“No,” Was my instant reply.

His perfect smile wavered just a moment. “Maybe you haven’t heard me.”

Ignoring him, I turned to Nee. “Is a bond some sort of mating ritual unique only to shifters? ”

Nee nodded. “Practically to shifters like wolves who are naturally inclined to mate for life. Add Majic to the mix then…”

Nodding my head. “Good to know.” Almost jumping out of my seat in excitement. “That’s what I was seeing. I have never seen a naturally formed Mana line so solid and clear before. Amazing, I want to study it further.”

He leaned forward, interested. “You can see the Mate bond?”

Now I’m confused. “Yes, can’t you?”

“Kera, you dummy.” Nee groaned, cradling her head in her hands.

“I’m interested in you more and more.” He tried to take my hand, and I instinctively moved away.

“I agree it’s an interesting subject.” I agreed but sighed. “Too bad we don’t share such a bond.  Besides…” I could clearly see he had a bond, if faintly, to someone. “Nevermind.” Shaking her head, and continued to say. “To study it up close and personal would have been the best scenario. There should be someone here who fits the criteria.” She looked around the club. “Oh, there are quite a few. Maybe I should ask them.”

“Your getting distracted, again,” Nee warned.

“Maybe the bond hasn’t fully formed yet.” He insisted.

I waved that suggestion away. “No, there’s nothing there. Besides, if I recall, Wolf shifters are monogamous in nature and used to a patriarchal environment. Whereas Elven are polygamous with a matriarchal monarchy. Due to social imbalance, if a relationship was to occur, it will surely break apart soon after.”

“Maybe we’re the exception to the rule.” His smile deepened.

Agreeing. “There always exceptions, but…” Looking the dark-haired man over. I was not great at reading body language. However, I would have been blind not to pick up his overwhelming dominance, and a rich one at that. Also, he was fully clothed, yet he was a shifter; he must have tremendous control.“I might be stereotyping, but I don’t think you’re it.”

“And you…”

I interrupted. “So, in conclusion, you want me for something, and it has nothing to do with a romantic relationship.”

“Can’t I have both?” He asked, reaching to touch her cheek. “It wouldn’t hurt for you to play along a little.”

Jerking away. “Please stop.” The whole conversation was getting exhausting, and I was more than ready to leave.

“Fine,” He straightened, “You’re an exile,”

“How…”

“This is my club, my territory. I know everything.” He eyed me. “Including about a very unique exile who just snuck in.”

Nee sniffed. “And you are…”

“Mathius Talbot, little pixie.”

“Don’t call me a…” Nee stoped. “Wait, did you say Talbot.”

His grin grew wider.

“Who?” I asked.

Nee almost fell over and said in Kera’s ear. “The Talbots has the largest wolf pack in Nexus and the most influential.”

“So, now do you regret turning me down.” Mathius sounded pleased with himself.

“No, not really.” I blurted out.

“You are so cold.” He laughed. “Didn’t you hear me? This my territory, and I could do anything I want with you, and no one could stop me.” His tone turned dangerous.

I couldn’t help but swallow; this was precisely what Vally warned me about. However, it wasn’t in me to back down. “If that was your goal, you would have done so already.”

“True, maybe it’s the company you keep,” he winked.

“So you saw that?” It was more of a statement than a question.

“I keep special tabs on Isabell’s girls.” Pausing. “For insurance reasons.”

Nodding my head in understanding. Isabell wasn’t someone you could offend lightly.

Mathius continued, “Surprise! Surprise! To find a little stowaway.” Straightening his jacket. “How could I say no. The question is, why are you here?”

“I...” I swallowed.

He gave me a knowing look. “Is it because of Royal Elven that used to frequent this place? But that can’t be it, can’t it?” He laughed. “is that why you dyed your hair that hideous colour. Although those tinted glasses are a nice touch. But nothing could hide those beautiful eyes.”

I whispered to Nee. “Is it that bad?”

Nee looked away. “No comment.”

Thinking, do I care? And shrugged, I really don’t.

Looking up sharply. “Wait! Used too?” He slowly got up. “Are you leaving?” I was annoyed. We weren’t done talking.

“I can’t sit here all day. My patrons are waiting.”  Mathius smiled, his teeth growing bigger. “I’m sure our next meeting would be even more interesting.” As he passed, he whispered. “You smell like blood.” And he disappeared into the crowd.

I allowed my head to flop down onto the table. “That didn’t go well, did it?”

“Nope,” Nee answered, a matter of factly. “Can I have that?”

I eyed Nee for a second before pushing the pink drink toward her. “Fine.”

Nee squealed. “Yay!” As she happily took a sip. “There’s a cherry too. Yummy.” Licking her lips in satisfaction. After a few minutes of silence. “Oh.”

I lifted my head. “What is it?”

“Look.” My gaze followed Nee’s pointed finger to Mathius talking to one of the waitresses while glancing my way.

“The Mana lines,” I whispered, entranced.

“What,” Nee asked.

Shaking my head. “Nothing.” I watched as they separated, and the waitress came to us.

She placed a glass of ginger ale in front of me. “Here’s your ginger ale. It’s on the house.”

I wasn’t the kind of person to say no to free but hesitated. “Why?”

“You turned down the great Mathius Talbot. For me, that deserves more than a drink.” The waitress said gleefully. “My name’s Gabriella. Call me Gabby. Anything you need, just ask.” She had olive-coloured skin and laughter lines around her eyes. Cute.

“Anything, hmm.” Glancing at Mathius’s back, then at Gabby. Although as soon as I opened my mouth to ask… a certain someone pulled my hair. “Ouch.” Glaring at the culprit.

Nee hissed in my ear. “Stop fooling around. You probably won’t get another chance.”

“How did you know?” I was a little shocked. Nee just glared at me. Giving in. “Okay, fine.”

Gabby looked back and forth. “Should I leave?”

“No!” I replied sharply but in a calmer tone. “No! Um, I heard that there was Royal Elven here, and you know.” Looking to the side, a little lost in how to explain.

“Ah,” Gabby nodded in understanding. “So you want to get close to your own kind. I get it.” Shaking her head in sympathy.

Quite the misconception, but let’s go with that. “I’m not fooling anyone, aren’t I,” I responded with a bittersweet tone.

“No, that’s not it at all.” Gabby denied, coming closer, whispered. “I wouldn’t have noticed if Mathius hadn’t said anything, um.” She looked conflicted.

Suspicious now, I straightened. Was this some kind of trip? “Did he, now!”

Gabby continued, “But I don’t think it’s a good idea to associate with them. To be honest, they were jerks who were harassing our staff. Mathius got fed up and kicked them out.”

“Damn,” I cursed, then I had a thought. “Wait, anyone in particular?”

Gabby’s brow furrowed in concentration.  “No, can’t think of… wait, they were bothering Tavin quite a bit. He’s a brownie who works in the kitchen.”

“Do you know where I can find him?” See the doubt crossing Gabby’s face. I hurriedly explained. “Maybe they slipped out where they’re going next,” I asked.

“I don’t see how that’s helpful,” Nee whispered.

“Doesn’t hurt to ask.” I countered, but I know how most elite act, no matter the species. If they viewed someone as lesser, then they might as well be a chair.

“He should be in the back alley. He usually spends his breaks there,” Gabby answered.

I was looking around in confusion, “Where..”

She laughed. “It’s through the emergency exit, near the bathrooms.”

“Thank you.”

“No, problem, ” Gabby stopped hesitating. “You’re not going pester him or anything?”

“No, nothing like that.” I denied. Hopefully, Gabby won’t question further.

Gabby seemed to buy it.“Good, the man’s been through enough.” Someone called out to her. “Got to go. Nice to meet you.” Then she was off.

“So someone conveniently gave us a clue, Mathius’s doing?” Nee spoke up when I didn’t respond right away. Nee flew right in front of my face. “Hello! Geeze, What’s going on in your head,” Nee asked.

“A hunch, maybe?” I vaguely responded as I got up. “Come on, let’s go check it out.”

Nee gave me an odd look but played along. “You just want an excuse to get out of here.”

“I really do,” I stated.

“Hey, wait a moment. I want to finish my drink. Hey,” Nee gulped down the rest of her drink before flying after me.

As soon as I stepped outside and into the alleyway, I sighed in relief. “Remind me never to go into a place like that again.”

“Um, the nights not over yet,” Nee warned. “So why are we out here, anyway? This seems like a dead lead, even if Mathius pretty much threw it into our lap.”

“Hmm, you said I have to act like a magic fixer, right? Something small could lead to something significate. That’s Magic one, oh one.” Grinning. “Besides, we have nothing else.”

Sighing. “Well, that’s nothing new. However, I don’t see anyone here. Let alone a brownie. I think we got played.”

“Only one way to find out.” I opened my eyes but frowned. “That’s strange.”

“What is.”

 “Mana traces? There isn’t any.” Panicking. “There should be Traces. There’s always Traces.”

“Okay, calm down,” Nee said, “Are you listening to me.” When I nod my head. “Now, is it just here, or can you see traces further away.”

“I..” I gasped out.

“Breath.”

Looking, I walked to the left. Closer to the noise. “Here, there are some here,” Relieved, but my feet moved to the right.

“What are you doing?” Nee hissed out.

Looking back at the tiny fairy, I explained. “If the issue isn’t coming from my end, then someone or something wiped all Mana Traces clean. I have never seen anything like it before. Even humans leave traces behind. Let’s see where this goes.”

“Aren’t we supposed to…” Seeing my pleading look. “I don’t like it, but fine.” Nee reluctantly agreed.

I couldn’t help but be excited as we followed down the traceless path. This was something I haven’t encountered before, and I couldn’t wait to study it further.

They went into another alleyway, then into another. Then suddenly I saw something in the corner of my eye. I looked up to find something with wings going over the roofline. “Nee, did you see…” Turning to find how pale Nee looked. “Nee?”

“I think I’ve found Tavin.” Her voice sounded so detached.

“Where, you’re scaring…” As my eyes moved down finally landing on something unbelievable. “Me.” I finished in a whisper. There stuffed behind a dumpster. A thin body shaped like a brownie was sprawled out, limply. And very dead.