[Southern Arcana 1] Crux Read Online Free PDF Page A

too much detail.
    Alec laughed. “Didn’t have to zoom much. They were right next to the window, and I can move pretty quietly when I want to.”
    Jackson leaned over Kat’s shoulder. “Looks like our society matron could have been absolutely right to be concerned about that huge life-insurance policy.” He whistled and accidentally nudged Kat’s purse aside, revealing a copy of the Delta Examiner , a regional tabloid newspaper. “Oh, Kat .
    Alec, look what Kat’s reading.”
    She tried to snatch away the tabloid, but Alec’s shapeshifter reflexes made him impossibly fast, even when he was exhausted. He grabbed the paper and frowned. “Oh, hell.
    You’d better have a good excuse for this, Katherine Gabriel, or I may fire your ass.”
    “It’s funny,” she retorted, her cheeks bright red. “I like reading the stories about the so-called supernatural conspiracy.

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    Moira Rogers
    This one has an article about a secret cabal of psychics who control the government.” She sniffed. “No one invited me to join.”
    Jackson laughed. “Maybe they don’t need any soft-hearted empaths.” He looked at the paper over Alec’s shoulder. “Yep, there’s your nemesis. C.E. Miller, the great paranormal whistle-blower.”
    Alec’s scowl deepened as he flipped open the tabloid to the page listed and skimmed the article. “It’s not funny. We survive by flying beneath the radar. Whoever this clown is, he’s fucking shit up for everyone. Every damn week he manages to latch on to the latest gossip in the supernatural world and spew it over the pages of this rag. He has to be one of us, or he wouldn’t always know what’s going on.”
    “Right.” Jackson walked over to the table and opened a bag of beignets. “’Cause everyone believes that stuff.
    Especially the thing about that secret cabal of psychics.” He took a bite of the fried dough, careful not to inhale any powdered sugar. “Someone get this guy a Pulitzer, already.” Looking disgusted, Alec tossed the paper back on Kat’s desk. “Some day, when I’ve got some free time, I’m going to track that man down and have words with him. If he just wants money, he could write the same UFO and Bigfoot shit as everyone else. He doesn’t have to publish stuff that’s real.” 38
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    Crux
    Jackson brought Kat a beignet on a napkin. “Suppose you’re right, Alec, and he’s one of us. He could belong to one of the factions that wants exposure, even if it’s dangerous.”
    “All the more reason for me to track him down,” Alec said darkly. He sank into his chair with a glance at Jackson.
    “Is this job we’re doing for Nick going to keep you busy today? I can go talk to the husband, but I’ll need to bring Kat with me to work her mojo.”
    Jackson almost told him that, technically, he was finished with his favor for Nick. “Actually, yeah. I’m going to check some things out. Why don’t you give me a call when you’re done with the husband? I need you and Kat to take a gander at Nick’s new employee, if that’s all right.” Kat made a face. “God, just promise me it’s the last time I have to see that slimeball husband. I always feel like I need a shower after reading him.”
    Jackson started flipping through a stack of mail. “Alec won’t make you go back, Kat,” he promised absently. “No more gold-digging, slimeball husbands for at least a week.” She shuddered. “I am never getting married. Never.” Though the sentiment wasn’t far from his own feelings on the subject, Jackson thought about his parents and their nearly thirty-five years of wedded bliss. “Find the right guy, Kat, and you won’t have to worry about him wanting to bump you off for money.”

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    “Plus I’d have to actually have a lot of money first,” She pulled her chair back to her desk. The phone rang, and she wrinkled her nose as she slipped on her headset. “Holt