Chapter 60: Very mysterious. Do you practice in mirrors?
"My first mission?"
"Yes."
"Finally."
Lucian’s grin widened.
"The Enclave spent resources on you, a private training room, security staff, medical monitoring, legal aid, hunger management, not to mention one month of Lady Vivienne’s personal time."
The list made Lucian whistle.
"Look at that, I am expensive."
Lucian grinned, Claire’s mouth twitched again but once again, she controlled herself and—
"It is time you show that the Enclave was right to use those resources on you."
"Good. I was worried today would be boring."
Those words made Claire stare at him with a solemn face.
"This is not a game, Lucian. You are not being sent to entertain yourself."
"I know."
"..."
Claire narrowed her eyes and Lucian—
"I will prove myself, Claire.
I need it more than you think."
He spoke and for the first time she saw him today, Lucian didn’t joke, make a flirty or arrogant remark—
He was completely serious.
And for some reason, Claire couldn’t help but trust him.
"The mission is low to mid-risk. You will follow the instructions of the senior hunter in charge."
"Got it~"
Lucian waved his hand in a carelessly confident way, Claire looked at him one last time, then, she just sighed and opened the door in front of him.
"Go in."
Lucian laughed and stepped past her. The room beyond the door was like a meeting room, there was a long table at the centre, screens covered one wall, a map of the city glowed faintly on the largest display.
Five people were already inside, all of them turned when Lucian entered, Lucian looked back at them, then he raised his hand—
"Top of the mornin’, people~"
"..."
"..."
"..."
No one answered.
Lucian glanced back at Claire.
"Friendly team."
Claire completely ignored him, she instead turned towards the head of the table, where a tall man with short dark hair and tired eyes stood in a firm stance.
*Picture*
Lucian looked at him and one look was more than enough for him to sense it—
This was the senior hunter Claire mentioned.
"Captain Darius Hale, this is Lucian Cross."
Claire introduced. Darius’s eyes stayed on Lucian and—
"I know who he is."
He spoke in a firm tone. Lucian smiled at his words as he looked at Claire.
"See? Popular~"
One of the women near the table choked softly, as if stopping a laugh. Lucian’s eyes moved to her.
She was young, maybe in her mid-twenties, with brown skin, dark hair tied back, and a tablet in her hand. There was no warmth in her expression, her eyes were sharp and somewhat curious.
She was Mara Veyne, the group’s field analyst.
*Picture*
"You know you can laugh openly, right? Research says it’s actually good for health."
"What research?"
Mara raised her eyebrow.
"Heck if I know."
Lucian shrugged.
"That discredits what you said."
"Oh come on—"
"Silence."
Darius spoke up, interrupting Lucian mid-sentence. Lucian just raised his hand, showing his surrender and backed away a little.
That’s when the second woman at the table snorted.
She was Ilyra Quinn, the group’s combat medic. She sat with one leg crossed over the other with a medical kit beside her. She had short silver-blonde hair and eyes that were filled with interest.
"Can we return him?"
Ilyra asked as she glanced at Claire, she already knew the answer, she only asked for the sake of the game.
"No."
Claire shook her head.
"Shame."
Ilyra sighed. Lucian just smiled at her and seeing his expression, the man standing near the far side of the table clicked his tongue.
*Picture*
"So this is Lady Vivienne’s pet project?"
The moment those words were said, the room grew colder.
"Tomas."
Darius looked at the man with a strict look on his face. Tomas backed down, not saying anything else, as for Lucian—
He just looked at Tomas with a calm look on his face and—
"Pet project sounds a little too cute.
Trust me, I am not cute."
"Maybe Lady Vivienne taught her pet to bite."
Tomas smiled.
"She did."
Lucian smiled back.
"She taught her pet to bite one’s head off."
He spoke, his purple eyes shining dangerously while the smile on his face never changed.
"You—"
"I said enough."
Darius raised his voice as he placed both hands on the table. Tomas turned silent, Lucian walked to an empty chair and sat down. That made Darius look at him, he hadn’t given him permission to sit, but he didn’t point it out, that wasn’t important.
He just looked at him and—
"You are here to observe and support, follow my orders, do not take initiative unless I allow it, do not separate from the team, do not use Incubus influence on civilians, suspects, or team members."
"Understood."
Lucian nodded.
"You do?"
Darius narrowed his eyes, clearly suspicious.
"I am very obedient."
Lucian smiled confidently.
"No, you are not.
I have read your file."
"That only knows my past self, I am a different man now."
Lucian answered as if he had achieved nirvana.
"Different?"
Darius raised an eyebrow.
"I am much more improved now."
"Arrogant."
Tomas muttered. Lucian looked at him and raised a finger.
"Also improved."
Ilyra laughed at that, Darius looked at her with a strict look and she raised both her hands.
"Sorry, Captain."
That was when Mara looked at Lucian and introduced herself.
"Mara Veyne, field analyst, sensor work, records, ward reading, residue mapping."
Lucian raised his eyebrow, seemingly impressed.
"Lucian Cross. I am very expensive."
Mara blinked at those words and looked at Claire, Claire acted like she didn’t hear anything. That was when Ilyra pointed at herself and—
"Ilyra Quinn. Combat medic, if you get a hole in your stomach because you were talking too much, I will heal you badly."
Lucian just leaned on the table and tilted his head with a playful look.
"Ah, so you are the one I go to when I need something~"
"Please don’t make me regret my profession."
Ilyra chuckled, Lucian laughed at that response as well.
"I will try."
"You will not, will you?"
"Probably not."
Lucian answered honestly, the two smiled at each other, that was when Tomas, sitting across the table, snorted and folded his arms.
"Tomas Reed. Hunter."
Lucian waited for him to say more, Tomas did not and Lucian nodded.
"Strong introduction. Very mysterious. Do you practice in mirrors?"
"Pfft."
