Chapter 89 Agency Of Undiscovered Beings
1291words
Mom was so much in her element since discovering the destruction left by Kayn and Rake. She failed to inform me that she had contacted the Agency Of Undiscovered Beings. And that they'd be taking over the rest of the day.
Yup.
They were a thing. I was even more surprised when I found out Mom had applied to work for them quite some time ago and saw this as an opportunity to get their attention.
Well, more their approval as she was falling over herself, showing them her collection of evidence of all sorts of cryptids, including Hector's faux setup.
It seemed to work because the agency's head was here, Janice Swank, a rude lady with a superiority complex. She ate up everything Mom showed her, asking for copies and told Mom to come into their offices the following week to discuss a job offer.
I didn't like Janice primarily because she downright told me I was in the way when all I did was greeting her politely in passing. She didn't even acknowledge Hector or Kayn.
Rake had left shortly after the proverbial crap struck the fan, which I was glad for. I didn't want him and Kayn in another blowout, drawing more attention than they already had.
I was dying to know what Rake wanted to talk about and exactly what he did that betrayed Kayn's family. I tried a few times talking to Kayn, but the AOUB was everywhere.
Men with metal detectors and other beeping gadgets crawled around us, searching and collecting evidence.
One of them was dead-on with his suggestion of a fairy and merfolk being responsible, putting the style of destruction in consideration. The man also claimed that merfolk and fae had a long history of conflict. How he knew this, he didn't share with us.
I felt anxiety spike through me, and I knew it wasn't mine I felt. I peered over at Kayn sitting on a chair on the porch between Hector and me. I waited for the man in white overalls to move out of earshot.
"Are you happy now?" I scowled. "That guy clearly knows a thing or two."
"Clearly." Hector stroked his fingers through his beard. "You've done it this time, haven't you?"
Kayn's lips turned down. "You expect me to allow Rake to walk after what he did?"
"No, I don't," Hector responded. "I'd gladly snap him in two and feed it to one of the Krakens."
I didn't miss Hector calling Rake an 'it.' "It's too late now," I huffed, watching the man in the white overalls walking back toward us, metal detector in his hand.
Well, that's what I think it was. I leaned closer to Kayn. "You best hope that thing isn't made to detect cryptids."
Kayn turned, his nose almost touching mine. I quickly sunk back, flushing from the unexpected closeness. He grinned. "Good thing I've been manipulating that thing."
"What do you mean?" I frowned, glancing back at the man in white.
"Just watch," he breathed, unmoving. Not a few seconds later, as the man turned, pointing the detector thingy in the direction of the woods, the detector went off, screeching like crazy.
Excitement crossed the man's features. "Over there!" he shouted at the rest. "There's something on that side."
I turned to find Kayn grinning like the Chesire Cat. "And you had to wait that long to do that?"
"Nah. I just wanted to impress you with my nifty abilities," he shrugged. "That, and it's a great excuse to get you to stay over here. You know, the longer they crawl the place, the longer you have no choice but to hang out."
I rolled my eyes as Hector snorted, getting up onto his feet. "Right. I need some whiskey." He paused, peering down at Kayn. "And for hell sakes, stay out of trouble."
Kayn supplied a grin. "Me? Trouble? Never."
My brows shot up as I peered up at Hector. "Is he okay? He's way too perky."
Hector grunted something that sounded a lot along the lines of "The mark," and "Messes with your mind."
"What is he talking about?" I asked Kayn.
"Nothing," he sighed. "So, how much do you think Bob over there knows about my kind and fairies?"
"Bob?" I snorted. "I don't know, but he seems to know a lot."
"I heard him introduce himself to your mom." Kayn massaged his jaw. "At least they don't suspect any of us from what I've picked up."
"You can hear them from here?" I asked.
"Just some snippets," he replied. "Problem with my magic is it's very reliant on water." He waved a hand at a bucket I hadn't noticed up until now. Someone filled it to the brim with water. "Can't really draw much energy from that alone. I keep getting tuned out. I need more."
"Interessting." I couldn't help but wonder how many times he used that ability to his advantage whenever Ember and I, or when Mom and I gossiped about him. The thought made anxiety twist inside my stomach.
Like he could tell what I was thinking, the corners of his lips turned up. "You'd be surprised what you can learn with super hearing."
I shifted uncomfortably. "It's rude to eavesdrop, you know."
"I'm aware of that." He blew out a breath. "That's why I use it only when I really need it."
I gave him a sceptical look. "Now we both know you're lying."
"Who knows." He got up from his seat and held out a hand for me.
My brows furrowed. "What?"
"Come on, I need to show you something."
"We're not going into the water," I stated. "It's too cold right now."
"Inside the house," he huffed, grabbing my hand and pulling me up to my feet. "My mom's making spaghetti bologna and berry muffins. You do not want to miss it."
"I don't know. Ember will—"
The protest died on my tongue as he tugged me against him, his nose inches from mine. My brain immediately shut down, and the fluttering sensation in my belly expanded.
"She'll get over it," he said. "You tried to protect her."
"I still stand by it. I shouldn't be here," I spoke in breaths. "I should go home."
"Probably," he agreed. "But they'll likely be here until morning and your mom doesn't look like she's planning on feeding you tonight. You've already skipped lunch. I'm not letting you starve."
I wasn't going to lie. I was famished. The AOUB already took over our kitchen as their temp office. With Mom's approval, of course.
If my mind worked the way it should, I'd have known better and turned him down. But, instead, I decided with a breathy, "Okay."
Kayn didn't miss the opportunity, tipping his head down. The front door cracked open, and I tore from his arms as if I got stung.
It was Hector, taking a long swig from his whiskey bottle. "Your mother is looking for you," he slurred, glancing at Kayn.
Without warning, Kayn folded his hand with mine and urged me to follow him. I tried fighting off his hand, but he was more stubborn than a rock.
I hissed an array of insults as we headed inside while secretly admitting to myself that I kind of liked how it felt when he held me.
Since the AOUB took over for the evening, I decided it was an okay enough excuse just to let things be and entertain Kayn until they leave.
I mean, what was the worst that could happen?
