Hannah Jayne: Under Attack

Dixon’s usually slick smile looked kind. “No, of course we don’t expect you to pay for the damage.”

“Then ...”

I wouldn’t have thought it was possible, but the six-foot, four-inch Dixon Andrade, all fangs and broad shoulders, looked bashful. “I wanted to offer you your job back.”

My stomach flip-flopped. “What?”

“I mean, if you’re still interested.”

“I am, yeah, of course. But—but Nina and Anson have pretty much taken over my old job and I’m not going to take Nina’s job. I guess if you have to let Anson go though ...”

Dixon shook his dark head of perfect, slick-backed hair. “Oh no, of course not. Nina will remain”—Dixon straightened his tie—“under me. This whole situation—with Ophelia and Alex—opened my eyes to a sect of the supernatural world that is currently being underserved. Sophie, I would like you to head up the Underworld Detection Agency’s Fallen Angel Division.”

I felt my cheeks push up into a grin. “Wow, sir, that sounds great. Except, I’m still the Vessel of Souls. Isn’t this going to be ... kind of dangerous?”

Dixon shook his head. “You will have full knowledge of any fallen angel activated anywhere in Northern California—likely before they even know you exist. Alex and I discussed how it would work.”

“Alex. Oh.”

“Besides, I think it’s best to always be one step ahead of the demon—or other—in the Underworld.” He grinned, his fangs catching the light. “So, will you come back to the Underworld Detection Agency, Ms. Lawson?”

I looked at Dixon’s outstretched hand, then glanced back up into his dark eyes. “One step ahead of the demons, huh?” There was a glint from the mirror across the room, and I grinned, then shook his hand. “Well, my grandmother always told me I should keep my friends close and my enemies closer.”

Hannah Jayne lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to the Underworld Detection Agency series, Jayne writes cozy mysteries, young adult fiction, and grocery lists that she never remembers to bring to the grocery store.

When she’s not battling the demons of the Underworld, Jayne shares a house with two neurotic, feet-attacking cats and, like her character Sophie Lawson, has a Kryptonite-like weakness for donuts.

You can find her at www.hannahjschwartz.comor at Hannah Jayne on Facebook.