Marked For Death: A Dark Urban Fantasy Novel Becca Blake (fiction novels to read .txt) 📖

only family I had left. I wrapped my arms around him, and together we shared the weight of our grief.

***

The lack of windows in the enclosed, crowded banquet hall made it stifling, and if it was up to me, I would have left as soon as we arrived. I only agreed to attend because Orion talked me into it, mostly because he needed me there.

A long buffet table featured various foods and drinks for the guests, and tables with dark tablecloths and floral centerpieces had been set up for those who wanted to sit and eat. I headed straight back to the buffet and loaded up a plate, then took a seat with Orion.

“Commander Orion?” The soft voice came from Celia Lawrence as she sat next to him. She rested her hand on his arm and offered him a comforting smile. “I’m really sorry. For both of you,” she added, looking at me.

“Did you get my report?” Orion’s change of subject wasn’t the smoothest, but I was grateful for it.

“Yes, I did, Commander. Thank you. I do have some follow-up questions for you, but now doesn’t seem like the time or place. Right now, I just wanted to let you both know that I’m here if you need anyone to talk to.” She squeezed Orion’s hand, then turned her attention back to me. “How’s your new partnership with Jacob going?”

“Oh, it’s great,” I said, hoping the sarcasm didn’t break through my voice. I loved having a partner who couldn’t even be bothered to come with me to my dad’s funeral.

“Excellent! It’s so good to hear that. I’m glad…” She paused for a moment, searching for words. “I’m glad things turned out the way they did.”

“Me, too,” I said. That, at least, was true. We were all aware that things could have gone much worse for me after I interrupted the evaluations.

Celia looked over her shoulder. “I should go. If you’ll excuse me.”

Once she left, I looked over at Orion and raised a brow. “I didn’t realize you and Celia knew each other so well.”

“We grew up in Haygrove together—us and your dad. We haven’t been close in a long time, but I always get the impression she feels guilty when she talks to me.”

“Why would she feel guilty?”

“Everyone expected her seat on the Council to go to me.”

“I had no idea,” I said. “You never mentioned that.”

Orion shrugged. “I’m a little bitter about it. I don’t blame Celia, though. She worked hard for her seat, and it’s not her fault Leader Grayson vetoed my nomination.”

“Why would he do that?”

“When my dad was on the Council, the two of them were constantly fighting. I guess he thought I’d be the same way. I’ll probably put my name in for the next opening, though.”

“And, what, hope he’s not around to veto your nomination again?”

Orion gave me a sideways glance. “You said it. Not me.”

“May I sit?”

I had been so focused on my conversation with Orion that I hadn’t noticed Marcus Thorne approaching our table.

“Of course.” Orion gestured to an empty seat.

“I’ve said it before, but I wanted to express my condolences. I know how close you were with Owen, Commander.”

“I seriously doubt that, Marcus.”

Marcus sipped at his fruit punch but said nothing.

“Councilman Thorne, you didn’t go into much detail before. Have you found out what happened to him?” I asked.

“There isn’t much to tell, I’m sorry to say. He and his team were ambushed while hunting a group of demon-worshiping cultists. From what we could gather, the cultists took the liberty of burning the bodies for us.”

I winced. “I see. “

“It’s such a tragedy to lose one of our best agents.” He turned his attention back to Orion. “You may find that your next assignment brings you some closure, Commander.”

“What, a revenge mission?” Orion asked.

“This may not be an appropriate time to continue this discussion.” Marcus inclined his head in my direction.

“I’ll wait for your instructions, then,” Orion said.

“Miss Collins, would you be so kind as to get another fruit punch for me? My legs have been getting so tired recently, and I’d like to sit a while longer,” Marcus said.

I forced myself to smile. “Oh, of course, Councilman.”

There was no way in the infernal hells I was going to be sent away like that.

As I scooped punch into a fresh cup, I glanced at the table. Judging by their stony expressions, Marcus’s conversation with Orion had taken a serious turn. With the two of them distracted, I ducked behind a corner long enough to calm myself and allow the familiar glimmer of invisibility to coat me.

The banquet hall was packed enough that no one noticed me as I brushed past them. When I got back to the table, I stood behind my chair.

“Now,” Marcus said, leaning forward, “I didn’t want to discuss this in front of Miss Collins, but were you aware of what Owen was doing before he left? Did he confide in you?”

His voice was barely a whisper, and even with how close I was, I could hardly make it out.

“No. He kept to himself the week he left. I didn’t see much of him, and he never checked in after he was gone. Not with Riley either, as far as I’m aware.”

“I was hoping you’d be able to give more insight into what he was trying to accomplish,” Marcus said.

Orion’s brows knit together in a tight line. “What exactly do you mean by that?”

“I don’t mean to speak ill of the dead, but Owen Collins wasn’t on official Arbiter business.”

“Well, I couldn’t tell you anything more than what you already know.”

“Couldn’t, Commander, or wouldn’t?”

“Couldn’t, Marcus.” Orion tapped his finger on the table. “I don’t have any idea what Owen was doing.”

“I see. Well, please let me know if anything comes to mind,” Marcus said, getting to his feet. “If you’ll excuse me, I have other mourners to check in with. Will you remind Riley of my condolences and apologize that I left before she returned with my drink?”

“Yeah.