Page 3 of Assisting the Alpha
Now that he’s hopefully reassured that I’m not a threat, I carry on.
“I know last time we talked about me becoming a task force officer it didn’t go well.” Might as well address the elephant in the room head-on.
“You failed the test.”
“Yes.” I was eighteen and desperate to join the people who protect our city. I still am. “That folder contains evidence of my magical training over the past two and a half years.”
Nyoka opens it and starts flicking through the documents. “We’re not recruiting right now.”
“Because of the contract renewal?”
Nyoka looks up. “How much access do they give you over in that admin building?”
There’s a beat before we both laugh. It’s been a running joke for years that admins know everything.
Nyoka’s laugh falls away, and in its place, the tight smile and permanent bags under his eyes make him look older than his forty-four years. “Yes, the BSG contract is up for renewal. Wecan’t recruit when there’s even a small chance the mayor will choose another team.”
“Is that likely?” My stomach is in knots.
I refuse to give up. Not now, not after I’ve put in years of training. I want to make my parents proud. They did so much for this coven and our city.
“No, it’s virtually impossible, but the chance isn’t zero. Perhaps in a couple of months…”
“What about a temporary transfer?” I blurt out. A couple of months for Nyoka is at least six months in real time. I don’t think I can wait that long. “I want to help, Nyoka. Please. Bessie and Zoe deserve to have every person who’s willing and able investigating their deaths, and that includes me.”
I didn’t know the dead coven members well enough to call them friends, but I consider the coven my extended family. Every single one of them matters.
Mum and Dad taught me that.
Nyoka sighs and flicks through the folder again. “You’ve been working hard.”
“I have.”
He closes the folder, drops it on a pile on his desk, and stands. He takes the massive bunch of keys from the top left hand drawer and crosses the room to his cabinet. He purses his lips as he studies the contents before selecting a ring, swapping it for one of the many on his fingers. After locking the cabinet, he shoves the keys into his trouser pocket and heads for the door.
“Well? Are you coming?”
I scramble to my feet. “Where?”
“The basement.”
My heart starts pounding. The task force train in the basement. It’s also where testing takes place.
“Does this mean…?”
Nyoka glances at me as we head down the corridor to the back of the manor. “No promises, Ayo. Let’s see how the testing goes first.”
I struggle to hide my grin. I shake off my nerves, belatedly remembering the envelope I’m still clutching. “What’s this, by the way?”
Nyoka glances at it and sighs, stopping in the middle of the corridor. “We probably shouldn’t talk about that now.”
I frown at the envelope, then rip it open. Whatever it is, I don’t need to be wondering during the testing. I don’t need the distraction.
“Ayo…”
I read a few lines as my stomach fills with lead. “What the fuck? You’re evicting me?”
Nyoka winces. “I wish it wasn’t necessary, but ever since Gina and Fraser had baby Maisie, Fraser’s been working crazy hours on this murder case and Gina isn’t coping on her own. Lola wants her sister to move in. I can’t exactly say no when my wife wants to look after her family and your apartment is the best place for them. I’m genuinely sorry, Ayo.”
