Previously on Trancing Miranda
Miranda’s second cousin and Regio Authority, Daniel Boucher, confronts her at works. She learns that Daniel found out about the swap gone wrong attack at the Black Goddess and that she left the Regio with Nick. Daniel uses energy as a show of power and tells Miranda to find out what Nick’s after. Because she’s fae, he can’t compel her outright but they have a long and complicated history and Miranda feels she owes them. We learn that she loved Daniel when she was younger. Daniel tells her to see Nick as soon possible and to make sure Nick knows they are related.
The Hot Seat
The Vault was not Daniel’s club, and that was part of the reason he liked it. He didn’t care if the drinks were weak or the glasses were dirty—but security was still his responsibility. Like it was everywhere in the Regio.
He was in the VIP section overlooking the dance floor, sipping a blood-shot espresso, while the owner told him about the upgrades to the system. There were new CCTV cameras inside and out, random searches, and a special box for customers to dump their drugs when they saw the “You may be searched” sign.
Things Daniel had done at the Foundry five years ago now made mandatory for everyone.
“We’re in full compliance with the directive,” the owner was saying. “I think it’s made a difference—“
“That’s my guy,” Daniel said, interrupting him. “Thanks for the update.”
Then Ricardo was there, in the hot seat.
“You’re late,” Daniel said, more incredulous than angry. “Again.”
Ricardo was sweating now, just like Miranda had been. “A couple of people asked for more time. I told Tomas, but he said you didn’t want to be interrupted.”
It was an excuse and Daniel wasn’t in the mood.
The surface of his drink began to vibrate. On the outside of the glass, tiny frost crystals were already forming.
Ricardo swallowed so hard Daniel heard it. “I have one more guy to see, boss. Then I’ll have it all. I thought it made sense to just turn it in complete.”
“Make the drop now,” Daniel said. “Get the rest in at the end of the night.”
“Sure, boss. Of course.”
Daniel took a slow breath in and out.
The vibration stopped.
The tiny crystals turned back into condensation.
“And I’m sorry for the mixup,” Riccardo said. “I really am.”
As if it was an actual mix up, instead of complete incompetence. “My cousin’s a junkie, Ricardo. But she was a hundred times better at this than you are.”
It was true. But the junkie part of the equation was serious and ever since he’d told her that Julien had been released she’d been in a tailspin.
Spying on Markovich would be a distraction. Daniel needed intell.
It was a win-win.
He finished the espresso and looked up to see Riccardo still hovering, not sure if he had been dismissed or not.
“That’s it,” Daniel said. “Don’t screw up again.”
Riccardo was already backpedaling. “Don’t worry, boss. I won’t.”
Down below, at the edge of the dance floor, a girl looked up and smiled. Her dark hair was long and silky, and he liked the Cleopatra makeup and sequined purple top.
Daniel gave her a nod, and she made her way upstairs to join him.
Trancing Miranda is now finished. I will now be posting installments every week!
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© 2025-2026 Barbara Graver. All rights reserved. This is an original work of fiction. Do not reproduce or redistribute without written permission.