Someone else noted my approach. Tristan’s secretary Wendy
moved from her boss’ desk, the massive one on stage right. Pretty, brunette,
and perpetually in her twenties, she beelined to intercept me.
Dan spoke in my ear, though there was no one else around
that could hear him. “Stay calm. She’s just doing what she’s been told to do.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I muttered. “It doesn’t mean I have to like
it.”
Wendy met me and stood in my path. Her smile didn’t look
forced for a change. “Good evening, Ms. Payson. Can I help you with something?”
I didn’t mince words. “Getting out of the way would be a
nice start. I have to see Tristan.”
I had to give her points for professionalism. She must have
been an executive assistant before she died, because her polite mien never
altered. “I understand, but Mr. Keith has received huge news. Cliff Tattingail
has dropped out of the race for the state legislature.”
That was enough to get me to pause. I heard Dan’s startled
gasp behind me. ‘Big news’ was an understatement.
“Since when?” I asked, my voice betraying shock.
Wendy nodded, her excitement clear. “He announced it a
couple of hours ago. He decided to run for Tristan’s old seat on the county
commission instead.”
Dan snorted, having recovered from the initial surprise.
“Tattingail knew he didn’t have a chance against Tristan and Emory Cooper. He’s
been polling way behind the two of them.”
Wendy couldn’t hear Dan, of course. He stated the obvious
anyway.
I spoke conversationally as I angled to get around Wendy.
“That makes the race a little more interesting, doesn’t it? The wingnuts will
now back Cooper and make it a closer race.” I resumed my march to Tristan.
Wendy tried to get in front of me again. “Um, yes, so this
isn’t exactly a good time—”
I rounded on her so fast she nearly bumped noses with me.
“Listen, sweetie. There is never going to be a good time for me and Tristan to
talk, not when I’m wearing his sister like a permanent Halloween costume. But
we have a bigger issue than his political aspirations – as in life and death
matters.”
“A bit melodramatic,” came Dan’s opinion. “Watch your
temper.”
I managed to keep my voice even as I took his words to heart
and attempted to gain Wendy’s assistance. “I need to talk to Tristan about
these shifter disappearances.”
Her professionally polite facade showed up again, replacing
her friendly excitement. “Mr. Keith is aware of the matter. I told him that
agent from the training academy stopped by—”
“Good. Then I won’t have to take up as much of his time.” I
wheeled around and went for the dark haired man who may or may not have been
ignoring me on the stage. I was only a few yards from the steps that led up to
it.
Wendy’s voice bordered on desperation. “Ms. Payson, I really
need to ask you to wait.”
I was still in control, but I decided I needed to make a
point. When I turned to her again, I let go of the glamour masking my fangs and
red eyes.
“Do you see any Blood Potion in my hand? No, you don’t. And
there are a lot of warm, tasty bodies in this room right now. Stay out of my
way.”
A deep, smooth voice rolled over us. “Hello, Brandilynn. Did
you need to see me?”
I straightened and put the glamour back in place before
turning around to face Tristan Keith, the owner of that voice.
Releasing Friday, January 29
Don't
forget, the first book of the Netherworld series Drop Dead Sexy is available in
ebook format for 99 cents until February 1 at
Amazon, Amazon
UK, Barnes
& Noble, Smashwords,
and All
Romance.
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