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shorter. 
    “Then you would not be surprised to know that Ava Clairmont prizes the protection of our world above all else.  A magical object that she imbued with the power of protection has been stolen.  I’ve been asked to retrieve it.”
    Annika did nothing more than watch Kieran with a bland expression on her face.  She wasn’t showing real interest, but she wasn’t showing any real disinterest either.
    Taking another small sip of her juice, Annika asked, “So why are you telling me this?”
    “Because I want to enlist your help to retrieve the object.”
    Kieran was watching her closely and he saw a flicker of surprise in her eyes, and then it was gone.  Back in place was the bland expression.
    “I’m flattered, but why me?”  She sounded bored.
    “You demonstrated well enough last night why your skills would be useful.  Your ability to glamour will get us into places we wouldn’t ordinarily be able to access.”
    Annika’s gaze drifted off to the window overlooking the skyline.  She was silent for several long seconds, and he assumed she was processing what he had just told her.  He started gearing himself up for the negotiation of her price. 
    He had no clue what motivated her or what her needs were, but he was willing to pay a hefty price to get her cooperation.  The Clairmonts were sinfully rich and it was easy enough to exchange Ava’s wealth into American dollars if that was needed to convince Annika to help.  Whatever she said next would give him a clue as to how she could be bought.
    Annika finished off the juice in her glass and set it at the table. She stood up from the couch and looked at Kieran.  “I really appreciate the offer, but I’m just not interested.  I wish you and Ava the best of luck.”  Annika turned to walk back into the bedroom.
    Dumbfounded, Kieran just watched her.  He couldn’t believe she just flat out refused without even naming a price.  He followed her.
    Annika was sitting on the bed, buckling up those sexy shoes when he walked in.  He wondered if there were any other condoms hidden in them. 
    “You are just going to say no without even hearing what I have to offer you?”
    She gave him a little smile and shrugged her shoulders.  “I really don’t need anything.  Thus, I doubt there is anything you could offer to entice me.”
    Kieran was stumped.  He had no clue what to say.  Annika stood from the bed, both shoes firmly in place and walked up to him.  She wrapped her arms around his neck, lacing her fingers in his hair. She pressed her body up to his.  Lifting her face up, she planted a small kiss on his cheek.  Then she moved her lips to his ear to whisper. 
    “Last night was fantastic.  Thank you.”
    Kieran watched as she walked out of the bedroom.  He didn’t bother to follow.  He had to regroup and figure out what to do.  He heard the suite door open, and then softly shut. 
    Grabbing his grounding object, he decided a quick trip to Kestevayne to discuss this with Ava and Carrick was what he needed.
     
     

CHAPTER 6
     
    Annika Foss sat at her desk, running through some paperwork.  It was 10:00pm and the boom of techno music playing out in the club slightly vibrated under her feet.  The door opened and Marcus stuck his head in the door.  The music amplified by tenfold.  It was the reason she had her office soundproofed.
    “Hey, boss.  Cindi didn’t show up for her shift so I called Tama in to take her spot.  Everything else is rolling smoothly tonight.”
    Annika looked up at Marcus Grayson.  He was her manager and one of the few she could count as a friend.  He was also an ex-pat from Vryonas.  He helped her run Itch as well as her other enterprises. 
    “Keep an eye on Tama. I had heard from one of the girls that she has been selling alcohol to some underage customers.  All I need right now is for ABC to bust us on that.”
    “Will do.”  Marcus walked in farther, closing the door behind him.  He leaned back