A female reporter asked, “And will this affect whether or not we will have a wizard registry? Could it have been easier to detect or track Astaroth if one had been in place?”

  Jacob’s jaw tightened. “Perhaps, which is why Mayor Farley and the City Council is moving forward with a wizard registry.”

  A multitude of voices exploded. Aria gasped. She certainly didn’t see that coming, though it looked like Jacob was loathe to announce the news. She wondered if he would resign from the mayor’s office over this. He looked like he hated the idea of a registry.

  “Such asshats,” Harry said. “A wizard who wants to blast people away isn’t going to stop by and register first. What good is that

  gonna

  do

  ?”

  Aria shook her head. She was sure to hear Jacob complain about this tomorrow. “Finish your potion. Once the rest cools, I’ll pour them into vials

  for

  you

  .”

  Harry leaned back, resting his arm on the back of the sofa. He eyed Aria pensively. “You know? We make a

  good

  team

  .”

  “Oh do we, now?” Aria stifled a chuckle.

  “Mmhmm. I think we could make this a thing.” Harry gestured between the two

  of

  them

  .

  “A thing?” Aria said, she narrowed her eyes on him. “Is this your attempt at a

  come

  on

  ?”

  “A little, but I’m mostly offering you

  a

  job

  .”

  Aria’s eyebrows arched high on her forehead. “Doing what, exactly?”

  “It just so happens that I would like a partner in my P.I. business. Based on what I’ve seen the last few days, I think you’ve got the chops for it—provided, I train you first. You can run the office, get some hands-on experience…”

  “Why does that sound like an innuendo coming from you?” she laughed.

  “I swear you’re perverted, Aria. Now I’m always going to be wondering if you’re undressing me with your eyes. I saw the way you looked at me when Sola was trying to get me into those skinny jeans.” He chuckled, taking another swig from

  his

  cup

  .

  She waved a warning finger at him. “Okay, whatever. What about my day job? I don’t want to leave the Volgens family. I’d only be available while the kids are at school and in the evenings—when I don’t have a sin eating ritual to perform.”

  He nodded. “Okay. I can work with that. So are you on board?”

  She pulled her knees up to her chest and thought about it. “I’ll come work for you on one condition.”

  Harry teepeed his fingers, elbows resting on his knees, and sighed. “Why am I not surprised?”

  “Do you want me to work with you or not?” Aria asked, leveling her gaze on him. She twisted to face him, waiting for a response.

  “Yes. I really do think we could accomplish a lot more together.” Harry’s expression grew more serious. “What is your condition?”

  Aria took in a deep breath. On exhaling, she said, “We find my birth mother and sister.”

  Harry ran a hand through his hair then said, “You got it, kiddo. Find mom and sister. Easy peasy.”

  Aria scoffed. “You do realize I’m older than you, right?”

  “You don’t look it.” Harry knocked back the remainder of the potion then leaned back with a sigh, hands folded behind

  his

  head

  .

  Aria shook her head as a knock rapped on her door. She went over to answer it. Margot stood there with a huge smile on her face, and arms full of food and drinks.

  “Surprised?” she asked.

  “Pleasantly,” Aria said. “

  Need

  help

  ?”

  Margot pushed her way past Aria, heading straight for the kitchen. “Nope. You relax. My treat.”

  Aria reclaimed her seat next to Harry. She felt both warmth and a little embarrassment when Jacob mentioned her name on TV, saying that he owed a debt of gratitude to her, Harry, and Benjamin Volgens for their aid in the warehouse.

  “Without them, I wouldn’t be standing here before you today. I’m proud to call them friends and allies.”

  “Well, how about that?” Aria tried not to show how delighted she was, though she was probably red from blushing.

  Margot came and stood in front of Harry. She thrust her hand toward him and said, “Hiya! I’m Margot, the best friend.

  You

  are

  ?”

  Harry looked at Margot’s hand then reluctantly pulled himself from his position to offer his own. “Harry Storm, the partner.”

  “At least starting now,” Aria added.

  “Great, so we are now celebrating for three reasons.” Margot squeezed herself between Harry and Aria, which elicited a chuckle from her and an uneasy stare from Harry.

  “Three?” Aria said at the same time, Harry said, “Celebrating?”

  “Yup. You are both alive and well, which is always a plus in my book, and the new job,” she nudged Aria, bobbing her eyebrows, “and my dad is running for mayor.”

  Aria’s heart palpitated; panic rose within her and formed an iron weight in her stomach. Bruno Jones, Watcher, mayor hopeful. Yeah, that’s not going to cause problems

  Aria swallowed down her worry and forced a smile. She had to pretend everything was okay with hearing that news, for now, but when she was alone with Margot, they would have to have an honest talk. “Congrats.”

  A commotion brought Aria’s attention to her window that faced the street. She went over to look out it, finding a crowd, led by Watchers, forming in the streets. Some of them shouted obscenities and threw bottles. Her head began throbbing in response to the stench of their hatred. It was beginning to feel like Los Angeles all over again, where she was inundated with the vile thoughts, sins, and vices of people until she couldn’t stand it any longer. Their display was like black smoke filling the street, snuffing out the light, and the breathable air. The pain of their actions hit Aria in the gut, forming

  a

  knot

  .

  Margot joined her at the window. “What’s

  going

  on

  ?”

  “Another protest.” The words left a bitter taste in her mouth. In some ways, Cedric Astaroth got what he wanted.

  “I’m so sorry, Aria. People can be so ignorant and cruel.” Margot rubbed a hand along Aria’s upper back in a conciliatory gesture.

  Aria thought of Edwin, of the painful event that broke him, as well as the mass dying-off of sin eaters after the Second World War. “You can’t save someone who doesn’t want to be saved,” they said. Or, “They destroy life, they don’t deserve paradise.” But she wouldn’t let history repeat itself. And now she knew that this would no longer be just another job for her. Sin eating was her vocation, part of who she was. And now, more than ever, she had something to look forward to: the Volgens, her friends, and finding her mother and sister. For the first time in a long time, she did not want to give up. She wouldn’t

  give

  up

  .

  She resolved to do what her sin eating brethren refused. She would help those who could be helped and save those who could be saved, for that was her purpose.

  “Try not to let it get to you, Aria,” Margot said. “I’m sure they will give up soon and

  go

  home

  .”

  Aria wanted to believe her, but she knew that wasn’t the case. She stared out the window, watching the belligerent protestors below. She fought back the tears that stung her eyes. She thought the war was averted, because Cedric Astaroth was unmasked and forced to flee, but she realized now that it had only begun.

  Continue the mystery and magic with Aria, Harry, and Jacob. Pre-Order Book #2 of the Aria Knight Chronicles today! A huge thanks to all of you who’ve been gracious with your time and have left a review. We

  appreciate

  it

  !

  * * *

  ABOUT THE AUTHORS

  * * *

  Alesha Escobar

  Amazon Bestselling Author

  Alesha Escobar writes fantasy to support her chocolate habit. She enjoys reading everything from Tolkien and the Dresden Files, to the Hellblazer comics and classic literature. She’s the author of the bestselling Gray Tower Trilogy, an action-packed supernatural thriller set in an alternate World War II. The trilogy hit the bestsellers lists at Amazon (Top 60 in the entire Kindle store), as well as iBooks, Kobo, Barnes & Noble online, and Amazon UK. The first book of the trilogy, THE TOWER’S ALCHEMIST, is currently free to download at all online retailers and is also available in audiobook format.

  Besides being a loving warrior mom to her six children, she enjoys crafts, consuming more coffee than is necessary, and spending time with her husband Luis, a 20-year art veteran for The Simpsons

  television

  show

  .

  To receive free and discounted book offers from a Alesha, join her Fantasy, Mashups, & Mayhem mailing list today at www.aleshaescobar.com/newsletter

  alesha@thecreativealchemy.com

  Other Books By Alesha Escobar

  The Gray Tower Trilogy

  The Tower’s

  Alchemist

  #

  1

  Dark

  Rift

  #

  2

  Circadian

  Circle

  #

  3

  The Diviners

  House of

  Diviners

  #

  1

  Order of the Black Sun #2 (

  Coming

  Soon

  )

  The Aria Knight Chronicles

  Sin

  Eater

  #

  1

  Revelations

  #

  2

  Short Stories

  Logan

  6

  The Black

  Dagger

  Gods

  About Samantha LaFantasie

  Samantha LaFantasie

  USA Today Bestselling Author

  Hailing from Kansas City, Missouri, Samantha LaFantasie spends her free time chasing her three kids and dog named Fido. Writing has always been a passion of hers, as she’s foregone all other desires in order to devote herself to this one obsession, even though she often finds herself arguing with her characters through much of the process.

  She’s primarily a fantasy writer but often feels pulled to genres such as sci-fi, romance, and others. Samantha became a bestselling author with the Pandora Box Set (which included Made to Forget: Nepherium Novella series—Part One) on both Amazon and USA Today.

  Samantha loves to take time to enjoy other activities such as photography and playing her favorite game of all time, Guild

  Wars

  2

  .

  Other Books By Samantha LaFantasie

  The Nepherium Novella Series

  Nepherium: The Complete Collection

  Heart Song (A Fantasy)

  The Aria Knight Chronicles

  Sin

  Eater

  #

  1

  Revelations

  #

  2

 

 

  Alesha Escobar, Sin Eater

 

 

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