JAKE
At five to nine,I made my way back down to the car park to meet my new partner.
New partner.
It still sounded odd when I said it in my head. I’d got used to not sharing my space with anyone, and now that was all about to change. And with a fae no less.
Axel and Dathal were the only full fae that I knew, and they were poles apart personality-wise. I leant against Max’s car, wondering what my new partner would be like. Easy going like Axel? Or blunt and intense like Dathal?
Truthfully, I had no idea which one I’d prefer. Ideally a mix of the two, but I’d never had much luck with partners before, so I wasn’t holding my breath that this one would be any different. At least it was only temporary. The fae guard were still trialling this new initiative of partnering with the paranormal police. I didn’t know how long I’d have Chylath Dyn with me, but it wouldn’t be a permanent arrangement. Not like Max, Gabriel, and Dathal.
I watched the car park slowly fill up until finally I spotted Wyn’s silver Honda CRV approaching. He pulled into the space beside Max’s car.
Nervous excitement gripped me as the engine turned off and the doors opened. Maybe I’d missed having a partner more than I realised.
“Hey.” Wyn smiled as he got out next to me. “I didn’t expect you to meet us in the car park.”
“Thought I might as well, since I don’t have a lot on at the minute.” Nothing official, anyway.
The passenger side door opened andoh. Max hadn’t been kidding.
Chylath Dyn was hot. Especially in the leather uniform of the fae guard.
When he ducked back inside the car to get something, I glanced at Wyn and mouthed, “Wow.”
“Yep,” he muttered. “You have no idea.”
Before I could ask him to elaborate or tease him about his flushed cheeks and telltale scent, Chylath had rounded the back of the car to join us. “Welcome to the paranormal police,” I said, offering him my hand to shake. He took it with a smile. “I’m Detective Jake Allen. Your new partner.”
“Chylath Dyn, member of the fae guard. Thank you for allowing me to shadow you for the next few weeks.”
“No problem.” I gestured towards the offices behind us. “Shall we?”
“No warding?” Chylath asked as we approached the entrance.
“We don’t use magical warding,” Wyn answered. “Because magic can easily be manipulated.”
Chylath turned and came to an abrupt stop directly in front of Wyn. “So your building is unguarded?”
Wyn’s eyes widened at the sudden close proximity. “Erm…” Clearly, Chylath had no concept of personal space. “We, um, have trackers,” he managed to get out.
It was there and gone in a flash, but I caught the smirk Chylath tried to hide. Oh, he knew exactly what he was doing.
Taking pity on Wyn, I held out my arm. “See this?” I pointed to the slight discolouration on my inner forearm. When Chylath nodded, I added, “It’s a chip. You can’t get into the building without one unless you get prior approval.”
“I see.” Chylath stepped away and started walking again.
Wyn shuddered, looking flustered, and my shoulders shook with silent laughter. When he shot me a glare, I held my hands up in apology.
I sped up to beat Chylath to the door and led him inside and to my office. Wyn followed us, which, considering he normally spent his time in the labs on the floor below, made me smile all over again.
“This is your desk while you’re here,” I said, gesturing to the one opposite mine.
“Thank you.” Chylath walked around and sat in the chair, swivelling about with a grin on his face.
“Right, then.” Wyn hesitated by the door. “I guess I’ll see you later, then.”
Chylath stopped what he was doing and looked over at him. “I look forward to it.” His soft smile lacked any of the teasing I’d noticed earlier, and Wyn’s cheeks flushed as he returned it.
