by Tom Keller
I reached into my pocket and removed my iPhone and placed it on the counter as he had asked. A moment later the other door opened and I walked through it towards an elevator. As the door slid shut behind me, the elevator door opened and that’s when I felt it. Some sort of spell was in place that acted like a dampening field, shutting me out from the outside world. I was no expert but whoever crafted it knew his stuff. Michael was right. I'd only have whatever magic I'd brought in with me. I'd even lost my link to Sendy. But there was nothing I could do about it, so I stepped inside, and as the doors closed, began going down.
"Mr. Hoskins, welcome," a man said as the elevator stopped and the door opened. He was shorter than the other and had dark hair. I also got the slightest hint of Demon from him, but whatever magic they had used prevented me from learning anything more. "Please excuse the look of the facilities. We find it discourages unwelcome guests."
"I'm sure it does," I said. He turned and I followed him down the corridor. "And you are?"
"Agent Theno," he replied as he led me into what appeared to be a conference room. It was small. The oval table and six chairs filled it almost entirely. I couldn’t help but notice the mirror that had to be one way glass on the wall. He gestured for me to sit before taking a seat himself. He then placed some papers down in front of me.
"What's this?" I asked as I picked it up to read.
"Standard confidentiality agreement," he replied. "As set out by the Covenant of Roanoke in 1789, you agree that you will not disclose anything we discuss to any humans, other than those in our direct employ, without prior approval from us."
I reviewed it and signed it. It was as simple as he had made it out to be, not like most government forms these days. There was even a description of the covenant attached. That one was simple as well. The Fae of that time period had agreed to the same, as well as to commit no acts to overthrow the new government. There was some additional language which was interesting. They'd also agreed not to join the army without prior approval. I was amazed that everyone was still following that rule. The other just made sense. I can't think of any Fae that would want their presence known to the humans. I suppose the army clause made sense as well, but you have to admit they'd be a powerful force to reckon with. Of course the other side could have the same, so that was probably the reason for it.
"Thank you," he said as he picked it up and put it into a folder he was carrying. "Agent Guerrier's plane has landed and they should be here shortly. I apologize for the wait. Someone will let you know as soon as they arrive."
"Ok," I replied as I looked around the room. "Any chance for a cup of coffee?"
"I'll see what I can do," he said before getting up and exiting.
After he left I surveyed the room. The walls were a shade of government green and everything was made of plastic or metal. Even the chairs were upholstered in faux leather. The floor looked like painted concrete, but was actually linoleum. There were two plastic plants in opposite corners. I was sure there was a camera as well, but I didn’t see it. Not that it mattered. You could put a pinhole camera damn near anywhere. I even had one in the shape of a button back at the office. It might look like a conference room, but with the one way mirror in the wall, it felt more like an interview room. I'd been in a lot of those, but seldom on this side of the table.
I wanted to check the door knob to see if it was locked, but I knew that would make me look weak. Instead, I put my arms on the table, clasped my hands and closed my eyes, trying to subtly reach out, or at least sense, whatever magic was left in the air. There wasn't much, but I could hear a bit outside the door. As I looked I was surprised to see a slight gap under it. It wasn't airtight or soundproof, even if it was solid, and there were faint traces of the agent's residual magic in the air. They were dissipating rapidly. Whatever spell they used must see to that.
While I sat and waited, I noted several beings walk by the door, including at least one that felt like he was loitering at the mirror. Whatever spell blanketed this place limited what information I could sense but it was obvious the corridor didn’t stay empty. After about 15 minutes or so the door opened and Agent Theno reappeared.
"My apologies, Mr. Hoskins," he said as he peeked his head in. "It appears that something important has come up. Agent Guerrier has been called back to LA, and your meeting with our supervisor will be delayed. It shouldn't be too long, though. I'll let you know as soon as he is available."
The door closed before I could respond and I got a little irritated, but I knew how the game was played. Maybe something did come up. That didn’t mean I had to like it. But what about Jay? Was he still enroute here? Then I remembered something similar that had happened years ago, involving the old Sheriff.
A colleague had won a prestigious award and had traveled to a major city with the Sheriff to be honored. I forget at the moment where it was, might have been L.A. or Salt Lake, or maybe Phoenix. Anyway, they had had a time set for a photo shoot and a meet and greet with the agency Director out of Washington that was at the same hotel as the awards ceremony.
When they showed up promptly at the suite at the appointed time, they were informed that some local bigwig had stopped by to visit and they'd have to wait until he was finished. Now it wasn't another government official he was meeting. As a matter of fact I think it was a local celebrity, and that didn’t set too well with the Sheriff. After a minute or two, he let them know that he had other appointments and if the director wanted to see him, he could just meet him at the bar downstairs. The Vegas agent in charge, who was also at the ceremony, had to come down to the bar and beg the Sheriff to reconsider. Now you have to remember, this was the old Sheriff of Las Vegas. The DC boys were all in suits, but he's wearing a cowboy hat, boots and a bolo tie. It was still the Wild West as far as he was concerned. The point is, two can play that game.
Now there wasn't a bar around, but I had an idea that might get their attention. But fifteen minutes really wasn't that long, so I resumed my position and tried to compose myself. After another half hour I thought I was doing pretty well, when I heard a faint noise in the hallway and sensed something familiar. Jay had arrived. Then I sensed someone else… my daughter had been brought here as well! Damn them! It was one thing to use my son who worked for the agency, but she was a local. Now that was playing dirty. My irritation turned to anger and I decided it was time to make a point ala the old Sheriff. I gave it five minutes or so to make sure that the kids were no longer in the corridor, then got up from my seat and walked to the mirror.
"I need to see Agent Theno," I said, looking directly at the reflection of myself. I waited for a few minutes, but there was no response, not that I had really expected one. If they really wanted to test my strength in magic, then I was going to oblige. After a few minutes I lifted my arm and pointed to my wrist, as if I was pointing to a watch, had I been wearing one. There was still no response, but I didn’t need magic to know they were watching. I shrugged my shoulders. It was show time!
Using a trick I'd learned from an Angel, I summoned the blade of Zeus, given to me by Ouranos himself when we had battled the dark Fae, and it appeared in my hand. As arcs of blue electricity shot up and down the blade, I thrust it into the wall and began to cut the mirror out. When I was done I gave it a push and it fell out, crashing into the corridor with a loud thud— two agents jumping back and cursing as they pulled their weapons. One, a gun, the other a sword. There was a momentary stand off as I faced the two of them. Then I heard footsteps and someone else appeared.
"Stand down," the new arrival shouted in a deep voice as he reached us, pushing aside the agent that held the gun and facing me. "Is there a problem?" he asked as a fiery sword appeared in his hand as well.
This Agent was not like the others. He wasn't human, but I doubted he was half anything. I'd faced Demons before and whatever this guy was, he was the real thing. What surprised me most was that he reminded me so much of Zeke, the Archangel I'd met when we battled the dark Fae's Ma
ges not too long ago. They were similar in build and the flames that flickered from his sword were the same. No, this guy was the real thing, and judging by the way the other two agents jumped at his orders, I think I'd found the being in charge.
"Oops," I said as I willed my sword away and leaned out through the hole, looking down at the now shattered mirror. "It was getting a little stuffy in there. My apologies for the damage. Send me a bill and I’ll be happy to replace that for you," I said with a shrug of feigned embarrassment. "And you would be?"
"Agent Samson," he replied, extinguishing his own sword and turning to look down the hallway. "Theno," he yelled. "Meet me in your office. You two, get this… gentleman… out of there and clean this mess up."
The one holding the sword sheathed it and a moment later opened the door.
"Sorry about that," I said as I stepped into the hallway.
"I'm sure you are," the newcomer said. "This way."
I followed as he took off down the hallway, turning down a side corridor after a moment and leading me into an outer office with a secretary at her desk. She barely had time to look up before we entered the other office and he motioned for me to sit before taking a seat himself behind the desk. The door opened just as I was sitting down.
"You have the file?" Samson asked as Agent Theno came into the room.
"Top drawer," he replied.
"Fine," Samson said as he reached down and pulled out a red file folder. "Go ahead and get back to the briefing. We'll join you when we finish here." Then he began perusing the file. "Interesting display of magic," he said after turning a few pages. "My predecessor would have enjoyed it."
"Would he?" I asked, finally being able to sense some hint of magic from him. Whatever spell they had used before didn't seem as potent in this room but still, he wasn't recognizable. "And what about you?"
"Like I said, I found it interesting." he replied as he placed the file folder down. "I am sorry that my predecessor felt games like that were necessary. I assure you that I have neither the time, nor the inclination, to treat my guests in that manner. There are better ways to verify a person's power and intentions. But let's move on."
"Fair enough," I said. Well, at least I was guest now. "But first, do you want to explain to me why you dragged both my kids into this?"
"An error on our part, I must confess," he said, leaning back in the chair. "From all appearances it was believed that they were aware of their heritage. Although I admit to a certain curiosity, that does not seem to be the case. However, as soon as Agent Guerrier made me aware of the situation, measures were taken to minimize their exposure. It was not our intention to cause internal strife within your family. As a matter of fact, they are both currently in a briefing which now focuses primarily on their roles in the investigation of a terrorist group that killed several prominent citizens. I'm sure you will recall the unfortunate death of Mr. Shoda."
"I'm not sure they'll be a problem anymore," I replied. Chitose Shoda had been one of several Fae killed by the dark Fae's Mages. As a matter of fact, the same group's attack on Eddie Milagre, the Nereid owner of the Neptune's Landing, had been my awakening into this world. Since then, the dark Fae herself had been sentenced to Tartarus, and with the help of other local Fae, we'd cleaned up the last remnant of their forces in Las Vegas. Or at least, so I thought.
"Yes, your attack on the Mages compound. I should thank you for that," he said with a smile. "But to continue, let me assure you that the briefing will not involve information beyond the human world. They will be told that it is more of an opportunity to meet our agents as the possibility exists that they will be working closely with them on similar cases in the future. As to what damage has already been done, that I cannot say. Their role in future events will be determined after our discussion."
"Thank you," I replied, knowing it was too little, too late. But I'd deal with both of them when this was all finished. "What exactly is it you want to talk to me about?"
"Let me be frank, Mr. Hoskins," he began. "You are an enigma. For over two hundred years this agency has monitored contact between the supernatural and human world within this country's borders. While that does not mean we can account for every Fae or otherworldly being that comes into this country, as a general rule, we know who they are. As an example, do you know how many Fae lords reside within our boundaries?"
"I have no idea," I replied.
"Two," he replied. "Do you know why that is?"
"Again, I couldn't tell you," I answered. I knew one had to be Ms. Milagre but I had no clue who the other could be, unless he was talking about me.
"This is still the new world to your kind, Mr. Hoskins. Few Fae venture past their borders and fewer still cross the sea to take up residence here. Fortunately for us, those that do tend to settle in a few places. We find that cooperation between them and our agency is necessary, as you may already have observed."
"Hey, I paid my taxes on any monies we brought over. What's your point?" I asked.
"Indeed, I have seen your file." he said, holding up the red folder. "The government appreciates your support of our tax laws. Still, you have a fifty year history, including an impressive law enforcement career in the human world. Yet I find it odd that there is no mention in any of our files of anything out of the ordinary about you. How do you account for that?"
"There was no reason to make my presence known before I decided to bring resources in from Fae," I said, knowing that wouldn't satisfy him. But I wasn't about to go into the whole story, especially if he really didn’t know.
"I see," he said. "Yet here you sit. The first, no, the only male, ever to hold a Fae throne among your kind, and we are only now learning who you are."
"Maybe you need better resources," I said.
"I do not think so," he countered. "Did I mention that we also track Fae relics? I could not help but notice that the sword you wielded is most likely one of the three most powerful and sought after of Fae artifacts. That is the sword of Zeus, isn't it? The same sword believed lost in the ruins of Olympus? Then there is the matter of the Lilin. They could not have been released without the possession of the Tears. Even setting these relics aside, the fact remains that within the last year, you have engaged in several battles against dark Wizards or Fae and in each case were victorious."
"So you have a list of my accomplishments. Let me ask you again, what's your point?"
"Mr. Hoskins," he began. "While I grant you that only an heir of Demeter could have released the spell that the Lilin were under, that still does not tell me who you are or why you have suddenly made yourself known. I am charged with protecting this country from supernatural threats. That is why I am here. I need to be sure you are what you claim to be and can be considered an ally. Before we go any further, I will need to see your true self. Will you show it to me?"
"You want me to switch to my Fae self? Ok, not that I think it'll make any difference," I said. But fair was fair and I still didn't know what he was, either. "I'll show you mine if you show me yours."
"Agreed," he retorted.
He stood up and switched to his true persona as I did the same. He was not what I expected. I now realized why he reminded me so much of Zeke. Instead of the regular Demon I assumed him to be, he looked more like an Angel. Well, at least the fallen kind. He was clad in armor and his wings were dark, but his face looked radiant, even if the light that shone from it was dark instead of bright, if that makes any kind of sense. I saw now that he was one of the fallen, no, more likely a direct descendant. He had to be a Nephilim. He stared right at me with a gaze so intent he appeared to be looking into my very soul. For an instant, I wondered if I should let him continue.
"I am Samson of the line of Samyaza, and you are what you claim to be," he said before suddenly switching back to his human form.
"I am Robert, son of Gabrielle, of the line of Demeter," I said in response. "And you are not what I expected you to be." Then I switched back as well.
"Sins
of the father," he replied with a shrug.
That was something I could relate to, even if our paths and history were so radically different.
"Despite what you may think you know about my kind," he continued. "Know that even a Fae lord cannot hide their true nature from us. So while I am satisfied that you are what you seem to be and are not our enemy, I must nonetheless ask you to respect our decrees and agree to terms. While you may be a citizen of this country, you are also the leader of a foreign government, and therefore, a formal treaty must exist between us."
"I will agree to the same terms as the Nereid with one addendum as it relates to my children. That part doesn't have to be written. Will that be agreeable?"
"Name the additional terms."
"First, I need a few days with them to explain what's going on."
"Agreed," he said. "What else?"
"Jay remains an agent and no bullshit postings because of what he is. I'll let you choose the job and agency should you decide you want to offer him that, but I don’t want him suffering because of what he didn’t know."
"Again, agreed. He has already proven himself to this agency so I see no need for his talents to be wasted." he replied. "And your daughter?"
"Let her be a liaison between you and the locals. I'd prefer you didn't offer her a job, but I would like her on a Joint Task Force or something like that so she has a little freedom of movement." She was going to need that for what was in store for her when she found out just what we were.
"That can be arranged," he said. "Do you wish a formal ceremony to document our agreement?"
"I don't see the need for one unless it's prescribed by custom. Otherwise, if you will send it to my Fae attorney, Gerry Cornwall, I'll sign it after review."
"A ceremony is not a requirement, but I will need to be present when it is signed," he said.
"We can do that. Anything else?" I asked.
"Yes, I must ask one thing as well," he replied. "There is still the issue of the Lilin."
"What about them?" I asked.