Page 16 of Grave Beginnings

“It’s not because of some power. If that’s why you think I should work with Agent Mao, it might be better not to pair us. I tested at a zero. Got a shiny piece of paper with a sticker that says I’m officially variant with no known ability.”

“Mhmm,” she said, her gaze focused on the band around my arm. Galen stood at her side, unmoving. “Let’s get you security clearance and introduce you to the team, shall we?”

“What about Agent Mao?”

“What about him?”

I sighed, hating starting off on the wrong foot. “Should I move my car?”

“No. I’m sure Angel will take care of it,” she said as she headed for the elevator, Galen at her side. I really hoped prettyAsian guy didn’t tow my car. Finding a ride-share this close to a merge was damn near impossible.

6

Fingerprinted,retina scanned, variant chip entered into their database, and I finally got my ID card, new badge, and was shown to the locker area which was four floors down from the main floor. The elevator ride made me oddly queasy, and I swallowed back bile twice, worrying I’d upchuck. Was it moving faster than I thought? How big was the fricking building?

And was there coffee somewhere?

“I will take you to Mao and he’ll give you the overview of your locker, your office, and a tour of the rest of the building,” Sergeant Hanna said.

I cringed at the idea of pissing him off again. Joe hadn’t been my first partner. In fact, I’d had two before him, neither who liked working with the queer boy. As if proximity made them gay, too. The idea that Mao already disliked me on sight didn’t bode well.

“Mao is protective of his team.”

“His team? Is he my supervisor?”

“Yes and no. Each member of the team has a different role. His is to coordinate based on strength and ability, an event leader of sorts. Out in the field, as he has the most experience, he’s yourteam lead and partner. His job is to keep all of you safe and ensure you have the resources to do the job to the best of your abilities. The rest of the time, you’ll be left to your strengths. Yours is investigation. Angel also specializes in investigation. Ezra is recon and intelligence. Wade is defense. Tiana is communication and media—she’s already got your email ready and your computer set up. Bobby is weapons and tactical equipment. That includes magic related items like grimoires or wands. Do you have one?”

“A grimoire or a wand? I’ve always been more into metal music than fantasy novels. Unless they are romance, ‘cause dark romantic fantasy is a thing.” Even better if they weregaydark romance. We all had our reading kinks.

She smiled, showing teeth pointier than any human I’d ever met. “You’ll do fine.”

The elevator opened to a giant locker room. Signs indicated genders, and even a genderless area with pointed arrows. Mao leaned against the wall near the elevators, looking annoyed.

“Finally,” he grumbled.

“I’ll hand you over to Agent Mao now.” The sergeant raised her brow in his direction. “Reports are on your computer,” she told him.

He nodded.

I stepped out of the elevator and waited for the door to close. He straightened, pulling away from the wall, tension tight in his shoulders.

“I’m sorry,” I said, “for parking in your spot. Can I buy you lunch or something? To make it up? Drive you to your car after work? Grab you a coffee or something?”

His expression cooled a little. “We have a cafeteria onsite. Food is provided.”

That was the best news I’d heard all day. “Please tell me they have coffee on tap.”

“Too early for you, pretty boy? SVs like you are rarely upbefore two in the afternoon. Every floor has a coffee station, even the sleeping bay.”

“SV?”

“Spook Variant. It’s what we call those with affinity for the dead. Let me show you to your locker.”

“How do you know I’m an SV? Was it in my file or something?” I asked as I followed him through a long row of lockers on the men’s side. The place looked and smelled clean and new. Better than anything I’d ever had with the MPD which often stank of BO and urine.

“Your glow,” he said, pointing at my arm.

“I don’t know much about them yet. Was just marked a week ago.”