Winter Halo (Outcast 2)

“No, but Ela is.”

Ela was the fourth member of Nuri’s crew, and the one shifter I’d yet to officially meet. Her being telepathic did at least explain why Nuri had sent her into Deseo to keep an eye on events there.

“That still doesn’t explain what you’re doing setting up camp here,” I said.

He grabbed a second light and walked it across to the nearer side of the door, then hit the activate switch on both and moved back to the generator, remotely connecting the two lights. Technology, I thought, as the lights flared to life, had certainly improved since the war.

“I’m here simply because I provide a direct line to Nuri. I can relay any information and requests, and bring back anything you need.”

“Sensible, but won’t that just shift the corps’ attention to the bunker?”

“No, because the engineers have advised the council to run a series of stability tests on the area before deciding on the viability of the museum. They’re worried the landslip over the South Tunnel is just the beginning.”

“That landslip was caused by the explosion.”

“Something they’re not aware of. They believe the grate is part of an old sewer network that once ran under this area, and are now concerned that further collapses could endanger the whole hillside.”

Hence the monitoring equipment. “That still doesn’t explain how you got to be here.”

He began setting up another string of lights in front of the old tower. “Can you imagine anyone in Central willingly taking such a position? Especially when they want it physically monitored twenty-four/seven?”

I frowned. “Why wouldn’t they just set the equipment to automatically relay results across to the engineering department?”

“Because the explosion damaged the data-relay terminals and they’re not going to replace them until they decide what they’re doing with the museum.”

He connected the string of lights to the generator and they came to life, surrounding the old tower in a fierce ring of light.

“And before you ask,” he continued, “Nuri was commissioned to find someone willing to take on the position. I, naturally, volunteered.”

I blinked. “So Nuri is basically an agent, brokering services and assignments Central cannot or will not fill or complete?”

He nodded. “It is an ideal situation for everyone involved.”

It wasn’t ideal for me. Not if whoever they were dealing with got wind of my presence—and that was a possibility growing stronger with every day I passed in their company.

I tried to ignore the sense of inevitability that washed through me and walked through the lights. Their heat danced across my skin, but didn’t burn me as they would a full-blood vampire. After righting the nearest chair, I sat down at the small table that had definitely seen better days. “But why would the government deal with someone who—under their own rules—is outcast?”

He moved the autocook onto a second table. One thing was certain; he wasn’t intending to go without some comforts. Or eat my food.

“Because she is not just anyone. She’s an Albright.”

“And this is important because . . . ?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Because the Albrights emigrated here from the Eastern Provinces and to this day remain the most powerful ruling family still active in Central City.”

I frowned. “Why is the fact that her family comes from the Eastern Provinces so important?”

“Because the Eastern Provinces have a history of cultivating magic and its use. Apparently, the ruling houses there habitually tracked down—and bred with—those strongest in both earth and personal magic. The Albrights were one of the most successful—and therefore powerful—of them all.”

“So why did they come here to Central if they had it so good in the Eastern Provinces?”

He shrugged. “Nuri’s never said, but I’ve heard it had something to do with the desire to keep the magic pure.”

My frown grew. “Meaning what?”

“I don’t know. And we’ve had no contact with the Eastern Province since the war’s end.”

“Meaning its cities were destroyed like Carleen?”