Southwest Truths (Semiautomatic Sorceress Book 3) by Kal Aaron (the red fox clan .txt) 📗

Lyssa nodded. “How did they kill themselves?”

“Does it matter?” Tristan asked.

“I don’t know.” Lyssa shrugged. “During the mine incident, the guy behind it all had a weird spell to stop him from being healed. It’s obvious nobody wanted someone with a mind or truth essence messing around with him. It’s not like I run into that kind of thing all the time, but it’s also not the first time I’ve seen it. I’m assuming the same for you.”

Tristan nodded. “I was suspicious of the deaths and other strange occurrences around the time of the incident. I always suspected she was targeted by an Elder, but suspicion isn’t proof.”

“Tell me about it.” Lyssa sighed. “My life would be a lot easier if it were. But if the people involved died, why didn’t Helga get attacked again?”

“Because of the ruthlessness with which I dealt with the perpetrators and my clear indication through certain channels that I would avenge the death of Helga Strand.” Tristan's voice was ice-cold. “She did her best to retreat from anything that might put her at further risk, but I continued to follow up on the incident.”

“When was this?” Lyssa asked. “It sounds like it was after M-Day.”

“Yes, it was. About two years ago. As I’ve noted, the incidents of concern have considerably increased in recent years.” Tristan crossed the room and stood over Lyssa. “I’ve given you information, and it’s time for you to grant me the same favor. Why did you bring her up?”

Lyssa considered her options. Tristan wasn’t interested in killing her, but using her as cover to get to Last Remnant might be more about setting up a passive assassination than protecting her. Even if he thought he was justified, she couldn’t risk the Elders or Tribunal deciding she was a rogue who needed to be eliminated. Not everyone could scare people off like Tristan St. James.

“Okay, here’s the deal,” she replied. “I’m hiding in LA for a couple of reasons. One is that I anticipated I might need someone here to help me out. I’m willing to tell you some important things that might help you and me both, but I need to make sure you’re telling the truth.”

Tristan nodded. “How do you intend to do that?”

“I want you to agree to lie detection by Caroline Malley,” Lyssa replied.

“I will not sit there while you take every truth from me,” Tristan objected. “You and she are not prepared for that, and I have no reason to trust my safety that far.”

“I don’t want all your secrets.” Lyssa held up two fingers. “I only want answers to two questions so I can be sure before spilling my guts to you.”

“You still don’t believe me?” Tristan asked, surprised.

“Believing isn’t the same as knowing,” Lyssa replied. “If you’d agree to that, I’d make you answer every question I could imagine. However, in the interests of moving this along, I figure I’ll pare down the possibilities.” She shrugged. “That’s my demand. You let Caroline verify the answers to my questions, and we can talk about where we go from here.”

“Very well, then.” Tristan nodded. “I agree to your conditions.”

Chapter Nineteen

An hour later, Lyssa stood across from Tristan in one of Caroline’s painting-covered receiving rooms. The falsity Sorceress stood between the two of them with a soft smile. Now that Caroline was in the same room with Tristan and Lyssa, it was hard to ignore the contrast between the near-pure blackness of the Night Goddess when contrasted with the white of Tristan’s Snow Ghost and Caroline’s Wronged Innocent. Tristan’s loose pants and shirt were more functional than Caroline’s kimono-like regalia, but the convergence of the aesthetic made Lyssa question what it implied about their essences and their souls.

“Thank you for agreeing to this on such short notice,” Lyssa told Caroline.

The Sorceress smiled at Lyssa. “I do this only because you are the one asking.” Her smile twitched into a frown. “But I don’t like this man being here.” She raised her chin. “And know this, Mr. St. James. This room is surrounded by my security staff, all armed with shards. They aren’t privy to this conversation, but I need only say but one word for them to flood this room and kill you.”

“He’s not here for you, Caroline,” Lyssa said. “I’m the one who insisted he come. I owe you one for this, but I wouldn’t tell anyone we were here. It’s for your safety. Once I’ve asked my two questions, we’ll get the hell out of here and leave you alone.”

Caroline nodded. “Secrets protect in different ways.” She held out her hands. “Take my hands, Mr. St. James. We’ll find out if you’re lying. From there, I’ll leave it up to Lyssa.”

Tristan offered his hands with a nod as he looked at Lyssa. “Only the two questions. I’ll refuse to answer any others, no matter what.”

“Fair enough,” Lyssa replied. “Okay, first question. Are you planning to kill me when this is all over?”

“No,” Tristan said firmly, “I have no intention of killing you unless I discover that you are serving corrupt powers that threaten the Society.”

Caroline nodded at Lyssa. “He speaks the truth.”

“See?” Lyssa chuckled. “That wasn’t so hard. Now, let’s move onto the second question. Were you involved in the assassination of Lee and the attempts on me and the others, with the exception of the man we already talked about?”

“No,” Tristan replied.

Caroline sucked in a breath. Lyssa wasn’t sure how much Samuel let people know about the assassinations, but he hadn’t ordered her to keep the incident secret from other Illuminated.

“He’s telling the truth,” Caroline said. She pulled her hands away. “I apologize for being rude, but I must insist you both leave immediately. I don’t want any further part in whatever dark web you’re both ensnared in.”

“Thanks, Caroline.” Lyssa inclined her head at the door. “Just have one of your men take us back to the car.”

“Back to the house?” Lyssa asked as she passed through the gate