Subordinates

"So our little rebel knows her way around magic, it seems." Kole said. "And you're telling me there was no way to track her."

Keera and Royal looked at their boss. Kole usually called the two of them over to his desk to go over assignments, but this time was different. The crime scene that they had just visited had yielded nothing but questions and the mysterious book that Keera had picked up: The Art of Demon Whispering. It was a title that promised nothing good for the council. Certainly nothing for Keera or Royal, who were liable to assigned yet more tasks in order to investigate. The Fortier house had been Kole's assignment and with Shera in pursuit of the demon and the third reaper busy with their own duties, it was up to Kole and his subordinates to deal with finding the girl and examining this book.

"Well, tracking her isn't out the question." Royal said. "But that seems a bit creepy doesn't it?"

"Besides..." Started Keera, covering for her colleague. "...it's in our opinion that the book should be our priority."

Keera shot Royal a sideways glare, to which Royal responded with a sheepish smile. Kole folded his hands on the desk. The Reaper was clearly unamused with his subordinates.

"I suppose I could give the book to Tibias." Kole said. "That man could make some sense of it."

"That'll work." Keera smiled.

"Can I see it?" Kole asked.

"Of course." Keera reached into the bag of evidence and grabbed the book. Without a moment notice, she handed it over to Kole.

"Uh... Keera."

"Yes, Kole?"

"I don't believe this is the book." Kole held up the book that Keera just handed him. Unlike The Art Of Demon Whispering, this object seemed to be made of cardboard. The title written on it was The Art of Danish Whispering. Beneath the title was a crudely drawn devil eating a pastry. Keera gritted her teeth with annoyance. It was at that moment that Kole and Keera realized Royal was no longer in the room.

"Dammit, Royal!" Keera scowled.

Kole chuckled slightly as he put the fake book down. "That fool. Does he really think he'll get away with that? Anyway, would you please hand over the real evidence, Keera."

Keera nodded. She reached into the bag again, and this time the real book found it's way to her hand. She gave it to Kole and hastily began to make her way of the office.

"Eager to get out, I see." Kole said.

"If you don't mind, sir." Keera replied. "I'd like to return to my apartment."

Kole thought for a moment. "I supposed I could dismiss you for the night."

Keera was gone soon after Kole finished that sentence. Kole found himself alone in his office and all the shadows seemed to grow darker. It was at moments like these that he felt the most human. Of course he wouldn't truly have emotions to express, but it seemed better to consider it in loneliness than around his various subordinates. Kole's favorite part of the job was the execution of criminals, so his office always felt like a place that didn't belong to him. He certainly wasn't a desk man like Tibias.

That reminds me. Kole thought to himself. I have to pay Tibias a visit. I wonder where he could be at this hour.

Kole stood up from his desk and headed for the door. As soon as he opened it, Tibias was standing there startled. They had both meant to pass through the door.

"Mr. Tarrant, I..." Tibias stuttered.

"Save it." Kole stopped him. "I was looking for you anyway."

Kole shoved the book into Tibias hands.

"What's this, sir?" Tibias said.

"Just a little something that Keera and Royal found at the Fortier's. I need you to analyze it."

"Will do." Tibias smiled. "I suppose you were just leaving."

"Yes." Kole mumbled.

"Then let us walk home together." Tibias said. "Dangerous streets and all."

"Just don't slow me down." Kole smirked, patting his partner on the head.

The two men left the office and began to head for their respective homes.