Long Shadows: The Lycanthropy Files, Book 2 (39 page)

The name meant nothing to her, however. “And I care because…?”
 

“Because he is here to gather evidence about the casino’s secrets and to build a case against the owners.” The declaration actually surprised her.

Frowning, Heidi continued to pet Minion’s head, gentle, soothing strokes. It helped her stay calm as much as it kept the imp asleep. “He’s human?”

“Yes.”

“Then why are you worried?” She saw the agitation under the words, in his bearing, and hanging around his neck like a noose threatening to string him up.

Connor tried to force a more relaxed posture. It didn’t work. “He is a very stubborn human. He makes his living doing surveillance and is extremely talented.”

Heidi waved a hand.
 
“He’s still human. There’s more to it. Spill.”

“He’s a null.” He pushed the words out through gritted teeth.

A null—well, that explains Connor’s presence. “So the natural enchantments don’t work on him.”

“No.” As one of four remaining Overseers, Connor wielded considerable power. That only he approached her suggested his fellow Overseers remained divided on how to handle the issue. Or perhaps he acted alone without their knowledge or approval.

She imagined it was some combination of the two. The Overseers lost one of their number just a couple of months before and had, to her knowledge, not replaced their fifth. That meant the four who remained had to drain their considerable personal resources to maintain the protections over the casino.

Exerting some energy, she wound a spell around the Minion and activated the little one’s teleportation ability. The imp vanished with a poof to Heidi’s private suite where she could sleep safe and undisturbed.
 

Inching forward on her seat, she flattened her palms against the desk. “If he is a null, then my only option is to put him in a puzzle box. I could remove the issue, but that would generate far more interest if he disappeared while here on assignment.” They rarely needed to deal with the human authorities, but it wasn’t unheard of. Actions demanded consequence, but did they dare risk attracting more agents to search for one downed man? She doubted it.

“No. That needs to be an absolute last resort. I want to use one of your girls. Let her seduce him, distract him, change the data if necessary—”

“My girls are not prostitutes.” Nor would she sell them out to the highest bidder.

“No, but one of them owes us a favor. We’re calling that favor in now.”
 

And there was the rub.

“She is far too innocent to do what you’re asking.” Innocent wasn’t the correct word, but the woman’s innate sunshine and honesty powdered her every action like sweet sugar on glazed donuts.

“It’s what makes her perfect. She need not truly deceive, just distract, enchant, seduce. I have seen your dancers. They are all capable of it.” Connor didn’t threaten, but she didn’t mistake the steel in his tone for a request.

“I will ask her. If she agrees, fine. If not—”

“If not, she doesn’t need to stay here any longer. We can revoke our agreement.” The FBI agent’s arrival clearly had him rattled. The thought intrigued her, but she refused to let it distract her.

“You cannot take away her sanctuary.”

“Why not? If the man is successful, we will find more threats coming at us than some unhappy gamblers. If the humans discover this haven, it will have to be destroyed—along with everything it holds—to ensure no trace exists to lead them to any of our kind. We survive and thrive because we remain out of sight. Human authorities know we are here, but if they have no proof, they don’t act. Strip away the curtain and everyone loses.” Dramatic—yet effective.

“Fine. I will talk to her. Now get out of my theatre.” She didn’t envy Peppermint this task. The woman’s gentle soul was a fragile, beautiful thing. She wasn’t given easily to deceit.

Connor leaned over and placed his hand along the back of hers. The warmth of his palm flattened over her skin and electricity zinged through her. Her shields flared. Heidi didn’t pull her hand away, but she shut down her response to the physical contact.

The Overseer’s teeth flashed in a tight, feral grin. Power shimmered in the air between them—buzzing with menace. “You may run your theatre, but we both know that your throne is also your prison.”

“You’re boring me, Connor.” She spared him a minute smile and resisted any pleasure at the fury flashing across his eyes before he could shutter the emotion. “Go away and bother someone else.”

He didn’t move so much as disappear. The surge cost her and she sagged back against the chair. Banishing him from the theatre was the only influence she could exert over the creature she’d once loved.

Closing her eyes, she brought her rebellious heart under control and concentrated on draining the uneasy emotions his presence stirred. Peppermint would wake in a few hours and Heidi would give her the task. And if she fails—shutting down the business would free Connor.
 

She quashed the thought and forced her mind back to the folder on her desk. Opening it again, she stared at the pages, but couldn’t focus on the words. Destroying the Arcana Royale would answer so many problems—

But could she really sacrifice so many for the good of herself?

Long Shadows

Cecilia Dominic

Being unique isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be.

The Lycanthropy Files, Book 2

By day, Lonna Marconi’s busy career keeps her mind off the fact she was turned werewolf against her will. By night, a dose of wolfsbane lets her inner wolf out to play while her physical body stays safe at home.

When an overheard phone call at work warns her a trap is about to be sprung, she turns from hunter to hunted in the blink of an eye.

She finds refuge with the Ozarks pack she never claimed as her own. Upon discovering a family secret that explains why she’s unique among her own kind, Lonna finds heat in the arms of Max, who’s the one thing she cannot trust—a wizard.

Another kidnapping attempt sends her navigating the treacherous metaphysical borders of a centuries-old war, pursued by rogue sorcerers, a band of ghostly wolves, and repressed memories that prevent her from reclaiming her heritage. All the while, trusting her back to a wizard who demands the price of her heart…and who may not have the luxury of giving his in return.

Warning: Some sexy scenes, adult language, and alcohol consumption. Also descriptions of Italian food that might offend carbophobes.

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Long Shadows

Copyright © 2014 by Cecilia Dominic

ISBN: 978-1-61922-014-0

Edited by Holly Atkinson

Cover by Kanaxa

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Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
electronic publication: March 2014

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