Influential Magic Read Online Free PDF Page A

one sharp rap before entering.
    Maude Jenkins, the director of the Void branch, glanced up, her sharp, angular features set in a scowl. Her mood matched the severe bun coiled tightly on her head and the gloomy gray pantsuit. “Agent Rhoswen, you’re late. I do not enjoy being kept waiting.”
    I stiffened, hiding a scowl of my own. I’d signed on to work for the Arcane under a different director. If I’d known my spiteful aunt was in line to take over, I never would have signed the paperwork. And I sure as shit wouldn’t have committed to five years.
    Two years, eleven months, and twelve days , I reminded myself. Unless I got lucky and dear old Auntie was promoted again. Or better yet, offed by one of her many enemies.
    A pang for my mother rippled through me. Maude hadn’t always been a first-class bitch. She and my mom had grown up the best of friends. When Beau and I were young, she’d visited often, winning Beau’s affection after she’d brought him a fae chemistry set, complete with beginning water spells. Then, shortly after he’d died, she’d changed. Become obsessed with the Void and turned into someone none of us recognized.
    I carefully arranged my expression to match my bored tone. “I wasn’t aware I had an appointment.”
    Maude’s inky black wings flared in irritation, a stark contrast to my own pale, ice-blue ones. Her eyes hardened. “Do not act as if you’re doing us a favor, agent. You are paid very well for minimal service. If I require your presence, you will make yourself available. Your contract sees to that.”
    I swallowed the snarky reply poised on my tongue. That damned contract. Stupidly, I hadn’t realized I’d magically bound myself to the Arcane when I’d signed it. Phoebe’s voice rang in my head . You don’t walk away from the Arcane, Willow. Think carefully before you commit.
    One couldn’t break a magically bound contract. Not without dying first.
    “Of course, Director.” I kept my face blank.
    “Take care to remember that.” She cut her gaze to Phoebe. “Close the door, Agent Kilsen.”
    Phoebe did as she was told and sat, nodding to me to settle in the adjoining chair. I hesitated, loath to show submission. The director’s eyes seared through me, the force of her will almost pressing me into the chair.
    Damned fae! I despised the use of magical persuasion, a gift especially strong in female faeries. I fought the magic just long enough to prove I could. Then, with a pointed stare, I took my seat next to Phoebe. “What can I do for you this morning, Director?”
    Maude stretched her wings wider and then slowly retracted them as she eased back into her chair.
    I did a mental eye roll at the display of dominance. My aunt already had the advantage. High-ranking Arcane officials weren’t subject to magical paralysis in their home offices.
    The director leveled her gaze. “Effective immediately, you are suspended from agent Kilsen’s service.”
    “But—”
    “Recent events have rendered you a liability. Instead, you will work with a double agent, gathering intel on Cryrique.”
    My limbs went ice-cold with shock, but I kept my face impassive. I didn’t want to give Maude any indication the mob-like vampire corporation terrified me. The company unofficially controlled almost everything in New Orleans…except the Void. Was my aunt insane? I most definitely hadn’t been trained for the spy business.
    Did Phoebe know about this? Her cool expression implied she did. Would it have been so hard to warn me? Freakin’ Phoebe. What was she up to?
    I focused on Maude. “A liability? Does this have to do with the cemetery? Because that had everything to do with spending the day in an airplane. You, of all people, should know what being enclosed in metal can do to an earth faery.”
    “Do not insult me, Rhoswen. While your actions highlighted your pathetic lack of training, I’d hardly waste energy rearranging your life because of it.”
    Anger bubbled in my throat.