I shook my head. “There’s no point if Gisila has released my identity. Since that’s the case, I’d rather come out strong and show she can’t intimidate me.”
Sarge smoothed the iridescent scales that brushed his jawline. “I see.”
“Is that…okay?” I hesitantly asked.
“It makes sense.” Sarge turned away and stalked down the hallway again. “And I shouldn’t be surprised.”
“Surprised about what?” I asked.
“That you would think to use your identity and face reveal as a weapon.”
I wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or a grim observation of my temperament, so I remained quiet as we exited the department’s corridors and joined the flow of traffic in one of the Cloisters’ larger hallways.
When we entered the main chamber and started up a staircase, Considine drawled, “This all happened quite fast, considering the Cloisters is a governmental machine that usually takes ages to move.”
Sarge nodded his agreement when we reached the second floor. “The Commissioner didn’t say as much, but I’m fairly certain the Midwest Regional Committee of Magic—Queen Leila of the fae Night Court in particular—was starting to raise a ruckus about Orrin’s future. Releasing him part-time into your custody was the perfect fix.”
“That makes sense,” I said.
Considine sighed. “Killian would have single-handedly approved the request if he could have—anything to get back at me for the annoyances he’s suffering through on my behalf.”
“Exactly what annoyances is he dealing with?” I asked.
Considine winked at me. “Don’t worry. You’ll meet them soon enough.”
“Them?”
Considine smiled mysteriously, but I didn’t think it would be professional to keep pushing a personal conversation on department time.
We’d made it to the werewolf/shifter area by this time—it was easy to tell as the benches pressed against the sides of the hallway were sturdier and made of wood, and the air was meticulously free from the scent of perfumes and colognes wizards and fae frequently wore.
Sarge led us to the windowless office that temporarily served as Orrin’s holding cell.
A werewolf guard stood outside the room. I recognized her, both from the day shift of the task force and as a previous guard to Orrin’s room.
A slender fae noblewoman who opened a mint tin that appeared to hold some kind of chewable antacid, and a brownie wearing a superhero t-shirt and classy cat eyeglasses stood with her, speaking softly.
The fae noblewoman put her tin away when she caught sight of Sarge. “Good evening, Sergeant.” Her gaze flitted to Considine and me, and she nodded in respect.
“Good evening. You’re with the Night Queen?” Sarge asked.
The fae noblewoman pulled out a leather portfolio she had pinned to her side with her left arm. “Yes. I have the paperwork for your department here.”
The brownie flashed a bright smile at us. “Our Sovereign thanks you for taking custody of Orrin and giving him a chance to make amends for his offenses.”
Considine raised an eyebrow. “Really? She’s interested in him even though he isn’t from the Midwest?”
“Queen Leila is in the process of becoming the fae empress of the USA,” Sarge said.
“Indeed,” the fae noblewoman said. “As a result, she has a vested interest in all fae.”
Considine leaned closer to me. “For a mere Midwest Curia Cloisters, there are quite a few movers and shakers among the supernatural world in Magiford.”
“Yes,” I agreed. “Including you.”
Considine studied me for a moment. “You know, I think you’ll handle the annoyances quite well.”
“I assume you are Elder Maledictus, the vampire whom we are releasing Orrin to?” The fae noblewoman studied Considine as she removed paperwork from her leather portfolio in a neat stack and handed it off to Sarge.
