My magic lingered just out of reach, but it could easily eat through this shield.
“Tell me you’re not about to do what I think you are?” asked Lochlan.
Heat raced over my face as a guilty flush spread across my face. What could I say? He was right, I was about to unleash my magic in an office full of people that could be hurt or killed by it. What was wrong with me?
“Agnes, Marty is one of the Croft and Sterling Agency employees. If you had asked to see her badge, she’d have shown you her credentials.”
The smug and satisfied look fell off the receptionist’s face. Busted. At least I wasn’t the only one in trouble.
It wouldn’t do to make enemies and there was no need for me to call attention to her dictator-like approach to office access. It was her way or no way.
“I’ll make sure to show my badge next time. Sorry about that Agnes.”
She looked surprised, but recovered quickly.
“Make sure that you do. I must follow the protocols we’ve established.”
“Now Marty, if you’ll follow me,” said Lochlan.
He didn’t wait for my answer and instead grabbed my arm in his hard grip, steering me away from the front desk and Margie.
“Please tell me you weren’t about to do what I think you were going to do. Even you wouldn’t be so foolish to risk unleashing your magic. I was wrong and overreacted is what you’re about to say.”
He stopped walking when I didn’t answer.
“For god’s sake, Marty. I get that seeing your father and having your magic released is a shock, but you need to get yourself together. For our sake and your own.”
“Who says I was about to do anything?
“The stench of your magic said all I needed to know. Even a non-shifter could detect it.”
I seethed as he dragged me deeper into the office. Who did he think he was? He wasn’t my boss and he had no right to tell me what I could and couldn’t do. And, my magic didn’t stink. Being hot didn’t give him carte blanche to act like a jerk.
Back in a drastically revamped conference room, I found Callie, Sterling, and Jennica.
“Glad to see you could join us,” said Sterling. “We’re about to head home.”
“You mean, his home,” I said.
Sterling gave me a warning look.
“It’s also your home for as long as you all are staying there,” said Lochlan.
“What do you want me to say? Sorry?” I asked.
“That is obviously too much to ask since you’re in the middle of a tantrum. You act like more of a child than Zander,” shouted Sterling.
“And this is exactly why Zander left. He’s not a child and you treat him like one,” said Jennica.
“What’s with you and Lochlan tag teaming me on my behavior?” I asked. “Are spankings next?”
“If you insist,” said Lochlan, with a lusty gleam in his eyes.
“No one is trying to team up on you. We’re worried. You haven’t been the same since your magic was released and you recently learned your lost-deceased father is alive,” said Sterling.
“I don’t know what’s up with me. I need to work on my cases and stay busy. Running into my father a second time didn’t help.”
“When were you going to tell us you saw him a second time?” asked Sterling.
“When I finally sat down.”
“We should have this discussion somewhere more private,” said Lochlan. “It’s about time you all see your new home.”
Turns out that Lochlan’s house was in the same area as Julia Huntington’s country cabin. Betty followed Lochlan’s sleek and expensive sports car. Muffin’s ears perked up and he seemed to recognize the area. Until now, I didn’t realize devil dogs were that smart to remember a place. Hmmmm … I’d ask Julia Huntington about that. I really was pretty ignorant about devil dogs.
“As much as I’d like to give you all a tour and get everyone settled, Marty needs to catch us up,” said Lochlan.
I quickly ran through the events with the demon and my father. When I got to the part about the biscuits, both Callie and Jennica looked nauseous. At least that teaches them not to eat random food left for them.
“The visit to the Sisterhood needs to happen as soon as we can manage it. I can’t do it because I’ve secured an audience with the King Kazar,” said Lochlan. “I’m also hoping to see Zander while I’m there to verify his safety and condition, if nothing else.”
“That’s better news than mine,” I said.
“It’s also concerning that you have a demon stalker,” said Sterling.
“Marty, no offense, but I won’t be going out to lunch with you any time soon. I don’t want to deal with any demons,” said Callie.
“Keep the devil dog with you. And, you might want to see Livinia at the Dark Side about a charm or something to repel a demon,” said Sterling.
“The Dark Side?” questioned Lochlan.
“Yep, I got friends in low places,” I said.
Sterling snickered, but Lochlan looked confused and slightly concerned.
“It’s not the safest of places,” said Lochlan.
I’m perfectly fine on my own. Besides, I’ve been going there for years and can manage,” I said.
Lochlan looked at me like I just kicked a puppy. It wasn’t that I didn’t care what he thought. I probably cared too much about what the gorgeous fae thought of me. I just couldn’t let him think that he controlled me.
My father was the last man I let control me and I’d die before ending up in that position again. Besides, that route led to the potential for someone to completely dominate you and I’d never let a man think I was his puppet to jerk around at his whim.
“No mystery food and everyone has a partner from here on out. Elon is coming to stay with us here to continue training,” said Lochlan.
Callie and Jennica groaned in unison. Yeah, I could relate. Miles’ training wasn’t a cake
