Page 43 of Magic Forsaken
If she was planning to stuff me into a pantsuit and stilettos like hers, the answer would be a resounding no.
“She might,” I replied flatly, resisting the urge to add any further commentary. “If the need arises.”
“You’ll be provided with a uniform,” Callum assured me, “but your preferences will be consulted. You’ll also be issued a purchase card. Same as all of my other direct employees.”
I quelled a quick surge of panic long enough to respond with what I hoped sounded like cool professionalism.
“There’s no need for a card.” I scrambled to come up with a believable reason why I would refuse. “I prefer to… handle my own expenses and then bill you.”
The truth? They would probably want to do a credit or background check before they issued that kind of thing, and who even knew what they would find? I wasn’t even sure whether I still legally existed.
“Consider it done.” Angelica addressed Callum, as if attempting to register her objections to my presence by pretending I was invisible. “Do you have any further orders?”
“Raine?” Callum turned to me, making it clear that he wanted my input. Valued my opinion. “Do you have anything to add?”
Everyone’s eyes shifted to me. Six people, silent and waiting—for me to either produce brilliance or stick my foot in my mouth.
Why was His Majesty putting me on the spot like this? Was it for show in front of his employees, or was it for real? And what could I possibly say that might justify my inclusion in this conversation?
My brain whirled like an out-of-control Ferris wheel—no way to stop, no time for thoughts to get on or off. I had no skills in any of this. No knowledge of politics, shapeshifters, magic, or even bodyguarding. All I knew was… wait.
The Ferris wheel finally stopped and let one tiny, trembling thought off at the platform.
There was one thing I knew that none of them did. One area of expertise that I could legitimately claim.
“Have you considered assigning someone as a liaison with the human reporters?” I asked carefully. “When they get word of this attack and find out there’s in-fighting among the Idrian factions, you may have to answer some awkward questions.”
Callum looked more confused than worried, and Angelica’s face wore a slightly superior smirk.
“The humans don’t even know the Symposium is taking place,” Callum insisted, “nor do they care. At this point, it has nothing to do with them, and we’re hoping it will stay that way.”
“Tell that to the writing on your wall,” I said dryly, turning so I could gesture pointedly at the two-foot letters still blazoned over our heads. “There’s no way someone hasn’t seen this yet. And, more importantly, yes, the humansdoknow about the Symposium.”
Six pairs of eyes suddenly fixed on me with unnerving intensity. When all of them are shapeshifters, that’s a lot of pressure, and a great deal of temptation to panic and run for your life.
Callum was the first one to open his mouth, his words emerging with a hint of angry dragon behind them. “How do you know?”
“I watched thenews?” I tilted an eyebrow at him. “You know, the place humans go to find out what’s going on in the world?”
His brow creased ominously as he turned his attention to Angelica. “Did anyone on our team speak with the media?”
She’d begun to look a little pale under the pressure of Callum’s growing fury. “That was expressly against our orders. We would have no reason to do so.”
It wasn’t a denial, and I could tell Callum noticed that too, because he reverted to icy detachment.
“Very well. Please add meetings with human media outlets into our schedule, and assign someone to monitor local coverage. And get someone in here to clean up this mess. We need to resume construction work by Monday morning.”
Angelica nodded hastily, as if relieved that his attention was no longer focused on her. “I’ll update you on the interview requests when I hear back from local channels, and will have a restoration crew on the premises first thing in the morning. Twenty-four hour security will be on the building within the hour, and access will be strictly vetted. Will there be anything else, sir?”
“Structural engineer,” Callum rumbled. “I want to know that the building is still sound after that quake.”
“Done.” Angelica strode off, already on her phone, gesturing impatiently at Heather and firing off orders without pausing for breath. Magnus gave a brief, formal-looking bow before following her, and I could sense the moment Callum’s shoulders seemed to slump with relief.
But shortly after the three of them disappeared through the door, he turned to Kira with an uneasy frown.
“Kira, would Faris have done this? Talked to the humans about the Symposium? Does he have a relationship with local reporters?”
She shook her head emphatically. “Not a chance.”