Morthisal struggled to contain his excitement as he sat at his desk on Friday afternoon. The promotion to Jack Sweet's position felt like a small victory in his quest to regain power in this strange world. He tapped his fingers against the keyboard, pretending to work while his mind wandered to how he would redecorate Jack's office. He intended to seek out dark pictures of mountains or volcanoes. They would look glorious.

  "Just a few more days," he muttered to himself.

  The secret weighed on him because he wanted to tell someone—anyone—about his advancement. Several times he nearly called Ronny or Willow to his desk to share the news, but he remembered Jill's warning to keep quiet until the official announcement.

  At 4:00 PM, Morthisal began to gather his belongings. He stood and called for a quick stand-up meeting with Ronny and Willow.

  They both approached and eyed Morthisal's desk, probably noting that he had already turned off his computer and packed his belongings.

  "I must inform you both that big things will occur next week," Morthisal announced.

  Ronny and Willow stood close together, shoulders almost touching. Ronny's hand rested on the cubicle wall. Willow's fingers inched toward his, her pinky brushed against his knuckles. The tension between them from earlier in the week had vanished.

  Ronny's face paled. "Are they getting rid of us? I like being a temp here. The pay is excellent."

  "It is nothing of that nature," Morthisal assured them.

  "Then what is it?" Willow asked, her finger now fully touching Ronny's hand.

  "I shall inform you on Monday. Nay, the company will. It will be a glorious day."

  Willow leaned toward Ronny and whispered, "He can be so weird sometimes."

  "Are you leaving us to go to Hollywood?" Ronny asked. "After your big movie break?"

  Morthisal scoffed. "The film industry is merely a diversion."

  Ronny opened his mouth to ask more questions, probably about the movie business, which seemed to be an obsession with the man. Morthisal glanced at the clock. It was still an hour before the official end of the workday.

  "Tell the team they may all leave work an hour early today," Morthisal declared.

  Willow's forehead creased with concern. "Can you make that call? Will we get in trouble?"

  "It is perfectly acceptable," Morthisal assured them. "Have a pleasant weekend."

  He picked up his belongings and strode toward the elevator, pleased with his magnanimous gesture.

  The bus ride home felt longer than usual. Morthisal replayed the conversation with Jill in his mind, savoring his victory. When he finally reached his apartment building, he climbed the stairs with renewed energy.

  This had been the second day Morthisal had worn his new TENS machine to trickle charge, as he had heard it called. His powers weren't always topped off; if he used them too many times in rapid succession, it could take hours to recharge. Even if he turned the device up to painful levels, it took more time than he would have liked. Still, it beat shoving knives into a power circuit.

  Morthisal unlocked his door and stepped inside. He placed his bag on the floor and stretched his arms above his head. His muscles ached from sitting all day. He headed toward the bathroom, planning his evening—dinner in the air fryer and a strong drink afterward.

  A voice stopped him mid-stride.

  "Welcome home, darling."

  Thalindra, in Penny's body, sat up on his couch, her lips curved into a smile. Thalindra's hair had been long and dyed in myriad bright colors the last time he had seen her. Now, it was jet black, straight, and cut to shoulder length.

  Morthisal stopped in stunned shock. He flooded himself with power and prepared to unleash every bit on her if she made a wrong move.

  "Easy, darling. I simply wish to talk, I promise you. I have been in this world for a few weeks, and I understand what you see in it," Thalindra said, her posture relaxed despite the fact they were both on edge.

  "Are you wearing a robe?"

  "I am." Thalindra nodded, her expression turned serious. "You have good reason to distrust me. Before we formed our alliance on Mythralon, we had a...complicated relationship."

  Morthisal kept his power ready and inched toward the drawer that contained the taser.

  The magical pressure that had tickled at his senses vanished completely.

  "I have, currently, no ill will toward you. I wish to talk, nothing more," she said, her hands open in a gesture of peace. "Well. Perhaps a little more beyond talking."

  Morthisal hesitated. He should take care of her now, while he had the chance. However, he knew from watching documentaries and police procedurals that he had not been in this world long enough to figure out how to safely dispose of a body without getting caught.

  Thalindra stood and let the robe slip and fall open to reveal smooth skin underneath.

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  Morthisal narrowed his gaze and pointed toward the door. "You should leave."

  "You need to relax," Thalindra purred. "Can I run you a bath? Or you can watch me take one."

  Morthisal had to admit he wouldn't mind watching her, but he was concerned that she was using this as a distraction before she tried to slit his throat.

  "You should lighten up. I recently learned of a phone app called Tinder and have enjoyed my time in this world, but none of my lovers so far have been as good as you. Can you and I not find a balance?"

  "I am seeing someone," Morthisal stated firmly. "You need to leave." He remained planted in place, his jaw clenched tight.

  She turned and attempted to taunt him further by lowering the robe to reveal her back. She looked over her shoulder, her lips curved into a seductive smile.

  Thalindra lifted her arms and crossed her wrists. "You can tie me up."

  Morthisal crossed his arms and maintained his stern expression. "I do not trust you."

  "But what about our night together? You trusted me, then."

  "A moment of weakness."

  Thalindra huffed out a loud sigh. She wrapped the robe back around herself and scowled. "Gods, Morthisal. You used to be so much fun. I'm astonished this is how you intend to treat me."

  "I told you, I am seeing someone," Morthisal repeated. "I have a very busy day tomorrow and must be on set early."

  Thalindra rolled her eyes and said, "Can you at least make me a drink while I get dressed?"

  "For what purpose? I wish for you to leave."

  Thalindra dropped the robe on the floor. She placed a hand on her hip and smiled. "This world has much to offer us," she said. Her gaze drifted downward in a deliberate motion. "Pleasures we never had time to explore back home."

  Morthisal turned away from her display. He walked to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. Thankfully, the chilly air hit his face and cooled his cheeks as he pretended to search for something.

  "Why should I consider any alliance with you?" he asked. "You placed a recording device in my home. You spied on me."

  Thalindra stepped closer. Her bare feet padded across the floor.

  "Because we were unstoppable together in Mythralon," she said. "Think of what we could accomplish here. This realm lacks true power users. The humans here have no defenses against our abilities."

  "Our abilities? I don't know what yours are, except you were able to stop me in my tracks. Is that it? Can you make people stand in place? How dangerous you must be."

  "I could stop someone in the middle of the road during traffic."

  Morthisal frowned.

  She leaned against the counter. Her fingernails tapped on the surface. "Dangerous? Nay, Morthisal. I am no danger to you. As for my powers here? You tell me yours, and I'll tell you mine."

  Morthisal frowned again and said, "You should get dressed, woman."

  "I spent weeks studying this world before approaching you," she continued. "Their technology can power our magic. Their wealth can fund our ambitions. Their ignorance makes them perfect subjects."

  Morthisal closed the refrigerator door. He considered her words. "And what of your attempt to bind me with your power?" he asked.

  "A precaution," she replied. "You abandoned me once. I needed leverage to ensure you would listen." She reached out but stopped short of touching him. "We were partners not so long ago. We can be again. This time as equals. I can find it in my heart to forgive you, Morthisal. Does that mean nothing?"

  Morthisal studied her face. Her expression seemed sincere. Perhaps there was merit to her proposal. The two of them would certainly accomplish more than one alone.

  "I will make you one drink," he said. "Then you must leave. I need time to consider your offer."

  Thalindra nodded. A smile spread across her face.

  "That seems fair," she said. "Perhaps tomorrow we can discuss terms."

  "I am busy with the movie tomorrow."

  "The movie?" she asked.

  Morthisal wanted to prove to her that he had been using his time here wisely and that he was still a force to be reckoned with. He told her the barest details of the movie, but left out Yvette's participation. She didn't need to know everything.

  Her eyes widened at the prospect of him in a lead acting role. She nodded along and said, "It makes sense that you would be an amazing actor. I imagine it came naturally to you."

  "Do not attempt to play to my ego. I know you, Thalindra. I know that sly look. Even in the guise of Penny, you cannot hide it."

  Thalindra's face broke into a gentle smile. "I apologize, Morthisal. It seems we both have old habits to break. I have an idea. Why don't we agree to a truce, yes? We can meet once a month and share what we have learned about these humans and how to exploit them."

  Morthisal immediately thought of the bodyguard Jackson Creed. He nodded, keeping his face a blank mask. "Yes. Regular meetings. I agree to that."

  "We also agree there will be no knives in the back."

  "How do you propose to prove you won't attempt any moves against me?"

  "Morth. You and I are in this world. As far as I can tell, there are no others like us. We need this. As much as you may dislike it, you need me. Who else can you discuss Mythralon with?"

  Morthisal tapped the countertop again, fingers drumming as his mind churned. "I shall consider your words."

  "That's all I ask for."

  Thalindra took her time going into the bedroom. A few minutes later, she came out dressed in high-waisted black jeans and a loose-fitting emerald blouse with gold accents. Her outfit looked casual yet expensive, with a thin gold chain around her neck that matched small hoop earrings.

  Morthisal handed her a peach-colored cocktail in a tall glass but did not tell her the drink's name.

  Thalindra took a small sip and leaned against the counter. "This is me showing that I trust that you did not put anything in my drink. I have been expecting you to move against me, but so far, you have not." She took another big sip, her eyes locked with his.

  "I have expected the worst from you, as well," Morthisal admitted begrudgingly.

  Thalindra sighed and ran her finger around the rim of the glass. "Remember how our relationship started all those years ago? With a small alliance. Together, we nearly conquered the world. This world is strange enough without us being enemies."

  Morthisal chewed on her words as she sipped her drink. He knew he could not fully trust her, but an uneasy peace seemed better than constant vigilance.

  "That is all I wanted," Thalindra said with a small smile. "Besides a little time in your bed, but I'll settle for the former." She sucked down her drink in three quick gulps, handed Morthisal the empty glass, spun around, and sauntered to the door.

  "One question, Thalindra. How did you get in?" Morthisal asked. "I was sure the door was locked."

  Thalindra paused with her hand on the doorknob. "I had a key made." She fished a silver key from her pocket and tossed it to him. He caught it with one hand. "Consider this a sign of goodwill toward our alliance."

  "Did you make more than one copy?"

  "Of course not, Morthisal. What do you take me for?"

  Morthisal cursed as she departed. He immediately got on Amazon's website and ordered a small spy camera that he could point at his front door. And a new lock.