Blaze of Secrets (Asylums for Magical Threats 1)

“Someone has to.”

Neena laughed. “I like you more and more Kiarra Melini.” She reached into one of her pants pockets and pulled out something wrapped in a cloth. “But if you aren’t going to obey me willingly, there are other ways to make it happen.”

Kiarra stepped back, unsettled by the gleam in Neena’s eye. Wasn’t Neena supposed to be on her side? Whatever was going on, bluffing was all she had left. She straightened her shoulders and said, “My elemental fire is back. Don’t make me use it against you.”

Neena rose and took a step toward her. “Fairly convincing threat, my dear, but we both know that you’ll burn out if you call on your elemental fire right now, especially without your Conduit.”

What the hell is a conduit? Kiarra eased toward the small desk and chair behind her, ready to use them as weapons if it came down to it. Neena was right about her being close to burnout, but even if her gun were tucked into the end table by the bed, she would still fight with whatever she could find. Jaxton would expect it of her.

Neena sighed and lifted the cloth-covered bundle, still concealing whatever lay beneath. “Let’s hope you learn your lesson after this. I really do abhor punishing my own people, especially th

e clever ones.”

Neena’s words confused her, but without any other options, Kiarra grabbed the chair behind her and swung it around. But before she could make contact, Neena tackled her to the floor until Kiarra was facedown, with her hands wrenched behind her back. She bucked, trying to get free, but then she felt a prick on her hip before Neena said, “You’ll thank me later, my dear. Have a nice sleep.”

You’ll thank me later. Those were the same words Jaxton had said earlier.

Her consciousness started to slip as whatever had been in that syringe started to take effect. Her last thoughts were that Neena had betrayed her and that the man she’d finally learned to trust might die because of it.

James Sinclair walked into the meeting room and went to the head of the large rectangular table. His bodyguards were right behind him, and once he sat down, they took protective positions on either side of his chair.

A quick glance at the people sitting at the table confirmed that Geoffrey Winter had kept up his end of the bargain. The Feiru liaisons from France, Greece, and Spain sat in front of him.

Etienne Mercier, the liaison from France, spoke up first. “Why are we here, Sinclair?”

In a way, Sinclair had always respected Mercier’s work ethic; he was one of the few Sinclair could never blackmail. “You three represent countries with the highest number of Feiru rebels in Europe, and the biggest rebel group of them all, DEFEND, is gaining power.”

Gisela Cruz, the liaison from Spain, said, “Yes, yes, this is nothing new. They try to find ways to free the first-borns, but they are harmless and without much power. We’re keeping a close watch on them.”

Mercier added, “But Sinclair wouldn’t bring up DEFEND unless he knew something.”

Sinclair smiled. “Gold star for the frog.” He leaned back in his chair. “Now, let’s cut through the bullshit. DEFEND is developing some illegal weaponry and once it has been tried and tested, they plan to use it to support their cause.”

Hector Mitsotakis, the Greek liaison, jumped in. “Impossible. I have someone deep undercover, and this is the first I’ve heard of it.”

Sinclair eyed the Greek. “Are you willing to risk another uprising in Greece? You have enough trouble with financial problems, and adding violence to the mix would only make things worse.” When the Greek said nothing, Sinclair continued, “The Feiru High Council can’t act until a majority consensus can be reached amongst the human governments and the Feiru local councils. That is a long way from happening, and as you’re all familiar with the glacial pace of bureaucracy, I’m taking initiative, working outside the red tape, and giving you three a heads-up. You’re in a better position to direct your own liaison offices and find the concrete evidence we need to convince the others of the threat.”

“What’s in it for you?” Mercier asked.

Sinclair knew Mercier would be the only challenge in the room. Cruz and Mitsotakis would scurry home and hunt for DEFEND attacks and weapons caches, hoping to be the first to gain recognition and a possible promotion. Mercier, on the other hand, would take his time, fine-combing information and analyzing Sinclair’s leads. The frog was one of those rare people who didn’t seek out fame or fortune, rarely doing anything for his own gain.

Mercier was a gamble, but Sinclair couldn’t leak information to Greece and Spain without including France, which was the European country with the greatest number of rebels outside the UK and Ireland. Sinclair only hoped his staged attacks and abandoned weapons labs were convincing enough to lead them back to DEFEND. Fear was necessary to help along the next stages of his propaganda campaign.

Sinclair focused on Mercier. “We’re all members of the EU, and if one of your countries falls, it will bring down the UK with it. I have no desire to see my investments crumble while various governments bicker over who is to blame and what should be done.”

A beat of silence before Mercier said, “I’ll take the information if there are no strings attached. Otherwise, I’ll rely on my own resources.”

Clever lad. “I’m not trying to trade favors.”

Mercier raised an eyebrow. “That’s a first.”

Sinclair ignored the needling. “But if you do find information that could be helpful to other Feiru liaison offices, I only hope that you’ll pass it on.”

Mercier continued to stare at him, but Sinclair didn’t fret. He knew when to speak and when to keep quiet.

Mercier finally nodded. “Fine. Deliver the information to my office and I’ll see what I can find out.”

The other two murmured similar sentiments before Sinclair stood up. “You’ll have it within the day, and I’ll make sure to update you with new information as it comes across my desk.”