by Erin R Flynn
If you did, thank you. Thank you for respecting me and other authors for their hard work, understanding this is our job, and while we love it, we do deserve to be compensated for all the hours, and hours, and hours we put into it.
If you did not… Go buy one! You are a thief and your parents and grandparents and cute animals all around the world are ashamed of you. There is no justification for committing this crime because it is a crime, no different than walking into a physical bookstore, taking a print copy off the shelf, and walking out of the store without paying for it.
There is no such thing as a victimless crime. If you truly believe that, you’ve never been a victim. And the victims aren’t only the authors, but the fans who lose authors that quit over our constantly being stolen from and mistreatment. Mistreating the authors that write the books you like or read—not liking them isn’t an excuse for theft, it’s just extra weird then—that’s not a fan. Fans leave reviews to support. Fans send messages of love. Fans… Well fans are nice. Be nice.
There are lots of ways to fight eBook piracy, reporting the site even if you’re not the copyright holder is always a good option. If you want to help in the fight, Google it and you can see there are many ways.
Division Chief Seraphine Thomas got knocked on her ass when a witch bespelled the people she cared for most to attack her. But a month later and she’s glad she listened to her best friend that it was well past time to focus on herself and build a better foundation for her life. And that’s why she’s testifying before Congress to make the vampire SWAT idea a reality.
It’s also the season for love, and as a new Alpha, she’s about to experience her first Valentine’s Day as a highly sought after woman. None of that matters to her and instead, she’s excited to start over with the men she loves. For the siren that’s never really dated, had a boyfriend, or done all the couple mushy stuff, she tries to embrace the wooing.
However, Sera can’t just have a personal life and the rest be put on hold. When there’s a shocking international incident, she’s pulled in as FBI, Alpha, and daughter of the Dorcuses, and that’s a lot of hats to wear at the same time.
Time to see how that new foundation holds up.
1
“Chief Thomas, do you promise to answer every question this body asks you to the best of your ability?” Senator South Carolina asked, and I had to think of them that way, as there was no chance of my remembering all their names.
I studied the United States senators sitting before me, elevated in their judgement places, staring down at me, all part of something, something, budget committee something. “No, no I won’t agree to that.”
“Why ever not?” he demanded, frowning.
“Senator, you might be a smart man to sit in that seat, but that does not make the rest of us idiots,” I drawled.
“I warned you,” Deputy Director Galvin said from several rows behind me. “She’s under oath and will take that seriously.”
Damn right I was and would. “I’m not going to give my word to answer every question you ask and fully. I will answer all the pertinent questions to this issue and as I can within the confines of this being broadcast live on television.” He opened his mouth to argue, but I simply raised an eyebrow. “Is there some reason you want me to agree in that exact phrasing?” His heart fluttered, and I chuckled. “I thought so.
“No, I won’t agree to that, as this body is known for showboating and pushing their political agendas instead of staying on topic. So I’ll answer what I should, and I won’t answer what you shouldn’t ask because there is a line not everyone pays attention to when they go over it.”
“And we’re showboating?” Senator Iowa drawled, whom I’d met about a month ago when she’d come to my club for a dinner with Galvin and wouldn’t eat the food because it was prepared by animals.
“I’m being truthful, Senator, and very clear on why I’m here. Clarity is important in my line of work. Unlike when an idiot says that a gay man can’t be raped because gay sex is wrong and a sin. That’s not actually the law, so I will follow the laws and do my job.”
“I said that,” she sneered.
I blinked at her, giving her my most innocent smile. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Senator, I didn’t realize, as I don’t pay all that much attention to politics.”
“Clearly,” she replied, looking like she was swallowing a bitter pill at having to take that.
“Chief Thomas, this meeting was called to look into this idea of a federal vampire SWAT team,” Senator South Carolina said, bringing us back around. “The proposed name NATT and…” He raised an eyebrow when I scrunched up my nose. “You have some problem with calling it a Non-human Advanced Tactical Team?”
I shrugged. “NATT just sounds like ‘gnat,’ like some would want to swat the whole thing away. It’s not very inclusive, as our division was originally MNSTR like no one was hiding they wanted to call us that. But if we used ‘Paranormal,’ it would be PATT, and that doesn’t sound right. Federal and we get FATT, which really would not work. I love the idea, it was sort of my idea, but I think the name could use some work.”
“Duly noted,” he drawled, ignoring when I gave him a look like you asked, asshole.
Hey, he had just been up my ass about not wanting to answer whatever they asked me, so could he pick what he got annoyed at me for?
“As I was saying, this is to inquire more into this idea and decide if we feel it’s a good idea and grant funding for it. Can you give us a reason to even consider it, Chief Thomas?”
I nodded, glancing at my notes. “In one DEA bust we aided in, they seized over thirty pounds of cocaine, two hundred and twenty pounds of methamphetamines, and two tons of illegal marijuana with not one law enforcement agent lost. The raid we handled for ATF we recovered over eleven thousand illegal weapons, not counting the thousands of boxes of ammo.
“There was enough illegally made alcohol to fill the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, and the explosives recovered could have leveled all the buildings on a few downtown blocks. Plus the twelve women being held there against their will, and dozens of children family services had to take into custody. And that was done with one casualty on both sides only, and it was a heart attack. This last raid we handled that we invited the other agencies to, we successfully detained over two hundred and thirty members of one of Mexico’s most dangerous cartels, shutting it down.
“The current numbers as of this morning when I flew out here were over eight thousand illegal weapons, two full shipping trailers of ammunition, two hundred pounds of C4 explosives, seventy-two million in counterfeit US moneys, half a ton of counterfeit tobacco products, twelve hundred pounds of heroin, twenty-five hundred pounds of cocaine, and up to six tons of marijuana so far, but I’m told another field of the cartel’s was found in the latest interrogation. Those are the reasons I have why this is a good idea, Senator.”
“Impressive,” he admitted, sitting with it a moment. “No loss of life on either side when you lead the raids. That is impressive, Chief Thomas.”
I winced internally, feeling like I was throwing Atkins under the bust. “Thank you, sir, but the first bust was bad and worse circumstances and being moved out before more prep could be done and certainly not a reflection on the agents involved, as they risked a lot to keep that off the streets.”
“Of course. I didn’t mean to imply it was done wrong until you took over, as you were shot on that bust from the reports I received.”
“Yes, three times, and yes, we still feel being shot and it hurts just like when I was human no matter what some of the reports have said. I’m more durable and heal faster, but no pain meds while bullets are getting dug out is not something I’d recommend.”
His lips actuall
y twitched, and he nodded. “There is more still coming out in the interrogation, correct?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And how are those interrogations being handled?”
“I have no idea, sir. I’m not privy to them, and it’s over my paygrade.”
His eyes flashed shock I admitted that so easily. “How was the interrogation to get this original intel done?”
“For which instance? I wasn’t party to any of that on the first two raids.”
“On the cartel. How did you obtain that information, Chief Thomas?”
I smiled at him, knowing exactly what he was asking. “Legally and in conjunction with the regular FBI Chicago office, as I didn’t handle it all.”
“But you started it,” he pushed. “How did you get him to confess, Chief Thomas?”
“I’m very good at my job.” I bit back a smile when Galvin snorted a few rows behind me. “Sir, I would remind you that we’re on television and there is a reason we don’t live stream classes at Quantico. If you would like a lecture on our techniques, I can give you the name of the instructor who taught me later.”
“You don’t use FBI techniques from what I hear,” he accused.
I snickered. “I absolutely do. I just got better than the basics with years of experience, seeing other interrogations. I’m not a newb anymore.”
His eyes flashed annoyance as he realized I really wasn’t as stupid as they all seemed to think me. “Do you or do you not use some paranormal ability to get confessions from suspects, Chief Thomas?”
I didn’t answer, studying him a moment. “Sir, do you wear boxers or briefs?”
“Excuse me?” he asked, his eyes going comically wide.
“What’s your code name that your security uses?”
“Chief Thomas, I’m not the one being questioned today, and I would remind you to keep your responses professional.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Senator, but when you started asking me personal questions about my abilities, I thought we were getting personal. I mean, you wear underwear under your suit that you wear for work, so it’s professional and on the table, right?”
His eyes lit with understanding, and he frowned. “No, Chief Thomas, it’s not the same, as we also ask you to prove you can shoot a gun to have your job.”
“Yes, you do, and I passed, and I passed the interrogation portion of my training, and I in no way break the FBI code of conduct or any laws in how I interrogate. Beyond that, you’re basically asking what my measurements are under the guise of making sure the suit I’m wearing today meets FBI standards.”
“If you’re implying that I’m sexually harassing you by asking this—”
“No, Senator, I’m informing you that you are,” I cut in, swallowing my anger. “You are asking into my diet instead of checking that I meet the health requirements. You are crossing a line and on national television where I’m not going to discuss any interrogation tricks I have, as they stop working then.
“I don’t know what else you’re trying to imply, but I’m not a fairy, I don’t have glamour. I’m not a witch with magic. It’s in my file that I was infected with wolf lycanthropy during a work injury and became a wolf shifter. Any other questions into my abilities I am uncomfortable with being asked.”
“We’re getting off topic here,” Senator Illinois said, who was on our side.
Steam practically came out of South Carolina’s ears at the win. “You talk of the code of conduct, but I have reports you undress to interrogate people. Have you removed your clothes to interview suspects, Chief Thomas?”
I blinked at him, not hiding my shock well. “I’m very certain if I take off my suit jacket, I’m still dressed, Senator. Men loosen their ties or unbutton a few buttons to give a relaxed atmosphere to set a suspect at ease, and they’re not accused of giving naked interviews like whoring myself out is the only way I get information.”
“That is not—clearly that’s not—”
“The interview was made in front of Deputy Director Galvin, and I think something would have been said or done if I’d undressed to speak with a suspect. I also didn’t realize I was being called to an ethics hearing for my professionalism, but I promise if I remove my jacket as I feel warm from my blood pressure going up, I will still be fully clothed.” I adjusted my neck and stared him down, daring him to push any further.
Illinois took over while South Carolina tried to recover. “Chief Thomas, did you have to have that interrogation in front of Deputy Director Galvin or anyone in the FBI?”
“No, Senator, as the threat was against the children of the Alpha, that Alpha being me, and that was the reason I was allowed to interject myself into that situation.”
“How did you find out about this threat?”
“The former Alpha of Milwaukee confessed to planning on selling them when he took over my pack and let out who the buyer was and why.”
“Why did the cartel want them?”
“They planned to use them as leverage against me and use my influence over the division chief of the regular FBI office handling their case.”
“And you are involved with him, yes?” South Carolina pushed. “Along with several other people you employee?”
I stared him down before answering, seeing the smirk he was holding back. “Sir, who I date or have relations with that might work at my club is really none of your business. Other than that, I have no relationships against FBI regulations.”
“That doesn’t answer the question,” he snapped.
“Yes, it does,” Ohio’s senator cut in, giving him a disgusted look. “And it’s so far off why we’re here I’m honestly disturbed this is where the questioning has gone. Her involvement with the other division chief isn’t why we’re here. I read in the report that he helped teach one of the endangered shifters how to drive. They were leverage against him and the people he cares about. We’re here for a completely different reason.”
“Chief Thomas, do you feel this idea has promise?” Illinois asked me.
“Yes, sir, I do. It’s not perfect, nothing is and it needs work, but I believe this is the right course to save a lot of lives and make our country safer and not just for law enforcement.”
“What ‘work’ are you referring to?” South Carolina jumped back in, his eyes shining like he’d found something good, but again, I wasn’t stupid.
“They need some—very little but some—updated training. The exact rifles and guns we use just as if they were coming from a different background. A few adjustments were made to scenarios, as they’re not used to working with human hostages as opposed to only dealing with vampires or their age.”
“Give us an example,” he pushed.
“They were clearing rooms differently than I was taught because it was thousands of years ago when they first learned and they didn’t have guns, but swords. You enter a room with a potential threat differently when you all have swords instead of guns.” I nodded I was serious when I got a bunch of looks like I was yanking their chain. “The mistake was pointed out and corrected, but we need the approval to work with them.”
“It is a very chicken/egg situation,” Ohio agreed, letting out a sigh as she shuffled some papers. “I apologize if this crosses the personal line, but I would like some clarification as to the coven structure and there being extra rules given they are vampires. I admit I’m ignorant to these practices and ways, but it seems something we should know.”
I gave her a kind smile. “I was too until I was one of them, and it is relevant given what we’re proposing with the extra rules and limitations paranormals have on them.” I spent the next several minutes explaining how it was all done, and while I gave them the company line version, not the truth that I siren people or whatever, more like when we used to tell people that I bonded with Tristan as sometimes vampires could do that with shifters, it was close enough.
“And you expect us to just believe you?” Senator Iowa drawled. “Just take your word for it?”
/> “Senator, you made it very clear last time we met that you wouldn’t believe me if I told you it was raining outside because I’m a shifter and we all have loose morals that rank below criminals, animals that should be locked in cages and studied like the freaks we are, so I don’t give a flying fart what you think about me if that is how you treat citizens of this country who work for the same government you do.”
A fly actually farting could have been heard, the room went so dead quiet.
“Chief Thomas, I would ask you not throw around such outlandish accusations and speak such outright lies,” she seethed, looking like she was planning how to kill me fastest.
I blinked at her and then shook my head. “Senator, again, you might be intelligent despite your bigotry, but the rest of us are not stupid. We didn’t allow you to come to the dinner recording other people. That’s not the same as we shut off our surveillance in my club. If you would like me to download a copy of everything you said to refresh your memory, just let me know.”
“Are you threatening me, Chief Thomas?”
“No, ma’am, I’m very much covering my butt as you sit there and with a straight face tell me I’m the liar here as your heart races so fast and your blood pressure is going so high I’m a bit worried for your health. You also weren’t all that quiet with what you said, and there were at least two dozen people that witnessed you refused to eat the food prepared by a shifter, as it would infect you and you could not take such a risk that would humiliate your family.”
“We’re getting off topic again,” Senator Ohio muttered.
Senator Illinois shook his head. “I disagree because if there’s such blatant bigotry on this committee, it will obviously affect the ruling, and we’re trying to do what’s best for every citizen of this country, recognized by the law as such, and if our colleagues can’t do that, then that’s a serious issue.”
I snorted and moved faster than any of them could keep up with, positioning myself right next to Senator Iowa… And she did exactly what I thought she would. She flipped out on live TV, screaming to get a beast of Satan like me away from her and that I would damn her soul as we all tried to infect the humans and blah, and blah, and blah.