Dark Callings (Phoenix Intelligence Agency) (3 page)

Allure dodged, laughing. “I’m with Harmony. I want to know where you got this experience you call vast.”

“I’ll tell you if you really want to know.” Storm smiled, a wicked twist of her lips.
 

They all looked so much alike it was uncanny, even down to their expressions. Allure was more reserved in her manner of dressing and her hairstyle—long, but always in a contained braid. When she was around her family, they brought out her playfulness. Storm was wilder in everything, from her long locks that fell in unruly waves down to her butt, to her clothing, which was what she called ‘bohemian chic’. Storm had a nasty temper, but was usually fast to cool off. Harmony saw herself as being the peacemaker of their family, although they told her she tended to hold a grudge, and when she lost her temper, it was epic. She didn’t believe them. She glanced at Allure and her sister met her gaze. They returned their attention to their aunt, who was rocking back and forth on her flat sandals.

“We don’t want to know,” they said simultaneously.

“But see, now I want to tell you,” Storm teased.

“What are you all over here scheming about?” someone with a deep baritone asked.

“Aunty Storm has something to tell you, honey,” Allure said.

She kissed Vaughn Saunders, her mate, then grabbed Harmony’s arm. They ran off laughing. When they were far enough away, they glanced back at Vaughn and Storm, who was gesturing lewdly.

“That is just wrong, Allure.” Harmony snickered.

“I know, but he’s going to make me pay later.” Allure didn’t sound too bothered by it.

Harmony mimicked Allure, who was leaning against the side of the cabin. Harmony studied the set-up she had done. The meadow, a little distance from the back of her house, had various fun games that were actually team builders. There were many activities including volleyball, baseball and a tug rope with the requisite mud pit between, and a rock-climbing wall. The finale would be obstacle courses that the team would need to use their powers in tandem to get through. With the help of the various beings with powers, she had got a few of the games and other things that were not usually part of the area set up. At the end of the day, they would have food, drink and partying. A shriek of laughter made her glance to her left. Harmony chuckled as her daughter Ebony was swung around, then pitched in the air by Christos Shalamr. Harmony stepped forwards as Ebony flew high, becoming a speck in the sky.

“Christos won’t let her get hurt. He’ll catch her.” Allure gripped her arm gently, stilling her.

Harmony subsided, gaze still trained on Christos. She knew he wouldn’t let her get hurt. For Allure to admit such a thing out loud showed how much she and Christos’ relationship had evolved. A few weeks ago, Allure had still been hurt and angry with Christos. He was their brother-in-law and the head of the agency. When his twin, Allure’s husband, had died many years earlier, Allure had blamed and resented Christos. Vaughn’s return had heralded emotions Allure had had to face. She had accepted Vaughn as her mate, clearing up things with Christos also in the process. Harmony was glad to see them building a relationship. Ebony dropped from the sky and Christos caught her effortlessly before putting her on her feet. Ebony chatted excitedly. Harmony finally noticed the others standing around Christos.

“What are they doing here?” Harmony frowned.

“Christos brought them along. He said three teams are an odd number for this sort of thing, so better to even them out with a fourth one.” Allure seemed to be amused for some reason.

“There are only eight of them. One isn’t even part of the agency. The smaller team doesn’t seem fair against our larger teams.”

Harmony studied Niya—Mother Earth—and Eve, the woman who’d started the agency—they were laughing together. Megara, Cairo, Zola—they were, respectively, assistants to Vaughn, Christos and Ryne—were huddled together chatting, knowing them, they were probably plotting ways to mess with those they worked for. Kaitya, agent of the Tracker Unit, and Cipher, head of the Oracle Psychiatric Investigators Unit, seemed to be in a deep conversation.

“There will only be seven, since Kaitya is now part of the Assassination Unit in addition to the Tracker Unit,” someone rumbled beside her.

“Eavesdropping is not nice, Lennox.” Harmony glanced to her side.

She frowned, not spotting anyone. Suddenly, he detached from the shadows beside her and leaned against the wall. Harmony licked her lips as she took in his muscular, bulky frame. His strong, captivating features made him a devastating man. His onyx skin was offset with silver eyes and hair, which was pulled back in a queue to fall behind him. She didn’t need to see the tail end of it to know it rested just below his firm ass—a butt she wanted to squeeze as she yanked him close and plundered his full, soft-looking lips. Lennox quirked a silver eyebrow.

“Niece. You have a yard full of people who are arriving. Stop thinking of ways to jump Lennox and be a good hostess.”
Storm sent the words in her mind on their family shared path.

Harmony more felt than heard Allure snicker beside her. She reached over and shoved her in the shoulder before stepping closer to Lennox, into his personal space. She raised her head and smiled at him. He didn’t shift his stance.

“As my co-host of this gig, you can decide if we will let Christos join us with his team. Although I still think it will be unfair, since they’re only seven.” She paused. “You’ll fill me in later on what you mean about Kaitya. For now, she’ll be on our team.”

“When did I agree to co-host? I thought I was just a guest to this crazy scheme like everyone else. Only you would think beings with their combined power would be at a disadvantage.” Lennox didn’t smile, but she could tell he was amused.

“When you showed up, you became my co-host. After all, it was our team who initiated it. Everything except the last event will be without powers. So more people would be better, so they could make it to the end. If you think it will work with the people they have, fine.” Harmony shrugged.

“In that case, as co-host, I’ve decided we’ll make all the events with powers. It’ll make it more interesting. As for Christos and his team, let them join. I’m sure they can hold their own,” Lennox stated.

“See? We’re a good blend as co-hosts. Let’s get this started.” Harmony linked her arm with his, pulling him away from the wall.

Lennox came easily, and they joined the arriving agents. As they chatted before they got started, Harmony watched Lennox’s interaction with the others. With those he considered friends, he was more relaxed and open—he was comfortable and joked with them. With Alpha Team 2—their team—he was also friendly, but took on the leadership role. The team responded to him—Lennox was a natural leader. To the agents of the two other teams, he was also friendly, but the closeness he had with his own team was absent.

Harmony stood by his side, pleased with everything. Lennox might not have said it verbally, but she saw since his return from Shadow World he felt he no longer belonged. Usually, she was a patient woman and would have let him work it out for himself, but this time she wasn’t willing to wait. She wasn’t about to let him continue with that thinking. Lennox belonged here with them all. And he might not be willing to admit it yet, but he was hers, and she was not about to let him go.

Chapter Two

“You’ve done enough for the day,” Lennox stated.

Harmony let herself be tugged behind him. Lennox put her in a seat, then gave her a look that clearly showed he wanted her to stay put. Since she was tired, she was inclined to go along with it. He strode away. Harmony rubbed along her shoulders and kept a visual track of him as he joined the buffet line. Music played softly, and conversations flowed over the area. After a day of hard competition, everyone was in a mellow mood. The event had gone better than she’d expected.

“Get that smug grin off your face.” Christos’ tone was mild.

“We have a right to be smug. We kicked all you all’s butts.” Harmony laughed. She turned to Christos.

“You did. Because of it, Niya and Eve are sitting way over there. Thankfully, I can eat in peace without Niya bellyaching over losing.” He grinned widely.

Harmony looked over at Niya and Eve. Niya turned her head, meeting her gaze. Her look was haughty. Harmony wiggled her fingers in a wave. Niya snorted, then winked before returning her attention to the others she was sitting with. Harmony observed the rest of the clearing, filled with tables and people seated at them, eating and conversing. Pleased that everyone was interacting, she gave herself a mental pat on the back.

“You shouldn’t rub it in,” Lennox said.

“It’s all part of the fun of a friendly competition—bragging and good-natured goading from the winner to the losers.” Harmony lifted her head to meet his gaze.

Lennox’s expression was sombre, then a wicked grin spread across his face. Harmony’s breath stalled while her heart raced. Lennox winked. She breathed out.

“Eat.” He placed a plate on the table in front of her.

Harmony focused on the plate, her eyes widening at the sight of the heaped portions of various foods. She wrinkled her nose then glanced at Lennox where he had sat beside her.

“I can’t eat all of that.”

“I’ll finish what you can’t.” He lifted a forkful of food and ate. His plate overflowed more than hers did.

“Where the heck do you put all that food?”

“I’m a growing boy,” he said.

Harmony blinked, then stared. “Did you just make a joke?”

“Maybe.” He focused on his food.

Awed, she watched as the contents of his plate diminished rapidly.

“Since it will be everyone from the agency, we can make it an entire weekend for the next event.” Christos’ words drew her attention. “Make it a camp-out, from Friday night until Sunday night. Days filled with lots of events for teams from different units to compete against each other. Nights of good food, relaxing and mingling.”

“What? I didn’t agree to plan any such thing. Besides, there are hundreds of agents, and I don’t have space for everyone here. And it will interfere with my duties as an agent.” Harmony frowned.

“I could swear you did. And why would it interfere with your duties? Just like this one didn’t, the other one wouldn’t either. You can do both. As for space, you can use the grounds around my house, or Eve’s. Maybe I can even get Niya to agree to let us hold it at her place. Add her Amazonian Warriors to the mix.” Christos’ expression was guileless.

“Don’t try that on me. I did not. And I will not be party to your shenanigans to recruit more of Niya’s Amazonian Warriors for the agency,” Harmony said.

“When you asked for permission for, and I quote, ‘a test team-building event’, I agreed. I assumed you meant this was a test for the bigger event.” Christos had a gleam in his gaze.

“You are not suckering me into this. You know what they say about assumptions.” Harmony folded her arms over her chest.

“They make an ass out of you and me. She just called you an ass, Christos.” Lennox snorted.

Christos’ gaze twinkled. “She did. That’s why you are perfect to take on the task of planning the first annual PIA Games.”

“
First
?”

“Oh yes. It will be a yearly event. The idea you had for this is ingenious. Build unity among the teams as well as the entire agency. It will make us stronger. You will be in charge of the planning. Eve can help you. It’ll give her something to do. Form a committee to help you with whatever you need.”

“I—”

Lennox cut her off. “You might as well give in. Knowing him, he’ll have an answer for whatever protest you have. Accept you’ve been outmanoeuvred. Eat.”

He pulled her hand from where it was folded over her chest and gave her the fork. Harmony ate but she kept shooting annoyed glares at Christos. He didn’t say a word, looking for all intents as if she had already given in. She thought of how his house would work for such an event, the things they could organise. She would use what she had here and expand on it to accommodate the amount of agents. Harmony opened her mouth but Christos spoke before she could.

“June of each year, starting next year. I figure setting up the first one will take the most time and planning. If you start now, it gives you enough time to get everything done by then. After the first, each year should be easier.”

“Stop reading my thoughts,” Harmony said with exasperation

“I wasn’t. I could tell from your expression you were scheming about something. Odds were, since we were talking about the event, it was that you were thinking of.” He shrugged.

“I don’t scheme,” she said, offended.

“You do.” Voices echoed around the clearing.

“Take that back. I do not.” Harmony stood, putting her hands on her hips, and glared.

“You do,” they all said again, then started to laugh.

“Laughing and eavesdropping on conversations is not nice,” Harmony said.

“Just like Pebbles. Lennox is Bamm-Bamm, reining you in,” Christos teased.

Harmony turned her look on him. “Who told you? Gossips. The whole lot of you are gossips.” She waved her hands, to indicate everyone. “And slanderers.”

“It’s only slander if it isn’t true. In your case, it’s true that you do scheme. Although, most of the time, it’s well-intentioned,” Lennox said.