Aeromancist (Seven Forbidden Arts 3)

Joss waited politely until Eve had finished her espresso and bid them goodnight before he said, “What did you find out Maya?”

“I spoke to Charles.”

Kat sucked in a breath.

“Don’t worry,” Maya said. “I told him I was a reporter covering a story about the cancellation of bursaries due to the financial recession.”

“And?” Lann said.

“He doesn’t know shit. The bursary that the university granted to Kat is a new one. He was informed via email that the chairperson of the trust hand-selected a student, and that Kat was chosen for her grades, but also for the theme of her thesis.”

“Which could be true,” Kat said. Lann’s private library happened to be one of a handful in the world with the books she needed to conduct her research.

“Too much of a coincidence.” Joss turned his attention back to Maya. “Did you trace the electronic correspondence?”

Maya rolled her eyes. “Of course. No luck there. Whoever’s managing that fund is good at wiping out his cyber trail.”

“So you didn’t get to the source?” Clelia asked, sounding disappointed.

“Not even close.”

“What about Richardson?” Lann asked.

“It’s the same story,” Joss replied. “Another dead-end street.”

“How do we move forward?” Clelia asked.

Joss locked eyes with Lann. “The safest way or the fastest?”

Lann clenched his jaw. “I don’t like it.”

Kat looked between Lann and Joss. “What are you two talking about?”

“Joss wants you to contact Richardson,” Maya said.

“So?” Kat lifted a brow. “I thought we already agreed upon that.”

Lann gave Joss a hard look. “Joss isn’t talking about a telephone call.” He got to his feet. “No. She’s not going to meet him.”

“It’ll be easier to tap into his comms if we draw him out to France,” Joss said. “I want him on my territory.”

Lann balled his fists. “Not on your life.”

“What will you need me to do?” Kat asked.

“I won’t allow it, Katherine. I won’t risk you. Don’t even think it.”

“You’d have to ask to see him in person,” Joss said. “Ask him to come to France to meet you. Make him believe you’ll cooperate. It’ll give us a quick and easy opportunity to get into his hotel room and tap his computer.”

“Then what?” Kat asked.

“Then we hope to find out where he gets his intel from. If not…” Joss’s voice trailed off.

“If not,” Maya said, “we’re fucked.”

Lann’s nostrils flared. “I won’t let her near him.”

“Now isn’t the time to let your jealousy get the better of you,” Maya said.

The expression on Lann’s face promised nothing good.

Kat said quickly, “I’ll do it.”

“Her life’s not in danger with Richardson,” Joss said. “He’ll offer her protection in exchange for information.”

“He’s right,” Clelia said. “You know we’d never risk her safety, Lann, but if we can find out who tipped Richardson off, we have a better chance at helping Kat.”

At Clelia’s gentle reminder of the reason why they were after Richardson, Lann’s shoulders relaxed a fraction. “If he lays a finger on her…” He left the threat hanging.

Maya got up and handed Kat a mobile phone. “Tell him you’re in Paris. Ask him to call you on this number when he gets there, and tell him you’ll let him know where you’ll meet him. If he gets suspicious, tell him you’re scared, and you want it done on your terms.”

Joss handed her an earpiece. “This is for if we need to tell you something.”

The device fitted snugly in her ear. Joss handed similar pieces to the others. When everyone had fixed them, Joss gave her a nod. “Can you hear me fine?”

“Yes.”

Only one number was programmed. She pressed the dial button. While she waited for Richardson to answer, her gaze fell on Lann’s tense face. She had to turn away from him to focus on what she had to do.

“Richardson here,” the reply finally came.

He sounded tired. It was only four in the afternoon in Atlanta. She doubted he’d been sleeping. “It’s Kat.”

His tone sharpened. “Where are you?”

Kat glanced at Maya. “Paris.”

Maya nodded at her.

“Where is he?” Richardson asked.

Kat didn’t dare look at Lann. “Out.”

“Did you think about what I said?”

“Yes. I want to meet.”

“How long will you be in Paris for?”

Maya shook her head at Kat.

“I don’t know,” Kat said. “He said we’ll stay here for a while.”

“I’ll fly out as soon as I can. Is this your number?”

Joss’s voice interjected in her ear. “Tell him to leave a message if you don’t answer.”

“Yes. Call me when you get here. If I don’t answer, it’s because I’m with him. Leave a message. I’ll let you know where to meet me.”

“Kat?”

“Yes?”

“You’re doing the right thing.”

She hung up. Her hand was shaking when she handed the phone back to Maya.

Lann was little pleased. His eyes were hard when they connected with Joss’s.

Everyone called it a night after the call, and once they were alone in their bedroom, Lann turned his back on Kat. He walked to the fireplace and leaned with his arm on the mantelpiece, staring into the flames.