​Ursula wiped her sweaty palms down the front of her skirt as she walked into the hiring manager’s office for a third round of  interviewing.  She  hoped  that  having  made  such  progress would result in a job offer. She also hoped her palms hadn’t left smears of dampness on the fabric.

“Now, Ms. Cartwright, we’ll need a blood sample,” Mr. Argosie said, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the cluttered surface of his desk.

“A blood sample?” she echoed, questioning the odd request.

“Yes. We need to verify the absence of any illegal substances.”

“Surely, a urine test is sufficient?”

His pudgy fingers steepled under his clean shaven double chin. “Not at this level, Ms. Cartwright. We deal with highly sen-sitive material and a clear and lucid mind is necessary. Besides, a blood test will catch anything remaining in your system for a longer period of time than a urine test.”

Although reluctant, Ursula agreed because she could not refute his assertion with any confidence. With a small smile, Mr. Argosie called in a phlebotomist who entered and drew a vial of blood with brusque efficiency.

“We test for more than the usual half dozen illegal substances, Ms. Cartwright.”

“What just happened down there?” she finally asked. 

I felt my mouth curve in a smirk. “We kissed.”

Her full lips pressed together in a thin line before she replied, “I figured that one out, thank you.”

“Then you’re as smart as Sonya says you are,” I quipped.

She made a sound and I could not quite tell if it was annoyance or humor. “No, really, Sam. I mean we’ve known each other for, what, three years? You’ve never been attracted to me. Why now?”

“I’ve always been attracted to you,” I countered. “I simply never acted upon it.”

Her eyes widened with surprise at my candor. Tilting her head, she blurted, “Why not?”

“Because you weren’t my type.”

“Your type?” Her eyes narrowed, probably imagining some bottle blonde bimbo with big hair and boobs and very little brain.

“Temporary,” I explained. My gaze ran over her lean form and subtle curves. “You’re anything but a one night stand.”

“Oh.” She swallowed. Audibly.
​

Enter to win! 
$10 Amazon giftcard , ebooks of Rowan, Cassia, and Willow - 1 winner each
https://www.silverdaggertours.com/
​sdsxx-tours/rowan-book-tour-and-giveaway 

​“Something besides being shot is tormenting her,” Adrian said. “Her every muscle is vibrating with pain.”

“It’s the steel,” Simon said after a brief moment’s consideration. “Elves can’t tolerate iron and the bullets are probably steel clad.”

“That must be it,” Adrian agreed. “The steel is poisoning her.”

“Look at the edges of the exit wound,” Simon observed, pointing at the back of her shoulder with the finger of his free hand. “The edges are cauterized. The iron burned her.”

Adrian cast an ironic look at his partner and added, “Like silver burns you.” He pondered that a moment and then said, “Since silver burns you and her blood burns you, it’s a good bet that she has silver in her blood.”

A knock on the door captured their attention.

“That must be Elena,” Adrian said. “I’ve got my arms full. Would you mind answering your own door?”

Simon was loath to leave his partner alone with the unconscious and bleeding elf, but saw no other good option since he could not hold her while she still bled. At least the bleeding had become sluggish and thick. He rose and dried his hands and left the bathroom to answer the door.