Chapter Twelve
“The shipments from Guatemala are on schedule. We’ll have to pay extra at the border with the security enacted since Skuld came in.”
Adonis figured that would be the case. “Doesn’t surprise me. As long as the load isn’t shortage, we can work through our man in customs. Has our contact at the Federal Bureau of Magical Containment given us more on what they’ve uncovered on Skuld?”
Raphael shook his head. “Nothing. They’re still scratching their heads and trying to figure out how to cover their assholes since they didn’t respond with proper funds for Encantado in the wake of the initial attacks.”
Adonis scoffed. “They never fucking do. Moonstone money has been the lifeblood of every emergency reconstruction needed in this city. I expect the FBMC understands I plan to collect in full one day.”
“They’ll be scrounging to repay even half, but they understand other services can be used as barter.”
Good.
Adonis always kept account of his debts, and he’d have no problem sticking it to the Bureau. They’d fucked up enough lives by stripping children from their families because of a hint of mage blood in them. Adonis couldn’t save them all, but he ensured those who wanted their children back could be reunited and relocated to a portal city of their choice.
He’d only dented the surface, but it was better than the sad commercials asking for support for poor little magi in boarding schools until they were old enough to take care of themselves. The FBMC were smart enough not to air the pleas within portal cities, leaving many to believe they only removed kids when they were in their later teens, but Adonis knew the bastards did it to children as young as one.
All to find the artifact.
“Darvin is still searching for the artifact as we speak. I’ll be checking in with him later today, but for now it’s a dead end.”
Russel, one of the fivetenientesin the meeting, growled. They were under Raphael’s position, men who watched over different aspects of Adonis’s business and made sure things went smoothly.
“They only want the fount of magical powers, and we already know the Ales is here. She stands at the top as the bloodline of the original families. They are searching for a myth.”
“Yes, in the event it’s real, I want to control itandthem. They’ve had enough power sitting over the top of paranorms and magi. Encantado is bolstered with Kalinda and the Moonstone, but more cities are beholden to their rules. Long before Skuld, we were at war with them,” Adonis finished.
“Yes,” Russel continued. “They say the artifact gave the original families their magical powers and created all paranorms in existence. It sounds more like monolithic bullshit than anything real.”
Real or not, they needed to keep an eye out just in case. An artifact with the power of every magic and paranorm gift would make anyone the most powerful being in existence. He’d be damned if he let the FBMC control it.
“Boss, you have a visitor coming,” sounded in Adonis’s earpiece.
Based on Raphael’s reaction, it was broadcast to him as well. “You expecting anyone?” his beta wondered as he got out of his seat.
“No, but the men know not to let someone in unannounced, so let’s see what it is.”
The door opened, and Adonis forgot to fucking breathe.
“Excuse me, gentlemen, I was still in the lab.”
All the men rose from their seats and bowed as the Alpha mate entered—all except for him. He simply stood and stared.
Her hair draped her down her back, but her lips were ruby-red, a black shade on her eyelids making her indigo gaze brighter. She wore a simple, floor-length white dress with thin straps on her delicate shoulders, but she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
“Pequeña,” he welcomed, and she came to his side easily.
Tucked against him, she raised on her tiptoes and brought his head down enough to press a kiss to his neck over his pulse before she looked for a seat.
“Here, Alpha mate,” Raphael offered, pushing his seat at Adonis’s side out for her.
“Where will you sit?”
“I’ll stand.”
“Nonsense. Go grab a chair; we can wait.”
The men hesitated, waiting for Raph’s reaction.
