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growing out of control over the past couple of weeks.” Dani’s voice caught Loni’s attention, bringing her out of her thoughts and back to the roomful of people wearing black leather. “It’s been one thing after another.”
    “We’ve got unexplained paranorm deaths.” Petra put her elbow on her knee, her chin in her hand, a thoughtful expression on her face. “And humans suddenly developing paranorm abilities for seventy-two to ninety-six hours and using their powers for evil. Attacks, robberies, destruction—it’s getting worse.”
    Dani nodded. “Between the humans and their insta-powers, and paranorms coming up dead, we have as much as we can handle.”
    “And don’t forget that humans have been going missing at an unusual rate,” Petra said.
    “The nine of us are just going to have to make do.” Alec stood with his hand on the hilt of his sword as he spoke. “Devora’s Enforcer team has its hands full handling their half of the Phoenix area.”
    Phoenix area… So they were still in Phoenix. But then the book had taken place here.
    There had been twelve team members in the book when Loni had started to read it. Over the course of the story, three of the team members had been slain mysteriously—and it had turned out to be Marie who had murdered them.
    Holden stroked his chin. “Is Max trying to bring anyone else in on this to replace…” He let the rest of it go unsaid. They all no doubt knew what he’d been about to say—to replace the three murdered team members.
    “It’s a possibility.” Alec frowned. “These humans who are suddenly developing paranorm powers are too dangerous to not take action now, not to mention all of the paranorms turning up dead. We don’t have time to wait for anyone to take them on with us.”
    As they spoke back and forth, Loni looked from one person to the other, trying to come to grips with what was happening to her.
    Jazz pushed her dark hair over her shoulder, her blue eyes intent as she looked at Alec. “I don’t think we need anyone else.”
    “Jasmine and Alec are right.” Strike took his feet off the coffee table then leaned forward, bracing his forearms on his thighs. “We can’t wait for anyone else and I think we sure as hell can take on Dawson on our own.”
    The other team members nodded in agreement or just focused on Alec as he continued speaking. “On other fronts, Max has intelligence that a big drug deal orchestrated by the sorcerer is going down tomorrow night. We’re going to be there. Dawson just won’t know it until it’s too late.”

Chapter 5
    “Selena insisted that I watch over you myself.” Alec kicked back on his overstuffed chair and put his feet up on the coffee table. He took a swig from his beer bottle before resting his gaze on Loni again. “So that’s what I’m going to do.”
    Loni paced his dim living room from one end to the next, her thoughts jumbled as she rubbed both arms with her hands, her skirt swishing around her shins. None of this was real. She was dreaming. Right?
    Alec lived in an older three-level townhouse that was filled with interesting treasures like weapons mounted on the walls that looked like they came from the Middle Ages.
    “So you’re saying that Selena brings certain people into your world because she believes that person can somehow help you.” Loni took a deep breath as she continued pacing. “And she thinks I’m one of those people.”
    Alec nodded. “Did you tell her you want adventure and that you need a change in your life? Are you alone in your world with no family who will miss you?”
    Loni paused in mid-step. “How did you know?”
    “Because those are her requirements to bring people to our world,” he said. “That and each person has some kind of paranormal talent they are usually unaware of.”
    “That’s insane.” Loni wanted to laugh. “Paranormal talent?”
    He shrugged. “That’s the way it works.”
    She shook her head. “I’m human, and I don’t have