I came home from work surprisingly early today. Unfortunately, the investigation had hit a dead end, and it wasn't clear how to proceed. So Raen decided to give us all a break.

  Based on Raen's conversation with Goldspire's owner, Grigor Destrian hadn't known our Lizzie. Unfortunately, my gift confirmed that the despicable Armon had told the truth. Moreover, the team hadn't uncovered anything useful either. Besides Olaf Gaspar, the only vitalist in Lizzie's circle that her sister Ariana could recall was a children's healer at their neighborhood clinic. As a child, Liz had been frequently ill and was a regular patient there years ago. But in her teens, the girl's health had completely stabilized and she'd stopped seeing vitalists altogether. Remarkable, really.

  After hearing from the vampires, we'd speculated that perhaps the sister didn't know Lizzie's entire social circle. After all, Ariana lived fairly far from her and couldn't reliably know everything happening in Liz's life. We'd hoped Tyler might bring back useful information, but no luck there either—Lizzie's best friend also insisted there were no vitalists in her circle besides her fiancé.

  Given these developments, Raen decided to send us all home to rest while he conducted another interrogation of Gaspar. None of us objected. The twins rushed off to meet some beauty or other, the shapeshifter disappeared in an unknown direction, and I headed home. This early dismissal played right into my hands.

  Opening my wardrobe, I considered my options. I needed something provocative yet maintaining professional style. After all, I was going to "work." After carefully reviewing my outfits for twenty minutes, I settled on a very fitted knee-length skirt with a high slit in back and a silk blouse whose top button could be undone to show cleavage when needed. And of course, killer heels were essential. I applied light makeup, spritzed myself with a cloud of flirtatious perfume, and examined myself in the mirror. The image would serve my purpose well enough.

  After calling a vex service, I left the apartment, glancing around nervously to avoid running into Lilly. I definitely didn't want to tell her where I was going. She'd never approve. Might even lock me in, knowing her. Of course, I could lie, but I have principles. I try not to lie to people close to me. At least not about important things.

  Fortunately, I didn't encounter my friend. Settling into the back seat of the waiting transport, I gave the address of the place Raen and I had already visited this morning. Only this time, Armon Eider's reception area wasn't my destination.

  "We've arrived," the driver announced after some time.

  "Thank you," I replied, hesitating. For a moment, the thought flickered through my mind to ask Raen for help after all. But I pushed it away. First, I didn't want to wait any longer. Second, I wasn't sure he'd go along with it. He might even forbid me from appearing at Goldspire altogether. After all, he hadn't denied that he always does what he must. So I decisively opened the door and climbed out of the vex.

  Showing my Enclave credentials to the doorman, I entered the jewelry house and walked the now-familiar path, waving off yet another sales consultant. Pausing at the door marked "Archive," I unbuttoned the top button of my blouse and knocked, hoping to find the same employee who'd watched me with interest last time. Otherwise, all my efforts with my appearance would be wasted.

  "Yes?" came a voice from the other side.

  Pasting on what I hoped was a charming smile, I entered. Luck was with me—same man. The nameplate on his desk informed me his name was Erik Krans.

  "Good evening, Erik," I practically sang. "Forgive me for coming so late."

  "Not at all," the man said, his gaze sliding over my figure. Lingering on my blouse's neckline, he continued, "Always happy to help representatives of authority. Especially such... attractive ones."

  Attempting to replicate Diana's walk from earlier, I approached and settled beside Erik. Gazing into his eyes, batting my lashes, I whispered mysteriously:

  "I desperately need your help. Only you can save me..."

  "Of course, I'd be delighted. Just tell me how I can help you?"

  I shot him what I hoped was a coquettish glance.

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  "I need information about the company's status eight years ago—everything you can find."

  The man blinked, releasing my gaze and saying with surprise:

  "But if I'm not mistaken, you're investigating the murder of Lisbeth Vemund, who only joined our company three years ago?"

  I cursed mentally. I was nowhere near Lilly's league as a seductress. I should have just chatted with him first, made sure he was interested. Too bad I didn't have succubus blood. Then this slippery Erik would do whatever I needed without questions. But it was too late for self-recrimination, so I pulled myself together and continued the performance.

  Leaning toward the man, I trailed a finger across his chest.

  "You have such an elegant shirt," I murmured languidly. "It highlights your masculine physique so well."

  The man's breathing quickened, and his gaze dropped to my cleavage again. I noticed beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

  "You're a very attractive woman, mmm..."

  "Just Alice for you," I purred. "You know, I have a completely free and, alas, lonely evening ahead."

  "May I keep you company?"

  "Of course. But first help me with the documents. We absolutely need them." Crossing my legs, I leaned lower, revealing a deeper view of my blouse's neckline.

  The man breathed heavily, struggle evident on his face. I licked my lips and swept my hair over my right shoulder, exposing the curve of my neck on the left.

  "All right, I'll find everything for you," the archivist finally surrendered to my assault.

  "Just please, let this little request stay between us? It'll be our secret, Erik." I shot him another coquettish look. The man's gaze plunged back into my blouse's neckline, and he swallowed nervously. Forcing himself to shift attention to the memory sphere, he began searching for the information I needed.

  Time passed, Erik still gathering documents. I periodically rewarded him with seductive glances and smiles. All that remained was figuring out how to get rid of the archivist's unwanted company after obtaining the necessary data.

  Suddenly the door flew open, and Armon strode in. I cursed mentally again. Taking in the sweating Erik and my seductress appearance with deeply unbuttoned blouse, his eyes narrowed dangerously.

  "Arcaness Lamard, what an unexpected encounter. Didn't Arcanis Thorne already learn everything he needed this morning?" He moved toward us threateningly.

  I wanted to respond with dignity but couldn't squeeze out a single word from fear. Glancing at the memory artifact, Eider said slowly:

  "Of course. Arcaness, would you be so kind as to come to my office? I'd like to have a word. And you, Master Krans, you're dismissed from this moment. You may seek new employment."

  "But Master Eider!" The unfortunate archivist jumped up, looking at Armon pleadingly. "You said yourself to provide cooperation to the EAA!"

  "I also said that if strange requests came from them, you were to notify me first. You just disregarded that instruction. I won't detain you further."

  The man lowered his head in defeat, rose from his desk, and left the archive without another glance at me.

  Well, at least I don't have to worry about getting rid of that guy's advances, I thought inappropriately.

  "Arcaness?"

  Seeing I wasn't rushing to leave the archive, Armon closed the door. I finally rose from the desk, straightened my clothing, and froze like a frightened statue.

  "Fine, if you don't want to come to my office, we'll talk here." Armon exposed his wrist, revealing a bracelet artifact that activated a silence ward when needed. I let out a frightened squeak. "Now then, let's speak plainly, Alice. I cooperated with you and your supervisor, provided all information, archive access, and you show up here in the evening, seduce my employee, and dig for documents that have nothing to do with your investigation. What do you think you're doing, girl?"

  His condescending form of address awakened my dormant fury. I finally found my voice:

  "I'm not a girl—I'm an investigator with the Enclave of Arcane Affairs and a licensed forensic arcanist. And I'm more than certain my father's company had no debts eight years ago."

  Armon laughed mockingly.

  "Even if it didn't, so what? I legally bought it from your mother."

  "If I prove the company was fine, the legality of that sale becomes questionable. And perhaps your candidacy as my father's killer will seem more convincing than it did then."

  "Foolish little girl, how exactly will you prove that? You're nobody, and you were nobody then, which is why even your precious Thorne didn't listen to your ravings. Even your thick-headed father didn't hear you. I know you tried singing your songs about me to him."

  "Don't you dare!" I screamed. "Don't you dare talk about my father that way!"

  "Or what? You really are a troublesome, annoying brat. Should have dealt with you along with daddy and your friend Torian back then, and you wouldn't be underfoot now."

  My vision darkened. I'd known it, known he was the murderer! Blood pounded in my temples, and I lunged at him, aiming for his face. But Eider twisted my arms, opened the door, and shouted:

  "Security!"

  I shrieked and kicked, trying to break free and land even a scratch on this bastard, but he held me firmly. Security guards arrived.

  "Take her to the holding room and don't let her out. I'll contact the Enclave head and report that their investigator has lost her mind."

  "What happened?" one of the guards asked.

  "I found her in the archive demanding unauthorized documents, then she attacked me when she couldn't get what she wanted."

  "Bastard, you absolute bastard! I'll get you, hear me?" I screamed. "You'll pay for everything!"

  "I don't understand what provoked such a reaction. I was simply trying to speak with her calmly. And this is the result," Eider said with feigned bewilderment, and I grew even more enraged.

  Unfortunately, the guards' steel grip prevented me from breaking free. They dragged me to some service area, shoved me into a small room, and locked me in.