crazy. He stopped by the gym while I was working out.”
“I’m happy for you,” he said. “This is a good thing. We know he’s safe and I can sleep at night knowing you’re safe. The Circle is complete.”
I hadn’t even thought of that angle. “Everything’s coming up Jasper,” I said.
“Funny lady. I have to get back to work. If you get bored later, call me. I miss you already.”
“I miss you, too. Thanks for understanding and well, for being you.”
“Have a good day and have fun tonight.”
He hung up, and all I could think was that today was one of the best days I’d had in years.
✽ ✽ ✽
Dinner was wonderful. Jordan sat next to me on the small couch and left a casual arm around the back of the cushions, sitting close enough to for me to lean into him if I’d wanted. I wanted to hug him and beat him senseless for coming back after worrying me for so long. Instead, I was content with the comfortable distance and the slight buzzing between us. Neither of us spoke of it, but my gut told me it had something to do with our bond.
“Jasper,” Dakarai said with exasperation, “what on Earth has you so distracted?”
Mikael gave me a sly smile. “She is daydreaming about her Nicholas again. That mooning look in her eyes is back.”
I blushed because Nicholas was the furthest thing from my mind. Also, I hated to be accused of mooning. I didn’t moon. Yes, occasionally I had been lost in thoughts of Nicholas after an enthusiastic night, or a slow, sweet morning. But mooning? That so wasn’t me. Batting my hand in front of my face, I made a dismissive sound.
Jordan chuckled as he patted me on the shoulder. “Don’t be embarrassed. It happens to the best of us.”
“Please,” I scoffed. “You’ve never mooned over anyone in your life.”
“No, but I’m not like everyone else. He’s your first boyfriend, right?”
“Uh, no, he’s not my first boyfriend. Jeez, I’m not that much younger than you.” I wasn’t lying. My relationship with Nicholas was the first and only one of any importance. The rest had been silly high school romances that lasted a month or two. Nicholas and I had been together for the better part of a year.
Mikael smiled, having already received the same treatment months ago after his own first relationship died a piteous death. Unlike me, he hadn’t had the experience of fumbling new love that high schoolers achieved. He was as innocent as they came, homicidal tendencies aside. “Bah, leave her alone. What matters is her happiness. If she moons, we should be pleased for her.”
Dakarai muttered something uncomplimentary about Nicholas under his breath. Before I could respond, he held up a hand. “You are like my sister. He is a man. I do not approve of him being a man with you. But,” he said with a heavy sigh, “you are old enough to make your own decisions. Allow me my grumbling.”
My face burned hotter, and I wanted the plush cushions of Dakarai’s couch to swallow me whole. These men were my rocks, my dearest friends and closest companions, but there were some conversations I couldn’t bring myself to have with them. There was no way I planned on telling Nicholas about this, especially not when he was a man with me. He’d suffer from a mixture of amusement and horror that would make it hard for him to look any of these men in the eye. I forced myself to keep my eyes from slamming shut with mortification and smiled at them as if this were a normal conversation.
“And who have you three ‘been men with’ lately?” I asked them sweetly. “Turnabout’s fair play.”
That question got an immediate chorus of groans and protests. Even Jordan’s cheeks had the faintest tinge of color as he averted his eyes.
“What have you been up to this summer?” he asked loudly, desperate to change the subject. “Besides the obvious.”
“Nicholas doesn’t take up all of my time. I have a job, you know.”
“I can’t imagine that Nicholas being a man takes up much of your time. He doesn’t str
ike me as the thorough type,” he said, expressionless. “I was talking about your job.”
My cheeks were on fire as his implication and insult set in. There was no way for me to defend his honor, or lack thereof, without making this more awkward. I opted for feigned ignorance and changed the topic. “We’re busy, but I don’t want to talk about that tonight. When you’re settled and ready to come back to work, I’ll debrief you.”
“I already told you I’m not taking back the job. This summer gave me more freedom than I’ve had in years and I’m not willing to give that up just yet. Find me a job that reports to you, something that allows me to sleep decent hours, and we’ll talk.”
“Oh, come on,” I whined. “Everyone wants you back in charge. Right, Mikael?”
Mikael nodded. “It is not for lack of skill on Jasper’s part. They cling to the familiar, and you have been in charge for so long that you are missed.”
I stared at Dakarai with pleading eyes. He held up his hands in a gesture that screamed, “I don’t have a dog in this fight,” and sat back. “This is your division. I will not involve myself unless there is a crisis.”
“I’ll change your mind,” I stated.
“Uh-huh,” said Jordan, smothering a yawn. “Time change is getting to me. I don’t know about you kids, but I’m going to bed.”
Dakarai gave us a drowsy look. “I have also had a long day. Unless one of you wants to carry me to bed…” he trailed off.
Giggling, I imagined Jordan and Mikael hauling Dakarai’s long frame between them. The three were close friends, and I had it on good authority they’d each been the recipient of a drunk tuck-in.
Mikael stood first, followed by Dakarai. Jordan rose last and stretched, the movement revealing two inches of well-muscled stomach.
I forced my jaw to stay put, hugged each man, and maneuvered my way out of the apartment. Jordan and Mikael walked out behind me and waited until I made it to my door, the whole ten feet across the hallway. Stifling the urge to roll my eyes, I gave a one-handed wave.
The Black Knights Page 5
