by Jami Gray
There was a heart-stopping moment when Leander asked me point-blank, “Ms. Costas, are you a Prism?”
I didn’t want to lie, because that would end badly, but I wasn’t ready to expose myself either. So heeding Sabella’s advice, I held his gaze and politely answered, “Mr. Clarke, I am a Transporter, something you’re more than welcome to verify with the Guild.” That wasn’t the whole truth, but it also wasn’t a lie.
When it came time to recount what happened when Kerri and Neil dragged me away, Sabella kept her questions simple, which allowed me to do the same for my answers. I shared that Kerri had managed to listen in on Imogen’s call to Stephen and used her assumptions about my abilities as a basis for her next steps.
This time, it was Stephen who interrupted. “You said she took samples from you?”
“She drew blood from me, yes,” I admitted.
“Did she give you the serum as well?”
I looked at Sabella, who inclined her head, giving me the go-ahead to address that question. I turned back to Stephen, met his overly eager gaze, and locked down my urge to tell him to fuck off. I was proud of how calm I sounded when I answered, “Not that I’m aware of.”
“That’s not a no.”
“That’s an ‘I’m not insane with magic, and my lab tests all came back clean,’” I shot back with borderline civility.
His mouth tightened, and his hand resting on the table fisted, but Imogen touched his arm, and he visibly relaxed. “I apologize, Ms. Costas, but I wanted to ensure that we won’t be facing another situation like that with Mr. Croft.”
Patronizing jackass. I managed something I hoped was close to a smile but might have fallen short. “I think we’re all safe, as I am not fighting the urge to kill anyone at the present time.” Not kill but maybe strangle.
Sabella spoke before Stephen could push it and asked me to finish. I did my best to wrap it up, concluding with Kerri’s explanation for why she and Neil decided to steal the serum. Fortunately, that shifted the conversation away from me as Imogen took over. It seemed that while I was in the hospital, she managed to retrace the money trail of Kerri’s mysterious backers, only to end up at dead end after dead end. Not unexpectedly, Leander was all over that, claiming once again that it was additional proof of the Cabal’s involvement and existence.
Even though no one asked me, I was on Leander’s side, and while no one else may have voiced similar beliefs, it soon became clear that Stephen, Leander, and the stoic Emilio were no longer calling the shots.
“Stephen, Leander, you requested this investigation,” Sabella stated as she folded her hands on the table. “Based upon what we heard here today and the combined reports of the Arbiters and Ms. Costas, it is obvious that the Cordova Family had no involvement whatsoever in any part of this. Agreed?” When Leander and Stephen agreed, she continued. “As for your insistence on continuing with the Delphi project after the council advised you to stop, and your unauthorized use of proprietary information in that endeavor, both LanTech and Origin must answer to the council. Therefore, the presence of Stephen Trask, Leander Clarke, and Clarke’s LanTech partner, Oliver Nilson, are mandated by the council in three weeks’ time. Information will be couriered to each of you.” Then Sabella turned to Emilio. “The council extends its invitation to you should you choose to witness the hearing.”
“We appreciate the council’s invitation, and contingent upon my schedule, I may accept,” Emilio said.
Stephen turned an interesting shade of red as he shoved up from the table, Imogen rising at his side. He visibly fought back his temper before choking out, “We’re done?”
Sabella inclined her head regally. “For now, yes, we’re done.”
Stephen shot a glare at Emilio and slid his gaze over me. At the roiling darkness in his eyes, the hair on my arms rose. I had no doubt I had gained if not an enemy then extremely unwanted attention from the Trasks. Imogen looked at Zev, then to me, her lips curving in cunning smile, then she followed Stephen out.
Leander was slower to rise, but instead of being angry, his face was pale and drawn, almost as if he aged years in the last few minutes. It was clear he understood the gravity of answering to the council and was not looking forward to any of it. Still, he gained points in my book when he turned to Emilio and said, “While I won’t regret requesting this investigation, I do offer my sincere apologies for the inconvenience this may have caused your Family and hope you understand this was not done out of maliciousness.”
Emilio studied the older man from his seat while the silence stretched between them. Finally, he sighed. “Apology accepted, Leander.”
Leander turned to Sabella and sketched a half bow. “Thank you for your time, Sabella. Perhaps our future meetings will be under less distasteful circumstances.”
“I truly hope so, Leander.”
We all watched in heavy silence as Leander left. Once the door closed behind him, Emilio said, “Well, that was…”
“Interesting?” Zev drawled as he pushed his chair back and stretched out his legs.
“Telling, I think,” Emilio corrected cryptically. He turned to me and I was surprised when he asked, “How are you doing, Rory?”
I sat there feeling shaky as the adrenaline that had kept me going drained away. It seemed to take my verbal filter with it. “I think I’m in trouble.”
Sabella reached over and patted my arm. “You’ll be fine.” Then proving I wasn’t the only one who’d noticed Trask’s weird behavior, she said, “Stephen’s going to have plenty to worry about soon enough. Besides, he knows better than to go up against me.”
“Or me,” Emilio added as he got up from his chair.
I blinked at him. “I’m sorry?”
He pushed his chair in and leaned against it, arms folded along the high back. “Your help when Jeremy was taken, and again here with this, is something I and my family will not forget.” He straightened, walked over to Sabella, and offered her his hand. “I believe I owe you a lunch, beautiful.”
Sabella’s smile was dazzling as she took his hand. “Yes, you do.” She rose to stand next to Emilio then turned to touch my shoulder. “You’re off the clock Rory.” She moved to Zev, who’d risen, and brushed a quick kiss against his cheek. When she pulled back, she shared a knowing look with me and Zev. “I’m sure I can trust you to get her home safely?”
“Of course,” Zev said then exchanged brief goodbyes with Emilio.
I sat in my chair, stunned, as Emilio and Sabella walked out, leaving me alone with Zev. When they disappeared through the door, I turned to Zev and tipped my head back so I could see his face as he stood next to me. “What just happened?”
He dropped to a crouch next to my chair, his hand covering mine, which was knotted in my lap. The warmth of his touch chased away the strange jittery feeling that threatened to take over. “You’ve officially entered the game.” Despite his gentle touch, his voice carried a ruthless edge. His lips curved, but there was more resignation than amusement in that small movement. “I did warn you.”
I twisted my hand around until I could weave my fingers through his and hold tight. “Yeah, you did.” I dropped my gaze to our intertwined hands and swallowed hard. “It’s just…” I wasn’t sure how to finish, but it didn’t matter.
He hooked a finger under my chin and tipped my face up, his dark eyes roaming over my face. “You’re going to be fine, Rory. You’re not alone.”
The dark looks from Trask, Imogen’s weird behavior, and even Clarke’s understandable anger over Bryan’s death had all managed to bring home the reality of my theoretical future, and the picture that formed was scary as shit. Maybe it was because I didn’t feel a hundred percent after my time in the hospital, but I had some doubts about my ability to survive what was coming next. For the first time, I let those doubts lead, wondering if the threat of Sabella would be enough to hold things at bay, if Emilio’s claim came with strings I could accept, and if Lena was right and I was in way over my head. Even worse,
I wondered if when push came to shove, Zev would stand with me or if I was just a momentary challenge for him.
My worry must have been obvious because Zev’s harsh features softened. He untangled our hands and cupped my face, taking my mouth in a tender kiss. His touch and taste held the waiting reality at bay, replacing it with a different kind of promise, one that I desperately wanted to hold close.
My hands curled in Zev’s shirt and tugged him toward me as my mouth open under his gentle onslaught. Our tongues tangled—mine frantic, his soothing—until my desperation dulled under a rising need for more. I willingly got lost in his kiss. When Zev finally lifted his head, he was breathing hard, and hunger rode rough on his face. I realized my hands were buried in his hair and I was about to fall out of my chair and into his lap.
He rested his forehead against mine. “So, now that the job’s done, you ready?”
Not quite following, I drew back with a puzzled frown. “Ready? For what?”
He pressed his lips against mine then stood up, hand out to help me stand. “For our next adventure.”
His answer was nicely vague. I took his hand and let him pull me up. “Which one?”
He curled his arm around my waist, keeping me close as we headed for the door. “The one where I take you out on a real live date that doesn’t include murder, mayhem, or magic.”
“That’s a thing?”
“Mm-hmm. I promise you’ll like it.”
“Sounds delightfully boring.”
He shot me a wicked grin that made much more interesting promises. “I assure you, it’ll be far from boring.” His grin turned into a comical leer. “Besides, you owe me one.”
The reminder of the favor I’d promised when he helped me save Lena had me giving a fake sigh. “If you insist on cashing in such a valuable marker, you’d better not disappoint.”
He threw back his head and laughed. Watching him, I figured disappointment would be the least of my concerns.
- NEXT SCHEDULED STOP AUGUST 2021 -
Thank you for taking a ride with RISKY GOODS. Rory and Zev will return for their final leg of their trip in August 2021 with LETHAL CONTENTS.
PRE-ORDER LINK HERE! (And yes, it will be available in Kindle Unlimited)
Want to know how Rory and Zev met? Then don’t miss out on exclusives & new release information by subscribing to Jami’s newsletter HERE.
If you need a detour until August and you like fast-paced, suspense-filled, dark urban fantasy and paranormal romance, then step into the world of the Kyn where the supernatural walks alongside humans, their existence kept secret behind the thinnest views with SHADOW’S EDGE.
Slip into the shadows HERE (available in Kindle Unlimited)
Arcane Transporter Books
Binge this urban fantasy thrill-ride today!
Need to ensure you delivery, magical or otherwise, makes it to its destination? For guaranteed delivery, hire the best in the west, Rory Costas, Arcane Transporter. (Independent contractor - not responsible for damage incurred in transit.)
GRAVE CARGO
When a questionable, but lucrative delivery job takes an unexpected turn, will Rory survive the collision or crash and burn?
RISKY GOODS
A dead mage, a missing friend, and an unpredictable alliance merge into a volatile package sending Rory careening through the Arcane elite’s deadly secrets.
LETHAL CONTENTS
Rory and Zev’s final adventure crashes into shelves August 2021
Also by Jami Gray
THE ARCANE TRANSPORTER (series ongoing)
Ignition Point - novella
Grave Cargo
Risky Goods
Lethal Contents - arriving Aug. 2021
THE KYN KRONICLES (series ongoing)
Shadow’s Edge
Shadow’s Soul
Shadow’s Moon
Shadow’s Curse
Shadow’s Dream
PSY-IV TEAMS (series ongoing)
Hunted by the Past
Touched by Fate
Marked by Obsession
Fractured by Deceit
Linked by Deception
FATE’S VULTURES (series complete)
Lying in Ruins
Beg for Mercy
Caught in the Aftermath
Fear the Reaper
BOX SETS
PSY-IV Teams Box Set I (Books 1-3)
About the Author
“Taking a refreshing approach to fantasy magic, this fast-paced, economical thriller is told from a highly likable perspective.” —Red Adept Editing
Jami Gray is the coffee addicted, music junkie, Queen Nerd of her personal Geek Squad, Alpha Mom of the Fur Minxes, who writes to soothe the voices crammed in her head. You don’t want to miss out on her multiple series that intriguing magic and fearless romance into one wild ride -- Arcane Transporter, Kyn Kronicles, PSY-IV Teams, or Fate’s Vultures.