Twinned Shadow (The Shadow Series Book 1) by Candice Bundy (win 10 ebook reader .txt) 📗

“It means you’re offered the position of an intern with the Interspecies Department for one ninety-day trial period. After that time we will evaluate any continuance of the internship based upon your performance, how colleagues respond to your presence, and if there are any disciplinary issues. Also, if there are significant political shifts or fae-human altercations the Institute may find itself in an untenable position. That’s the main gist of the offer, but I encourage you to read through it.”

Her stomach hardened as she considered the implications of his words. The provision was performance based, but it also being tied to peer feedback in an environment where her kind weren’t well tolerated was a setup for failure. Or, rather, an easy out for the organization if anyone raised too much of a stink.

She slumped forward a bit, feeling a thickening in her throat. It wasn’t fair that people who didn’t even know her could decide her fate, but this wouldn’t be the first time. She started mentally calculating the odds of completing her trial period under such inherent prejudice, but then stopped herself.

Becka couldn’t say any of that out loud. The only way out was to push forward and hope she’d stay under the radar. The potential of finding a group where she belonged was still possible here, just dimmer and further from view.

“Okay, I can live with that. I won’t disappoint you.”

“I know you won’t.” He handed her a paper-clipped document. “Here are the terms of the offer, and an agreement to surrender your position at the Institute’s request without protest.”

Becka took the papers, sliding them into a pocket in her backpack. She feared if she read them now her already tenuous emotional state might send her over the edge. The last thing she needed was a crying fit.

“Take a few days to review the offer and then let me know if you have any questions or concerns,” he replied.

He stood up and held out his hand. “Congratulations, Becka. After years of study, community volunteering, mainstreaming, and civic action, you’ve earned every bit of this opportunity.”

Becka rose and shook his hand. A lone tear snuck out. She couldn’t wait for the next call from Tesse to share the news over her long-fought for success.

“Keep your head down and focus on your work and I’m sure everything will go splendidly. Now, you must excuse me, but I am late to my next engagement.” He grabbed his briefcase and ushered her out the door.

Only to come face to face with a stocky fae-touched male in the hallway.

“Oh my, are you waiting here for Becka?” Dr. Traut asked.

Had Dr. Traut realized he’d raised his briefcase up in front of him as if to protect his vital organs from the unexpected fae? Considering this fae was built like a brick house, the man’s reaction to the unexpected and formidable arrival didn’t surprise her. The Great War hadn’t happened in Dr. Traut’s lifetime, and yet the generational fears of fae prowess in battle remained.

Becka didn’t recognize the fae, but because of his short-for-a-fae, broad, and stout stature, she assumed he claimed House Oak lineage. They were almost the same height, which meant he couldn’t be over six feet tall, an oddity amongst fae men. His cropped short hair matched his eyes, which were both a burnished golden hue.

The fae stepped forward from where he’d been leaning against the wall. He sized up Dr. Traut from head to toe, a bemused wisp of a smile curling his lips at the man’s defensive stance.

A small crowd had gathered due to the presence of the unfamiliar fae. Becka caught the tone of the insults the humans spoke, if not the words.

“Hello Becka. I am Quinn of House Oak.”

How’s that for not rocking the boat, eh Dr. Traut? Becka groaned. Whatever Quinn was doing, his timing couldn’t have been any worse.

Chapter 3

The tenor of Quinn’s voice was deep and reassuring, although it might have been the only thing soft about him. He wore a hooded khaki jacket with enough pockets to be deemed tactical over a tailored linen shirt and fae designer jeans. She imagined how the rumbling of his words would feel uttered against the sensitive skin of her neck.

Becka shook her head. What was wrong with her? She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this level of immediate attraction. Who was she kidding... she’d never experienced it. Here stood the first fae male she’d been around in months. Once she’d added the non-conventional pink to lavender ombre highlights to the tips of her hair, she’d scared off most of her fae borne suitors, which had kind of been the point.

“I didn’t know you were still in contact with guilded fae?” Dr. Traut seemed to realize what he’d done with his briefcase, because he lowered it slowly back down to his side.

Traut’s question shook Becka out of her reverie. “Uh... I haven’t been. I haven’t been a part of that world for some eight years.”

“Look...Quinn,” she addressed the fae. “There must be some sort of misunderstanding. I don’t have any business with you or your House.”

Dr. Traut watched Quinn for his response.

Becka’s jaw clenched. Damn it, this fae better not jeopardize my internship!

Quinn frowned and cocked his head to the side. “You didn’t need a ride?” he asked her, smiling with the easy bravado of a man who well understood how his charms swayed those around him.

“No, I most certainly do not!”

“Alright then, my apologies for the confusion. Good day, all,” Quinn replied. He turned and sauntered off, parting the seas of students who’d gathered to watch. People cleared a path for them, most with fearful looks in their eyes at the stout fae storming down their halls. One young man met Quinn’s unexpected presence with a contemptuous sneer.

“How curious.” Dr. Traut said, looking askance at the departing Quinn. He checked his watch. “I really must be on my way. I’ll see you next week, that’s when