Seal of Destiny by Traci Douglass

the keyboard, Wyck stretched back in his chair. “I think our best bet is to sit tight and wait until Argus finds us. He’s after the Seal, and now we know it’s calling to him. Should only be a matter of time.”
    The idea of using Mira as bait turned Kagan’s stomach, but viable options had grown thin. Then there was the problem of the friend. He jerked his head toward Zoe. “What about her?”
    “Zoe stays with us.” Mira tensed, her arms crossed. “I told you, we’re a package deal. Besides, she may be more helpful than you think.”
    Xander’s gaze flicked from Mira to the woman seated alone in the living room. “Explain to me again how you know Argus?”
    “It’s not Argus we know, it’s the body he’s squatting inside, Norman McClaine,” Mira said. “Zoe and I both grew up in the foster care system. McClaine was our caseworker. Somehow this demon figured out the connection and is using the information to get to me.” Mira stepped further into the room. “But I think I know how we can find him.”
    • • •
    “Explain to me again why Wyck couldn’t just hack their system?” Mira frowned at Xander.
    Xander removed his gloves. “The database has a special security encryption. Copying direct from the source will save time.”
    The elevator dinged and the doors slid open. Mira led them out, followed by Zoe and the others. They made their way around a curved hallway in the sunny atrium of the James R. Thompson Building. She came to an abrupt halt before a set of frosted glass doors, the emblazoned logo — a scribbled heart and stick figure family — imprinted forever on her psyche. Memories she’d tried hard to forget tumbled free.
    McClaine’s smirking face above his polyester suit, his rank breath hot on her neck. Sweaty hands groping. The dark interior of a decrepit Buick. His suffocating weight as he demolished her innocence. The running, forever running, through the rain-soaked night toward the blurry gas station lights ahead. Clothes torn and hanging on a body transgressed.
    Kagan’s warm hand on her nape snapped her back to the present. “Okay,
piccola
?”
    She stuffed the memories safely back into hiding, manufactured a smile, and entered the office. Mira approached the dour receptionist and asked to speak with the department head.
    “Your name is?” The secretary gave her a cold once-over. “Did you have an appointment?”
    Mira returned the woman’s cool appraisal as she gave the requested information. With a small, condescending smile, the receptionist directed Mira to the lobby. “Please sit. I’ll see if she’s available.”
    She took a chair beside Zoe in the waiting area before she noticed two members of their group were missing. “Where’s Tango and Cash?”
    “Doing a little recon.” Xander smiled, checking his watch.
    Between the frosted panels, she caught a glimpse of Kagan’s coat as he disappeared through a service door across the atrium.
    “Ms. Herald.” The receptionist called her back to the desk. “I’m sorry. The department head is unavailable. An appointment is recommended.”
    Xander shook his head. She gave the receptionist a parting glare, and they exited into the sunny hallway. Another access door on the opposite end of the atrium opened, and the two Scion walked out.
    “Done?” Xander asked when they approached.
    “Done,” the warriors answered in unison.
    Wyck’s stomach growled. “Now can we eat?”
    “There’s a food court downstairs.” Mira glanced at Xander.
    “Crikey!” Wyck bustled off toward the elevators, jamming the buttons repeatedly while he waited for the others to arrive.
    “
Che palle!
Is eating all you think about?” Kagan yelled after Wyck. He grinned down at Mira, then took her hand, leading her toward the elevators.
    Mira ignored the ripples of pleasure tingling up her arm from their joined hands and focused on the hallway ahead. Xander walked a few steps to her front, his attention focused on Zoe’s backside. He