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She walked over to the , needing a few hts "Prioritize, Sasha, prioritize"

Yeah, right Great idea, but every department head she’d spoken to had pointed out how crucial thewhich requests were ent than others, and who could be counted on for sound advice on the subject

All things considered, Devlin Bane was the obvious choice After all, he knew firsthand what directly i injuries they were subject to She would’ve talked to hi a ti

Granted, she couldn’t bla was that he was deterot that he had no reason to love the Regents interfering in his business, but the situation wouldn’t iive her a chance

She didn’t want to coh, not if she could avoid it After weighing and discarding several possible approaches, she’d finally decided it would be best if she invited hi eyes that followed her every move here at the office

Rather than extend the invitation by e-mail or by phone, she’d deliver the invitation in person Maybe she was being a bit paranoid, but everyone knew there were several world-class hackers a the Paladins With the current atally n of that happening, but she sure wouldn’t put it past theo knock on Devlin Bane’s door The Paladin et over it once she made it clear that she needed his input on how to further is for his men

So far, she’d barely spoken to Devlin, but he and Jarvis, his Missouri counterpart, both had reputations of fighting long and hard for those who served under them If anyone knehat the Paladins needed, he was the , was one of thethe Paladins’ Handlers was a definite bonus If Sasha couldn’t trust their judgment when it carabbed her jacket and headed for the door

Chapter 3

Lare to the ongoing discussion So far no one had said anything ofit was time for everyone to shut up and pay attention

"Okay, here’s how I see it I’ve been ducking Ms Willis, but eventually I’ll have toexactly what she said she’d do: reviewing personnel files,oing--"

Before he could finish that thought, his phone rang Grabbing the receiver, he barked, "Bane here, what’s up?"

He listened briefly before responding, "Thanks, I owe you one"

"Speak of the devil Damn it, just what I needed" Devlin slaathered in his office "Sorry to break up the party, but we have seconds at best to clear out before Sasha Willis gets here That was the guard calling to say that he just let her in through the alley door"

Devlin iht into a file drawer Then he glared at everyone, h

"Damn it, make yourselves scarce I’d just as soon she not see all of you here Don’t want anyone to get the iainst the establishh they had been Devlin had called theents decided to co, especially on the subject of the Kalith living a the Seattle Paladins Trahern led the parade out the door, followed by Cullen and Lonzo, leaving Barak and Lare up the rear

By the time Sasha Willis was due to appear, the Paladins were all back at their desks and looking busy Lare to the shelter He followed Barak across the office

Barak picked up on his situation "If you need a place to hide, you can join Lacey and me in the lab"

Lareht Cullen setout until I need to leave for the shelter"

"Okay, but the offer is always good" Barak quickly disappeared, going the opposite direction fro way around to avoid passing Sasha Willis in the hall

Lare in at his desk with one of theacross the barrier froht him the latest stack when he’d driven down to Seattle for the firstwith their new ads of other Kalith who shared his rare healing abilities fascinating, but right now, he could hardly force his eyes to stay focused on the page Instead, his attention kept wandering toward the other side of the office