“The devil was a monster, but I would become his nightmare.” ― Kerri Maniscalco (Capturing the Devil)

  * * * *

  Louis Krusen was grumbling, very loudly, even as he banged away on the keyboard of his portable computer in an inn room that Jonan had booked in a hurry at the music cafe that he always frequents for his music gigs.

  Thankfully, the owner of the music cafe didn’t ask any odd questions when Jonan entered, dragging Louis with him by the wrist, asking to book an inn room for a few hours. His staff however did shoot both Jonan and Louis weird looks, looking in between them even as Jonan dragged the protesting Louis up the stairs.

  “The staff of the cafe better not think I’m into men,” Jonan grumbled under his breath. He likes girls, thank you very much. One girl in particular.

  “I’m the one who should be complaining!” Louis complained loudly from where he sat at the table, though he didn’t take his eyes away from his portable computer. “You dragged me out here for this?” He muttered several things beneath his breath that didn’t sound very polite. “What is it with you Team Alpha members, honestly? First Lucas, now you! I’m in Team Delta, not Alpha! If you need a hacker, computer expert or even information analyst, you have Elijah! Why are you poaching another team’s agent? Did you even ask Misha for permission? In fact, don’t even answer that.” Louis grumbled. “Knowing you guys from Team Alpha, you definitely didn’t.”

  Jonan raised an eyebrow with that comment about his team leader. What is Lucas up to, now? And sure, he could have asked Elijah for help, as the guy knows how to keep his mouth shut. But considering Elijah’s mood these days, it might be safer for Jonan to keep away from him until he’d calmed down.

  Thank the Goddess that Team Alpha had some downtime after the case with the Butcher had wrapped up, or it’s going to make for one tense undertaking with the mood that Elijah is in these days.

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  Jonan only chuckled nervously, and Louis looked over at him with a raised brow. “Considering Elijah’s mood these days after Lucas and Leonid came back from Zalfari over a month ago, it might be safer for me not to ask him,” he admitted.

  “By that, I’m going to assume they either did or said something they shouldn’t.” Louis deadpanned, returning his attention to his computer. Jonan’s silence told him everything. “Honestly, you Team Alpha members must have a fucking death wish. Is our line of business not dangerous enough for you? You need to go and seek it out?” He grumbled under his breath. “Not to mention what you’re actually asking me to do. I must be crazy to agree. You know as well as I do that anything relating to the hunters—we’re better off keeping far, far away from if we want to live a long and healthy life.” Jonan opened his mouth, about to argue, when Louis cut him off, “I don’t want to know. I got a feeling I’m better off not hearing.”

  Jonan has to marvel at Louis’ survival instincts. He made a mental note to prepare a very good care package for Louis for this favour. If his suspicions proved to be right, he’s going to owe Louis several large favours.

  The constant click-clacking of Louis’ fingers over his keyboard stopped just then, and Jonan looked up from where he was fiddling with his phone.

  “Do you have it?”

  Louis gave him a triumphant grin. “Got it.” Jonan almost tripped over his own feet in his haste to get to Louis. A list of names, locations and even addresses was shown on Louis’ screen, and Jonan scrambled to grab a piece of paper and pen and started writing it all down. Louis eyed the older agent carefully for several long minutes. He half wanted to know why Jonan wanted to get a list of the research facilities run by the hunters—those known and unknown. But for the sake of his sanity, he decided that he was better off not knowing.

  First rule of being in the ESA: don’t ask any questions.

  “Thanks for this.” Jonan finally stopped scribbling. “I’ll owe you one.”

  Louis sighed even as he closed the top of his computer, placing it in sleep mode. “Jonan, I don’t even want to know why you are looking into it,” he admitted. His work is already keeping him busy enough. He doesn’t need more added to his plate. That, and knowing what Team Alpha does, Louis isn’t sure that he wanted to know why Jonan had asked him for this favour. Heck, Louis is relatively certain that this might not even be ESA business, but something personal. “But be careful. The hunters are not to be trifled with, and you know that.” He warned.

  Jonan’s face betrayed nothing of his thoughts even as he tightened his grip on the paper on which he had written the information. “I know,” he replied. “Not a word to anyone, Louis.” He warned. “Not even to Misha.”

  Louis sighed and nodded. “…I won’t.”