Lucian hung back by the main door.
No sense in arguing about the time.Marcus Seaborn was a Mage and possessed the ability to sense time as well as direction.He had been in our custody for two weeks after he was caught juicing from a Sensor without consent.Energy exchanges aren’t illegal if consensual, but most people aren’t eager to let a Mage steal their energy for a high.Consequently, light addicts often target intoxicated people outside bars.Lucky for the Sensor, he lived.But we locked up Mr.Seaborn to drive our point home that we don’t allow perverse behavior in Storybook.
Marcus looked worse for wear.He hadn’t seen a razor in two weeks, let alone a hairbrush.We had to be careful with contraband since anything could be used as a weapon, and he had been an obstinate prisoner from day one.Thick patches of grey and white whiskers dusted his face; deep lines etched the corners of his eyes.His stout body could easily overpower me, which was why I’d asked Lucian to come along.
After unlocking the cell, I stepped aside.“No more illegal juicing.If we catch you doing it again, we’ll increase the time to six months.This town has no place for juicers.Each subsequent violation will add more time to your sentence.”
He cleared his throat.“That’s a bunch of bullshit.You can’t lock me up unless there’s a dead body.”
“Fuck around and find out,” I said with an artificial smile.
He stepped out of the cell and scowled.“You better watch your back.”
Lucian blurred past me and slammed Marcus against the wall.He pinned the Mage by his wrists and growled so fiercely that my blood chilled.
Marcus kneed him, and I winced.When Lucian lost his grip, the Mage blasted him with energy, knocking him back several feet.With lightning speed, the two men crashed into each other in a tangle.
My heart stopped when Lucian’s canines punched out.His eyes were still gold, which meant he hadn’t flipped his switch.He used his whole body to pin Marcus against the wall, firmly gripping his wrists to prevent another energy attack.
The Mage blanched when Lucian’s fangs closed in on his neck.
Chitahs possess a venom powerful enough to paralyze or kill a Mage, depending on how many teeth puncture the skin.Their venom doesn’t affect any other Breed, so that made the two Breeds natural enemies.Four punctures with injected venom is fatal, and anything less is excruciating.
Instead of panicking, I coolly walked up to Mr.Seaborn.“If you want to go back in that cell, it’s up to you.But I think you’ve learned your lesson.That’s why you’re going to shut your mouth and put one foot in front of the other until you’re out of my sight.Or… I could let you and Mr.Cross work it out privately.”
Lucian snarled, his face so close that Marcus whimpered.“Apologize.”
“S-sorry,” Marcus stammered, his voice trembling and eyes wide with terror.“I was just talking shit.”
“You don’t mean it.”Lucian dipped his face into the Mage’s neck, and a knot of dread formed in my stomach.
“I’m fucking sorry!I don’t wanna go back in there.”
Lucian drew in a breath.After a punishing glare, he finally released his hold and shielded me with his body as the Mage hurried to the exit.
I sent a quick text to Peter to let him know the prisoner was on his way up.After we escorted Marcus Seaborn to the elevators, I returned to the front desk and picked up Lucian’s file.
“Is that what you deal with every day?”he asked.
“Sometimes.People don’t like being caged.You should’ve let the verbal threat go.They spit and hiss on their way out the door, but it doesn’t mean anything.”
“He meant it.”
I wondered if Peter might be listening in on our conversation from the upstairs pantry.The reception area was too close to the open elevator shaft, which acted as an echo chamber.
“Come with me.”I returned to the hallway and led Lucian into the storage room where we kept evidence and other supplies.
I sat down at a messy desk and opened the file.“You were impressive back there.Have you ever considered working as a guard?We could always use an extra hand.”
Lucian wandered around the room and browsed through the items on the metal shelves.“What would you have done if I wasn’t here?”
“I have a small injector with Chitah venom in my pocket that’ll take down a Mage.That’s not something I tell my prisoners—it would ruin the surprise.”I flicked my eyes up.“It’s nice to know someone had my back.Thank you.”
Lucian’s security plans were riveting.I jumped to my feet and paced around with the papers.“This is really good.The first option is out.I don’t want electrical fences around the property.”
“Most Shifters don’t, but it depends.Some only shift in the house or don’t wander far, so it’s not a big deal.Tak didn’t want them either, so we compromised on cameras.”
Scanning the document in my right hand, I turned my back to Lucian.“The second proposal is promising.I like the idea of converting the basement into a safe room.Does that mean removing the elevator?”
