Southwest Truths (Semiautomatic Sorceress Book 3)

house was empty and in need of dusting and vacuuming. She wondered how long it’d been on the market.
Tristan sat in the center of the carpeted living room, cross-legged, palms together and head bowed. He looked at the door.
Lyssa closed the door and released her wraith form. “Okay.” She shrugged. “I’m here. I believe you’re not that interested in killing me for now, but that doesn’t mean I don’t think you won’t try in the future.”
Tristan stood up, not revealing anything, his eyes hidden behind his veil. He motioned at her chest. “Has the feeling returned?”
“Yes.” Lyssa patted the hole. “Your emptiness spirits almost killed me. For a guy who wasn’t trying to hurt me, you sure did some risky things.”
“I didn’t say I wasn’t trying to hurt you,” Tristan replied. “I said I wasn’t trying to kill you. A certain basic ability is necessary for you to be potentially useful to me. If not, I would have done you a favor by killing you before they got to you.”
“Wow.” Lyssa scoffed. “That’s messed up. Those things could have eaten my soul.”
“No, not in this case. I took measures.” Tristan knelt and stared at her again. “You know a lot about emptiness spirits. It’s surprising, given your essence.”
“It pays to know about a lot of things as a Torch.” Lyssa shrugged. “If I hadn’t known things about them, they might have killed me or someone else.”
“I would have released them before they hurt a Shadow.”
“So you say,” Lyssa replied.
“Now that I can concentrate, it’s curious.” Tristan cocked his head to the side. “I now understand the source of your rumored power, the showstopper.”
“You do?” Lyssa asked.
Tristan nodded. “With all the sorcery, shards, and spirits summoned at the motel, there were too many distractions, but now I can feel the power of the spirit in your weapons.” Wonder filled his voice. “You could have killed me using that power.”
“You more than anyone know that kind of power comes with a price.” Lyssa shrugged. “I use the showstoppers when I have no other choice, but yeah, having a powerful gun spirit helps me pull off stunts I couldn’t otherwise.”
“The only thing I question is why it’s allowed,” Tristan said.
“Huh? Why wouldn’t it be?”
Tristan gestured at her. “You lack a spirit essence, which means someone helped you bind that spirit.”
“So what? There’s no Society rule saying only Illuminated with spirit essences can use spirits.” Lyssa kept her voice calm despite her pounding heart. Tristan didn’t seem to know what Jofi was.
“A powerful spirit can be dangerous if it breaks free, regardless of type,” he said. “Some far more dangerous than others. I have more abilities to handle an out-of-control spirit than you do, at least without risking your life or, in some cases, soul.”
“You’re not telling me anything I don’t know.” Lyssa shrugged.
“It makes me wonder.” Tristan stood again and Lyssa tensed. “I’ve been trying to understand why Lubon targeted you. He wasn’t a spirit Sorcerer, but one might have set him up. The spirit in your gun is far too powerful for someone like you. Your Elder and the Tribunal must know that, which means they have their reasons for allowing it.”
Lyssa nodded. “They know.” She licked her lips. “Look, I still don’t trust you. You killed Lubon, but you’re denying involvement in the other murder and assassination attempts?”
Tristan nodded. “I’m aware they occurred, but I wasn’t involved. There’s another party behind them.”
“I’ve got some thoughts of my own about all this, but they require me to have a better idea about what’s going on. I’m willing to give information to get information.”
“A fair exchange.” Tristan folded his arms. “I’m willing to entertain it. Depending on what you tell me, it might explain some things I’m curious about. I’ve already admitted that I killed Lubon, and I stand by that, but in the spirit of fairness, I’ll begin this exchange by noting he was on my list anyway.”
Lyssa chuckled. “Your big Krampus-style ‘Naughty or nice’ kill list?”
“Yes, in a sense.” Tristan shrugged. “Though I kill for something far worse than mere misbehavior.”
“And that is the list that you follow even without Tribunal permission?”
Tristan nodded. “Yes.”
“And I’m not on your list?” Lyssa asked. “I want to be very clear about that before we go any further.”
Tristan smiled. “If I wanted you dead, I could have let Lubon kill you without it implicating me. Why spend the effort and time to save you, only to kill you later? I don’t care how people on my list die, only that they do. I don’t engage others to accomplish that.”
“I don’t know you did anything but kill an Eclipse yet.” Lyssa pointed at him. “You say you did it to save me, but that doesn’t mean I believe you. And I still have questions before I give you anything.”
“Oh? Ask one, then.”
“Why were you using emptiness spirits?” Lyssa asked.
“Why do you care so much about the type of spirits I used?” Tristan asked. “I used many different types of spirits in that attack. It was draining and challenging, but it accomplished what it needed to. It tested you.” He stepped back. “Have you had a negative experience with an emptiness spirit before?”
“Not exactly.” Lyssa paused to choose her words carefully and ensure Jofi would stay quiet. “I’ve heard a lot about them. From what I understand, they are somewhat compatible with my essence.”
“Then you know more than I expected. I’m impressed.” Tristan placed a hand over his heart. “Our essences define us Illuminated, and as you might suspect, impact what types of spirits we share maximum compatibility with. I wanted to study those aspects of your essence.”
“Why?” Lyssa asked. The more he talked, the more she suspected he knew the truth about Jofi.
“That’s not necessary to discuss right now.” Tristan moved toward a window and looked outside. “There are questions I won’t ask you because I don’t think you’ll answer, and I see no reason to waste our time. You’ve already confirmed some of what I’ve