Chapter 413: An Old Face
Through some mysterious force of divine mercy, we got to the police station unscathed, and somehow even more bizarre, within the speed limit.
The place looked as you’d typically imagine it. The state flag, country flag waving ever so patriotically in the hands of sculpted statues, rows of police cars parked out front, and the constant swing of the double doors funneling the to and fro of blue-uniformed justice.
I ended up being the last to get out of the car, mostly because Tyler wouldn’t let go of my hand, thanking me over and over again, tears practically welling in his eyes, for a grand opportunity of a lifetime.
And that’s also how I also ended up being given the prestigious honor of being the first to know amongst all the other Leadeners that he’ll definitely be staying in town for a few more days extra.
We’ll see in the coming days if his thanks in me is rightfully placed, or if I’ve inadvertently ended up just digging him in an early grave, knowing Amelia though... suppose I better start digging.
“If you truly ever value your life,” Amelia said as I arrived over to them on a cautious approach. “You will think not to do as you did just then twice, you understand me?”
“I think he likes you, Amelia,” I said slyly, watching Tyler’s car leave us in the dust. “Someone that can see past your cold, dead, bitter heart... let me tell you, you don’t see a guy like that everyday, even through centuries.”
.....
“And just what are you implicating exactly?”
I gave her a smile. “Ever loved before, Amelia?”
Police station, at the literal front doorstep of authority and justice, that didn’t matter to her – flashing her claws at me, the tips of it barely touching my chin.
“Don’t you dare even suggest it,” Her voice got dangerously low. “Never. Him? Not possible. Don’t even speak a word of it. Why, you insult me with the very prospect.”
“You say to the son of the Demon Goddess,” I replied, calmly lowering her jagged edges to the side. “Remember when that prospect was an insulting one too?”
She stepped back, having no rebuttal, but kept her menacing stare. “In any case, you keep that foul, ill-mannered creature away from me, you understand me? Lest he and you suffer the throes of my unbridled fury.”
“Once you stop speaking in Shakespeare, then maybe,” I said, giving her my most unapologetic shrug. “Do you even hear yourself sometimes?”
She looked affronted by that as if Shakespeare was the most offensive thing she’s ever been name-called.
“I know not what that means, but if the way I speak does trouble you so,” She began, her arms crossed in her usual arrogant swagger. “Then shouldn’t that go double for that dear Elf that you’re so sickeningly fond of?”
Okay, great, now she got me there, and me had snared with her sharp words... it’s different okay? When Ash does it, it’s adorable, but when you start to speak like that, I just wanna stab my ears with a fork.
Whatever, time to wriggle out of this conversation completely by shifting to a totally different topic.
“You know, you still haven’t told me why on earth are you both coming along with me.”
“Two reasons, both very valid, and both very vital,” She started her explanation, before abruptly coming to a stop. “And both of which you haven’t any business of knowing at this point in time.”
“Seriously?” I sighed, then looked over the quiet looming figure peeking over Amelia’s shoulder. “And you? You agree with your devil sister too?”
To my dismay, the figure responded with a silent nod back, outvoting me two to one.
“Whatever then,” I gestured forward. “Let’s just go.”
Honestly, I haven’t a clue what’s the procedure to follow when coming into a police station. Could you just ask for directions to the detective’s office and be pointed the right way that easy? I hope so.
Once inside, and away from the blazing sun, the twin sisters took a nice refreshing breather on a pair of hard padded chairs, and that’s when I started getting hospital vibes from the interior.
There were people already inside, sitting in chairs of their own. Drunkards, misdemeanors, and hooded vandalizers seemed to be the common crowd around these parts. Not all, just most... and then they were some that just stood out for other reasons too, reasons like... familiarity.
Like that guy at the reception, writing, then being handed a sheet of paper from the officer behind the glass panel. He didn’t turn around, I didn’t even see his face... but I’d know those long luscious flowing golden locks almost anywhere.
Now just what was Leon doing here of all places?
“Oh...” Adalia had seen him too, raising a slow, limp finger to his direction. “It’s... Ash’s... admirer... from before...”
“Another admirer of the Elf?” Amelia scoffed, trailing her gaze along towards him. “Now that’s a laughable prospect if there ever was one.”
I ignored her, most gladly too, and began to make my way to the reception too, if nothing else but to get a better look.
Leon in casualwear was almost a surreal sight to see, but as with pretty much every other attire, he was dripping in style, cool... type you’d see plastered on a billboard somewhere.
“So what are you in for?” I said, plopping my elbows beside his. “Finally a crime to be as handsome as you are now?”
Momentarily, I caught him in shock, surprise, but as soon as that faded, there he went flashing his signature pearly smile.
“Guess that would make us bunkmates, doesn’t it?” He greeted back in delight. “Wow, now this is a coincidence! What are you doing here?” Then his eyes widening slightly, he began to look around. “Are you alone? Did you come with someone?”
“If you’re looking for Ash, then I must tell you, you’re a couple of miles too far looking left,” I told him.
“Oh, that’s too bad,” He sounded disappointed, but being him, he played it off cool. “I guess you’re wondering what I’m doing here, aren’t you?”
“I have my guesses as to why, yes... murder, arson, theft... y’know the standard things.”
“Well, sorry to disappoint,” He fluttered his sheet of paper. “I’m just reporting something missing.”
“Missing?”
“One of my horses,” He explained with a frown. “Last night’s storm must have blown open the stable, I think. This morning when I thought of going for a canter around the estate, I noticed I was missing one. Oh, perfect timing actually – since you’re here, can I ask you to keep a lookout for me if you find her? I’m sure you’ll know her when you see her.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Because you’ve ridden her before, remember?” He arched his brows. “Back at the convention? I rewatched the streams, you rode her like the wind! I’ve never seen her be so in sync with anyone else before, not even to me... I think she’s taken a liking to you, actually.”
I remembered that, remembered it too well, to be frank. All those sharp turns, paint buckets flying everywhere, contenders to contend with, don’t think I would have gotten as far as I did if it weren’t for her, that horse with the silver mane, the lustrous green eyes.
“Lyn’s,” I said slowly. “Lyn’s your horse?”
“You even have your own name for her too,” He beamed at me. “Yeah, she’s one of mine. The tournament was lacking some, so I loaned them some.”
“And what – she’s suddenly missing now?”
“Yeah,” He affirmed, not as gleefully this time. “Just gone in the night... no trace of her anywhere... almost like she just... disappeared or something.”
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