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Daphne’s workout consisted of climbing into the trees, moving stealthily along the branches—well, she moved stealthily, I nearly fell four times—and swinging out and down onto make-believe targets. When the hour was up, I could barely make it to the waterfall shower when she snapped and switched environments.

“Here. Drink the magic water,” she said, shoving a bottle in my hand.

I guzzled greedily, remembering how much it helped the last time she’d offered me one. And as a result, getting ready for work was far easier. Though when I’d dried off, I realized I didn’t have a change of clothing with me and stared at the pants and shirt now stained with mud and sweat.

“Here.” Daphne tossed a bundle at me, and only out of instinct did I reach up in time to catch it. “It’ll adjust to your body, and I thought the color would be nice with your hair.”

“Thanks,” I said, unrolling what turned out to be a beautiful green sundress. Not my usual style, but if it magically fit my figure I wouldn’t complain.

“Any news?” Daphne asked as she walked me to the elevator.

It only took a moment to realize she was referring to the murder investigation. I shook my head, thinking of the babies. I needed to ask what had happened to them, and remembered I needed to speak to the general about a few things.

I turned to face Daphne after entering the lift. “I will find out who did it.” The promise came out of nowhere and probably shocked me more than it did Daphne. But the truth was I wanted to find out who the shadowed figure was and stop them before they could orphan anyone else, or worse.

Figuring out how to do that, was a whole other can of centipedes. They might have used that spell to hide in my vision, but I wasn’t just a psychic. I was a scientist, and there had to be evidence to examine other than the body.

The doors closed, and I glanced up at the vent where the murderer had come through. It was a magical elevator that appeared when needed and traveled anywhere in the building, but the laws of physics said it had to take up physical space. The whole thing jerked to a stop as though it recognized my train of thought, and I smiled.

“Thank you,” I said, jumping up to try and grasp the edges of the vent. It took five tries before I successfully touched it, and another few before I knocked it loose. My body ached despite the magic water. I supposed it could only do so much. I leaned back against the side of the elevator and put my foot up on the thin wood railing along the back. Then I awkwardly shimmied upward, using the walls for leverage and the decorative rail for a boost.

I nearly whooped when I made it to the vent and hauled myself halfway through. But being met with opaque darkness wiped the grin off my face. I reached down to my belt with one hand while leaning across the top of the elevator with the other arm. When I’d retrieved my cell phone, I turned on the flashlight and scanned.

Shiny metal ducts fed off in every direction, only big enough for someone the size of a child to fit through. It made no logical sense, though I supposed magic tended not to. I’d no sooner had the thought when I felt the elevator shift beneath me and go into free fall with me attached.

Screams tore at my throat as the whole thing lurched and then just as suddenly jerked to the right, nearly knocking me down. Metallic streaks sparking with bright rainbow colors danced in the sporadic light of my phone which I clung to almost as hard as I clung to the top of the elevator.

When it stopped again, I heard the doors whoosh open below me.

“Charlotte?” Julian’s startled voice rose to greet me as I tried to catch my breath.

I let go and dropped. Julian’s strong arms caught me before I hit the ground and our bodies pressed against each other as his bergamot scent swathed me in comfort.

“Thanks,” I said, arms hooking over his shoulders automatically.

“Should I ask?”

“I was investigating. That’s where the murderer came from,” I said, glancing upward.

Julian let me slide down his body, gently setting me on the floor, and I tried to brush off the tingles everywhere we touched that brought heat to my core. It was completely inappropriate at that moment.

The elevator moved again, as Julian’s intense indigo gaze narrowed toward the open vent. “Next time, inform me and I will have the elevator turned off while you investigate.”

“You can do that?” I stared dumbly at him as he met my gaze with a smirk.

“I can do many things. All you need do is ask.”

I tried to play off the arousal that stirred but knew he could scent it. Damn vampire.

Saved by the doors opening, I stepped out onto the raised platform of the Command Center, a round space the size of a football stadium, where the General usually stood watching over his minions as I’d come to think of the black uniformed workers below. Screens plastered the rim of the room, displaying all sorts of locations, both with and without supes and humans not knowing they were being watched. It made me shiver, as did the black tendrils that creeped off the general’s aura like searching fingers. I automatically visualized a protective shield of light around myself like Mama had taught us from a young age.

“State your purpose.” The general’s hands remained clasped behind his back as he narrowed his dark eyes at us.

“You first,” I offered magnanimously. Also, I wanted to see what Julian was here to say.

“I’ve received a summons regarding project MorningStar,” Julian said without looking at me.

The general grunted and nodded then turned to me. “And you?”