Back to Reality

     There was a tangible release of tension as soon as the group was safely back in their office.  The setting sun cast long shadows as it shone through the window.  Kole noted that a pile of mail was stacked on his desk; Celia had been doing as he had asked in their absence.  All five Council employees went straight to their respective desks.  It was a Saturday night, and most of the city’s residents were at home, relaxing after a day of recreation.  But, there was a powerful demon on the loose; they had already wasted too much time.

Kole casually pawed through the mail which was mostly junk mail.  Even Council Offices were not immune from the plague of wasted paper.  Picking up the newspaper, he browsed through it, searching for any signs of demon activity in their absence.  As he closed the paper, he noticed a small article in the lower corner about Matao’s funeral, which featured a photo of Tibias giving the final speech.

That reminds me… Kole glanced at his partner, who was flipping through a large tome on his desk.  Keera stood next to him, reading over his shoulder.  Such a nuisance, emotions.  He would have to deal with this soon, especially if they hoped to catch the demon.

“Tibias,” Kole barked, throwing the paper down, “May I have a word with you in the hall?”  It was more of an order than a request.

“Of course,” Tibias replied, a bit apprehensively.  He could conceive of only one purpose for a private discussion.  “Ms. Trean, will you continue to look for the section on shapeshifters? I’m sure it’s in there somewhere.”  Keera only nodded as Tibias rose and she took his place at the desk.  The middle aged man followed Kole out the door and closed it behind him.  He looked at the reaper expectantly, waiting for him to begin what was likely to be an uncomfortable conversation.

“I would suggest that you terminate any relationship that may be developing between yourself and Keera,” Kole stated bluntly.

“I’m a grown man, Mr. Tarrent,” Tibias replied calmly to the brash remark.  "And Ms. Trean is fully capable of making her own decisions.”  He mentally cringed as he spoke, realizing that his phrasing was probably not the most appropriate.  “It’s a personal affair and, frankly, I don’t think that it’s any of your business.”

“It becomes my concern the minute it enters this office.”  Kole was beginning to get annoyed.  Why did humans have to cling desperately to so-called matters of the heart?  “Distractions can get people killed in this line of work.”

“Do you think that I don’t know that?” Tibias’ seemed to be in complete control of himself, which didn't greatly surprise Kole.  “I have just as much experience as you do.  We trained together; there is nothing that you know which I do not.” He paused, taking a deep breath.  “I may be aging faster than you are, Mr. Tarrent, but I can still take care of myself in a fight, and I assure you that Ms. Trean can do the same.  I didn’t plan this, but I won’t deny it either.  It may not be the best timing, but we’ll find a way to make it work.”

This was taking far longer than Kole had anticipated.

“Need I remind you that Keera is a convict, placed under my command?”  Tibias raised an eyebrow, questioning his partner’s meaning.  “She could use a relationship with you to undermine my authority.”

“So, that’s what this is all about?” Tibias questioned.  He lowered his voice before continuing.  “This is all about preserving your superiority complex.  You have the spell to control her work, Mr. Tarrent, not the rest of her life.”

“The Council enacted the spell to keep the firebrand from wreaking havoc.”  As always, Kole’s voice was annoyingly unemotional.  “If I have to control all aspects of her life, then so be it.”  Tibias balled his fists in frustration.  Sometimes, talking to Kole was like talking to a brick wall.  Although the gesture was subtle, Kole had known his partner long enough to notice the weakening in his emotional facade.

“We both know that the Council would not approve of this relationship.”  Kole stared at Tibias levelly.

“Romantic relationships between coworkers are common among Council employees.”  The answer was terse; he sensed that he had not addressed the reaper’s point.

“She’s not human.” The remark was ironic coming from a man who was less than human himself.

“Obviously.”  Tibias was eager to reach whatever Kole was driving at.  “They may be frowned upon, but angel and human couples have occurred successfully in the past.”

“Is that honestly what you think she is?” There was an edge of malice in Kole’s voice.  “She may look like an angel, but there is demon blood running through her veins.  Don’t forget that, Tibias, because the Council certainly won’t, and there are laws about that.”  He paused letting his words sink in.  “Keera’s been altered by shadow demon magic.  There is no way to know how much angel is actually left.”

Tibias didn’t respond at first, nor did he meet Kole’s penetrating gaze.  For a moment, the reaper thought that he had finally succeeded in achieving his goal.

“You’re wrong, Mr. Tarrent.” Tibias met the taller man’s eyes confidently.  “She is no demon.  In fact, I think there is more angel left in her than even she realizes.”  Tibias turned on his heel and went back towards the door.  In his opinion, the conversation was over.

Keera gazed at the door with a furrowed brow as it clicked shut.  She’d been anxious ever since Kole had found her with Tibias that morning.  She should have seen it coming; after all, Kole was sharing the room with him, but she hadn’t thought of that at the time.  Now, she feared that Tibias was suffering the consequences of their lack of foresight.  Why did it have to be Kole?

With a sigh, Keera returned to the book.  Having finished with his own task, Royal walked over to see what the angel was working on.  Although he had been quite drunk the night before, the extra occupant in Tibias’ bed had not escaped his notice.  And, the elf was not one to let such a golden opportunity pass by.

“So,” he said softly so that only Keera could hear.  “How does it feel to be Tibias’ latest conquest?”

“I’m not a conquest or a prize, Royal.”  She didn’t even look up from the text.  “Perhaps, if you didn’t think of women in such terms, you might actually get a date every once in a while.”  Royal was just about to leave when she spoke again.  Her voice was hesitant.  “How long did Madelina work with all of you?”

“About seven years or so,” he replied a bit dreamily.  “I wasn’t here for all of it.  Why do you want to know?”

No particular reason,” she responded hastily.  “It’s just that, Tibias called her by her first name.  They must be very close.”

Practical joking came as naturally to Royal as breathing.  It’s an addiction, he thought to himself as he considered letting this one opportunity slide, but he couldn’t resist.

“Yeah,” he continued casually.  “They were an item, back in the day.  Personally, I think the old fop is still carrying a torch for her.  Everyone after her has just been a cheap substitute.”

Keera eyed  Royal suspiciously.  While she trusted him with her life on the battlefield, he was not the most reliable source of non-essential information.  He’d say anything for a joke.  Then again, if this was a joke, it would have to be the cruelest one the terrow had ever played.