Influential_Magic

chapter 3





“For the last time, tell me what kind of deal David made,” I demanded.

Phoebe pulled into the narrow garage of the seemingly abandoned brick warehouse and parked. The Arcane kept their headquarters hidden. If anyone went looking for them, they’d never expect the most powerful branch of the government to be housed in the deteriorating structure one block from the Mississippi in the Irish Channel.

“No.” Phoebe shook her head. “If Maude finds out I bugged him, the shit’s gonna fly. Better it comes from her.”

I climbed out of the car. Link yelped, barely escaping without losing a paw as I slammed the door in frustration. He glared at me with accusing eyes.

“Sorry, buddy,” I cooed and picked him up, running a hand over his silky fur. He closed his mouth, his bottom teeth protruding. Clearly, I wasn’t forgiven.

I kissed the top of his head, set him down, and then fell in step with Phoebe. “How did you get the bug past security?”

She grinned. “I’ve been experimenting with a few charms while you’ve been gone.”

“You’re going to piss off the wrong person one of these days.”

“I’m not worried. Just wait until you see what I’ve worked up.”

I snorted. “You’re an awfully cocky witch. I wouldn’t underestimate Maude if I were you. Our power may be more subtle, but faeries generally rank higher on the magic scale than witches do.”

Phoebe’s mahogany eyes gleamed. “I know. That’s what I’m counting on.”

Frowning, I waited while Phoebe passed through security. What kind of crazy plan had she cooked up?

Once Phoebe was cleared, the security scanner flashed green, ready for its next victim. I took a deep breath, tensed, and forced myself into the glass booth, Link by my side. Tension engulfed me, slowly squeezing the air from my lungs. The familiar panic set in, making me struggle to not gasp.

I willed myself to calm down. It’s not like I hadn’t done this dozens of times before. Everything was going to be fine.

Right, because electrodes stripping away my layers of magic was the perfect way to start the day.

Please don’t let this machine short-circuit my brain. I was going to need some form of intelligence, because despite Phoebe’s incessant pestering, I had yet to make it to a single defense class. Tomorrow. Definitely tomorrow.

The security scan heightened and sucked away the last dregs of my magic. The sense of loss and vulnerability left me hollow, uncomfortable in my own skin. Why the hell did I put up with this nonsense? I didn’t need to work for the Arcane. I ran a successful bakery, a place where my magic could truly shine. I was good at it, damn it. And Maude didn’t have any control over me there. Mostly.

The glass doors opened, and I stumbled out. Link followed in a clumsy daze. The security scan had temporarily neutralized his wolf-shifting abilities. The pair of us joined Phoebe, her face white from her own trip through security.

“Let’s get this over with.” I took off, marching to the director’s office. The sooner I got out of there, the better.

The receptionist’s desk was unoccupied, and the usually closed door was slightly ajar. I hesitated for a second, then gave one sharp rap before entering.

Maude Jenkins, the director of the Void branch, glanced up, her sharp, angular features set in a scowl. Her mood matched the severe bun coiled tightly on her head and the gloomy gray pantsuit. “Agent Rhoswen, you’re late. I do not enjoy being kept waiting.”

I stiffened, hiding a scowl of my own. I’d signed on to work for the Arcane under a different director. If I’d known my spiteful aunt was in line to take over, I never would have signed the paperwork. And I sure as shit wouldn’t have committed to five years.

Two years, eleven months, and twelve days, I reminded myself. Unless I got lucky and dear old Auntie was promoted again. Or better yet, offed by one of her many enemies.

A pang for my mother rippled through me. Maude hadn’t always been a first-class bitch. She and my mom had grown up the best of friends. When Beau and I were young, she’d visited often, winning Beau’s affection after she’d brought him a fae chemistry set, complete with beginning water spells. Then, shortly after he’d died, she’d changed. Become obsessed with the Void and turned into someone none of us recognized.

I carefully arranged my expression to match my bored tone. “I wasn’t aware I had an appointment.”

Maude’s inky black wings flared in irritation, a stark contrast to my own pale, ice-blue ones. Her eyes hardened. “Do not act as if you’re doing us a favor, agent. You are paid very well for minimal service. If I require your presence, you will make yourself available. Your contract sees to that.”

I swallowed the snarky reply poised on my tongue. That damned contract. Stupidly, I hadn’t realized I’d magically bound myself to the Arcane when I’d signed it. Phoebe’s voice rang in my head. You don’t walk away from the Arcane, Willow. Think carefully before you commit.

One couldn’t break a magically bound contract. Not without dying first.

“Of course, Director.” I kept my face blank.

“Take care to remember that.” She cut her gaze to Phoebe. “Close the door, Agent Kilsen.”

Phoebe did as she was told and sat, nodding to me to settle in the adjoining chair. I hesitated, loath to show submission. The director’s eyes seared through me, the force of her will almost pressing me into the chair.

Damned fae! I despised the use of magical persuasion, a gift especially strong in female faeries. I fought the magic just long enough to prove I could. Then, with a pointed stare, I took my seat next to Phoebe. “What can I do for you this morning, Director?”

Maude stretched her wings wider and then slowly retracted them as she eased back into her chair.

I did a mental eye roll at the display of dominance. My aunt already had the advantage. High-ranking Arcane officials weren’t subject to magical paralysis in their home offices.

The director leveled her gaze. “Effective immediately, you are suspended from agent Kilsen’s service.”

“But—”

“Recent events have rendered you a liability. Instead, you will work with a double agent, gathering intel on Cryrique.”

My limbs went ice-cold with shock, but I kept my face impassive. I didn’t want to give Maude any indication the mob-like vampire corporation terrified me. The company unofficially controlled almost everything in New Orleans…except the Void. Was my aunt insane? I most definitely hadn’t been trained for the spy business.

Did Phoebe know about this? Her cool expression implied she did. Would it have been so hard to warn me? Freakin’ Phoebe. What was she up to?

I focused on Maude. “A liability? Does this have to do with the cemetery? Because that had everything to do with spending the day in an airplane. You, of all people, should know what being enclosed in metal can do to an earth faery.”

“Do not insult me, Rhoswen. While your actions highlighted your pathetic lack of training, I’d hardly waste energy rearranging your life because of it.”

Anger bubbled in my throat. Swallowing, I choked it down. What did I ever do to deserve this disdain? Just because I’d joined the Void without going through the proper channels didn’t mean I wasn’t good at my job. It was no secret Maude resented shortcuts. Never mind I possessed a skill so rare no one believed it possible.

My record stood for itself. How many agents would’ve been killed had I not been there to warn them? My talent made the Void safer, kept Phoebe safe, and I’d be damned if I lost someone else I loved when I could do something about it. Spending three years at the academy was out of the question. I hadn’t wanted to devote my entire life to the Void. I had a shop I loved, but I couldn’t ignore my ability either. We’d struck a deal. I’d go on runs, warn the agents of nearby vamps, and then stay the heck out of the way. No academy training needed.

“What about Phoebe?” I asked. “You can’t leave her without backup.”

“That is not your concern.” Maude didn’t bother to hide her disgust. “A seasoned agent would be more concerned about her new assignment.”

“I imagine I’ll be given my new orders before I leave,” I said reasonably. “I’m just looking out for my partner.”

Maude raised one brow as she smirked. “At least you’re loyal. To put you at ease, her new partner will be in place by the end of the week.” She passed a packet across her desk. “Here are the details of your new assignment. Be here at sunset to pick up your shadow agent. I expect an update every forty-eight hours until I say otherwise.”

Staring at the packet as though it was tainted with flesh-eating bacteria, I kept my hands clenched in my lap.

Maude pressed a button on her intercom. “I’m ready for my next appointment.” She didn’t even look up when she addressed us again. “You’re excused.”

What exactly was a shadow agent? The finality of Maude’s tone, mixed with her obvious contempt, kept my mouth clamped shut. I’d rather have my wings plucked out than admit my cluelessness. I grabbed the envelope and shoved it in my purse.

Phoebe and I left without another word, Link at my heels.

“What just happened?” I asked Phoebe once we made it back to the lobby. The two guards ignored us, both standing straight with their hands clamped behind their backs.

“You just got into a pissing match with our boss. Our boss who is a spiteful, dangerous faery.”

Faeries had a bad reputation for holding grudges. “Please. She doesn’t scare me.”

Phoebe stopped, turning to face me. “She should. Do you think she became a director by kissing babies or baking cupcakes for a living?”

I bristled. “That was low, Phoebs. Really low.”

“You need to take her seriously. I know she’s bitchy to you, but damn, Willow. She’s good at her job. Making an enemy of her isn’t doing you any favors.”

The sun peeked out from behind a deteriorating building, making me squint as I studied my friend. A small crease etched her brow and tension filled her face. Under my scrutiny, her expression cleared, erasing any hint of frustration. She was an expert at hiding her emotions when she wanted to.

“Make an enemy of her?” I scowled. “You know our history. You think anything I do now is going to make it worse?” Shaking my head, I stalked toward the door. “Whatever. I’ve got to get to work. Come on, Link.”

“Shit,” Phoebe muttered behind me. A moment later she caught up to me on the sidewalk. “Let me give you a ride to the shop.”

“No need. We’ll walk.”

“Wil, you know this neighborhood isn’t safe. Don’t be stubborn.”

Phoebe was right. The streets surrounding headquarters housed some of the most notorious human crime lords in the city. The Arcane chose the building for a reason. The more foreboding an area, the less chance of prying eyes. If an agent was too weak to fend off mere humans, no matter how dangerous, they shouldn’t be working for the Arcane. Especially the Void branch.

“I have Link. In the unlikely event any thugs are up this early, he’ll have no problem taking them out.” He’d already be able to shift. The security scan didn’t affect him as long as it did the rest of us.

Before she could argue, I strode off, Link running beside me. I stretched my wings, deliberately expanding them wide. If anyone was watching, there would be no mistaking who and what I was. Enemies of the Arcane were usually eliminated. It didn’t hurt to let people know which side I was on.

***

By the time I made it to The Fated Cupcake in Uptown, sweat ran down my back and my tank top clung to my sticky body. Ick. Why hadn’t I just accepted the air-conditioned ride? I could give a cold shoulder with the best of them, especially in climate control.

In spite of the sticky morning heat, I took a moment to savor the sight of my shop. The windows gleamed and employees bustled inside. A fair number of patrons scurried in and out of the plate-glass doors. Sure, it wasn’t a top-secret government paranormal protection agency, but what I did for a living made people smile. That was important, no matter how insignificant Phoebe made me feel sometimes.

Link gave a small yip as he rounded the corner, heading for the side entrance. I followed, a smile finally breaking through my irritation as I let him into my private office. The chilled air caused goose bumps to form over my thin wings, but the shiver came from the tantalizing smell of chocolate mixed with citrus-tinged magic. Now I was home.

I tossed the new assignment packet on my neatly organized desk and stared at it. Curiosity, tainted with a heavy dose of resentment, formed deep in my gut.

Double agent? I had zero training in that department, and my loving Auntie Maude knew it. And what did David—handsome, easygoing, freshly-turned-vampire David—have to do with it? I’d completely forgotten to inquire about his deal. What did the Void want with a vampire anyway?

A shudder crawled up my spine. Having my life drained from me would be worse than final death. As a faery that thrived on life magic, I couldn’t imagine anything worse than turning vamp.

The innocent-looking file sat in the middle of my desk, taunting me as my curiosity grew. I’d have to read it sooner or later. Better to give myself some time to process before meeting my new partner. The brass tabs on the flap pinched my fingers as I pried them back.

“Willow!” my assistant squealed as she burst in. “Thank goodness. I heard movement in here, and for a second there, I thought someone broke in to use your phone again.”

I’d put a strict ban on cell phones not long after I’d opened the shop. Mostly because the technology interfered with my magic. Not having to deal with constant employee cell-phone abuse was icing on the cake. Since my private line didn’t register with the main phone system when in use, some of the employees didn’t hesitate to invade my personal space.

“Since when does the morning crew sneak away for private phone calls?” I grinned. Em and Georgie—sisters well into their fifties—were both somewhat phone-phobic. We could barely get them to answer business calls.

Tami laughed, her chin-length, curly black hair bouncing with the motion. “Never. The added pressure must be frying my brain.” She ran over, throwing her arms around me. “I’m so glad you’re finally back. How’s your mom? And Talisen? Did you get a chance to experiment with any new magical herbs?”

“The short answers are: better, hotter than ever, and yes. I can’t wait to get back into the lab.” While I’d kept Mom’s herb shop running, I’d also worked on some new recipes, except for when I was hanging with Tal, staring into his gorgeous green eyes. The ones I tried not to drown in every time I saw him.

“You have that look again,” Tami accused.

“What look?”

“The one where your cheeks flush and your eyes go all moony.” She winked and pulled on my arm. “Come on, you have to see the progress Georgie made on the mural.”

Laughing, I dropped the envelope I’d been holding into the top drawer of my desk and allowed myself to be tugged out of the office, leaving Link snuggled against a blanket on his doggie bed.