Page 49 of Stalk the Dark
“It’s a mixed bag. Good news is I got you an official order to reclaim the offices. I’ll send it to your phone electronically, but I’ve already faxed over a copy to the Sangualex department on Longlier Street in New Town. If you have any problems with handover, give me a call back.”
The elastic band in my belly relaxed. “And the bad news? I assume that’s the mixed bag thing?”
“Not bad news per se, just…confusing. There is no record of Padma calling HQ. Nothing on file or in the phone records.”
Ice needles pricked my scalp. “You saying she lied?”
“I’m not saying anything, but there are only two possibilities.”
“And I know which I’d lean toward.” I grit my teeth. “I can’t believe she lied. It makes no sense. Why would she not want control? Not want more boots on the ground?”
“Maybe…maybe she was afraid of how it would look on her record to lose her team. Or maybe…maybe she was afraid that if more operatives were sent, they might meet the same fate.”
There was no doubt in my mind that Padma was devastated about the loss of her team and that she blamed herself, so yeah, everything Micah was saying made sense. And if his assessment was right, then it was impossible to be pissed at her.
“I’ll speak to her.”
“Don’t,” Micah said. “Don’t accuse her. Don’t rock the boat. You’ve got to stay there for the next year, and you don’t want to make an enemy of your second-in-command.”
“So what do I tell her? She’s going to ask what you said.”
“Tell her there was a problem with the database and a bunch of data was lost so I can’t locate who she spoke to. Tell her that we’re looking into sending more operatives, but it could be a few weeks. In the meantime, get your feet under the table at our Order offices and do what you do best.”
“There is something else. I could do with a little mystical help here. We have
some missing people, trail’s cold and?—”
“You know how expensive that is, Orina. I doubt the Order will approve it, and the red tape with the rules for Dracul territory…”
“Can you try?”
He sighed. “I’ll add it to my personnel request.”
“Thanks, Micah.”
“And Orina…be careful around Ezekiel.”
“I’ve got this. Thanks, Micah.”
We ended the call, and I turned to find Ordell standing a couple of feet away. “All good?”
“We got the Order building back.” I grinned up at him, and he stepped forward and enveloped me in a hug.
I bit back a squeak then relaxed against him, allowing myself a moment to enjoy being completely wrapped in hard, toned muscle and a crisp evergreen scent. The worn leather of his coat was soft against my fingers, the cotton of his shirt even softer against my cheek, and the heat from his skin was bliss, seeping into me and begging me to melt against him.
Ordell was hot summers and cool breezes, but he was also cozy winter nights with cocoa.
I wanted him.
But he couldn’t be mine. No one could.
My oath, my path, meant that this kind of companionship was forbidden to me. I released a sigh and gently pulled out of his embrace. “Thank you.”
He crooked a finger beneath my chin and nudged me to look at him. “You can hug me anytime you like, Orina. No strings.” His ocean blues were dark with sincerity, and my stomach fluttered. I resisted the urge to lick my lips, not sure that I’d be able to handle his attention going to them.
“I might take you up on that offer.”
But I knew I wouldn’t because this…this had felt a little too good.
