Page 19 of The Magic of Revenge
"Well, our powers aren't incredibly rare. We're powerful, yeah. But there's a ton of shifters and pyros out there," Sloane pushed, trying to get more information.
"Is that all you are, Mr. Sullivan? A pyro mage? You've never felt an undercurrent of raw, untapped magic coursing through your veins?" Asrael lifted a dark brow in challenge.
Sloane stiffened in his chair, clearly affected by the line of questioning. Cam must've noticed as well because he spoke up, drawing the attention from Sloane to himself.
"And what makes you unique, Palmer?" Cam asked kindly.
"I see dead people."
My fork fell from my fingers and I whipped my head to look at her. Was she for real? "Are you serious?" The words came out of my mouth before I could stop them.
"Yes. Well, that's what it started as. I'm a spirit witch. As Asrael said, with training and determination you can go beyond what you ever dreamed," she explained.
"Isn't that kind of... scary?" I was fascinated by her ability.
She laughed, deep and throaty. Any appreciation I might have had for this sultry beauty immediately died a quick death though. Fucking mate bond.
"Scared of ghosts, little shifter?" she teased and Laurie giggled.
"Uhm, yes. Who the fuck wouldn't be scared of ghosts? I don't like being taken by surprise. I like my people to be real and warm and living." I shrugged, taking a drink.
"Oh, this is kind of perfect. Could you reach our friend we just lost? Is that something you can do?" Cam pressed and I was thankful at least one of us remembered that we had a cover to keep. Of course, the grieving friends would ask that question.
Palmer's eyes flitted over to Asrael before darting back to Cam.
"I wish I could, but it isn't always that simple. I'm leaving late tonight for an assignment or I would have more time to give it a try. Maybe in the future I could if we meet up again?" she offered, and I was intrigued at the way her eyes lit up more when she spoke of leaving for work than when asking if she'd ever see Cam again. Between work and Cam, she was definitely more interested in working.
"That's a great idea," Bryce spoke up, and I startled because I'd forgotten that meathead was even in the same room.
"I agree. I'm sure you'll see the boys around, Palmer." Laurie signaled for the waitstaff to start clearing away our plates.
Asrael's phone started going off and he read the texts that must've just come in. The longer he looked at his phone, the more severe his scowl became. His fingers flew over the screen in response.
"Everything okay, darling?" Laurie asked, placing a hand on his arm. That seemed to snap him out of whatever the hell was going on inside his head.
"Fine, fine. Everything will be fine. Just a slight change of plans. Palmer, I'll be the one briefing you tonight for your mission and I will also go with you to the godsforsaken city to get you settled in."
Laurie's face turned red. "You have to leave again?"
"That is what I just said, is it not?"
Damn.
Laurie sat straight up in her seat, not looking away from the man who had no issue disrespecting her in a room full of coworkers.Well, this isn't awkward at all.I watched as she geared up to say something back to him, but before she could open her mouth, Asrael spoke.
"Palmer, be a dear and show the boys to the billiards room. Take a few hours before we begin to prep for the next job. I have some... things to attend to," he all but growled, and the way he eyed Laurie told me that she was those things that needed attending. Whether that meant a verbal ass lashing or hate sex, I didn't know. Could go either way from the vibes I was picking up between those two.
"Let's go then," Palmer sighed, standing up and smoothing down her dress. The three of us rose to join her, as did Bryce.
"Not you, Bryce. Sit," Asrael ordered.
I, for one, was not sad that the douche wouldn't be joining us.
* * *
The leather couchI was flopped on was surprisingly really fucking comfortable. I’d been sitting here for over an hour, watching Cam, Sloane, and Palmer play pool and darts. The energy to do anything was evaporating more and more with each passing second. Between missing Bagheera, pining for a mate that I couldn’t remember, possibly losing Fischer—everything was taking its toll on me.
“K, come play a round with us, you can be Palmer’s partner,” Cam offered, trying to involve me.
