Southwest Nights (Semiautomatic Sorceress Book 1), Kal Aaron [best books for 20 year olds txt] 📗

aren’t that sloppy. Even if you were trying to screw me over, you wouldn’t do it that way, which points us back to Theodora. I was assigned to the job before Aisha. My involvement with the smuggled artifacts was on the freaking Shadow news and was coordinated with the EAA. This wasn’t a super-secret Society-only op.”

Samuel watched her silently, his arms folded behind his back as if evaluating her. “The minute three humans gather in a room, politics begin. It doesn’t matter if they’re Illuminated. Politics can be unpleasant, but they aren’t the same thing as a conspiracy.”

“That’s what this was?” Lyssa asked. “Nothing but nasty politics?”

“Yes.” Samuel walked over to the couch and took a seat, a weariness in his posture. “If anything, it’s my fault for not foreseeing this. All Elders have a difficult task in the current days, balancing our influence with the Society, Shadow governments, and the Tribunal. Some might become overly enthusiastic about such things but be cautious of reading too much into it. You don’t need to find new enemies.”

Lyssa shook her head. “Aisha’s not the only Torch she could have sent. Sending Aisha was almost asking for an incident. It’s like Elder Theodora wanted me to mess up or get hurt.”

Samuel’s bushy eyebrows lifted. “And was there an incident? According to Miss Khatri, you two encountered each other in Midland and then worked together until you killed Mr. Allard in Houston. Although she has some comments about your family pedigree, her statements suggest you were an effective temporary partner, given the assignment. I was surprised by how positive she was about your involvement, given your history together.”

Lyssa narrowed her eyes. Aisha hadn’t admitted they’d had a big fight in the warehouse. She couldn’t blame the other Sorceress. It wasn’t like Lyssa wanted to either.

It was time for her to make an attempt at politics. She considered her next words carefully. Going to war with one Elder was manageable, but not two.

“I’d say that’s an accurate summary.” Lyssa shrugged. “But it could have been a disaster. Half the Society knows how much Aisha resents my family over the Night Goddess. She’s sticking it in her official reports from what you just told me.” She shook her head. “Let me put it another way. Would you have sent me to investigate this if you knew Aisha was involved? Would that strike you as a good plan?”

“I would have selected another Torch.” Samuel furrowed his brow. “But in this case, it worked out, so I have little basis to complain about another Elder’s decision. Unless you have something else you wish to share with me, there’s nothing I wish to say or do.”

Lyssa frowned. He might be baiting her, or he might be telling the truth. She wasn’t ready to tell him about the memory card, which didn’t leave her many options.

“Attempted arson doesn’t count if the building doesn’t catch fire?” Lyssa lifted her brow. “Come on. That’s BS. I’m not saying I want an Eclipse sent after her, but a little more than, ‘Hey, it all worked out, so no harm, no foul’ would be nice.”

Samuel gave her a pitying look. That only enraged her more.

“You’re far too young and naïve to play at these sorts of games, Miss Corti,” Samuel replied. “I would leave it alone. The dance of Elders may be frustrating and perplexing, but no matter how self-serving it can be at times, the Elders understand that the Society needs all of our Illuminated to be able to survive against the Shadows until we’ve established—”

“Equilibrium and coexistence.” Lyssa waved a hand. “I get it.”

“Do you?” Samuel looked doubtful.

“You say the incident is over?” Lyssa asked. “You don’t think there’s anything left to follow up on?”

“Your part of it is over.” Samuel offered the words in a forceful tone.

“Allard’s essence was blade.” Lyssa patted her stomach where she’d been impaled. “Sure, with time and rituals, he could make some shards, but none of the shards he’d been smuggling centered around that essence.”

Samuel nodded. “So? He was a Sorcerer. That meant he had access and knowledge concerning where to acquire them. He’d hardly be the first rogue to collect shards of power from a variety of sources. That proves nothing.”

“And you think it’s over? Not my part, but the shard-smuggling?”

“Over enough. A thoroughly disrupted supply line and a dead Sorcerer send a powerful message to those who might think about similar endeavors.” Samuel gave her a cool look. “If you’re implying there are other rogues, of course there are, and there always will be. Perfection is beyond the grasp of even our kind. For now, the American government sees and understands that we can quickly, efficiently, and brutally clean up after ourselves. We’re quietly offering payments to the people and companies who suffered damaged cargo as well. The lack of Shadow casualties other than the direct servants of the Sorcerer and the middlemen criminals was well appreciated by the American government and law enforcement. They commended your restraint in this matter.”

“I did my best not to blow anything up.” Lyssa chuckled. “Even Aisha did a good job of restraining herself. It was Allard who made the mess.”

“And it has been noticed and noted.” Samuel gave a curt nod. “I guarantee you no more assignments for at least two weeks unless they occur within a hundred miles of you. Take your time to rest and reflect.” He stood and tugged his jacket to straighten out the wrinkles. “Unless there’s something else, I should get going.”

“I need permission to go to Last Remnant,” Lyssa blurted.

“Why? To go to the Vault of Dreams and check for your brother’s regalia again?”

“Something like that.” Lyssa licked her lips, wondering if Samuel could tell she was holding back. She wanted to show him the pictures, but he’d dismissed Theodora’s interference as nothing more than politics. Overplaying her hand could end with her house disappearing in a mysterious explosion. There was no such thing as being too paranoid in her world.

“No.”