Page 62 of Zirkov

She had to admit, she liked having Zirkov with her. His presence had given her the strength she needed to wade through what remained of her apartment. She still couldn’t believe agents she’d worked with in Earth Intelligence for years had planted listening devices in her apartment. Those were the people who should be fighting to prove her innocence. Instead, they’d turned on her. Only Zirkov remained steadfast, believing in her.

Maggie brushed the side of her hand against his. Thanking people for help had never been her strong suit. Years ago she’d sworn she’d never let anyone see her as weak.

Zirkov’s bright silver eyes never left her face. “I think we can return home, Z. We would have seen a tail by now.” All her peers in the L.A. office sucked at tailing, though not as badly as Stenikov. But she had to give him a pass. He had blue skin and horns that stood above a crowd.

“There’s no tail, but I needed to be sure. And daylight doesn’t burn.”

“Excuse me?”

“Candles, wood, paper, even people can burn. But not daylight. Back at your apartment, you said we were burning daylight.”

A laugh escaped her. “It means we were wasting time. Like what we’re doing sitting here. We need to find Var’Len.”

The corner of his mouth kicked up, then he returned to surveilling the area.

She swatted his arm. “You’re sly. Making me think you didn’t understand.”

“You were tense, and trapped in your thoughts, Magdalena. You haven’t laughed or smiled in days.”

“So?”

“You think clearer when you’re not burdened. Laughter seems to… free you.”

“Maybe so, but you can’t just make a person laugh and expect they’ll feel better.”

“I can try.” He spoke to her softer than usual as his pinkie hooked hers.

“Thank you.” The words came to her easily this time. And with it, a smile… for him.

“You are most welcome, Magdalena.”

“What now?”

“You’re deferring to me?” he asked. The shock on his face made her chuckle. He was right. Smiling and laughing helped center her. Or maybe his presence did.

“For now, Z. For now.”

“We wait to hear from Konnitch and Stenikov. If they discovered any connections between the Brotherhood and the dead og’dals, then we’ll start arresting members of the Brotherhood until we get the answers we need.”

“But you don’t believe the Brotherhood’s connected.”

“What makes you say that?”

“If you did, then you’d be with Konnitch and Stenikov, instead of me.”

“Someone needs to guard you.”

“No one needs to guard me. I’m a marshal.” She waved her hand in a circular motion. “You know what I mean. I’m not a marshal anymore, like you’re not a warrior, but those are only titles, right? I still have the knowledge and the skills, and now a weapon. I’m good to go.”

“You’re still healing. The doctors advised you to relax, to give your body the time it needs.”

“Doctors always say that.”

“That doesn’t mean they’re wrong. Your focus wanes at times and you attacked an innocent.”

“He ran off with his balls still attached.”

Zirkov raised both brows.

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