My mind was running in circles, trying to process the conversation. What each one of us said and what could come from it. It only stopped when Blaze brought me an unasked-for cup of coffee. I managed a sip, then paused as I realized she’d flavored it. Tully. I wasn’t sure how she’d found my alcohol stash, or that Tullamore D.E.W. was one of my favorites.

  “Thank you. Thank you. I didn’t know I needed this, but I do. Why’d you put whisky in it?”

  She actually giggled. “It’s what my uncle did when he couldn’t let go of whatever was bothering him mentally. My Aunt Svetlana would fix it for him.” She nudged a coaster closer to me on the end table. “Sip it. That’s what she always told him. ‘You don’t get more until you can get it yourself.’”

  I couldn’t help liking her mischievous smile…and the quiet message behind it. Setting the cup carefully on the coaster, I shifted upright in the chair, rolling my shoulders to loosen the tension. “Thank you again. Don’t worry. I don’t drink much. This’ll hold me for a month.” I raised the cup in salute, and we both smiled.

  “Will!” Matt called, looking shocked from where he stood near the window, his phone in hand. “Who do you think could have been there in the Oval Office with the President?”

  I doubt she sets up her own calls. Why?”

  “The state office just got a call from the Director. The FBI Director. They’re setting up an office in Eddington. From here on out, everything we get goes through me to him. Hanna’s assigned here. I’m here for the next few days to get it running.”

  Blaze’s eyes widened. “Am I the office, or will someone else run it?” she asked him quickly.

  “Don’t know yet.” Matt’s face tightened. “They said there’ll be one or two more agents coming down from the state office. That’s all I’ve got.”

  We all heard Blaze’s phone ping with an incoming text. Her face went pale as she read it.

  “Will, your comments about the FBI and military working together…someone listened.” Matt ran a hand through his hair.

  “The text said that the military’s sending people, too. We’re supposed to share information, work together. They should be here by tomorrow night. We’re not going to be the only center gathering intel, but one of several around the country. I need to get online, reach out to contacts, and see what else is moving.”

  “Shit.” I rubbed my forehead. “Sorry you’re stuck here in the middle of it. I don’t have another bedroom, but the couch pulls out into a bed if you need it.”

  “I’d already booked a room at the Days Inn. Looks like I’ll have to extend it. I’ll grab an Uber.” Matt glanced at the clock.

  “Matt. State office just confirmed it.” Blaze told him.

  “Are you going to need an office, or just a place to work?” I asked Blaze.

  “Don’t know yet.” She shrugged. “But I’d bet we’ll need office space we can rent. Easy parking too.”

  “Let me know, and I’ll help you find something.” I tapped the table, thinking. “If you know where the military’s setting up, do you want to be near them?”

  “Might be smart if we’re sharing info…or not, if it’s going to get siloed.”

  “Got it. I’ll check with a few people.”

  [William of Brinsford:] [Harry] [Hope it’s not too late, but I’ve got a heads up for you.]

  I took a few more sips of coffee while waiting. The warmth and faint bite of Tully cut through the lingering tension in my chest.

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  [Harry:] [William of Brinsford] [What’s going on? Not more bad news, I hope.]

  [William of Brinsford:] [Harry] [Could be. FBI’s setting up shop in town. Military too. Both need space.]

  [Harry:] [William of Brinsford] [Why are they doing that??]

  [William of Brinsford:] [Harry] [Can’t say for sure, but I think the President told them to.]

  [Harry:] [William of Brinsford] [The President! Why would she do that?]

  [William of Brinsford:] [Harry] [Uh, well. I might’ve suggested it to her. We’ll need university number crunchers too. I don’t know how much space they’ll need. The FBI might stay a few months, could go permanent. I’m hoping the military’s temporary.]

  [Harry Sakraney:] [William of Brinsford] [They need lots of computer access?]

  [William of Brinsford:] [Harry] [Probably. Everything runs on computers. Why?]

  [Harry:] [William of Brinsford] [The convention center. It’s wired, has more floor space than the biggest conference room on campus, and can tie into the university mainframes. We’ve got lots of computer trained people there.]

  [William of Brinsford:] [Harry] [I know. I’m editing a book for Bennett Dubs. Know him?]

  [Harry:] [William of Brinsford] [Met him a few times. Stats guy. He’s good with statistical analysis. What’s your plan?]

  [William of Brinsford:] [Harry] [They’re going to need to understand the Game System so the government and military can function within it.]

  [Harry Sakraney:] [William of Brinsford] [Will. You know I hate you even more now, right?]

  [William of Brinsford:] [Harry] [What did I do?]

  [Harry:] [William of Brinsford] [You roped me into this job, and now you’re dumping more on me. Thanks for ruining my sleep. ;)) ]

  [William of Brinsford:] [Harry] [Night.]

  Both Matt and Blaze were watching me. Matt had a cup of coffee, the Tully bottle sitting next to him on a tray table.“Oh well. It’s there to be drunk.” I took another sip, the whisky warming me from the inside out. “I’ll have to check if the liquor store has more. Imports from Ireland might get cut off.”

  I set my cup down. “Harry Sakraney’s the head of the System Response Department for Eddington. He suggested using the convention center as the command hub. It’s wired for data, has the space, and might have office space nearby you could rent.”

  “That might work,” Matt said. “My Uber’s on the way. Mind if I leave this gear here? I’ll pick it up once I’ve got a car…or if you need it again.” He gave me a half-grin.

  “I hope not. I’d rather not go through another day like today.”

  “Don’t bet on it. Once they get their claws in, they don’t let go if you’re useful.”

  I nodded. “I know. There’s good people in government, local and higher up. Just wish it was all of them.”

  Matt unplugged his laptop and tucked it into a padded case. “This goes with me. It’s got the secure encryption and some sensitive info. I’ll grab the rest tomorrow.”

  “Hanna, I need my bag from your trunk,” he told Blaze. “Uber’s almost here.”

  She stood, pulling out her key fob out of her pocket. “No problem. I didn’t get to ask earlier. What was it like? Being a panther? Your claws shredded that Kobold.”

  Matt hesitated, looking toward the window where the streetlights flickered against the dark. “I’m not sure yet. I need to think about it. But yeah…it was a rush. I wonder what it would feel like without so many people around.”

  “You can find out tomorrow,” I told him. “Five Level 1s are usually enough to take them down. We’ve been pairing a deputy or police officer with a couple civilians to give them experience and level them up.”

  “I might take you up on that. Tomorrow afternoon, maybe?”

  “Anytime. I’ll take you out. Thanks, Matt.”

  He stepped forward and offered his hand. I shook it firmly.

  “Thank you for everything. And dinner, too,” he said.

  I smiled. “Bring any protective gear you’ve got. I’ll enchant it for you. It’ll help.”

  Outside, the low rumble of an engine announced his ride.

  “Ride’s here. Good night,” he said, following Blaze out the door.

  I unplugged and moved the lights back to a corner of the living room and left them there. Then back to the kitchen to fill my mug with coffee. No Tully this time. I headed into the office to finish editing the book.

  By the time I wrapped up the editing and sent it off, it was just after ten p.m. Thoughts of the day kept circling, making the work drag as I kept replaying that call with the President. Blaze brought in the last of her gear, gave me a tired smile, and said good night before disappearing around the corner to her room.

  Sitting in my office chair, sipping the now-cool coffee, letting the silence settle around me. Thinking about what I could do, what I should do, and most of all…what I shouldn’t do. After nearly an hour, I had a list. And a decision.

  It was time to go to bed.

  And I did, setting my alarm for 6:30 in case they needed me for the 7 a.m. spawning.

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