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That snagged my full attention.
Top assets in the life insurance business refer to the clients with the highest likelihood of paying out—those with dangerous jobs or who our investigators discover partake in unusual and life-threatening hobbies. Paragliders and skydivers and base jumpers—usually people with too much money and not enough sense who pay high monthly premiums for their lifestyles.
I stab a crispy potato skin and move it to the other side of my plate.“Why do they want a whole new division for top assets?”
Michelle shakes her head, dabbing at the cheese and guac on her lips. “I’m not sure. It’s likely they want to change the metrics associated with high-risk activities.”
“Maybe I’ll volunteer,” I say, drawing both their gazes. “What? I think a little change might do me good.”
Michelle raises her glass of Diet Coke and clinks it to mine. “That’s the spirit. Shake things up a bit.”
Brad lifts his glass as well. “I can help put in a good word for you.”
Blech. I don’t want to encourage him, but I also don’t want to hurt his ego. That’s proven dangerous far too often. “Thanks,” I mumble.
Michelle catches my eye, warning clear in her gaze.
“You know, I can help you shake things up inotherways as well, Lily.”
Stifling the urge to shudder, I plaster on a fake smile. “No, thank you,” I say firmly.
Well, as firmly as I get.
“Jesus, Brad, take a hint. She’s not interested.”
“Lily hasn’t said anything of the sort. She’s clearly just playing coy. Good girls like her can’t show interest in men. They have to be convinced of it.”
“That’s it. You’re done, Brad.” Michelle hauls him up by his collar, dragging him out of the booth with such force the bench scrapes across the floor with a groaning whine. “Get the fuck outta here. And you best believe I’m telling HR about this incident.”
I sink further into the cushions on my side of the booth. People are definitely looking now.
Brad straightens his jacket, scoffing at her. “In case you didn’t notice, Michelle, we aren’t at work. HR can get fucked for all I care.”
On autopilot, I reach for my favorite spot, but before I can press on those little hash marks and dilute mental pain with physical, my heart slows. My breathing grows steadier, deeper.
And all of it lifts away.
I let out a long sigh.
Finally.
Chapter4
Typhon
Idid not intend to take over.
I wasn’t supposed to be here. Especially not without the others.
I’d only crossed the bridge plane and infiltrated our host alone to verify my theory. And just as I’d suspected, I’d slid into her mind as easily as if weeks had passed, though it was only days since our last possession. Because this host didn’t require the full week to recuperate, as Rhygel stated. This host is strong. Stronger than I’d ever encountered.
Possession is not an easy process. The act of invading a human’s mind leaves arcane scars in their psyche, blocking demonic re-entry until healed.
But this host, this woman, held no trace that my brothers and I had ever been there.
Which is excellent news. The more often we can take her, the more souls we can collect.
I won’t risk losing this trial. Not again.
