Free Flare of Promise (Asylums for Magical Threats #3) by Jessie Donovan

listening intently, she didn’t see or hear anything out of the ordinary. No doubt, the mayor had security inside the compound. However, earlier research had shown there weren’t any security cameras due to the AMT Oversight Committee’s mandate, which worked to their advantage.
    It was still a daft place to have a secret meeting since getting in and out would be difficult for the untrained. And no matter what Will Evans said, Gio wasn’t trained for an assignment like this one.
    Rather than worry about what could happen, Millie moved to Will’s side and whispered into his ear, “Once we’re inside the tree line, we should be safe and I’ll allow you to lead. For now, I need to know which direction to go.”
    Will pointed to a spot southwest of the house. With a nod, Millie signaled for Petra to watch their backs before Millie weaved her way toward the spot, careful to stay out of sight.
    When they were nearly to the tree line, she heard a small branch break.
    One second passed, and then another, but she didn’t hear another sound. Maybe it had been a wild animal.
    Taking out the stun gun she’d purchased from a contact in China, Millie inched slowly toward the trees. Everything remained quiet until they were all about five feet inside and shielded from view. A large crash sounded from deeper in the forest. Moving through the trees as quickly as she could without giving away her position, Millie readied her gun. When she approached a small clearing deep in the forest, she halted and blinked.
    Neena Chatterjee stood over an unconscious Giovanni Sinclair, her foot on his arse and a grin on her face. Neena waved. “Hello, Millie. Right on time.”
    Millie surveyed the area but didn’t sense any other threats. With a sigh, she pocketed the stun gun. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
    Neena prodded Gio’s arse with her shoe. “Because I need to keep you on your toes.” Petra and Will finally emerged from the trees. Neena waved at them. “It’s nice to meet you two in person.” She growled and made cat claw motions with her hands. “Although you are much more stunning in person, Leyna Grunwald.”
    Petra aka Leyna frowned and looked at Millie. “Who the hell is that?”
    Millie motioned toward the petite, copper-skinned woman with wild, curly black hair. “May I introduce my boss, Neena Chatterjee.”
    Neena skipped toward them. When she stopped, she took out a baggie and opened it. “Trail mix? I brought my super-secret blend with me today.”
    Leaving Petra and Will to fend for themselves, Millie approached Giovanni.  
    Unconscious, the man looked almost peaceful. There was no hardness to his jaw or tension in his forehead. Of course, with his eyes closed, she couldn’t see the intelligence or cunning in his gaze. For some odd reason, she wanted to slap his face and wake him up so she could.
    But Millie resisted. Her next job was getting Gio out of China. Only then would she have the chance to interrogate the man and get some answers.

    ~~~

    Petra barely had time to refuse the offer of trail mix from the crazy lady before said lady moved between her and Will. Looping an arm around each of their waists, Neena pulled them closer together. For such a petite woman, Neena was strong.
    Petra’s frown deepened as she looked down at the woman. “You’re not what I expected.”
    Neena winked. “I’ll take that as the highest form of flattery.” Giving one last squeeze, Neena released them. “But you’ll get used to it. After all, you now work for me.”
    Will spoke up. “Wait a second, who the bloody hell are you, lady? I never agreed to work for anyone.”
    Neena tapped her chin. “Aw, but you’re wrong. You were working for Gio. Then you agreed to give information to Millie’s boss, which is moi. Since Gio is now my prisoner, that means you work for me.”
    Petra took a step toward Neena. “How do you know all of that? I’m pretty sure Millie didn’t have time to call you between the