Infernal Affairs

Table of Contents

 

 

“I love this series with a passion, and
Inhuman Resources
is definitely my favorite thus far . . . I love the juxtaposition of modern science (verging on the futuristic sometimes) and weird magic.”

—
The Green Man Review

 

“A truly enjoyable urban fantasy filled with magic, romance, and crime fighting that pits semihuman Tess Corday against all that goes bump in the night.”

—
Smexy Books

 

“For people who like
CSI
and its ilk,
Inhuman Resources
is a good urban fantasy version of the forensic genre. And for all the detecting urban fantasy heroines do, it’s fun to read about one who actually is a member of the magical law enforcement.”

—
The Good, The Bad and The Unread

 

 

“Wonderfully detailed, easily visualized, and overflowing in paranormal crime scene action. The aspect most likely to capture the reader’s attention is the author’s talent in developing charming characters who are passionate in both their professional and personal lives.”

—
Darque Reviews

 

“This procedural murder mystery with a biting supernatural edge is enhanced by the interplay of terrific characters. Battis delivers big-time, so make sure to add this series to your must-read pile.”

—
Romantic Times

 

“Author Jes Battis has created a credible mix of science and magic, and the book’s strength is its detail-oriented nature.”

—
Sacramento Book Review

 

 

“Hooks you from the very first line.”

—Keri Arthur,
New York Times
bestselling author of
Mercy Burns

 

“A good old-fashioned murder mystery.”

—
ReviewingTheEvidence.com

 

“Jes Battis takes the readers on a tension-filled journey of murder, mystery, and temptation . . . An intriguing story line; easy, flowing dialogue; and fascinating characters all combine to keep readers engaged, but it’s the never knowing what’s around the corner that will have readers coming back for more.”

—
Darque Reviews

 

“Battis manages to make the world come alive as a workable universe with infinite complexity.”

—
SFRevu

 

“[An] absorbing paranormal detective tale . . . The combo of cutting-edge technology and magic highlights a procedural thriller filled with ominous twists. Telling the tale from the point of view of a stubborn, rule-breaking heroine keeps the tension high and the risk palpable.”

—
Romantic Times

 

“Compelling new urban fantasy [that] mixes equal parts forensic investigation, modern science, and down-and-dirty magic to create something new and different . . . a great start to a new series.”

—
The Green Man Review

 

“Unique.”

—
Night Owl Paranormal

NIGHT CHILD
A FLASH OF HEX
INHUMAN RESOURCES
INFERNAL AFFAIRS

Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.)

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Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa

 

Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

 

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

 

INFERNAL AFFAIRS

 

An Ace Book / published by arrangement with the author

 

PRINTING HISTORY
Ace mass-market edition / June 2011

Copyright © 2011 by Jes Battis.

 

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

For information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

 

eISBN : 978-1-101-51523-5

 

ACE

Ace Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
ACE and the “A” design are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

 

 

 

 

Thanks to people who have written to me in order to express any opinion at all about the series, from appreciation to ire. It’s amazing and humbling to think that readers are actually interested in my characters and their stories. In particular, I need to thank Bea for being Bea, Medrie and Heather for being awesome, and the Cathedral Village in Regina for being such an inspiring neighborhood. Both Roca Jack’s and the 13th Ave Coffee House conspired to keep me awake in order to finish edits. Buy the Book sold me four issues of
The Spectator
for twelve dollars, which is neither here nor there, but still, I’m thankful. The Filipino bakery supplied pork buns, and Mercury kept me in burgers and fries. A lovely dinner at the Fainting Goat helped give me the final push I needed to finish this book. Really, my laptop was the star, though. Thank you,
chiquito
. Where would I be without you?

I was in the middle of cleaning out my fridge
when I heard growling.

Currently, I was surrounded by pickle jars and other condiments, along with an impressive pile of soy sauce packets that I’d found hiding in the vegetable crisper. Nothing close to a weapon.

I heard the noise again. It was definitely coming from the living room. Could it be Mia? I wouldn’t put it past her to be moving furniture at three a.m. But it didn’t sound like furniture. It sounded like something with teeth.

I slipped off the pair of latex gloves that I’d been wearing and placed them gently on the counter. The bulb in the fridge needed to be replaced, and it flickered as I closed the door. Now the kitchen was dark.

I walked slowly down the hallway. The hardwood was cold on my bare feet, but I preferred it to carpet because the wood was more conducive to drawing materia. With each step I tugged a little at the strands of earth energy below me, unsnarling them, convincing them to flow upward into the reservoir that I was building. If I drew too much too fast, I could crack the floorboards, and I didn’t have the money to replace them.

The growling returned. I didn’t sense anything particularly demonic, but higher-tier demons could cloak their essence. I couldn’t imagine why something that powerful would be here, but if it was, I had about three seconds to act before it vivisected me.

It seemed unfair, though. I was wearing an old pair of Derrick’s boxers and my UBC sweatshirt. So much for a dignified departure.

The living room was dark. Nothing but shadows and corners.

I inched forward. I’d drawn enough materia by now to raise a bit of hell, but I still wasn’t sure what direction to go in. Earthquake? If we survived, the repair bill would bankrupt us. A kinetic wave might knock the creature for a loop, but it would also blow out the windows, and we’d just installed new storm glass. There was only so much I could do without my athame, which I’d left on the nightstand. I really had to stop using it as a bookmark.

I moved my hand slowly along the wall, searching for the light switch. The growling started again, and my stomach clenched. The earth materia was buzzing in my ears. It was now or never. Time to look death in the face.

I turned on the light.

The room was empty. I swallowed. Something invisible? I couldn’t feel anything. Why the hell couldn’t I feel anything?

I took a step forward. I heard the growling again, this time closer. It seemed to be right next to me, but there was nothing there.

I took another step, until I was standing next to the coffee table. Silence. Something caught my eye, though. A winking green light. I looked down, and this time the low growl made me jump backward, it was so close.

I swore.

My pager was inching across the table.

I’d left it on vibrate, and it was growling as it moved, inch by inch, about to fall off the edge. The message light blinked green.

“Christ.”