The Fates, it seemed, had developed a sense of humor.
A familiar rumble of an engine cut through my thoughts. Heavy boots on gravel. The manor door slammed hard enough to shake dust from the rafters.
Only one person would dare enter uninvited and live.
Toren filled my study doorway, seven-foot of orc muscle in faded jeans and a Mystic Ridge Police Athletic League t-shirt. He dropped into the chair opposite my desk, tusks flashing in a grin that promised trouble.
"You look like hell," he said.
"Startling observation."
"No, this is different." He leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "This is your 'I did something monumentally stupid' face. So. What did you do?"
I stared at him, weighing whether to admit it. Toren was my closest friend, which meant he'd enjoy this far too much.
"There was an accident," I said finally. "With a mortal."
His eyebrows shot up. "You don't have accidents."
"I was demonstrating a performance element," I said. "She... reacted."
"Reacted?" His grin widened. "What, fainted? Screamed? Offered you her soul?"
"She absorbed it."
The grin collapsed into stunned silence. Then, slowly, gloriously, it returned twice as wide. "No. Way. You gave a mortal your power?"
"Not gave. Transferred. Accidentally."
"Oh, this is rich." Toren slapped his knee, laughing. "Malrik, Tempter of Souls, accidentally juiced a human. Who?"
I hesitated. That was all the confirmation he needed.
"Oh, you like her," he crowed. "I can see it in your face. Who is she?"
"Charlie, my new coordinator for Scorched."
"No shit." He broke off, staring at me.
My glare would have melted stone. Toren only laughed harder.
"You're enjoying this far too much."
"Damn right I am." He sobered, though, leaning back. Toren whistled low. "Hell. That explains the recent chatter."
"What chatter?"
"Word on the street is there's been a shift in power. Now I know why."
I stilled. "They think it's my power?"
"Some do," he said carefully. "And you know your rivals. If they sniff..."
"They'll regret it."
"No doubt." Toren leaned back, chair creaking under his bulk. "Scorched is right around the corner. Big names, big egos. If you're not careful, someone's going to test you."
I studied him for a long moment. He was right. "Then you'll handle it."
