The Paranormal Council: Complete Series

Chapter 5

ARI

Ari sighed as she filed away her paperwork, glad that the day was nearly over. She loved her job, especially when she managed to save innocent people from being punished for something they hadn’t done. But she just hadn’t been able to concentrate since the moment she’d pushed Bjorn away.

The memory kept playing through her head on repeat. Leaving her to wonder whether she should have just let him claim her. There was more than a small part of her that wanted him to, but she wasn’t quite ready to give up her Council seat yet. Maybe she would be when the necromancer problem was solved, that would at least give herself a sense of closure. But then there was her family. Her sister would be happy for her, and her brothers wouldn’t care, but she couldn’t imagine her parents approving of a mate that wasn’t a fox shifter. Well, her Dad would probably come around, but her Mum was another story.

And yet, the thought that shifters only got one true mate just wouldn’t leave her head. Sure, they could falsely mate, but that just wasn’t the same. That thought always seemed to be followed by a sense of certainty that Bjorn was the one for her.

Her back stiffened as she felt eyes on her, and she turned slowly, knowing who she was about to see. He looked awful, his dark hair standing on end, and his eyes drinking her in as if he was dying of thirst.

“Bjorn…you shouldn’t be here.” Even if there was a part of her that was thrilled he was.

“Ari please, I needed to see you.”

“We can’t be seen together! Imagine what would happen if we were.” Inwardly, she begged for him to say that he didn’t care, that she was more important than his reputation. Despite it all, her heart sunk slightly when he didn’t.

“I found something about the necromancer.” Disappointment welled up inside her now that she knew he wasn’t actually here for her, but she pushed it aside and tried to focus on his news.

“What?” She hated being so curt, but it was either that or cry.

“Male, about 6’3’’, late twenties to early thirties, dark hair,” he read from a small leather-bound notebook, which she knew he always kept to hand. He’d once let it slip that it was a habit he’d picked up from his father, but when she’d tried to find out more, he’d closed off. She’d let it drop after that, already worried about the way her feelings were taking her.

“So, he could be anyone then.” Bjorn folded his arms across his chest, no emotion showing in his eyes. She shivered, not liking this side of him. Especially as she hadn’t seen it since they first met.

“Hardly, there aren’t that many necromancers.” He had a point. Shifters weren’t that numerous, and necromancers were even less so. Or at least, as far as the rest of the paranormal world knew they weren’t. The necromancers were incredibly secretive, not sharing any information about themselves with the other Councils, even when they should. It meant that no one had any idea just how many of them existed, or how powerful, the necromancers actually were.

“Thank you, I’ll send a message to Alden in the morning.” He was the one with the link to the necromancers, even if it was only a tenuous one. They stood there in silence, sizing each other up and both avoiding what they truly wanted to say. “Was there anything else?” She hated sounding so disinterested, but there was little else she could do to hold it together.

“Ari…”

“I have work to do, Bjorn.” she turned away, but could still sense him behind her. He stepped forward, his footsteps not quite quiet enough for her enhanced hearing to miss. She could feel his hands hovering over her arms and silently begged him to touch her, even as she hated herself for being so weak. He sighed loudly and left, leaving Ari to choke back tears.