The Guardian by Connie Hall Page B

Spirit.
    A library? There were no guards, no fences, no security cameras; nothing that hinted a highly secretive government office existed inside. It looked just like what the sign said it was: a religious library.
    Had she written down the wrong direction for the BOSP office? Or was this some kind of tactic by the State Department to keep the general public out of the office indefinitely? Feds and their tricks.
    Fala started to drive away, when a limousine crept from around the back of the building. It slowly made its way down the drive. NOMED 1 was on the license plate. The windows were darkened and she couldn’t see who was driving. She ducked as the car crept past. And in that instant she recognized the anagram in the name. “Nomed” was “demon” spelled backward.
    Fala hit the speed-dial number for the station and recognized the voice of Lizzy, one of the daytime desk sergeants. She worked the morning shift and hadn’t been in the attack, though her voice sounded on edge. “Hey, Liz,” Fala said, “how about those dogs hitting the station last night. Freaky thing, huh?”
    â€œYeah, terrible. I’ve got a mastiff. I know the mayor will go crazy and outlaw all violent breeds from the city. I’m not giving up George—”
    â€œI’m sure you won’t have to.” Fala knew she’d never give up her own pet, and she quickly changed tracks.The less said about the attack the better. “Can you run a plate for me?”
    â€œSure, what is it?”
    Fala gave her the license number.
    After a few minutes, Liz came back to the phone and said, “That’s registered to… You’re not going to believe this. I don’t even believe it.”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œAdolph Hitler.”
    Fala frowned. Clearly a prankster. Or was he? Was he another of BOSP’s finest agents? Maybe this was the correct address after all. “Thanks, Liz, I owe you lunch.”
    Fala wondered when she would be able to meet that obligation. She’d receive her powers and marry within the week. She should have put in her resignation two weeks ago, but she’d been procrastinating on that, too. Nothing like avoiding the inevitable.
    She made a face as she hung up and exited the Bug. She shivered as she skulked across the lawn, her boots whispering against the frozen grass. She peered behind oak tree trunks, ducked along a privet hedge. When she drew close, the building’s gray walls towered before her. She pressed her back against stone and hustled around the perimeter, checking for a door or entrance or a window.
    Nothing. Just solid stone.
    How had Adolph exited the back of the building?
    Her search took her completely around the perimeter. She kept a cautious eye on a stand of nearby oaks, the street, the lawn, waiting for the charm to warn her that Tumseneha might be hiding somewhere near. But itremained still. Now if she only had a charm to let her know when Winter was around.
    Carefully, she crossed the portico and stood before the doors. She glanced up and had to crane her neck to see the top. One way in. One way out. For the moment.
    There were no handles on the doors, or knobs, or anything, just five inches of heavy wood painted black. Fala ran her hand along the edges, looking for a button.
    Someone tapped her on the shoulder.
    She recoiled, twisted around, and looked into Winter’s unwelcoming face. “Why do you keep doing that?”
    â€œWhat?” He closed the foot of space between them.
    She stepped back and her back hit the door. “Sneaking up on me,” she said, his hot breath sending tingles down to her belly button. He was so close she could feel the heat of his body through their clothes.
    â€œSeems like you’re the one doing all the sneaking.” He slapped an arm on the door, pinning her between him and a wall of solid oak.

Chapter 6
    F ala managed a perfect glare, though his closeness made it hard to