New Guy: Page 1

Some Time Later

I awoke that day, called from the depths of slumber by the scent of frying bacon. As is becoming something of a pattern, my sheets were again covered in soot. I really needed to figure out a solution to that. I winced slightly when I sat up, my sore muscles resisting the stretch. Samara was not a fan of restraint.

With only the occasional painful wince, I pulled on my clothes and left my room to investigate the source of breakfast-y smells. Luckily, Lexi was up and making waffles.

"You're up early. Did Samara cut her visit short last night?"

"Ha, not even close. I just smelt something delicious. And breakfast too."

"Ah, subtle."

I slid behind her, wrapping my arms around her and kissing her neck. Her sweet little laugh was music to my ears.

"Lucas, I'm trying to cook."

"Can you blame me? I missed you last night."

"Don't worry, I'm sure we can make it up."

"I certainly hope so."

I snatched a waffle off of a plate, eating half of it in a single bite.

"Yum."

"You do realize I just took that out of the waffle iron. That thing is dangerously hot."

"Babe. I'm built different."

"Yeah, sure. Not the demon thing at all."

I laughed and snagged another waffle, plopping onto the couch.

"Hey, how'd you know Samara wanted me to herself last night?"

"She texted me, duh."

"Samara has a phone?"

"Apparently."

"Huh. Weird."

We didn't chat much more than that, just small talk while we ate and watched tv. Somewhere around an hour later, I finally wondered where Tius or Sarah was.

"I wonder where Tius and Sarah are."

"They left a few minutes before you woke up. They wouldn't tell me where they were going. Said it was a surprise."

"That's worrying."

"I'm sure it'll be fine."

Tuis Domrow's POV

"Listen here, you fossil. My team nearly got made past tense by the psycho you have in interrogation. So if I tell you to assign me a fucking cleric, you assign me a fucking cleric."

The thin, pale man across from me sighed and pushed his glasses up. Quintus was his name, or at least that's what he told everyone. Knowing him, it was probably a lie. His voice was flat and dull, and his mind was immaculately hidden from my abilities.

"Agent Domrow, your request for an additional squad member has been filed. Human Resources will review it, and if they decide that you should be assigned a cleric, you will be. That is the way it works for everyone. Your achievements, though commendable, do not grant you favoritism from me or any other high-ranking Guild members."

"I'm not asking for favoritism. I'm demanding a cleric. And I will get one. Because these threats are getting worse. You've seen it. The sorceress in Jackson. The swordsman in Crestburn. Hell, the fucking monk in New Haven. All mentioning the Dracolich. How much longer can you keep this little cult under wraps?"

The change in his expression was so subtle, that I barely noticed it. But it was there. Fear. Anger. He sighed again, squashing the momentary lapse in self-control.

"A cleric will be assigned to you before the week is out. But do not think you can manipulate the Guild. The information you possess would do much more harm to you than us, should the world be made aware of it. Be very careful, boy. Knowledge is much more powerful than spells and blades."

"I know what I'm doing, Quintus. You of all people should know not to underestimate me."

"I never have. I only worry that your confidence maybe both of our undoings."

"My confidence is earned. I, no, WE have faced greater threats."

"This is different. The dracolich is beyond the things we have killed. Far beyond."

I slammed a fist onto his desk.

"Then why won't you tell me what in the hells it even is!?"

"I cannot. Understand, Domrow, though I am the director of the Guild, even I have orders to follow."

"Who on Earth has the authority to give you orders?"

His eyes locked onto mine.

"The gods."

I took a step back from his desk, suddenly feeling much more ****.

"You're kidding."

He shook his head somberly.

"There are things above you, Tius. Things above me. Things above the Guild. I advise that you remain on your level. When the world flips upside down, you will have a long way to fall."

"I- I understand."

He gestured at his door, which smoothly slid open.

"This conversation is over."

I nodded, walking out with far more questions than I had walked in with.