Read Online Lupi 04 - Night Season by authors_sort - Free Book Online

flicked to one of the other screens, which had a view of the room’s other occupants. The bald fellow apparently lacked interest in clothing, though he wore a silver necklace with a small silver disk as pendant…inscribed?
    Cullen squinted and frowned. The resolution wasn’t good enough for him to be sure. The man was talking to the only other person in the room, a tallish woman with her back to the camera. His lips, tongue, and palate were dark gray like a chow’s. The woman…hell!
    Cullen spun to glare at Lily. “What the hell are you thinking? Get Cynna out of there!”
    Brooks answered smoothly. “Agent Weaver is acting on my orders. We’ve been assured it would offer grave insult to leave our guests in a room without someone present to act as host. Apparently that’s gnomish custom.”
    â€œGnomish custom is to exchange hostages. That’s her real function—hostage, not host.”
    â€œIs this your so-called expert, Ruben?” a slick-looking man in a pricey suit drawled. “Doesn’t seem well-informed. Everyone knows gnomes are harmless.”
    â€œEveryone knows a lot of damned silly things,” Cullen snapped. “Who the hell are you?”
    â€œAdam McClosky. Assistant Undersecretary of Commerce.”
    â€œWhen we’re ready to trade something, be sure to speak up. Till then shut your—”
    â€œCullen,” Lily said.
    He caught his breath and tried to catch hold of his temper.
    â€œMr. Seabourne is an expert practitioner,” Brooks assured the smooth man. “He’s consulted for us before. I have great confidence in his skills and knowledge.”
    Brooks had done a nice job of stepping around the word “sorcerer.” Since sorcery remained illegal due to the impenetrable stupidity of most lawmakers, Cullen appreciated that. “And I’m ready to consult. Get me in there and get Cynna out.”
    â€œSoon. Rest assured that Agent Weaver is as safe as we can make her. The room has defenses that aren’t obvious.”
    â€œThe room can’t defend her against a magical attack.”
    â€œNo, she’ll have to handle that herself, should the need arise.”
    Cullen took two quick steps, but the place was too damned crowded. He nearly bumped into another one of the strangers, who stepped aside, eying him warily.
    Timms spoke without leaving Brooks’s side. “It’s her job, Cullen.”
    Cullen scowled. Lily put a hand on his arm. “I think she’ll be okay. I’ve shaken hands with all of them.”
    The touch startled him enough to break through his urgency. Lily didn’t touch often or easily. “And…?”
    â€œThey’re all of the Blood, but only the gnome is Gifted. It isn’t a Gift I’ve encountered before, but his magic isn’t…” She waved a hand. “I don’t know how to describe it, but his magic felt like it’s bound up in itself. Or in something. He doesn’t have much juice for other things.”
    â€œOf the Blood” meant they were innately magical beings. This was true of most of the nonhuman races, from gnomes to lupi to any number of less common beings and creatures. What Lily meant was that those of the Blood were seldom able to work spells—their magic simply wasn’t available that way.
    Excepting the Fae, of course. And Cullen, who was both of the Blood and Gifted. As was this gnome, apparently. “Maybe he’s using most of his magic for something else right now. I’d very much like to know what, wouldn’t you? That doesn’t make Cynna safe.”
    â€œShe’s doing her job. And she’s pretty good with spellwork herself.”
    Okay. Okay, he knew that, but…Cullen ran a hand over his hair. “You’ll know if something’s been done to her. You’ll check.”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œWhat’s the problem?” demanded the Deputy