by Jackie May
Ren swings the door open and drags me into the office. Rook follows us and closes the door. Director West smiles at me and waves a hand toward the empty chairs in front of her desk. “Jacobs, thank you for coming in.”
Jacobs. She started calling me that after the human hunter fiasco a few weeks ago. I guess using last names is a cop thing. I don’t like it. It seems less personal, and more like she’s my boss. Though, I guess she is. I agreed to work with the FUA office on a case-by-case situation. This is the first time she’s called me in on an official capacity.
Ren pulls out one of the chairs in front of her desk, so I sit in it, and he takes the other one as if he’s ready to receive his next assignment as well. Director West cocks a brow at him, and he shrugs sheepishly. He points a thumb over his shoulder. “Mrs. Montgomery. Shayne’s got it handled.”
Director West rolls her eyes. “Get out of here, Ren. Send Davies home before I have to pay her overtime.”
Ren pouts, but he gets up. He plops a kiss to the top of my head, then saunters out of the office. Rook takes his seat in the chair next to mine. Director West gives him a long look, but she doesn’t ask him to leave. Not that he would. “Sorry. He’s not going to leave my side while there are contracts out on my clan.”
“I understand.” Director West nods and closes a file folder that was sitting open in front of her. “I’m sorry about this contract mess. We’re working on it as best we can, but with Oliver out, there’s not much we can do. He’s our expert in the technology area.” The edge in her expression softens at the mention of Oliver’s name. “How is he? Ren said he woke up?”
“He did.” Some of my hostility toward the woman melts away at the hope in her voice. Director West is especially fond of Oliver. “Not for long, but he woke up. He looks like hell, but Enzo says he’ll be good as new in a day or two.”
“Good.” She smiles. “Keep me updated on his progress.”
“I will. Was there another reason you called me in?” I hate to be so abrasive, but I have too much going on right now to be wasting time. Not to mention, I’m still mad at her. She was the one ultimately responsible for letting the rogues that killed my mother run free for so long. It’s hard to look past that to the good she does for the city.
Director West purses her lips and narrows her eyes slightly, but she doesn’t call me out on my attitude. “Actually, the FBI has requested you. They have a very important case that needs immediate attention, and they hoped you could help.”
I frown. “The FBI? How do they even know about me?”
Director West opens a desk drawer and pulls out two badges. I recognize them from the last time I worked on a case. They’re my badges—one claiming I’m an agent for the FUA and the other stating I work for the FBI. “We had to tell them all about you when we registered you with the Agency. They know about your unique gifts, and I believe that’s why they’re coming to you.”
I grind my teeth. She and Nick registered me with the Agency without asking me, which means she outed me to the human government without my permission. “Fine,” I say, my tone clipped. I take the badges and look at them. “What’s the case?”
Director West watches me cautiously for a moment, unspoken words on the tip of her tongue. But she swallows whatever thought she had and nods. “We have a missing unicorn.”
Had she said this to me before yesterday, I’d be shocked. But now it’s not wholly unsurprising.
“Unicorns are the rarest underworlders on Earth.” She waves a hand toward me. “Well, besides sirens, now. There’s only one herd in the entire world. A small herd—just five unicorns. They live in the Redwood forest just south of Crescent City, California. Four nights ago, their only child, a twelve-year-old girl, went missing without a trace.”
My stomach drops at the thought of a missing child. “How awful.”
Director West nods. “I agree. Missing children cases are always the worst. The child was taken during the night. There were signs of a struggle in the girl’s bedroom, and the window was broken, but no one heard any noise. The SF FUA believes magic was used.”
I think back on my vision of Christov, and nod. “I’m sure it was.”
“They’ve used every resource they have and have come up with nothing. They’re hoping you might be able to use your psychic gifts to find some kind of clues. Anything at all.”
I wince. “I’m sorry. I would, but even if I flew out there right now, I’d be too late. I’ve never picked up an imprint more than two, maybe three days old.”
Director West digests this with a nod but doesn’t relent. “Could you at least try? Unicorns are not only rare, but they’re really powerful. They’re nature controllers. That’s the reason the Redwood forest is so large and wild. It’s literally magical. The herd has always taken care of all of the West Coast. They bless most of California’s crops. We can’t afford to have those crops fail. The unicorns are refusing to help unless their child is found. Even if you don’t pick anything up, they need to see that we’re trying everything we can.”
I rub my temples. After all the sleeping I’ve done over the last twenty-four hours, I’m still a little tired and my head is starting to hurt. “I understand what you’re saying, Director, but I’m sort of already on the case, and I believe I can do more from here.”
Director West sits back with a frown. “What do you mean?”
“Well, a couple days ago Nick mentioned a missing gryphon, and last night we went to the murder scene of Christov, the Lake Erie water dragon. I assume the cases are related because they’re all mythics.”
Director West’s eyes widen. “Of course. I can’t believe I hadn’t put that together. Someone is collecting mythics.”
I nod. “I got a lot of good information from Christov. He was attacked by mercenaries looking for a payout. Someone wanted him alive. We’re hoping that these mercs will have more information on the client. Gorgeous went with Parker and Illren Kovros to try to track them down. If they can find the mercs, hopefully we can find whoever hired them. Find him, and we’ll find your missing unicorn.”
Director West thinks everything over for a moment and then pins me with a stern look. “Gorgeous found them in Lansing. He’s almost back. You’ll help him with the interrogation when he gets in?”
I nod.
Director West releases the smallest breath of relief. Some of the sternness in her gaze melts away. “Thank you, Nora. I really appreciate all of your help.”
I force a small smile and give her another curt nod. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll just wait out front for Nick.”
I start to stand, but Director West clears her throat, so I settle back in my chair. “About the fey,” she says slowly, as if she realizes she needs to walk on eggshells with me right now. “They’re ready to sign the treaty under the stipulation that you join the agency full time and agree to be their liaison.”
I grind my teeth, and Director West winces. “Gorgeous mentioned Henry told you the particulars of the rogues involved with your mother’s death.”
I scoff. “The particulars? You mean how you allowed a group of savage murderers to terrorize this city for your own gain, and my mother died because of it? Those particulars?”
Director West sighs heavily, and her shoulders sag. “I am sorry, Nora. Sometimes hard decisions have to be made for the good of the—”
“Save me your spiel. I already told Nick I’d do it.”
Director West perks up. “Great! I’ll just need you to—”
I slice my hand through the air, cutting her off. “Look, I’ll do it—for this city and for the fey. But you and I? We’re not okay. I don’t know if we’ll ever really be okay.”
Director West gives me a long, contemplative look. When she nods, there’s disappointment in her eyes. “Fair enough,” she says. “You don’t have to like me; you just have to do your job.”
I nod, not sure what to say to that. Maybe one day I’ll forgive her. I suppose I already have forgiven Nick. Th
at’s not really fair, but Director West is Nick’s boss, and she’s so much pricklier than him. Not to mention she keeps letting Henry off the hook for his crimes against me. It’s easier to place the blame on her. But, I can be professional. She’s right. I don’t have to like her to do my job.
She slides the file folder on her desk toward me. “I just need you to fill out these papers—tax forms and insurance stuff mostly. The pay’s not great, but the benefits are pretty good. When you’re done, give them to Darla. She knows what to do with them. You can use Gorgeous’s desk. Underworld knows he never does.”
That makes me crack a real smile. “Okay.” I grab the file folder and both of my badges.
“Jacobs,” Director West calls as I follow Rook out of the room. I turn back, and she gives me a small smile. “Welcome to the team.”
“Thanks.”
Back out in the main room, Darla is still typing away at her computer. The gorgeous redhead is gone, and Ren is back in his usual place behind the reception desk. I peer at his computer screen and have to do a double take. “What on Earth is that?”
I point to the picture of Nick’s face on a shirtless man’s body riding a midnight black horse rearing back on its hind legs. Above it he’s trying out different fonts on the words Gorgeous Stallion. Ren turns his screen so I can see the picture better and gives me an impish grin. “Photoshop is a hobby of mine.”
“Does Nick know about this hobby of yours?”
Ren winks. “Our secret.”
I shake my head and chuckle, then find my way to Nick’s messy desk. I’m just filling out the last signature on my paperwork when Nick and Parker come bursting through the doors with the two mercenaries from my imprint. I know it’s them because they’re shouting and cursing much like they were in my vision. Their voices are easily recognizable. The two fey are fighting and resisting my men every step of they way, but they can’t win against a vampire’s and a dragon’s strength. Illren slinks in behind them and moves to sit beside Rook in the waiting area.
“Jacobs!” Nick hollers. “Interrogation in two minutes!”
I hand my file to Darla and stop by Illren and Rook. “Everything went okay?” I ask Illren.
Illren puffs up his chest slightly. “They were no match for us.”
I roll my eyes at Illren’s arrogance, but then I surprise us both by kissing his cheek. “Thank you for helping them.”
I start to back away, but Illren snakes his hand around me and pulls me to him. My breath catches in my lungs when that intense purple gaze bores into me from just inches away. “I would do anything for you, Mistress,” he whispers.
I suppress a shiver and gulp. The sexual tension radiating from him is nearly suffocating. “Anything except call me Nora,” I mutter.
My attempt to break the tension fails. Instead, he pulls me even tighter against him and he tucks my hair behind my ear. “Nora,” he murmurs, making the word a caress.
He leans down, his intent to kiss me clear, but before he can, Nick hollers again. “Jacobs! Let’s go!”
I pull away, unsure if I’m relieved or disappointed that the moment is broken. Beside us, Rook snorts in amusement, and Illren gives him an annoyed glare. I smirk. “Behave, boys.” I give Rook a quick peck to his lips and hesitate only a moment before doing the same to Illren. “Go home, and be safe. Check on Oliver for me. I’ll have Nick or Parker bring me home later.”
The Agency only has one interrogation room. It looks like all the interrogation rooms you see in cop shows on TV—a small white room with a large one-way mirror. It has a single table and three chairs—one behind the table and two facing it on the other side.
Sitting in the lone chair handcuffed to the table sits one of the men from my vision. I remember his name is Sabin. The woman, Galina, must be locked up in the holding cell. Sabin glares daggers at Nick and me when we enter the room. I’m not fazed by his anger. I’ve been in on an interrogation once before. I was attacked by werewolves, and we questioned the one that didn’t get away. Let’s just say that my mindreading abilities came in handy during questioning. I’m hoping for a repeat tonight.
“This is bullshit!” Sabin shouts as Nick and I take our seats across from him. “I didn’t do shit! You’ve got no proof.”
Nick’s jaw is clenched, and his hands are balled into tight fists. He’s still enraged. He’s staring down the killer of his friend. More than that, Nick felt responsible for Christov. Christov was the only other dragon on the entire continent. He was Nick’s family.
“It’s definitely him,” I murmur, placing my hand over the top of Nick’s fist. “He was wearing a mask, but the voice and stature are right.”
Sabin spits in my direction. “You don’t know shit, bitch.”
While I wipe the spit from my face with my sleeve, Nick lunges across the table and grabs Sabin by the throat. “Disrespect her again, and I’ll rip your head off.”
Sabin couldn’t answer Nick even if he tried, because Nick has completely cut off his air supply. “Nick,” I say softly. “Gorgeous.”
I pull his shoulder back, snapping him out of his rage and forcing him to let go of Sabin. He blinks at me and sucks in a sharp breath through his nose. “Do you need to let me handle this one?” I ask.
He glares at me. “I’m not leaving you in here alone with him.”
“I’m sure Director West or Parker would swap places with you if you’re feeling too close to this one.”
I get another dirty look, but Nick takes a deep breath and calms down. “I can handle it.”
I give him another moment to be sure, and when he nods, I look at Sabin. “We need to know who hired you to capture the water dragon.”
The man scowls. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“We know you killed Christov Petrovich,” I say.
Sabin shakes his head. “You have no proof.”
“I have a witness,” Nick growls, nodding his head toward me. “That’s all the proof I need.”
Sabin narrows his eyes on me, then huffs. “I’m not telling you shit.”
I sigh. “We’ll do this the hard way, then. Tell me who hired you.”
I reach across the table to grab his hand. The moment I come into contact with his skin, I’m bombarded with his thoughts, but they aren’t what I’m expecting. I don’t get the name of the man I’m looking for, because Sabin is concentrating very hard on song lyrics. “Who are you working for?” I demand again. The singing only gets louder in my brain.
I pull back. He’s obviously on to me. Using my gift isn’t going to work this time. Maybe Nick will get to beat the confession out of him after all.
“Who is it?” Nick demands.
I shake my head. “He didn’t think it. He’s singing ‘99 Bottles of Beer.’”
Nick frowns and Sabin puffs out his chest, wearing a satisfied smirk. “That’s right. I’ve heard all about Gorgeous’s little pet psychic with the mind-reading powers. You’ll never get what you’re looking for from me.”
The second he throws down the challenge, my siren rises up inside me. She doesn’t like that she’s not getting what she wants. The power washes over me, and I shiver from the intensity of it. The urge to use it is too tempting. I can’t resist. “Sabin,” I whisper, the name a purr from my lips.
His eyes instantly glaze over. He doesn’t stand a chance against my power. He doesn’t even try. My siren responds to his compliance. She loves having him under her control.
A hunger starts to grow in my belly, and my mouth waters at the thought of tasting his soul. All I can think about is devouring him. I hum with pleasure and lick my lips.
“Nora?” Gorgeous’s voice pricks at the back of my mind, but it doesn’t break my concentration. “Can you ask him to tell you who he works for?”
An image of Sabin killing Christov flashes in my head, and my hunger grows. My siren is a vengeful creature, and she wants to make this man suffer for hurting Nick’s family. Nick is mine, and I protect what is m
ine. “Who do you work for?” I ask.
Sabin gulps. “Galina.”
I growl, losing my patience. My siren is hungry, and she doesn’t want to wait any longer.
“Who was the job for?” Nick demands.
When Sabin doesn’t respond to him, I repeat the question. “I don’t know,” he murmurs. “The job was posted on the darknet. The listing was anonymous.”
Nick leans forward in his chair. “How did you exchange the goods for the cash? Where? When?”
Again I repeat Nick’s questions to Sabin, and my siren purrs with satisfaction when he obeys my call. He rattles off the address of what he claims is an abandoned house. “We dropped off the package yesterday morning. We were left a key to a 24-hour storage unit where the payment would be dropped off by sunset today. We picked it up this evening before we headed back to Lansing.”
“Give us the address to the storage unit,” Nick demands. I can sense his excitement. His energy only feeds mine. I repeat his demand, but I’m starting to lose focus. My siren wants more than answers. My power is growing restless, and I’m going to give in. Every time I use it, it feels better and better. It gets stronger. It takes over even more. I feel like I’m one with the darkness in me, and this insignificant man belongs to me. “Mine,” I murmur.
“Nora?” Nick asks.
I lean forward all the way over the table and place my hand over Sabin’s chest. I reach through him with my power and connect with the steady beat of his heart. With a blissful sigh, I begin to pull his essence into me. His soul will be mine.
Sabin screams, and the sound of his agony invigorates me.
“Nora! What the hell are you doing?”
I hear Nick shouting, can hear the worry in his tone, but I won’t give up my prey. Not until I’ve consumed every last drop of his life force.
“Nora!” Nick shakes me hard, but I don’t snap out of it. “Nora!”
Nick tackles me to the ground, physically breaking my connection to Sabin and finally snapping me from my trance. My power slips back into hibernation, and I blink myself back to the present. Nick is on top of me, pinning me to the ground and gaping at me with wide eyes. “What the hell was that?” he asks.
