It is so easy at times for a lonely individual to begin fantasising about what the people outside are saying about him and, in result, irrationally and fearfully, and sometimes angrily, fancying himself a villain.” - Criss Jami (Healology)

  * * * *

  Clack! Clack! Clack! Clack!

  Honestly, I might as well move my bed in here at this point, Lucas thought to himself almost miserably as he sifted through case files on his computer at Team Alpha’s office for the umpteenth time, hoping to find something about Aegis at least.

  After that rather disastrous meeting with Ethan at Zalfari, it seems like even their usual underground contacts have gone to ground, and refused to respond to messages or phone calls. Elijah had been unusually curt with Lucas for the past month as well.

  And save for the ‘crash course’ that a particularly annoyed Elijah had given Lucas on how the underground works, and even how to work with them, Elijah had been quite frosty with Lucas since.

  A very unbiased part of Lucas could admit to himself that Elijah had cause to be this angry with him. After all, he’d likely cost Elijah some of his underground contacts that aren’t easy to gain to begin with.

  But more importantly, like what Elijah had shouted at him and Leonid both for over an hour, they both could have been killed, especially since they were not only dealing with Ethan, but also the new guardians of Zalfari, who even turns out to be survivors of Blade of all people!

  Lucas had dealt with many slippery suspects and criminals throughout his stint as an ESA agent. But none had given him as much trouble as Aegis. They’re like damn ghosts! No one knows anything about them. No one knows who they are.

  The only thing that Lucas knew at the moment was that they were a group, and most likely comprised of Gifted, which explains why they’re doing the things they are.

  And with the string of murders in their wake for the past few years, it is apparent that they are damned skilled. And very good at what they do if they can go in and out like damn ghosts.

  Even their website—the usual mode of communication for their clients to reach them is useless. Not even Louis and Elijah can hack into that site, and those two are the best computer experts in the entire ESA.

  Lucas groaned, resisting the urge to slam his head onto his desk. But considering that it’ll achieve nothing but maybe give him a headache, Lucas resisted, instead burying his face into his hands.

  “I need a damn vacation,” he groaned into his hands.

  The door to Team Alpha’s office opened just then, and Lucas looked up just in time to see Louis entering with a stack of files tucked in the crook of his arm. The latter looked confused to see Lucas alone in the office.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  “Is Elijah not around?” Louis asked, looking around the empty office that is devoid of people save for Lucas.

  “The lot of them are on their break at the moment,” Lucas answered. “Elijah should be back soon enough. Do you want to wait for him?”

  “No. I need to get back soon. I just need to drop these off for Elijah.” Louis placed the stack of files that he had been carrying onto Elijah’s desk. “Just let him know I came by.”

  While Lucas is very curious to know what those files are about, he also knows enough about what both Louis and Elijah do for their individual teams to ask. Just like how Elijah is their information analyst and intelligence agent, Louis plays a similar role for Misha in Team Delta. Apart from the team captains of both teams—in this case, Lucas and Misha, Louis and Elijah are likely the only other agents in both teams to hold confidential and vital information.

  Little wonder why those two get along so well and often exchange information.

  “Yeah. No problem.”

  Louis only raised an eyebrow as he watched Lucas turn back to his computer. “What are you doing, anyway?” He was honestly curious. As far as he knew, Team Alpha isn’t really investigating anything in particular recently. After the recent case with the Butcher, they’re having some downtime, and thus, the team members were all catching up on filing their reports. The younger agent then froze when his eyes fell on Lucas’ screen and he recognised the website that is currently reflected on the computer immediately. “I-Is that Aegis’ website?” There was even another program dragged next to the web browser that Lucas was using. “Are you trying to track down some of Aegis’ past clients?”

  Louis recognised that program as the ESA’s archives’ file.

  “I’m trying to, anyway.” Lucas sighed. “Elijah had been pretty mad at me for what had happened in Zalfari over a month ago, so I don’t think I want to ask anything of him at the moment until he’s calmed down.” Louis winced, knowing what Elijah is like when he’s angry. “Aegis is amongst our list of cases, but it’s not the priority. At the moment.” He added the last part. “I just want to know more about them.”

  Louis was silent for such a long time that Lucas thought that he’d left the office even as he turned his attention back towards his computer. Thus, he was startled when a hand came down onto his desk next to his hand, and Louis leaned over his shoulder—looking like he was looking at the screen.

  “You didn’t hear this from me,” Louis murmured. “I know someone who hired Aegis before—back before they became as well-known as they are now.”

  “What?”

  Lucas gave Louis a startled look, but the latter let a light hiss, stepping gently onto his foot.

  “Don’t look at me.” Louis hissed, his eyes flickering towards the corner where a surveillance camera was visible. “Continue looking at your computer screen.” Lucas was quick to follow Louis’ instructions. “Like I said, I know someone. I can tell you where he is now, but whether he’ll tell you what he knows will entirely be up to you.”

  The entire time, Louis was using his left hand to scribble an address onto a slip of paper on the desk. Lucas was quick on the uptake, slipping that slip of paper into his hand and then into his pocket before Louis stepped away from the desk.

  “Be careful.” Louis mouthed before he left Team Alpha’s office. As he walked down the hallway, he wondered if he should really be directing Lucas’ attention towards his contact. It isn’t wise to tangle with Aegis.

  Louis was so engrossed in his thoughts that he barely avoided crashing into Jonan around the corner, who was holding a disposable cup that likely contained some hot coffee.

  “Whoa!” Jonan cried, taking a step back to prevent spilling his coffee all over Louis. “Watch where you’re going, man!”

  “Sorry.”

  “I’m glad that I ran into you here.” Jonan gave a grin before latching out with his free arm and wrapping it around Louis’ shoulders, ignoring the indignant squawk that the younger gave, as he held Louis close to him, turning him around so that their backs were facing the surveillance camera in the hallway.

  “What in the Goddess’ name are you doing, Jonan?” Louis squawked, trying his utmost best to escape from Jonan’s octopus-like grip. But sadly, as Jonan was both older and taller than him, he wasn’t able to.

  “Just play along for a moment,” Jonan murmured in Louis’ ear—almost too low for even Louis to hear him. “I need your help.”