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“The general and I were having a private discussion,” I informed him.

“Tittwell thinks it can’t be too private if it’s in a public space.”

I hated how he spoke in third person. Then a memory floated into my head. Daphne had said he used the ventilation system to sneak down to the basement in hopes of surprising her. He was small enough to get through what I’d seen above the elevator…

Narrowing my eyes, I started to examine his aura, but the general interrupted again.

“Dismissed, Tittwell.”

The imp cowered and scooted off down the steps to the great room below. I took another sip of coffee as the general focused once again on me.

“Ready for your meeting with Orpheus tomorrow?” he asked.

Not really, but I smiled and said, “Of course. Not much to prepare for if we’re having a discussion on collaborating on studying psychic abilities.”

“Your psychic abilities,” the general clarified.

“True, but the idea is to find out more about the generic nature of these things.”

“You have both major abilities. That is…unusual, and something you did not share despite the obvious importance.”

“I didn’t know employees were required to file a detailed list of every natural magic ability they have.” Attempting to keep my temper under control was a losing battle with this man.

“Only when the information would be a clear danger or asset to SHADE. Your use of both telekinesis and mind-bending on the Island happened to be caught on our sensors or I never would have known.”

“So you spied,” I said with a smile.

“I have concerns, Doctor, about your loyalty.” He stepped forward, swallowing me in shadow.

“And I have concerns about being experimented on like an animal,” I said, standing to toss my cup in a nearby trashcan. “You should really use recyclable material.”

“I simply want your cooperation so that we can avoid a dire situation with MorningStar’s use of psychics.” He angled his body to prevent my exit.

Concerning as it was that the hidden government organization was collecting and using psychics for nefarious reasons, I couldn’t do much to counter it. Though I would absolutely try if it came down to it. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that the general wanted more than that out of me.

“I look forward to officially meeting Dr. Orpheus tomorrow. In the meantime, I should get back to working on the murder case.” Now that I had a suspect in mind.

Sidestepping past him at an awkward angle so as not to touch any part of him, I was grateful to find the elevator waiting. I could feel his gaze like a laser on the back of my neck as I entered, but I refused to look back.

I needed to see a vampire about the next steps, though. Something told me the general wouldn’t be too open to the suggestion of his righthand imp’s guilt.

Chapter 6

Fuck my Life

Julian was gone, which I found irrationally irritating. When I thought about him running off to deal with whatever came up with MorningStar, I couldn’t help but worry. Still, he’d saved me from their kidnap attempt when we first met and had barely batted any of his long, beautiful eyelashes.

Running a finger down my phone screen, I debated calling him to follow up on my unanswered text but didn’t want to distract him if he was in a dangerous situation. I would just have to figure this out on my own.

Gladys was my next stop. The moment I stepped off the elevator, she held up one finger, took her time finishing the page she was on, slowly stuck a faded bookmark in, then lowered it. She blinked up at me with her mismatched eyes, waiting.

I forced a smile and spoke through gritted teeth. “I would like access to the base’s personnel files so I can research potential suspects. Please.”

“The general will have to okay that, especially for those with clearances.” She reached for her book.

Setting a hand down on the desk between her and the shifter romance she was reading, I leaned in. “Then let’s start with those that don’t, since the general is so busy.”

She frowned, glanced at the book, and heaved a dramatic sigh. “Fine. I’ll send you a password to those.”