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  “I see. Thank you, sir.” Karia let her voice trail off. Apprehension grew in her belly as silence filled the line.

  “Well, I suppose I should get to the point. I’m recalling you to the States for a very sensitive mission.”

  Her mouth fell open. The edges of her vision grayed and a buzz filled her ears. Flabbergasted didn’t come close to explaining her reaction.

  “Are you still there, Karia?”

  “Yes, sir.” She managed to follow protocol instead of expressing the immediate argument that pulling her from her diplomatic work was an error in judgment. She’d opted to join the civilian part of the Corps after going through the rigorous two-year boot camp of the Incubic Class for a reason, damn it.

  General Rubenesso didn’t notice her detached manner. Ari tuned back into the conversation just in time to get the basics.

  “I’m sure you heard about the recent activities in Russia.”

  “I did, sir. Congratulations to you.”

  “Yes, well. While there, Colonel Black received some intel on a possible human mafia turf war not far from Mobile, Alabama. Black was due to take shore leave to the mound in Citronelle, so he opted to look into it. I’m not sure exactly what happened, but he paired up with Colonel Dean in Mobile and the two have requested your presence to resolve the matter. They’ll fully brief you when you arrive.”

  “When do I leave, sir?” Ari shoved aside all her disbelief and focused on her orders. She could freak out later. And she was freaking out over more than being recalled to active duty after working so hard to put the military part of her history behind her.

  The War Wolf knows who I am? A spark of warmth struggled to push aside the ball of angst in her belly.

  “There should be a car on the street waiting for you now. One of the fleet is waiting at Tambo International to take you to Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta. Colonel Dean will meet you there and escort you to Mobile Regional via his personal plane.”

  “I understand. Thank you for calling me personally, General.”

  “It was the least I could do, considering the short notice. Good luck, Logan.”

  Karia hung up the phone. She replayed the last bit of the conversation in her mind. Colonel Dean would be picking her up. That’s just fucking terrific.

  He’s immortal, did you really think you’d never run into him again? The smug voice of her conscience didn’t make her feel any better.

  “Yeah, I did. I wouldn’t have fucked him if I really thought I’d run into him again.” Ari snorted derisively. There was no point arguing with herself. The car was waiting and she had her orders.

  Chapter 3

  Jeremiah watched the crowd of people milling through Hartsfield-Jackson. He was looking for a familiar face, one that had haunted him for a very long time. He sent a little prayer of thanks to the fates for finally giving him the opportunity he needed. Jeremiah Dean loved puzzles. And the two enigmas he’d been confounded by for longer than he cared to admit were together in one place.

  A tingle of adrenaline sizzled in his blood. Joshua Black and Karia Logan would be at his fingertips until they defused the situation at hand and he couldn’t think of anything he wanted more. Ever.

  His eyes caught a bright flash of auburn. He zeroed in on the face and smiled softly. He pushed off the pillar behind him and made his way toward the woman who’d carefully avoided him since she’d opted out of the military to join the diplomatic branch of the Corps. And Jeremiah was certain she’d sidestepped him purposefully.

  After one unbelievable night together, they’d never met again, much to his bafflement. Admittedly, the Corps and all its different branches were a good-sized group. But Logan had become one of the best diplomats they had. They should have bumped into each other a time or two, but no. Not once.

  He moved through the crowd until barely a body’s width was between him and the woman. The red head froze, her movements seemingly short-circuited by his nearness. Jeremiah watched with barely concealed delight as the shoulders in front of him became rigid. Karia slowly turned to face him. Her eyes widened minutely, but he noticed.

  “Karia, long time no see.” He leaned down and took the large suitcase on wheels from her grasp. When his shoulder brushed against her chest, her soft gasp shivered over his hair, the loud thump of her heart echoing loudly in his sensitive ears.

  “Colonel Dean. I’d say likewise, but I don’t care to lie. Let’s hope your reason for pulling me off of diplomatic assignments is more compelling than your charisma.” Her tone was barely professional.

  “Hey, this is still a diplomatic assignment. We need your skills as both an illusionist and a diplomat if we’re going to get close enough to Robert Marshall to get him to call off his dogs.”

  Karia raised a delicate ginger brow at him. “All right, I’m in. And I’m not an illusionist. I’m a Master Transmorphose Mage.”

  He smirked. “Too damn wordy for me. You create fantasies so real that humans, and most preternaturals, can experience them in 3-D. Sounds like an illusionist to me.” She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. God, she was gorgeous when she was pissed!

  “Let’s get on with it, shall we? I don’t have time to play games with you, Dean.” Her light blue eyes took him in from head to toe and the slight curl of her lip told Jeremiah she found him lacking. His masculine pride took offense.

  “You did once.”

  “And once was more than enough.”

  It was his turn to thin his lips in anger, not that Karia noticed. She’d launched her barb and spun on her heels, giving him her back as she made her way away from the luggage carousel toward the entrance to the airport.

  Jeremiah tightened his grip on the handle of her suitcase and stalked after her. Maybe his idea hadn’t been that great, after all. His eyes zeroed in on her lovely heart-shaped ass. The rhythm of her movement screamed enticement and his irritation melted away. “Oh yeah. She wants me.”

  * * *

  Ari had spent most of the trip from Johannesburg alternately fuming and fantasizing. It hadn’t gotten her anything but irritatingly aroused. The forty-five minute flight aboard Dean’s Cessna, from Atlanta to Mobile, had been bumpy and quiet, thankfully, since he was piloting. They’d disembarked and loaded her luggage into a nondescript sedan and headed off. Dean hadn’t bothered to tell her where they were going, so Karia grew more peeved with each mile they traveled. Irksome bastard.

  To stop her rising temper, she thought about what Dean had said in Atlanta. She wouldn’t deny hearing the name of Robert Marshall piqued her curiosity. It was a name well known to those in the Corps, sometimes spoken with contempt, other times with sorrow, always in hushed tones. Robert was William Marshall’s -- the father and first General of the Recondite Corps -- little brother. The two men had a falling out in the years surrounding the creation of the Corps, though Ari didn’t know why.

  Having an opportunity to make a diplomatic connection with Robert, leader of the Heteroclites, was the diplomatic mission. Karia couldn’t stop the swell of gratitude that Colonel Black thought so highly of her skills he’d asked for her specifically. Ari closed her eyes, pointedly ignoring Dean, and recalled the first time she’d met the most feared, and respected, member of the Corps.

  She’d been in the field in Bosnia, working with other incubic mages to conceal a small Serbian village from a Croatian militia group. When the soldiers had begun searching the seemingly empty community, one of the youngest mages, untried in the field, had broken ranks and the magic destabilized, exposing some of the villagers. The troops had opened fire. Their lieutenant had radioed for Guardian reinforcements, while the remaining mages attempted to shield the Serbians.

  Karia had maintained her position, squeezing her eyes closed to block out things she couldn’t stop, keeping her spell intact despite the gunfire, smoke, and screams from the wounded. Then she’d heard a deafening roar, something animalistic and terrifying. She couldn’t have stopped herself from looking toward the cry if she’d wan
ted to.

  Joshua Black was an enormous male, regardless of species. And he’d been in a shapeshifted form. She had no idea how tall he was -- she’d never seen any creature that big -- but his size wasn’t the most vivid of her memories. It was the sorrowful look in his blood red eyes, when he’d taken in the scene, that she’d never forgotten. His compassion had surprised her, and for a moment, she’d been ashamed she’d put so much stock in rumor.

  Colonel Black had invaded her thoughts often after that day. First in non-sexual ways, though it didn’t take long for the hot fantasies to follow. When her dreams started starring both Black and Dean, she’d decided she had to work at least one of the men out of her system. The transfer to the Diplomatic Corps couldn’t have come at a better time, so she’d jumped Jeremiah’s bones and left without looking back. At least not when she was awake.

  Ari opened her eyes and focused on the road outside the vehicle’s windshield. She turned her head to look at Jeremiah. She’d barely glanced at him in the airport. She wasn’t sure what she’d expected, but he hadn’t changed at all. His profile was exceptionally striking, strong nose and jaw, full lower lip with a slightly thinner upper lip, long-lashed eyelids. In short, drop dead gorgeous, all pun intended.

  For a seven-hundred-plus-year-old Ascendant vampire, he didn’t look a day over thirty. Dean still wore his long, dark blond hair in a queue, a black silk ribbon holding it away from his face. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, the black iris catching her attention. Her face heated and she looked away.

  “So, Ari, how have you been?”

  “Don’t call me Ari.”

  “Whatever, babe. You didn’t answer the question. How do you like diplomacy?” His lips turned up just a little and Karia clenched her teeth to hold her ire.

  Wanting to ignore him, but knowing it would only let him know how much he got under her skin, she took a deep breath and answered him. “I like it much better than the military, if that’s what you’re asking. It’s exceptionally fulfilling to know that I’ve settled differences without the use of force. What I do changes people and places for the better. What’s not to like?”

  “Gee, I don’t know. How often do you use your gift?” Dean looked away from the road, straight into her eyes, for a second.

  Karia fought not to squirm. The bastard, he’d managed to find the one thing she missed about the Incubic Class. “I still use them, when necessary.”

  “And when is it necessary? How out of practice are you?”

  Her jaw fell open. “I am not out of practice!” Karia felt her face flame with indignation. “Just because I don’t have to use my gifts every time I have an assignment doesn’t mean I don’t keep them in shape.” Furious at him, she whipped her head to the right and stared out the window.

  Robert Marshall or no Robert Marshall, whoever’s idea this mission was is a fucking idiot. I’m gonna end up killing Jeremiah Dean. Ari fumed in silence the rest of the trip to the hotel.

  Chapter 4

  The “hotel” wasn’t. Ari looked at the building Dean parked in front of and groaned softly. She didn’t really have a problem with roughing it, but setting up in an abandoned industrial building?

  “Don’t worry, Ari. It’s got running water and electricity.”

  “I wasn’t worried.” She grabbed her carry-on and slammed the car door shut.

  “Uh huh. This is one of my places. Convenient, don’t you think?” Karia gave him an unimpressed glance over her shoulder. He smirked in response.

  “Please, you forget I used to work with you. Jeremiah, you’re nothing if not opportunistic. You hold your self-interests above just about everything.”

  He smiled more broadly, perfect white teeth flashing. “Can’t deny that.” He moved to the rusty steel door near the car, her suitcase bumping over the gravel behind him. She walked up behind him in time to hear a series of clicks and the sound of compressed air releasing.

  “What the hell kind of security do you have here?” Ari looked the entry over as the door slowly swung open. She didn’t see any hidden panels or identipads, nor did the door have a knob. Dean was definitely high-tech.

  “The best, of course. Come on in and make yourself at home. I’ll see if I can find Black. That guy has a real talent for disappearing.” Dean raised his arm, pointing out the large, open kitchen to Ari once she was fully in the building. “Help yourself to whatever, everything’s stocked. We’ll meet you there and brief you after I drop your stuff off in the spare room. And find Black.”

  Karia nodded and smiled slightly. She thought she saw a flare of hope in Dean’s eyes, but it was gone before she could be sure. They looked at each other for a second or so. Just when her body started to soften, to warm to his nearness, he turned away and headed for the metal stairs opposite the door.

  Ari scolded her body, reminding herself that one could never know exactly what Jeremiah Dean was up to and it was better to steer clear. His player attitude, amazing charm, and devilish looks had roped more than a few lovers into his bed, she knew. In the time she’d known him, Ari had learned that beneath his cavalier persona, a hard, intelligent, exacting male lurked. It was the danger he posed, that no one else seemed to see, that attracted her the most.

  Anxiety about meeting Joshua Black face to face turned her stomach to stone. She wasn’t hungry, but maybe luck was with her and Dean would have a decent beer in the fridge. She pulled open the stainless steel door and smiled at the familiar clear glass with blue lettering. Well, it wasn’t her number one choice, but it was a damn good beer regardless.

  She popped the top and put the cold glass to her lips, sighing heartily after two long pulls on the bottle. The sound of boots hitting metal tread made her tummy flip. Hoping the liquid would bolster her, she chugged the rest of the beer, nearly choking in her haste. Her hand shook as she set the bottle down, but Karia wasn’t going to show a single uncertainty to Joshua Black. She took a slow breath and turned toward the nearing footfalls.

  Dean popped around the wall separating the kitchen from the stairs. He cocked an eyebrow at her, a grin teasing the edges of his lips. “Jeez, Ari, you look a little pale.”

  Her anticipation burned away under the surge of annoyance Dean’s cockiness unleashed. “Dean, you’re a real shit.” Ari stripped off her suit jacket and popped the top two buttons of her blouse, attributing her sudden hot flash to anger. “In fact, I’m of a mind to call General Rubenesso.”

  Jeremiah moved fully into the kitchen, his body flowing like shadow, muscles rippling with each movement, a swell of masculine power rolling before him. He had darkness in his eyes, and the part of Ari that refused to call what they’d done a one-night stand nearly purred with satisfaction.

  “And just what would you tell the good general?” Jeremiah stopped less than a foot from her and Ari’s body reacted. Her nipples tightened and her skin tingled. She ignored the rush of blood to her lower body, standing straighter, her eyes locked with his. She released a small circle of her power, purposefully bumping into his, pressing against Dean’s magic with her own. His eyes narrowed.

  “I’d tell him about your insatiable obsession with puzzles, Dean. And I’d tell him you just couldn’t stand not knowing why I fucked you once and never came back for more. I’d tell him this whole business is an elaborate ruse for you to satisfy your curiosity.”

  Jeremiah made a rumbling sound and lifted a hand toward her arm. As soon as he raised his arm, Ari conjured a wall between them. She sensed him touch the illusion, smiling darkly when he cussed and her magic shuddered under the impact of a fist. She waved her hand and the wall disappeared. Hands on hips, she eyed Jeremiah. “How’s that for out of practice?”

  “I’d say Colonel Dean was right to suggest you for this op.”

  Chapter 5

  Karia whirled toward the smoky, soft baritone. Joshua Black stood on the other side of the breakfast bar, elbows resting on the black marble top, his red eyes missing nothing, his dark lips curled with a small sm
ile.

  “Colonel Black. I apologize for my unprofessional actions.” Ari tried to hold those dark red eyes, but embarrassment made her look at her tightly clenched hands.

  “No need to apologize, Ambassador Logan. Dean can be a real pain in the ass.”

  Karia looked up again. He bent at the waist, his extremely broad shoulders stretched the giving material of his cotton T-shirt to an “oh my god” tautness. Ari figured the man would be imposingly large if he were curled on the floor in the fetal position. She watched him, careful to keep her interest and her nerves concealed, as he walked around the island, into the kitchen.

  “I’d make introductions, but that seems a waste. We all know each other.” Jeremiah paused for effect. “And we want to bring Ari up to speed.”

  “Ari?”

  Karia tried not to roll her eyes. “Colonel Dean continues to use the more familiar name my close friends and family call me.”

  “I see. Is there something you’d prefer we call you? ‘Ambassador Logan’ is awfully formal, considering we’ll be here together for a while.”

  Karia looked at Black. His aura screamed dominant, powerful male, and yet, something made her think he was just as nervous here as she was. She sighed, casting a frown in Dean’s direction. “Ari is fine, Colonel Black.”

  “Call me Joshua.”

  “You look more like a ‘Josh’ to me, Black. And I don’t care what you call me, as long as it isn’t ugly.” Jeremiah pulled open the fridge, taking out the six-pack, sans the bottle Karia drank.

  “Do not call me ‘Josh’.”

  Ari stepped back at the harsh look Joshua leveled at Dean. Jeremiah set the beer down without looking, his eyes and Black’s locked together. The tension in the room exploded and Karia decided to step in.

  “Jeremiah, knock it off. Can the shit for a minute and brief me.” She stepped between the two, grabbed the beer, and moved out of the kitchen and line of fire. She glanced around the rest of the lower level she could see, finding a large table covered with papers. She walked toward it without looking back at the posturing males behind her.