Harpy's Mission: Supernatural Retrieval Agency, #1

By Laura Greenwood

A harpy with a dream job...and a handsome new partner to work with.

Harper has wanted to join the Agency for as long as she can remember, but even she never expected to be thrown in the deep end on her first day.

After she helps uncover a secret crime ring within the city, she's sent on a rescue mission to get a vital witness to safety. But when the plan goes sideways, Harper and her partner have to work out why, and how they can fix it.

Can this harpy complete her mission?
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Harpy's Mission is book one of Supernatural Retrieval Agency, an urban fantasy romance series filled with harpies, cupids, action, and a hint of steam with a m/f romance.

If you like your romance with unusual supernatural creatures, action-packed law enforcement plots, and a quirky best friend, try the Supernatural Retrieval Agency series today, starting with Harpy's Mission.

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Drowlgon Press
• Release date: Feb 18, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393946557

Laura Greenwood

Laura is a USA Today Bestselling Author of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and fantasy romance. When she's not writing, she drinks a lot of tea, tries to resist French macarons, and works towards a diploma in Egyptology. She lives in the UK, where most of her books are set. Laura specialises in quick reads, with healthy relationships and consent positive moments regardless of if she's writing light-hearted romance, mythology-heavy urban fantasy, or anything in between. You can find a full book list and more information on her website, or in The Paranormal Council Facebook Group. Happy Reading!

Book preview

Chapter 1

Anticipation builds up inside me as I stare at the building in front of me. I've passed it almost every day of my entire life, but today is different. I get to go inside the Supernatural Retrieval Agency headquarters and get the badge I've been dreaming of since I was six years old and understood the role they played in keeping peace throughout the country.

Not that I completely understood at that age. But I recognised the basics. I'm lucky my parents took me seriously and did everything they could to make sure I had the best education I could so that when the time came for me to take the exams to become part of the Agency, I passed with flying colours.

I check my watch, reassured to see I'm still early and haven't spent too long staring at a building. That wouldn't be a good impression to make on whoever my new partner is.

There aren't many people in reception at this time in the morning, which isn't a surprise. Most people are busy going to their own jobs, not reporting crimes.

How can I help you? a bored-looking receptionist asks.

I'm Harper Jones, I'm here...

You're the new girl, he cuts me off, perking up a little. I thought you'd be a bit more...feathery.

I roll my eyes. The comment has come even faster than I imagined it would. Sorry to disappoint. I suppose I could offer to get my wings out and sate his curiosity, but I don't think this is the right place to do it. Where do I need to go?

Third floor, room sixteen. His boredom returns instantly. I'd have thought working as a receptionist in a supernatural crime-fighting agency would be exciting, but apparently not.

I head to the stairs and climb them quickly. I'm half tempted to get my wings out and fly up them instead, but that'll be a terrible first impression if the wrong person catches me, and I don't want that.

My toes curl in my boots as I make it to the third floor. It may not be long before I have to let my wings out given the itch in my entire body. Most of the time, I can ignore the urge to let my feet become claws, and my back sprout wings, but that doesn't seem to be the case today. Some days are like that.

I push the sensation down. My first day on a new job isn't the best time for it. Thankfully, all harpies, and supernaturals like us, are taught how to control the urges from as early as we can walk. Humans think they're fine with the supernatural, but only when it comes to vampires, witches, and other humanoid creatures. My kind, not so much. But that's fine by me. Vampires can't fly over the city at night, or perch on a rooftop. I wouldn't give that up for something as simple as looking human all the time.

It only takes me a few minutes to find room sixteen. I take a deep breath, preparing myself for whatever I'm going to find on the other side of the door. I'm not sure why I'm suddenly so nervous. I've been studying the Agency since I was a child, and I've been here several times on school trips and my interviews.

But today is different. I get to finally call this my workplace. And that's terrifying in a way.

The door cracks open and a tall man with brilliant green eyes pops his head around it. Are you coming inside, Ms Jones?

My mouth falls open. How does he know my name?

Wait, right. They're expecting me. Of course he knows my name. And why I'm here.

Yes, coming. I smile as brightly as I can to cover the nerves and follow him into the room.

It's a decent size, with six desks all setup, and a few whiteboards scattered around the room. There's no way to tell the difference between this room and one belonging to a human police force. Which is just the way it's supposed to be.

So, Ms Jones, you're a harpy, is that right? the green-eyed man asks.

I nod. Yes. That's me.

Good. He ticks a box on a clipboard he's holding, not even seeming interested in the fact I'm a reasonably rare kind of supernatural creature. Maybe it's nothing special here. I guess I'll find out in time.

I'm Agent Thompson, but you can call me Elias.

I'm Harper.

He raises an eyebrow, like most people do when they hear my name for the first time.

I know. It's my Mum, she thought it was funny. Who knows why. I'd rather not be saddled with a name that people have to double-check. But that's not what she decided for me. I suppose I could use a nickname or something, but that doesn't feel right.

Interesting choice.

Tell me about it, I mutter.

Anyway...

Aren't you going to ask me to get my wings out? I mutter, forgetting where I am.

Confusion flits across Elias' face. Why would I do that? he asks.

Everyone does when they find out I'm a harpy.

A smirk plays at his lips. Two huge dark brown wings erupt from his back. I don't need to look down to know his feet have transformed into talons.

I've seen it enough times on myself.

Ah.

Yes. Now we've got that out of the way, can we go back to giving you an induction?

Sorry. I glance down at the floor.

It's okay. I'm used to people asking too. But it's best not to assume about species here, you'll make enemies if you're not careful, he warns.

I nod, annoyed at myself for making such a basic mistake. I don't even like people asking to see my wings, why am I upset when someone doesn't?

Elias folds his back in, returning to his human form.

Thank the feathers for spelled clothing, right? He sits down on his chair and gestures to the one beside his desk.

I perch on it, not fully able to relax, though