Free Dark Callings (Phoenix Intelligence Agency) by Taige Crenshaw

asking you to. They’ll understand, since every race has weapons or tools that no other should know about. But we will give those I mentioned some explanation about what is happening.”
    “We’ll need a few besides me. They will answer only to me. We’ll come with you, help you track Blagden and his followers. But they number more than you know.”
    “Then we better get started.”
    “Give me a moment to set the pub to rights.” Lupo turned to face the Shadowers.
    He didn’t say a word. Most of them nodded and faded into the shadows. A few remained. The walls of the pub came back into view. The other patrons didn’t seem to be aware of what had happened.
    “This place is built on a veil line, giving me the ability to move it between all veils without anyone being aware,” Lupo said.
    “I can feel how close you are to turning Xiruis . How can you control all this and your shadow?”
    “I will do as I must. See, what happened all those millennia ago finished before the end. You must inform Fyodor of what has transpired. I fear his father will use the cloak to kill him if he has the chance. When you do tell him, when he is ready, Dulé will join him and those left in Shadow World.” Lupo gestured to the orange-eyed and haired man to his right.
    “He will help them work on stabilising the veil. He has a few tricks only ancients know, and it will hopefully help. Fyodor must pick only those he trusts implicitly for Dulé to teach them how to use and wield the Shadow Cloak.”
    “I’ll see to it after we meet at the agency.”
    “We’ll take the shadows, and I will cloak us so no one is aware.”
    Lennox glanced at Harmony. He’d never taken her into the shadows.
    “I’m a Maji ,” she reminded him.
    “It wouldn’t matter. The shadows are like nothing you have seen. Don’t let it fool you. Hold onto me so you don’t get taken.”
    “Yes, Mister Hen.” She rolled her eyes.
    “I’m not a mother hen,” he stated coldly.
    “You get that tone from me, too. It’s freaky how much you’re like me when I was young. I’m glad I lost that edge. Your mother softened me.”
    “I’m not changing,” Lennox stated.
    “No one is asking you to,” Harmony said.
    Lennox opened his mouth.
    “Just nod and agree when a woman is speaking. It will serve you well in many an argument.” Lupo slapped him on the shoulder.
    Harmony’s expression dared him to respond. He heeded Lupo’s words, settling for silence.
    “Let’s get this done,” Lupo said.
    Lennox stepped towards Harmony.
    “One thing. You all can tell Eve after I inform your boss. She is not to come anywhere near me.”
    At the tone, Lennox glanced at him sharply. Lupo’s face was expressionless, the same way Lennox was when whatever he was discussing was important to him. It was as if he was staring at himself.
    “We’ll have to tell her about where we got the information. How will you help us if we have to keep you apart?”
    “You can tell her. But ensure she abides by what I state.” There was a clear warning in his tone.
    Lennox wondered if Lupo’s dictate was due to Eve looking exactly like A’rm Ageddon. He didn’t remember anyone mentioning they were identical.
    “You know no one tells Eve what to do,” Harmony interjected.
    Lupo turned his attention to her. “Tell Niya. She will keep her away from me. I can’t…won’t…face her.”
    Harmony and Lupo studied each other. They seemed to share some kind of understanding. Harmony nodded and Lupo inclined his head. Lennox was curious, but decided to wait until later. He held Harmony’s hand. In a blink, he was in the shadows. A sensation moved along his shadow—he figured it was the cloak. Lupo was in front of him. He glanced at Harmony. Her shadow blazed a rich wine colour.
    “Stop ogling the woman and move.” Lupo chuckled.
    Lennox jerked his gaze away from her. He pulled her behind him as he moved swiftly, leading the way. Seconds later, he pulled off the shadows from around