"Infrastructure. Gotta love it." Shift sighed and shifted into someone more businessy and matter-of-fact, ash-blonde hair in a tight chignon and white blouse crisp. She picked up the stack of papers outlining some general treaty conditions and guidelines that needed to be met. "Anyone want to take Varstohv?"

"What exactly are we divying up?" Sear asked as she came in from the back bedrooms and settled on the back of the couch.

"Don't fall on me," Kismet admonished.

Sear glanced agreement and returned her gaze promptly to Shift.

Shift answered, "Treaty implementation in law enforcement, government, etc. The treaty calls for three to five percent of us to stay in the business, so to speak." She nodded at Sear. "Voluntary."

Sear sniffed. "Count me out."

"Varstohv's stuffy," Justus commented.

"I like it," Kismet countered. "It's got culture."

"So's Glaston," he replied dryly. He tipped his chin to Shift. "What other cities you got?"

"Bellyn's mine," she said sharply, then shrugged at Protector's odd look at her. "I like it. We've got Riving..." She flipped the page.

Justus stopped her there. "I'll take Riving."

Rachelle cast him a surprised glance. "You want to keep working?" Anyone would have thought he would want out.

He shrugged one shoulder in anything but a casual gesture. "Law enforcement."

Shift made a note. "I'll put you down."

#