"What"s she done now?" Jahn knew all about Menolly"s propensity for getting into trouble.

"It isn"t what she"s done, it"s what...Oh, it"s confidential. Let"s just say I don"t trust the mission she"s been a.s.signed to. I have a really bad feeling about this one, Jahn, but there"s nothing I can do. We can"t refuse our a.s.signments."

I shifted on the bar stool, my body aching. It had been weeks since I"d had s.e.x, at least with anybody other than my own hand. Or even a decent date. The last guy bailed on me when he found out I was half -human. d.a.m.ned bigots.

Jahn noticed. He leaned closer and whispered, "I thought that"s what was wrong with you. I"ll take you home, darlin". I"d jump your bones in a second if you"d let me."

That smarted. Not the fact that Jahn looked at me that way. I was flattered, actually, because he was a worldly, seasoned traveler who had finally settled down after a volatile career on a fishing boat up in the tumultuous Wyvern Ocean. smarted. Not the fact that Jahn looked at me that way. I was flattered, actually, because he was a worldly, seasoned traveler who had finally settled down after a volatile career on a fishing boat up in the tumultuous Wyvern Ocean.

No, what smarted was that here I was, young, unattached, pretty-or so I was told, reasonably intelligent, hardworking, and willing...and n.o.body had looked my way in over three months. Well, n.o.body that I was interested in. Race didn"t matter. I"d dated a dwarf a few years back, a giant, even an elf, but lately it felt like I"d been cla.s.sified as untouchable.

I stared at the bartender, mulling over his offer. Roche wasn"t around and I might as well give up the hunt for the night. A fling with Jahn might be just what I needed. He was rugged and I had no doubt he knew how to use his hands-and everything else, as well. But he"d been after me for years and there was something a little creepy about sleeping with my father"s friend. And Father would be livid. You just don"t f.u.c.k old friends" daughters.

He leaned on the polished mahogany counter next to my drink. "You"ll walk away more than satisfied."

Slowly, I reached out to run my fingers lightly over the top of his hand. "I"m incredibly flattered...I know you see beautiful women in here day after day. But I don"t-"

"Stop. Just think about it for a moment," Jahn said, slowly pulling his hand away. "I"ll make you come like you"ve never come before."

He turned to another customer as I sat there, playing with my drink. I was so tense, so in need of release, but something just didn"t feel right about accepting Jahn"s proposal.

"I don"t think I can do it," I whispered, staring at my gla.s.s.

"You can do anything you set your mind to." That voice-Mr. Silk on Satin. Once again, something in his tone made me tremble.

I darted a glance to my right. Sure enough, it was the beautiful man again. "And who are you, to be interrupting my thoughts? And my fights?"

He arched an eyebrow and motioned to Jahn, who had just returned. The bartender"s expression clouded over.

"Sonyun Brandy. Warmed over a slow flame, please." As the man tossed a handful of coins on the bar, he added, "And another drink for the lady."

I was about to protest, but another glimpse of those baby blues shut me up.

"I take it you"re alone tonight?" he asked, turning back to me.

And then, I saw it-the sparkle of fire, the hint of magic. The man bled charm like a bee tree oozed honey.

He wasn"t a wizard, nor a witch nor a mage. A sorcerer? No, I"d sense the magic. Nor did he look like royalty. Sometimes the n.o.bles of the Court slummed in the nightclubs, picking up lovers to use and abuse. I couldn"t figure out what game he was playing, but he intrigued me. I decided to accept his challenge. I"d learned to bluff from the best.

As Jahn let out an irritated grunt and moved off to warm up the man"s brandy, I suddenly remembered his offer. s.h.i.t, I was being rude, and to a sweet guy, at that. But ignoring the man sitting next to me would be as hard as ignoring the pressure between my thighs.

I shifted on the bar stool. "Am I alone? That depends on who"s asking. And you haven"t answered my question yet."

The man smirked. "No, I haven"t. Consider it a lesson in patience, which you obviously need, the way you"re fidgeting in your seat."

Blushing, I slammed down my drink and stood. I leaned close and whispered, "You might like to play with p.u.s.s.ycats, but you"re not getting near mine. Not unless you can give me a d.a.m.ned good reason."

As I started for the door he reached out and lightly placed two fingers on my arm, not holding me, just ever-so-slightly touching. A ripple raced through my body. I grabbed for the counter, steadying myself as he swung in behind me and rested a hand on my side-tracing the curve of my waist with the lightest of pressure.

"Leaving so soon, beautiful?" he whispered, leaning close to my ear. "I was just starting to enjoy myself. I don"t often meet women who can hold their own. I hope you aren"t offended that I interfered in your tete-a-tete back there. I have no doubt you would have taken that idiot down alone, but I can"t stand louts. They offend my senses."

The breath from his lips washed over my neck and I pressed my thighs together. I"d met plenty of gorgeous Fae over the years-h.e.l.l, I was half-Fae myself and knew how to use glamour, but this was more than glamour. This was like being swept out to sea by a riptide of hunger. I wanted to strip naked and throw him down on the counter.

"Camille? Can I speak to you? Alone Alone." Jahn set a snifter of brandy on the counter. "Here"s your brandy. Why don"t you let the lady go?"

Without missing a beat, the dark man said, "Mind your business, barkeep. She"s a grown woman. She"ll tell me if she wants me to leave her alone."

I didn"t move.

"Camille, please please, I need to talk to you." Jahn gave me a strained look and I reluctantly broke away. In a fog, I followed him to the end of the counter.

"That"s the man who helped me out. Do you know him?"

"Oh, lovely." Jahn narrowed his eyes. "Not by name, but he"s a Svartan. Surely you know what that means, girl."

I frowned, thinking for a moment, then understanding broke through. A Svartan Svartan...one of the Charming Charming Fae, as cunning in nature as they are s.e.xual. As predatory as they are suave. Fae, as cunning in nature as they are s.e.xual. As predatory as they are suave.

"I didn"t realize..." I glanced back at the man, who raised his snifter in salute, then took a long, slow sip.

Jahn let out a little groan. "Girl, promise me you aren"t going to sleep with him. Please? Even if you don"t sleep with me, for the love of the G.o.ds, do not not get mixed up with the likes of him." get mixed up with the likes of him."

I listened to what he was saying. I really did. But the entire time, my gaze was fastened on the Svartan. After a moment, I let out a little sigh. Roche wasn"t here and he wasn"t going to come. Not tonight. Another wild-goose chase. Another black mark against my name.

"I think I"d better go home for the night," I said, feeling defeated. "Thank you, Jahn, for everything."

As I gathered my purse and turned to go, I realized that I couldn"t just leave it at that. Feeling Jahn"s disapproving stare follow me, I walked back to the Svartan and deliberately laid one hand on his arm.

He glanced down at my hand, then up to meet my eyes. "Yes?"

"Camille te Maria. I"m in here a lot. Next time-and I trust there will will be a next time-ask before you intervene." I sauntered toward the curtains cordoning off the exit, then paused in midstep to call over my shoulder. "Remember, stranger. You still owe me your name." be a next time-ask before you intervene." I sauntered toward the curtains cordoning off the exit, then paused in midstep to call over my shoulder. "Remember, stranger. You still owe me your name."

As I swept out the door, I could feel him watching me. But I didn"t look back.

"WHAT do you know about the Svartans?" I asked my father that evening after dinner. do you know about the Svartans?" I asked my father that evening after dinner.

Sephreh ob Tanu jerked his head up from where he was polishing his dress sword, his brow lined, a worried look in his eyes. They reflected the violet of my own, and his hair was the same color as mine-raven black and woven in a shoulder-length braid. I took after him. My sister Delilah took after our mother-golden-haired and tanned, and Menolly...well, no one knew where her burnished copper locks came from.

"What have you gone and done now?" He sounded positively overjoyed. Not Not.

I shrugged. Father was cagey. I"d have to walk softly because I could already sense the storm brewing in his voice.

"I saw one in the club tonight." With a little luck, Jahn wouldn"t breathe a word to Father about my interaction with Tall, Dark, and Dangerous. He"d keep his mouth shut because he"d be too afraid I"d mention his offer, and we both knew my father well enough to know just how that that would go over. Old friends don"t f.u.c.k other friends" daughters. At least not without permission. would go over. Old friends don"t f.u.c.k other friends" daughters. At least not without permission.

With a look that said I know you"re up to something but I don"t know what, I know you"re up to something but I don"t know what, Father shook his head. "Leave the man alone. They"re all a bunch of perverts. You know the city of Svartalfheim rests in the Subterranean Realms." Father shook his head. "Leave the man alone. They"re all a bunch of perverts. You know the city of Svartalfheim rests in the Subterranean Realms."

"I"ve heard rumors about the entire city migrating back to Otherworld."

"Wonderful. That"s just what we need. If they do, I"ll guarantee they"ll bring a host of demons swarming with them." That"s just what we need. If they do, I"ll guarantee they"ll bring a host of demons swarming with them."

"The demons can"t get through the portals," I said. "They"re barred."

"So they say, but I"m not too sure about that." He grunted, then after a moment, cleared his throat. "Your sister Delilah needs to start dressing like a lady, at least for your aunt Olanda"s visit. Take her shopping. Get her out of trousers and tunics, please." He gave me the once-over. "You"re fine. Menolly, too. But..."

"Delilah"s a tomboy and you know it," I said, laughing. "Those dresses will last a couple of days and then you"ll never see them again. But yeah, I"ll add that to my to-do list."

Father put down his sword and leaned back in his chair, crossing his right leg across his left. He was a handsome man, looking barely older than the three of us. Full-blooded Fae, he would age far slower than we until we drank the nectar of life. But that wouldn"t be for some time yet. We were forbidden to touch it for now.

It was easy to see why Mother had followed him home from Earthside. She"d fallen for him before he ever kissed her, before he told her he loved her, and they"d been devoted to each other, right until the end.

"Camille, I"ve been meaning to talk to you about something." Sephreh looked uncomfortable. "Your mother provided for you over Earthside. You have means there, should you ever need it. But here...I"ve put aside what I can for the three of you, but it isn"t much."

I frowned. "What do you mean? You"re not sick, are you?" I slid down to his feet and rested my head against his knee, stabbed by a sudden fear. We couldn"t lose both of them.

He shook his head and patted my hair. "No, I haven"t taken ill. I"m talking about the fact that, by your age, girls normally start thinking about marriage and everything that comes with it-security, a t.i.tle, convenience...I"m just not sure..."

"How well we"ll fare in that department?" As I spoke, he grimaced and I knew what was bugging him. "You"re afraid no one will marry us because we"re half-breeds?"

He jumped up, grabbed my shoulders, and lifted me to my feet. Tipping my chin up, he stared at me, his eyes flashing. "Never call yourself that. Never, ever ever demean yourself. You are half-human. demean yourself. You are half-human. Your mother Your mother was human and she was the most wonderful woman in the world. In either world. You will not be ashamed of your heritage. I"m not ashamed of you or your sisters. was human and she was the most wonderful woman in the world. In either world. You will not be ashamed of your heritage. I"m not ashamed of you or your sisters. I"m I"m proud of the three of you, and I know you do your best to make proud of the three of you, and I know you do your best to make me me proud. Do you understand?" proud. Do you understand?"

Shaken, I nodded. "I"m sorry. I didn"t mean...what I meant was-if someone can"t handle our lineage, then they can go f.u.c.k themselves. None of us will ever marry a bigot. Besides, I"m I"m never getting married. I like my freedom too much." I grinned, trying to take the edge off his worry. never getting married. I like my freedom too much." I grinned, trying to take the edge off his worry.

Father searched my eyes. After a moment, he laughed and kissed the top of my head. "You take after me, girl," he said, returning to polishing his silver sword. "You prefer s.e.x to breathing. Sometimes I wish you"d taken after your mother like Delilah. I think she"ll have an easier road to walk than you will. As for Menolly, it"s anybody"s guess."

I was about to ask if he ever thought of remarrying but stopped myself. There were some places still too painful to tread.

2.

THE next day, Menolly, Delilah, and I headed out for work together. Delilah was a few years younger than I, and her waist-length hair was pulled back in a ponytail. Tall-six foot one-she was so athletic she put me to shame. A real tomboy, she was in and out of trees like I was in and out of the shops. She was also a werecat and had a yowl that could wake the dead, especially during the nights leading up to the full moon. next day, Menolly, Delilah, and I headed out for work together. Delilah was a few years younger than I, and her waist-length hair was pulled back in a ponytail. Tall-six foot one-she was so athletic she put me to shame. A real tomboy, she was in and out of trees like I was in and out of the shops. She was also a werecat and had a yowl that could wake the dead, especially during the nights leading up to the full moon.

Menolly, on the other hand, barely grazed my nose. Pet.i.te with a cloud of coppery curls that traced halfway down her back, she was the perfect acrobat. Well, almost perfect. We all had problems thanks to our half-human heritage.

My magic fritzed out at the most unexpected of times, and sometimes backfired in painful and embarra.s.sing ways. Menolly could balance on her toes on a tightwire, but one short circuit and she"d go tumbling down the front steps. And Delilah shifted into tabby cat form, but she couldn"t always control when she made the transformation.

We weren"t the best employees the Y"Elestrial Intelligence Agency had, but they couldn"t say we weren"t loyal, or enthusiastic. Our father was a captain in the Guard Des"Estar. We"d joined the YIA to make him proud.

The YIA headquarters were in the palace. A monolithic tribute to overkill, the palace made me cringe. The architecture was beautiful, but thanks to the tastes of our queen, the whole effect came off as tacky.

Minarets jutted into the sky, their spires flying the flags of Y"Elestrial and Queen Lethesanar. Five flights of steps led up to the ma.s.sive doors guarded by men strong enough to squash a goblin"s head with their bare hands. Paired with wizards, they kept an eye out for magical intruders.

We stopped at the doors to show our credentials, then hurried through the doors toward the wing reserved for the agency. Clerks and scribes scurried every which way, their arms filled with paperwork and scrolls and books. Every now and then another agent would rush by, waving on the fly. We crowded into the briefing room to pick up our notes and a.s.signments for the day.

Menolly grimaced as she was handed a single sheet of paper. "I knew it. d.a.m.n it, I wish they"d get off their b.u.t.ts and give me some help." She glanced around, making sure n.o.body was within earshot.

"Why bother whispering?" I snorted. "We"re being eavesdropped on anyway. There are plenty of spies around and I have no doubt our supervisors can hear everything we say. Today"s whine is tomorrow"s whipping stick." I glanced at my own a.s.signment sheet. "f.u.c.k."

"What"s wrong?" Delilah asked.

"My supervisor wants to see me. Again." I crumpled the paper.

Menolly shook her head. "Better that than my day. They"ve got me scheduled to sneak directly into the heart of the Elwing Blood Clan"s nest. I"ve been putting it off, hoping they"ll give me some backup. The d.a.m.ned job"s just too dangerous to tackle alone. I think I can wrangle another couple weeks of research but after that...I"ll have to either cave or quit."

"Maybe they think you"re the best choice for the job," Delilah said, ever the optimist.

"Don"t bet on it," I muttered. "I get the feeling they"re deliberately trying to trip us up. You know, force us to screw up so badly they can fire us. That way, we couldn"t lodge a complaint."

"You really think they"re trying to get rid of us?" Delilah asked.

I shrugged. "Maybe. I do know that the a.s.signment they"ve given me sucks. I"m supposed to find Roche, and all their leads are bogus. If I don"t find him soon, they"ll chalk up another failure on my record and absolve themselves of the problem."

"You think they might be looking the other way since he"s a member of the Guard? Mother used to call it the good ol" boy system." Menolly was even more cynical than I was.

"I have no idea," I said, stopping as we turned down the hall leading toward the Special Investigations Unit. "Look-what"s that?"

An unused wing of the unit was in the process of being furnished, and the movers were carrying in desks and chairs and an interesting supply of magical instruments. The placard on the wall next to the main office door read OIA.

"What the h.e.l.l is the OIA?" I asked.

"I dunno," Menolly said, brushing her hair back behind her ears. "All I know is that I didn"t get enough to eat at breakfast and as soon as we leave here, I"m heading down to the Naori Clipper to snag myself a bowl of chowder and a loaf of bread."

I came to my stop and blew a kiss to my sisters. "Be good. I"ll see you for dinner. If you get home before I do, tell Cook to start roasting the chickens." They waved as I opened the door and slipped inside Lathe"s office.

My supervisor was younger than me, and he was on a continual tear because I refused to f.u.c.k him. Even though he was cute, work and s.e.x just weren"t a great combo, and besides that, I"d heard about his peculiar habits. I enjoyed kink but I didn"t enjoy pain and humiliation. Apparently, he was adept at both. So I danced around his advances and he kept giving me s.h.i.t jobs. One of these days, I"d take it over his head, but that would cause a firestorm I just didn"t feel like weathering at this point.

"What the h.e.l.l"s going on?" I said, marching into his office. He was leaning back in his chair, his feet propped on the walnut desk. His clothing was meticulous, as usual. He narrowed his eyes and slowly lowered his feet, motioning for me to sit opposite him.

"You find Roche yet?" He was mocking me. He knew I hadn"t, and he knew that I wouldn"t be able to without some legitimate help.

"Roche still has friends in the Guard Des"Estar, friends who wouldn"t mind helping him even with the crimes he"s committed. For all I know, you"re in on this sham of an investigation." I squinted, wondering how far I could push his b.u.t.tons before he freaked. Not that I really cared, but I didn"t want to disappoint Father by getting myself fired.

Lathe sauntered around the desk, closing the door to the hall. He stood behind my chair and I felt a hand on my shoulder, his fingers gently ma.s.saging beneath the straps of my bustier.

"Life could be so much simpler if you"d just learn to compromise," he whispered, nuzzling my neck. I tried to shake him away but he held my shoulders tightly, squeezing so hard it hurt. "You could go a long ways in the agency, and I"d be a good ally to have."

"Uh-huh...tell me another one. And my heritage isn"t going to make any any difference, as long as I f.u.c.k your brains out, right?" difference, as long as I f.u.c.k your brains out, right?"

"Little girl, you"ve got a lot to learn," he said, kissing my ear. "I won"t approve any transfer, promotion, or anything unless you learn to cooperate. And by cooperate, I mean suck my c.o.c.k suck my c.o.c.k. Got it?"

I stared at the floor, cheeks flaming. I loved s.e.x, but this was force coercion. I refused to be pushed. And regardless, I didn"t mix business and pleasure. Father raised us to take pride in our work and do our best. He didn"t raise us to wh.o.r.e ourselves for a promotion.