Influential Magic Read Online Free PDF

Swallowing, I choked it down. What did I ever do to deserve this disdain? Just because I’d joined the Void without going through the proper channels didn’t mean I wasn’t good at my job. It was no secret Maude resented shortcuts. Never mind I possessed a skill so rare no one believed it possible.
    My record stood for itself. How many agents would’ve been killed had I not been there to warn them? My talent made the Void safer, kept Phoebe safe, and I’d be damned if I lost someone else I loved when I could do something about it. Spending three years at the academy was out of the question. I hadn’t wanted to devote my entire life to the Void. I had a shop I loved, but I couldn’t ignore my ability either. We’d struck a deal. I’d go on runs, warn the agents of nearby vamps, and then stay the heck out of the way. No academy training needed.
    “What about Phoebe?” I asked. “You can’t leave her without backup.”
    “That is not your concern.” Maude didn’t bother to hide her disgust. “A seasoned agent would be more concerned about her new assignment.”
    “I imagine I’ll be given my new orders before I leave,” I said reasonably. “I’m just looking out for my partner.”
    Maude raised one brow as she smirked. “At least you’re loyal. To put you at ease, her new partner will be in place by the end of the week.” She passed a packet across her desk. “Here are the details of your new assignment. Be here at sunset to pick up your shadow agent. I expect an update every forty-eight hours until I say otherwise.”
    Staring at the packet as though it was tainted with flesh-eating bacteria, I kept my hands clenched in my lap.
    Maude pressed a button on her intercom. “I’m ready for my next appointment.” She didn’t even look up when she addressed us again. “You’re excused.”
    What exactly was a shadow agent? The finality of Maude’s tone, mixed with her obvious contempt, kept my mouth clamped shut. I’d rather have my wings plucked out than admit my cluelessness. I grabbed the envelope and shoved it in my purse.
    Phoebe and I left without another word, Link at my heels.
    “What just happened?” I asked Phoebe once we made it back to the lobby. The two guards ignored us, both standing straight with their hands clamped behind their backs.
    “You just got into a pissing match with our boss. Our boss who is a spiteful, dangerous faery.”
    Faeries had a bad reputation for holding grudges. “Please. She doesn’t scare me.”
    Phoebe stopped, turning to face me. “She should. Do you think she became a director by kissing babies or baking cupcakes for a living?”
    I bristled. “That was low, Phoebs. Really low.”
    “You need to take her seriously. I know she’s bitchy to you, but damn, Willow. She’s good at her job. Making an enemy of her isn’t doing you any favors.”
    The sun peeked out from behind a deteriorating building, making me squint as I studied my friend. A small crease etched her brow and tension filled her face. Under my scrutiny, her expression cleared, erasing any hint of frustration. She was an expert at hiding her emotions when she wanted to.
    “Make an enemy of her?” I scowled. “You know our history. You think anything I do now is going to make it worse ?” Shaking my head, I stalked toward the door. “Whatever. I’ve got to get to work. Come on, Link.”
    “Shit,” Phoebe muttered behind me. A moment later she caught up to me on the sidewalk. “Let me give you a ride to the shop.”
    “No need. We’ll walk.”
    “Wil, you know this neighborhood isn’t safe. Don’t be stubborn.”
    Phoebe was right. The streets surrounding headquarters housed some of the most notorious human crime lords in the city. The Arcane chose the building for a reason. The more foreboding an area, the less chance of prying eyes. If an agent was too weak to fend off mere humans, no matter how dangerous, they shouldn’t be working for the Arcane. Especially the Void