Southwest Truths (Semiautomatic Sorceress Book 3)

sorcery and total surprise, but not from more fundamental damage. Samuel’s unknown goons weren’t the only ones who could destroy it with a straightforward attack.
If this was about Jofi, they’d want to make sure they secured him. Damaging the pistols might not be enough, and a big mess would attract big attention. The entire state of Arizona remained on edge over the incident in Cochise County, with National Guard units still activated for rapid response to potential monster incidents in the bigger counties, including Maricopa. An individual Sorcerer was tough, but he wasn’t going to win against an entire military company.
There was something else Lyssa didn’t like about the situation. Samuel had theories and a crime, but no real suspects except for one who he didn’t believe was the culprit. That didn’t speak to rapid resolution. Lyssa had better things to do than hide in hotels. She also couldn’t risk going to her foster parents’ house and getting them involved.
Defense could only take a person so far. Winning the fight required them to punch back eventually.
“Wouldn’t it be better to lure him out?” she asked.
Samuel’s brow lifted. “I’m intrigued. I considered the possibility on my way here, but I thought it unreasonable to ask you to do something that dangerous. A voluntary request is a different matter, but I’m surprised you are so eager. Is this an attempt to prove yourself? It’s not necessary.”
Lyssa took a deep breath. “Look, I need to go to Last Remnant, and I can’t have some crazy rogue chasing my ass while I’m doing it. I’m already going to need to watch my back. This guy might be related to some of the previous incidents, or he might be someone else entirely, and I don’t know if he has anything to do with my brother. I’ve got my investigation to take care of, and I don’t like the idea of some asshole coming for Jofi. And whatever this jerk’s got in mind, it probably ends with me dead.” She shrugged. “So why wait? Why not bring it on and get it over with? I’ll be happier, and the rest of you won’t have to hide in your bunkers.”
Samuel frowned. “Given that it’s likely a rogue, we must acknowledge that a Sorcerer with this level of resources will prove a dangerous foe.”
“As opposed to a guy who can flood a mine with monsters that combine into a giant monster?” Lyssa let out a strangled laugh. “I fight and kill for a living. So I’ll spend a little more time in regalia. This guy wants Jofi that badly? I’ll show him his barrels up close and personal.”
Samuel cupped his chin, the tension leaving his face. “I do have another concern. The approval for your trip to Last Remnant might have precipitated this series of attacks in some manner.”
“Now you’re thinking like me. Scary world I live in, isn’t it?” Lyssa grinned. “You really think that?”
“It’s a possibility, nothing more. It’d make more sense to attack you there or on the way rather than go after the rest of us and then you. The Tribunal has been aware of the Jofi situation from the beginning.” Samuel motioned to her. “I can’t say your plan is the worst one from our available choices, but I can’t risk collateral damage.”
“Blowing my house up isn’t collateral damage?” Lyssa asked.
“No, because we’d only destroy your home and no one else, other than the rogue or his minions.” Samuel’s smug tone had managed to sneak back in. “But in the event of a battle with an assassin, you couldn’t assure such a thing. You can’t act as bait anywhere that risks Shadow injury.”
Lyssa blew a raspberry. “That’s not hard. All we need to do is set up a fake job that’ll involve me being away from a populated area and pass it through Society channels. Be a little louder about it than normal. Anyone who can ID the people involved with Jofi’s sealing will be tapped into that sort of thing already. Make sure this is an internal Society job so the EAA doesn’t get involved, and there you go—no real worries about collateral damage.” She smiled. “I’m sure you can lie to the EAA with brilliant and stunning skill.”
Samuel nodded, eagerness on his features. “That isn’t a half-bad plan, Miss Corti. I’m impressed, though I do question your nonchalance about the potential assassin.”
“I’m not suicidal, but I’ve got a plan for how to handle him, too. We’re going to be waiting for him, so all I need is backup. I just did a big job with a bunch of help, so it’s not going to stand out to anyone as unusual.”
“I see.” Samuel managed something close to a smile. “Most of the regional Torches are on assignment. I was attempting to accommodate you before your trip to Last Remnant. I’m concerned about pulling them away from their jobs. This is an important matter, but we can’t leave other incidents unattended.”
Lyssa shrugged. “I get that. What about Theodora? She wants to help me. Do you trust her enough to bring her in on this?”
“I trust her enough that I’m willing to inform her this job involves a rogue,” Samuel replied. “She doesn’t need to know the rest.”
“Easy then. See if she can pull Aisha. If not her, then somebody else from her region, but preferably Aisha.”
Samuel’s smile ebbed. “This is a matter for an Eclipse.”
“Get one of them, too, then.”
“It’ll be difficult without a specific target,” Samuel said. “That’s one challenging aspect of their deployment. I don’t think you understand how unstable the Society can be without certain guardrails.”
Lyssa cut the air with her hand. “Whoever is behind this tried to kill four Sorcerers, and if you think this involves Jofi, the Tribunal already knows the likely motive. They shouldn’t have to be persuaded of the importance of sending an Eclipse.”
“But we’d not be able to let Miss Khatri or the Eclipse know the reason you’re being targeted,” Samuel replied.
Lyssa sighed. “Damn. The