Page 27 of Shattered Magic

“We needed to build up profits and pay off the last of the expenses for the building. When we were all set in our little corporation, we started to branch out into other businesses.”

“So, you just paid off the lawsuit?”

“And started one of my own. This time, I have a solid legal team and friends with me. It was Vega who told me about the ways I could get back at Serel in a ladylike manner.”

“By suing her ass off.” He chuckled.

“That would be easy. She’s flat as hell.” She smiled. “No, I want to make her actions public. All of them. I want to expose her family for being culpable in her twisted actions and the stream of victims in her wake. That shit is going to stop now.”

“Well, her attempt to immolate you is not going to win her any friends. The fire mage is babbling about every contract he has been paid for in the last five years. There is a stack of information, and when the team leaves, he will be with them and registered for distance testimony in this case.”

“Right. Well, if he gets loose, I have people I can call now.”

He grinned. “You do?”

“Sure. Folks are very loyal to their dancers, even if we did have an obscuring spell at the entryway.”

“Ah. Smart.”

“Thanks. I have my moments.”

He took her hands and pulled her to him. “I know.”

She was just leaning against him when her phone went off.

“Don’t answer it.”

“It’s probably Vega.” She got her phone out and answered it. “Hello?”

“Vega was dosed. Someone dumped enough aphrodisiac into her shots to make an ogre horny. She felt it and went for help. Arkus is tracking down the man with the drugs. You may want to have someone sent over to the club. Shit’s going to go down.”

“Right. I will call Lonny.”

Zerul asked, “What is going on?”

“Vega was dosed. She didn’t get blind drunk. Someone drugged her, and Arkus is going to find them.”

“Ah. Yes, call the good officer.”

A few minutes later, she got a text from the officer that after finding Arkus, they had located the poisoner who had gotten Vega. It had taken some quick negotiation, but Arkus agreed to leave the man to them and return to Vega’s side.

That last bit was surprising, but it had been handled.

“Well, that was quick.” Zerul was amused.

“Yeah. I guess Arkus has tracking capabilities.” She looked around and found Livia talking with a sandy-haired man in a dark costume with oddly familiar glyphs.

“He has many skills. Would you like to update Livia?”

“Yes.”

They walked over to the table where Livia was chatting with the newcomer, and Hari said, “Eon called. Vega was dosed with an aphrodisiac and got herself help. Arkus found the guy, and Lonny picked him up. Sorry to interrupt, but I thought you would want to know.”

“It’s no problem. Steerik and I went to a college course together. We were just catching up. Oh, he’s your opener.” Livia smiled.

The man sighed and shook his head. “You just had to throw that in there.”

Livia nodded. “Yes. Yes, I did.”

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