Dark Light by Randy Wayne White

needs me.”
    The door of the newsroom slammed open. Kay Alcantara stood in the opening. Phil Trager and Matt Delaney were directly behind her.
    Kay planted a hand over her heart and gave Sierra an anguished glare.
    â€œSay it isn’t so,” Kay pleaded. “Say you aren’t actually planning to marry the new head of the Crystal Guild and that you forgot to tell your very best friend in the entire world that you had been dating him in secret for lord knows how long.”
    Kay was Sierra’s age, a tall, vivacious woman with a long mane of discreetly enhanced red hair and an Amazonian body.
    Sierra felt herself turning pink. “Well, it isn’t quite like that.”
    Kay grinned. “Of course it isn’t. As if you would actually marry anyone connected to the Guild. The rumor will make a great scoop for the Curtain tomorrow, though.”
    â€œHot damn,” Matt said. He rubbed his hands together and looked hopefully at Runtley. “Can I write the story, boss? Please. I’ll do you proud, I promise.”
    â€œHey, I’ve got the perfect headline,” Phil announced. “ ‘Guild Boss Weds Mystery Woman in Secret Ceremony.’ ”
    Sierra glowered. “There’s nothing secret about it. We’re due at the registrar’s office at five this afternoon, and by the way, this is my story.”
    â€œYou can’t write it,” Runtley said, unequivocal. “You’re the subject.”
    â€œNot fair.” Sierra shot to her feet. “I’m the one who is sacrificing her, uh, whatever, for this story. I deserve to write it.”
    â€œKay writes up the wedding,” Runtley said. “And that’s final.”
    â€œThanks, boss,” Kay said, face alight with anticipation. “Can’t wait to get back to my computer.”
    â€œYou can’t write the story yet,” Sierra said. She glanced at her watch. “I’m not going to get married for another two hours.”
    Kay laughed. “Since when has a little detail like a timeline ever stopped an intrepid reporter for the Curtain ? After all, I’m going to get the background directly from you, right? Of course, I’ll want a detailed account of the wedding night, too, but that can wait until tomorrow, I guess.”
    It could wait forever, Sierra thought, because there wasn’t going to be a wedding night.
    â€œHoly dust bunny,” Phil said, patting Elvis. “This is going to be the biggest story since we broke the news that you somehow made it through the Curtain, King.”
    Elvis chortled happily and ate another bite of his sandwich.
    Kay sat down on a corner of Sierra’s desk and crossed her long legs. “Tell me everything. How long have you been secretly dating Fontana?”
    â€œNot very long,” Sierra said quickly.
    â€œHow the hell did you two meet?” Matt demanded.
    â€œIn the course of my investigation,” Sierra said with what she thought was commendable cool. “He was a powerful member of the Council, as you know, and I wanted some answers from him.”
    â€œWell?” Phil wiggled his brows. “Get any?”
    Everyone glowered at him.
    â€œAnswers, I mean,” Phil said hastily.
    Sierra folded her hands on the desk. “Let’s just say that I am convinced that Fontana is no Brock Jenner. He will run a very different Guild.”
    There was a short, startled silence. Phil, Matt, and Kay looked at each other. Then they turned to Runtley, who merely shrugged his heavy shoulders.
    Kay stared at Sierra with an expression of dawning wonder.
    â€œDamn, you’re serious, aren’t you?” she said. “This isn’t some kind of joke. You’re actually going to marry Fontana?”
    â€œYes,” Sierra said.
    Matt whistled softly. “Somebody catch me. I think I’m going to swoon.”
    Kay frowned. “No offense, but why would Fontana marry you, Sierra? You’ve