Southwest Days (Semiautomatic Sorceress Book 2), Kal Aaron [book recommendations based on other books .txt] 📗

going to happen for a few months while I get some things cleared up. I will be hitting this range more often, though.” She patted one of the pistols. “These guys deserve it.”

“I’ll see you around then,” Luke replied with a broad smile. “Maybe you’ll change your mind.”

“Maybe I will. It’s not a crazy offer.” Lyssa headed out the door toward her bike.

Luke waved at her before heading over to talk to the man behind the main counter. He was smiling, to Lyssa’s relief.

“That wasn’t so bad,” she said.

“A shooting competition would be less satisfying than my use in battle,” Jofi said. “But I wouldn’t mind such an activity. It’s preferable to remaining at your home while you watch television.”

“Ouch.” Lyssa laughed. “Way to hit me in the heart.”

It wouldn’t hurt Lyssa to integrate better into the community. She had no idea how long the search for her brother would take and what would happen at the end. Tricia’s dream of a normal life for her wasn’t crazy. A hobby related to her Torch training was tempting and wouldn’t be a bad choice.

“We’ll see what happens,” Lyssa said. “It doesn’t hurt to keep my options open for the future. Just because I was mostly a loner in California doesn’t mean I have to be one here.”

Lyssa’s phone rang. She pulled it out of her pocket and frowned at the unknown number. Unlike the average person, she couldn’t risk ignoring calls. She let it ring as she continued toward her bike, then answered, “Hello?”

A faint click sounded in the background. A computerized woman’s voice came next, reading off a sequence of numbers Lyssa had been forced to memorize a week before, along with her numeric code.

Lyssa leaned against her bike. She looked around to confirm no one was close before offering the counter-code and saying, “I didn’t know you were so eager to use the new system, Damien.”

“I’m doing this out of an abundance of caution,” he replied. “A secure line was necessary.”

“Why? Is there some sort of special trouble?”

“Yes and no.”

Lyssa scoffed. “That’s clear. You’ve been taking lessons from Samuel. Thanks for that.” She took a deep breath. “It this one of those ‘One of these guards always tells the truth, and the other always lies’ things?”

“You got angry when I showed up at your place, so I figured I’d do things differently and see how it works out,” Damien said. “We need to talk, and you’re ready to work, right? That’s what I’ve heard.”

Lyssa’s breath caught. “I am. Definitely! What’s the job? It doesn’t sound like an emergency, but I can start today if you need me.”

“It’s time-sensitive, but there’s no active threat at this exact moment. I need you to come to the EAA Field Office in Phoenix. I’ll explain everything then. Remember, we’re in a fed building sharing with other agencies, so it’s best if you come as Hecate. I’d like to meet today, and it sounds like you’re ready to go.

“Does Samuel know?” Lyssa asked. It was pointless to go to the EAA with an Elder opposing her.

“I’ve already contacted him,” Damien replied. “He confirmed your availability and eagerness.”

“Then I’ll see you soon.”

Lyssa grinned. Forget sorcery. Bitching had real power.

Chapter Seven

Lyssa strode into the federal building in full regalia, complete with a shadowy aura that stood out in the Arizona sun. The crowd of suited men and women returning in the lobby from lunch parted as she stepped through, murmuring and pointing at her. A couple took pictures. She remained silent and walked toward the security checkpoint, where Damien waited behind the metal detector.

Two white-uniformed security guards frowned and looked at the EAA agent, their hands on their guns. She bit her tongue to stop herself from making a snarky remark.

Damien shook his head at the guards. They stepped back. He motioned for Lyssa to go through the metal detector.

She wasn’t sure how she felt about their fear. Criminals and rogues needed to fear her, not random office workers, but a dangerous reputation never hurt someone like her. Whatever encouraged people not to shoot her was a good thing.

“Thanks for coming on such short notice, Hecate,” Damien said.

“I assume it’s important,” she replied, making her voice even lower than her regalia’s normal ragged offering. Nothing wrong with adding to her reputation.

She stepped through the metal detector. It beeped, but the security guards did nothing. They’d not taken their hands off their guns, but with her regalia and vest on, they wouldn’t be able to down her before she disarmed them on the off-chance they decided to be morons.

“Yes.” Damien nodded toward an elevator and headed that way. “We’ll talk in my office.”

As she followed Damien, Lyssa flared the bottom of her coat for dramatic effect. More people began filming her. She snickered quietly and joined him in the elevator before the doors closed with a ding.

He pressed a button and frowned. “I set this up for you, but I’d strongly prefer if we met at your place. I can dress down and not use a government vehicle. People will just think I’m your handsome boyfriend.”

“I bet you’d like that,” Lyssa replied. “What’s wrong with meeting an EAA agent in the EAA field office? Doesn’t that make things easier for you? It’s not like everybody doesn’t know what you people do.”

“Come on, Hecate.” Faint exasperation crept into his voice. “You strolled into a federal building in full regalia and spooked a bunch of people. You have to see that this could be inconvenient for me.”

“You’re saying I make people nervous?” Lyssa asked, trying not to laugh.

“Yes,” Damien said with a nod. “Exactly that. You’re not exactly the cuddliest Sorceress out there.”

“A Torch wouldn’t be a good Torch if they were cuddly.”

“You know what I mean.”

“They don’t even know me. They should see my favorite t-shirts.” Lyssa kept her arms at her sides, though something about that felt unnatural in the small space. She wasn’t claustrophobic, but she liked to have room to move.

The elevator door opened,