Fractured Legacy: Aicil Paranormal Files #1

Chapter 2

Jonah

I look over the two girls and their wide-eyed, wordless expressions. They've only been with the organization for three years, and they already have a reputation. For a while, everyone believed the two of them would make it to leadership positions in no time, but since Carlisle has been relieved of his position over the office, everyone in the building is under close scrutiny—especially the newest members.

"Jonah Troyer," I say, introducing myself with a nod. "We should have a talk. Care to join me in my office for a few moments?"

My office. The words still feel strange as they pass through my brain and out my mouth. When I was transferred to the Boston office two months ago, I know that Aicil had something planned. But I just received the orders to come to Ohio a few days ago.

The organization has been a huge part of my entire life, but my dedication to the job could also become blinding, and over the last few months, some shortsighted missteps left me on the out and out with some of Aicil leaders. I knew change was coming, but Chatham, Ohio wasn't where I imagined ending up. It's worse—they're backing me against a wall and hoping I hang myself.

I force a smile to my face and take a step back, ushering the sisters through the office door. Nicole, who according to files is the younger of the two by little more than a year, stands almost three inches taller. That height is in part due to the dressy black boots peeking out from under her slacks. They're both wearing their long, brown hair pulled up—although Nicole's hairstyle seems a bit tamer.

Nicole looks the part of an Aicil investigator, but Kaylyn.... I had really hoped that things weren't as out of hand as The Council feared when I got my orders, but from the look of the bruise forming on Kaylyn's face and the messages I've received this morning, any positive attitude I'd clung to have vanished.

Kaylyn's record indicates a natural intuition that rivals the most experienced investigators. That combined with her strong research background would have made her ideal if not for her sometimes fiery and stubborn attitude. But she's young, new to the organization, and has a lot to learn.

And unfortunately, if I let myself, I could understand her position fairly well. Empathy isn't what I need right now.

Kaylyn's words, I earn my keep, echo in my head. I'd barely reigned in my reaction at the time—torn between laughing my ass off and setting her straight—but I contained it long enough to address them both at the same time. A decision as much about protecting my own ass as killing two birds with one stone.

I follow them into my office and take a seat behind the large oak desk that dominates the room. "Sorry no one was here to take your call this morning. The transition was sudden, and we had assumed that there wouldn't be any problems with a simple pick-up." My enunciation a purposeful jab.

Both girls lower their eyes at my implication, but neither seems eager to explain, so I lean back in my seat and continue. "The Council assigned me to this office because they felt that Carlisle was lax in his leadership, and from what I've heard and seen this morning, I have to agree. While the public may not be fully aware of what we do here, we are a well-known research organization, and you have a duty to represent Aicil on all assignments. Meaning you should act and dress accordingly."

Tapping my fingers on the desk, I glance away for a moment, then lift my eyes just in time to see Kaylyn scowl. Her eyes widen when she realizes she's been caught, then her eyelids fall over her eyes as she straightens in her seat and chomps down on her lower lip.

"Something you'd like to say, Kaylyn?" I ask. I'd been implicitly warned about her tendency to pop off at the mouth, but she pauses, glaring up at me. At first, I think she'll take the smart route and hold her tongue, but she doesn't.