nevermore

by Nell Stark

  “I am here today to inform you that he has accomplished neither of his goals. Our medical team has produced a treatment for the virus that will be made available, first to Weres throughout the New York City metropolitan area and, soon, to shifters around the world. Anyone who wishes to receive this treatment must simply report to the medical wing at the Consortium headquarters in their respective nations.”

  She paused, then, and I watched her grip on the podium tighten. “Anyone seeking to join the enemy and abandon the longstanding alliance that Malcolm and I have cultivated, however, will be prosecuted according to the fullest extent of our law. Already, we have ferreted out and executed a traitor in our midst. Balthasar Brenner has declared war on this institution, and we will answer in kind.

  “To that end, I am announcing a task force dedicated to improving Consortium security and meeting this new threat to our livelihood.” Helen gestured toward each person in turn. “Constantine Bellande, Master of Telassar, will serve as chief of tactical operations. Leon Summers will continue in his role as chief intelligence officer.”

  She paused again, and I felt Alexa turn beside me. I was still focused on the press of people in front of the stage, and I jumped when she squeezed my hand, hard.

  “Oh my God, Val. Look!”

  I spun in the direction she was facing and stifled an exclamation. The woman who was emerging from stage left to join the two members of the team was smartly dressed in a white blazer and slacks that accentuated, rather than hid, the impressive gun belt at her waist. She was thinner than I remembered. She was also alive. When last I’d seen her, she had been lying prone on the floor of the Missionary’s apartment. Dead, I had thought. How, then, was she walking across the stage toward Helen and Malcolm, shaking each of their hands before stepping into line next to Summers?

  “What the hell is going on?” Alexa spoke so softly that only I could hear.

  “I don’t know,” I said. “But Helen has a lot of explaining to do.”

  “And finally,” Helen announced, “I would like to introduce our new chief of security—former NYPD detective Devon Foster.”

  About the Author

  Nell Stark is an assistant professor of English and the director of the Writing Center at a small college in the SUNY system. Trinity Tam is a marketing executive in the music industry and an award-winning writer/producer of film and television. They live, write, and parent a rambunctious toddler just a stone’s throw from the historic Stonewall Inn in New York City.

  Books Available From Bold Strokes Books

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