Bound by Magic (The Baine Chronicles #2)(35)

“That’s very plausible,” Elnos agreed, nodding. “It might even be true.”

“Excellent,” Iannis said. “Miss Baine and Inspector Lakin can spread the rumors, the sooner the better. In the meantime,” he turned to Director Chen, “I expect you to check in regularly with the Main Crew on their progress.”

“Yes sir.” Director Chen bowed.

“Good. You are dismissed.”

I turned to leave along with everyone else, but Iannis reached out and placed a hand on my bare shoulder. A tingle ran through my body at the skin on skin contact. “Wait.”

“What is it?” I turned toward him, hoping that he wouldn’t notice the blush stinging my cheeks. Iannis’s violet gaze swept me from head to toe, briefly lingering on the hint of cleavage peeking out from beneath my tank top’s neckline, and suddenly I wished I’d traded it in for something a little more loose-fitting.

“I wanted to ask about your progress regarding the banking scheme. Did your investigation turn up anything?”

“No.” Annoyance flickered in my chest. “I’ve been a little pre-occupied.” Truthfully I had completely forgotten about the bank – the shifter disappearances were more important, especially now that my cousin’s daughter was one of the victims.

“Well get it done today,” Iannis ordered. “You are running out of time.”

“Fine.” I wasn’t really sure why the Chief Mage was being so insistent about this when we had bigger things to worry about, but I wasn’t about to push my luck – he’d given me his trust when he allowed me to have the last few mornings off, and I needed to produce results or he wouldn’t do it again. “I’ll have a report to you by tomorrow morning.”

“Excellent. You are dismissed.”

I turned on my heel and left, hurrying to catch up with Lakin, who was already halfway down the hall.

“Hey,” he said as I fell into step with him. “What was that all about?”

I sighed. “The Chief Mage asked me to look into the interest-free loans Sandin Federal Bank has been offering shifters,” I told him. “He was just reminding me of my obligation, is all.”

“Sandin Federal Bank?” Lakin frowned. “You don’t say.”

I arched my brows at the tone of his voice. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“It could be nothing.” But Lakin didn’t sound so sure. “I went back to Nevin’s house yesterday afternoon to search it a bit more thoroughly, and I found loan documents from Sandin Federal Bank in his files. Looks like he’d taken advantage of one of the interest-free loans.”

“How long ago?”

“Last January, I think.”

“Hmm.” I pursed my lips. “So have lots of others. I’m not sure that’s enough to make a connection.”

“Still, it’s worth checking out, especially if the Chief Mage holds them in suspicion.” Lakin bumped my shoulder as we trotted down the front steps. “May as well kill two birds with one stone, right?”

“Good point.”

Before making our way to Shiftertown we stopped by Sandin Federal Bank, which, as a human-owned facility, was located in the heart of Maintown. It was a large limestone building with a green tiled roof, the name of the company displayed proudly across the front in gold block lettering. Large windows set into the outer walls allowed in plenty of light, and through them I could see that it was just as big on the inside as it was on the outside, with five teller windows and a number of desks and offices where bankers and clerks could help customers apply for loans.

Soft music playing from a set of speakers greeted us as we walked in, along with the strong scent of rich coffee coming from a station set up near the doorway. The station boasted a coffee pot, a tray of mugs and a platter of cookies, an enticing incentive for prospective customers to hang out in the visitors’ chairs and wait for one of the busy employees. And there were a lot of visitors, I noticed, glancing at the row of low red scoop chairs lining the wall to my left. Nearly all of them were occupied by shifters, and there were more people standing on the cream-colored tile of the lobby, also waiting for their shot at a loan.

“Good morning.” A curvy brunette human in a dark red skirt suit approached us, her shoes clicking on the polished tile. Her hair was pulled back from her heart-shaped face in a sleek chignon, her make-up expertly done. “Welcome to Sandin Federal Bank. My name is Aryn. Are you here to apply for one of our interest-free loans?”

“No,” I said, holding up my Enforcer’s bracelet before Lakin could speak. “We’re actually here to talk to your manager. Is he available?”

Annoyance flashed in the woman’s dark eyes, but she quickly covered it up with a warm smile. “I’m afraid Mr. Danrian is with a customer just now, but if you’d like to make an appointment –”

“Do you see this?” I demanded, shaking my wrist so that the bronze shield charm dangled in front of the woman’s pert nose. “This means I don’t need an appointment, and I don’t need to wait. Tell Mr. Danrian that Enforcer Sunaya Baine and Shiftertown Inspector Boon Lakin are here to see him, now.”

Aryn snapped her mouth shut. “Very well,” she said curtly. “Please wait here a moment.” She turned on her heel and walked briskly across the room, her hips swaying in time to the motion.