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

got a decent lead for some of this, or I think I do, but it’s going to require another dangerous strategy. Maybe this is my way of checking in with my frenemy before I head out to do something else stupid, but this time, I’m only risking myself.”

Aisha nodded with a thoughtful look on her face. “Please assure me that this isn’t another strategy where you risk your soul.”

Lyssa grimaced and waited for Jofi to chime in, but he remained quiet. She couldn’t get angry at Aisha for letting it slip. She wasn’t used to keeping those kinds of secrets.

“No, nothing like that.” Lyssa shook her head.

“But you do intend to put yourself out as bait again?” Aisha asked. “You’re going to attempt to draw the rogue to you and finish them off all by yourself.”

“Yes, but this time I’m going to do it on Last Remnant.”

Aisha’s brow lifted. “Last Remnant? That’s your idea?”

“I think it’s a place where I can guarantee there are a lot of shards, security, and Sorcerers. And no matter what happens, nobody will have to explain it to the Shadows.”

Lyssa glanced down at the hint of her holster under her jacket. How did Tristan’s conspiracy and Jofi fit in together?

“I also think,” she continued, “Samuel’s got the wrong idea about how to get through this. We can’t hide from it. We need to find this bastard and take him out. I don’t care who it is or how connected they are. I’ll do what I need to do to protect myself and the Society.”

“Then why are you telling me this?” Aisha’s tone carried something that might pass for grudging respect. “You don’t need my permission. You’re not one to be overly concerned about the opinions of Elders either.”

“Because you almost got killed the last time, and I thought you deserved to know how that investment might pay off.” Lyssa gestured at Aisha. “I also wanted to make sure you weren’t here in pain. I should have been there with you like you were with me after the Houston showdown. I shouldn’t have been hiding, concerned only about protecting myself.”

Aisha objected, “I was fine, and you were still threatened. Besides, I didn’t want you here.”

“Come on. Me being around annoys you that much?”

“If only it were so simple.” Aisha glared. “I didn’t want you to see me so weak and helpless that first couple of days. I’ve always only wanted you to see me strong.”

“You’re damned strong, Aisha.” Lyssa patted her holsters. “And you’re right that I rely on tricks, whereas you have a lot more raw power and…the matter we talked about.”

She’d almost slipped up. It was amazing that Jofi hadn’t been pressing her more, especially after Aisha mentioned Lyssa risking her soul.

Aisha narrowed her eyes. “Is that what this is about? Did you find something else linking to that particular matter?”

Lyssa appreciated that Aisha seemed to be aware of the risk of tipping Jofi off. It might be impossible to resolve this incident without the truth coming out, but she’d prefer to make it to Last Remnant first.

“Possibly.” Lyssa gave her a worried look. “Damn it. I shouldn’t make your decisions for you. I can tell you, but it might put you at more risk.”

“So you keep saying. I’d rather know the truth than be protected like your bratty younger sister, Lyssa.” Aisha offered a mischievous smile. “Have some respect for me as a fellow Torch and someone whose power you have acknowledged. I don’t want you to bring your enemies to my home, but I’d also prefer to know who and what might be coming.”

Lyssa smiled. She couldn’t remember the last time Aisha had referred to her as anything other than Corti, not counting “thieving cat.”

“Let me tell you what happened at the motel I was staying at.”

Aisha’s frown deepened with each new revelation from Lyssa about Tristan St. James and his investigation. Lyssa held nothing back. She didn’t need Caroline to know she could trust Aisha, and she only didn’t highlight Jofi because Aisha already knew the truth.

“This is madness. Your involvement goes beyond reckless.” Aisha pinched the bridge of her nose. “If even half of what St. James suspects is true, you might not be able to trust anyone.” She smirked. “Other than Elders Samuel and Theodora, despite your earlier complaints.”

Lyssa waved her hands. “Okay, I get it. I was wrong about Theodora. I’d say being the Queen of Paranoia is a bad look for me, but I was wrong about some of the details, not the overall picture. Something strange is going on. I don’t know if my brother is linked to it or not, but the only thing left for me is to go forward, both for him and whoever might want to kill me.”

“Then follow your instincts, Torch,” Aisha said. “This threat, if true, goes beyond your family considerations. It’s a grave threat to the Society and needs to be extinguished before it can do more damage.”

“You don’t think I should wait and have the Elders tell me what to do?” Lyssa asked, surprised by Aisha’s suggestion.

“I don’t think you should lie to them, and I question holding back information about Tristan St. James, but if he intends to openly travel to Last Remnant, it’s not as if you’re lying to an Elder by pressing for a trip that was already offered.” Aisha shrugged. “I wish I could come with you, but I think you should resolve this incident as quickly as possible, and I’m still not at my best. No matter what, remember there is a difference between bravery and foolhardiness. Be—”

“Careful.” Lyssa chuckled. “I know. There’s only so careful I can be, but maybe having a notorious Eclipse around will take some of the heat off.”

“One can hope.” Aisha extended her hand. “Remember our deal, Lyssa.”

“It’s pretty one-sided, but sure.” Lyssa shook her hand. “I won’t let anyone but you kill me.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Lyssa wondered if Samuel had a sick sense of humor she’d never experienced.