Alexander raised an eyebrow. That was a mouthful.
“Good. Once that’s done, I want you working out who these attackers are. You have carte blanche. Whatever you need. They wanted my attention…” He paused. “They have it.”
“Understood.” Talia smiled. “I was actually looking forward to discussing the Nakamuras’ thesis with them after the press release, too. Rescuing them should go a long way toward them letting me pick their brains.”
Alexander chuckled. “Yeah. That’s definitely why we’re doing this.” He rested an elbow on the table and propped his chin in his hand. “Let’s discuss Jasmine Sharp now.”
Electrokinesis was pulsing throughout his body. His senses amped to near maximum. He was even expecting it. And still he almost missed the slight hesitation in his friend’s response.
“What about her?” Talia’s smile from earlier faded to neutral as naturally as could be.
The flicker in her eyes had told him everything though.
“I’ve been thinking about renegotiating her contract and offering her a permanent position.”
Talia’s surprise was genuine. “Really? You said you didn’t think she’d ever want to truly join us.”
Alexander shrugged. “I was wrong. That happens sometimes.” He grinned. “Shocking, I know. She’s proven herself invaluable since she started working for us. But it’s more than that.” He took a deep breath and sat back in the chair. “Jasmine… adapted fast. The heist should have bothered her, but she took it in stride. And again when she learned about the end of the world. Even when Max and I confronted King and Queen.”
She frowned. “I wish you’d warned the rest of us about that. We could have been on standby in case things went wrong.”
He sighed. “I didn’t want to put Augustus in that position.”
Talia nodded. “That’s fair. But you know he would have backed you.”
“Of course. But it still would have been a pretty dick move.”
She smiled.
“Which, totally coincidentally, is also why we need to talk about your relationship with Jasmine.”
This time it didn’t take Hyperawareness to catch the shock. It faded as fast as it appeared, calculations racing across her face in a heartbeat. A slight blush was all that gave it away once her expression smoothed out.
“How did you know?”
Alexander smiled. “I don’t really know anything. Just that the two of you have interesting reactions whenever the other is mentioned.”
Talia looked down. “It’s not interfering with our work. And it won’t—”
He waved a hand. “That’s not why I’m bringing it up.”
“Then why?” she asked, meeting his gaze.
“Because I enjoy messing with you.” Alexander paused long enough for the annoyance to reach her eyebrows. Then he laughed. “I’m kidding! Sort of.”
Talia stared at him with undisguised impatience.
“I am thinking about bringing her into the leadership group and arranging access to the serum. If she wants it. The reasons are practical. Besides what I already said, her advice is excellent.” He hesitated. “I wanted to discuss it with you first because I was concerned about how it might affect your relationship. Whatever that is.”
Talia frowned quietly for a while.
He didn’t press.
“I don’t know… exactly… what we are, yet,” Talia admitted. “I’ve been careful because there is a power imbalance between us. I didn’t want that to color anything.”
Alexander nodded. Said nothing.
She took a slow breath, then continued. Careful. “I am trying to remain unbiased, but I believe she would bring uniquely valuable insight to our guild. What I’ve seen of her professionally is that she has an integrity that matches our own. The only concern I have is what you originally said about her not being able to handle our criminality.”
“I agree. Which is why someone needs to take the offer to her and discuss the situation frankly.” Alexander slid the papers across the table. “Auggy and Annie already signed off on the official recruitment. It’s up to her now.”
Talia narrowed her eyes. “You want me to handle it? Why?”
Alexander grinned. The trap had finally sprung. “Oh, you know. I like to think of myself as something of a cupid. Setting people up. First Auggy, now you.” He leaned forward. “And don’t think I haven’t noticed whatever is happening between Annie and Cash. I’ll get to them soon.”
Her expression went flat. “Seriously?”
Alexander nodded sagely. “We gods have to find ways to entertain ourselves.”
Talia huffed, swept the contract into her hands, and stood up. Then she spun on her heels and headed for the doorway without so much as a goodbye, shutting it behind her with a bit more force than was strictly necessary.
Alexander leaned back in the chair and grinned.
That had gone perfectly to plan. Time to call in the next victim.