Page 84 of Polestar
She nodded, understanding that if she gave the order or not, hewouldgo after Analiese.
“Dismissed.”Everyone rose to clear out.
“I’ll call in with an update as soon as we have something,” Jack said.
“Prioritize this project above everything else.”
“Understood.”The line clicked off.
Joey turned, startled to see Carson waiting, hand on the doorknob.He closed the door, returning to speak to Joey eye to eye.
Carson’s jaw tightened as he held her gaze, one fist enclosing the other as he considered his words.
Carson didn’t look older than mid-thirties, like herself.
“We’ve both been on this earth for a long, long time.”
Her lips quirked as she nodded toward the closed door.“Lirikai longer than you.I, a little longer than her.”
His expression remained stern.“This artifact.”
The two words stole away the budding smile.
“If this is what I think it is, Kane, it better not be the political road trap in our way of retrieving our agents.I don’t care about that.Ana’s life is worth more than that.And I’d have thought you’d feel the same about Magnus.”
Joey’s throat tightened.“I do.But, he also understands how important this is too, Carson.And yes, part of my hesitanceisabout the artifact.Magnus knows.He’s always known.He will ride that line.That’s why I’m giving him more time.”
“If he lets Ana—.”
“He won’t,” She cut him off.“He won’t, Carson.I trust him as much as I trust you.”
“If something happens to her…”
“I know.As I said at the top of this meeting, they’re both trained agents.And I have to trustthem.So do you.Now go and help Lirikai pack what you’ll need.I can feel how close we are to shutting this case down.”
Carson grunted, held her gaze a moment longer, then turned on his heel and left her office.
She watched him go, blowing out her pent breath, easing her hip against her desk.“Gods, please let this go therightway.”
TWENTY
Therewasnosenseof time in the dungeon cell that they forced Magnus back into.
All he knew was that if he didn’t find a way out, he’d die.
And that he stank.
When he wasn’t plotting his escape, he was fantasizing about a hot shower with Ana.HisAna.
As soon as he ensured her safety.And he would, because he’d rip the world apart to find her.Theywouldbe reunited.
And when they were, he was going to take them both straight to the shower where they’d cleanse one another, and he’d worship her as he’d done the night before they flew out of Ireland for Barentia.
Only this time, he’d find all the little places he’d missed the first time.
Magnus never thought he’d find a mate.A true mate.
And a fragile human one, at that.
