Where the fuckdid Jaxson go?
Commander Wendy Detzer messaged just minutes ago about another daemon breach—demanding every Blade’s attention. My heart pounds with excitement rather than fear. This is why I’m here at Wilder’s wedding. Wendy’s team hasn’t been able to find the gateway these daemons are using to cross into our world. A new breach means a new trail, and my chance to solve my first case as Borealis Blade Commander, earning the respect of my peers in the process.
If I can find Jaxson in this crowd.
Standing in the open doorway, my eyes shift from person to person. Most of the guests are drunk, with flushed faces and unsteady movements. I recognize many of them. They’re the same people who attend my father’s parties back home in Borealis. I usually get invited to those parties, as long as I stay quiet and let my dim-witted half brother, Keris, an elected councilman, do all the talking. That’s what happens when you’re the title-less bastard son of one of Borealis’s oldest witch families.
Now that I’ve been promoted, that’s about to change. My father will be proud of me after I solve this case. When I finally gain his approval, I can openly be with the woman I love.
I spot Keris across the room with his arm around a pretty, dark-skinned witch—his latest conquest. Father stands beside him, shoulders tensing in his suit as I walk closer. Despite the silver pentacle commander’s pin glinting on my lapel, he still won’t speak to me in public. According to him, I’m nothing until I do something toearnmy title.
Focus. I need to find Leigh and Wilder. Wherever they are, Jax should be nearby as the best man.
The bride and groom are gone. Typical. Those two can’t keep their hands off each other. Their happiness stings, but I have to admit that Wilder worked hard for everything he has.
Now it’s my turn.
I push farther into the party. Black figures form an ominous cloud among pastels and pinks. Warring scents of cologne and perfume smother me, mingling with the sweetness of cake frosting.
Jaxson isn’t replying to my texts, which is why I’m back here after giving this room an all clear twenty minutes ago.
Jax needs to stop socializing and get back to work. Wendy is meeting us here to show us the new footage from the CCTV. I hope he brought a change of clothes to go daemon hunting. That gold jacket is a bull’s-eye.
“Excuse me, officer? I need to report a crime.”
Isolde steps into my path, wearing a fitted halter dress. Her golden skin shimmers like the jewelry layered around her delicate, tattooed neck. My feet stop moving.
“Wow, you look…”Stunningisn’t a strong enough word. Neither isbeautiful. She’s breathtaking. I reach for her, but she takes a step back, glancing over her shoulder.
Right. No touching unless we are alone. How could I forget?
I frown, and she exhales. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
It’s far from fine. I’m fucking in love with her—have been since our first day at the Blade Academy. Each time she distances herself publicly, it hurts more than taking a bullet.
Years have gone by since Wilder caught us together. We went behind his back, and yes, it was wrong. But it wasn’t. I initially pursued Isolde to manipulate Wilder; getting inside his head was a skill I had, and I was good at it. He was stopping me from graduating at the top of our class, and I wanted to throw him off his game. Except that didn’t happen. I messed up; I fell hard. She’d never admit it to anyone but me, but she fell for me, too.
Everything between us always felt right. It still does.
I had planned to make our relationship public after I got promoted to commander because I thought no one could comment on what we did. However, Isolde has been acting unusually distant. It doesn’t help that she’s a bridesmaid in Wilder’s wedding while I’m here working instead of being her date.
I bite my cheek until I taste blood. Damn. I really need a cigarette.
“Have you seen Jaxson?”
Isolde blinks, black liner accentuating her apologetic copper-colored eyes. She’s always sorry. I’m so sick of hearingsorry. I want her to own her feelings and openly claim me. I’m not a nobody—I’m the Blade Commander. But maybe a title isn’t enough. I still need to prove I’m better than Wilder to show her we belong together—even more reason to hurry and solve this case.
She shrugs. “Last I saw him, he was with Desiree.”
“That doesn’t help me.” I need specifics, not vague answers.
I should persuade Wendy to meet with me without Jax. He’s clearly not committed to his job. Jax has always been a party guy with no real responsibilities—so, naturally, he’s hard to findwhen duty calls. I wondered if two years living here and working as Domna might have changed him, but I guess I was wrong.
“Is everything okay over here?” Pallas approaches in pristine party clothes that clash with his ridiculous purple hair. He’s off duty tonight, like Jax and Isolde.
Fire flows through my veins. Pallas has been a thorn in my side ever since Wilder brought him to our precinct years ago to work with us. He constantly butts in between Isolde and me, as if she needs saving. The girl carries a gun and fights with fire, for god’s sake. He’s being sexist.
