“And have said discussions led to a possible solution to the problem?” Jackson asked. “Or have you all taken the politician’s path—lots of rhetoric and little action?”

She elbowed him again, this time hard enough to draw a grunt. “I’ll give you lots of rhetoric and little action next time you want to get lusty if you’re not damn well careful.”

I grinned. The little I’d seen of air fae had made me believe they were all delicate, somewhat fragile beings who often weren’t grounded in any way, but it seemed that belief was very wrong—at least when it came to Makani.

“Both Lan and Grace were rather vague on what this flux might entail,” I said. “I don’t suppose you can clarify it any?”

She was shaking her head even before I’d finished asking the question. “Not even my father can see that, and he has been reading fate for nearly a millennium now.”

I blinked. Even for a fae, that was old.

“All any of us can do is monitor the situation, and provide support for those on the front line when and where needed.”

“Meaning us, I’m gathering.”

“Yes.” A smile touched her lips. “I also believe, in the very near future, that you will need the services of a good secretary capable of providing mystical support.”

“And you’re volunteering?” Jackson said. “Most excellent.”

“Well, it was either me or Lan, and as much as I admire the shaman, he wouldn’t be able to put up with your bullshit for long.” She gave him a somewhat severe look, though amusement lurked in the depths of her blue eyes. “There will, however, be no fraternization during work hours.”

He groaned. “That is nothing short of torture times two. Fate obviously has it in for me this decade.”

Makani raised an eyebrow as she glanced at me. “You already have this rule?”

“It’s a very sensible one, given the amorous tendencies of the fae in question,” I said. “It’d be hard to get any work done without it.”

“Indeed. While those of fire do rank rather high on the overly sexed scale, I rather suspect this one stood in line twice.”

“Ladies, I am standing right next to you both.”

“Indeed,” Makani repeated, her amusement stronger. She reached into her coat pocket, pulled out a set of keys, and offered them to me. “It’s the black SUV at the back of the lot. It’s got full insurance, but please try not to make too much of a mess of it.”

My fingers brushed hers as I took the keys, and again the whispers swirled. Her eyes went wide.

“What?” I immediately said.

“You need to get back to your partner. Now.”

CHAPTER 7

Fear stepped into my heart. I didn’t say anything; I didn’t even question her. I simply wrapped my fingers around the keys and ran for the back of the lot.

“Open the rear cargo,” Jackson said.