“Name?” Said the bored front desk cop.

“I told you my name; it’s Kera,” I rolled my eyes, my finger tapping on the “Same as the fifteenth time I’ve told you.”

“And how do you….”

I wanted to bang my head on something. This was torture.

Nee buzzed right into the cop’s face. “Ha lady, we only want to talk to Det Towers, he should be expecting us. So why don’t you move it along and….”

“Sergeant, not Lady.” The woman swiped Nee away like a fly as she deadpanned. “Last name.”

I groaned; I knew I  should have stayed in bed this morning.

With her cheeks puffed out in annoyance, Nee charged right back in. “Her last name is Elven. It’s been Elven the first time you asked, and it will be Elven when you ask again.” Nee’s voice rose sharply every time she said, ‘Elven.’

Suddenly I felt a lot of eyes on me. “Nee,” I mumbled, shaking my head. Of course, having your race as a family name was a fair indication of my Exiled status. But, of course, I don’t really care about that. But the stares… I wish I had enough hair to hide under.

“Come on, that lady is clearly messing with us,” Nee was seething.

“It’s more than just that….” I mumbled. I don’t like this feeling, and I wouldn’t have been in this situation if it wasn’t for last night.

***

I couldn’t help but scratch at my neck as Renee gently placed the hot chocolate in front of me. Then she took the opposite seat with her own cup nestled in one hand. Renee winced as she set a cold pack on her head as I took a sip, allowing the steamy sweetness to ease my mind. Even if it was just a little bit.

They both sat in silence until I laid my head down on the table, spinning my now empty cup.

“Why did she have to die?” I blurted out.

 “Kera…”

“Vally was a much better person than I’ll ever be. She was the only Elven that gave a damn about me.” My voice hitched. “I just don’t understand?”

“Kera, I don’t know what to say,” Renee stared imploring at me, but like always, I  looked away. “You and I both know that life isn’t fair, right?’

“True,” I whispered.

 “Then all we could do is live with the coincidence. Vally knew this more than anyone.” Renee continued. “So while trying to find out the truth, so no suicidal heroics.”

I gave her a ‘don’t be ridiculous look. “You know me better than that.”

Renee chuckled a little. “I thought so.” There was a pause. “So what’s bothering you so much.”

Scratching my neck again. “I have a clue, but I don’t know how to get to it. It might be at Vally’s apartment.”

“Hm, the police might have taken it already,” Renee commented thoughtfully. “Are you going to contact Mistress Isabel? She might know.”

“No,” I couldn’t help but shutter. “Mistress Isabell would have told me if that was the case. And she’s scary. I don’t want to be in the same room as her.”

“Maybe, maybe not,” Renee placed the ice pack on the table, then she folded her hands. “Towers was calling?”

“About what?”

“About the call, you had with Vally,” Renee trailed off.

“Why?” Then I widened my eyes as realization dawned on me. “Am I a suspect…again.”

“No,” Renee denied. I just stared at her until she cracked. “Okay, maybe a person of interest.” I groaned, flopping my head back on the table. “But, don’t worry, I gave you a solid alibi.”

“I don’t think it’ll mean much coming from a person who never leaves their house,” Kera stated mournfully. “No one could find this place, anyways.” I finished underneath my breath.

Although there are always exceptions, like Mistress Isabel.

Renee just scoffed, “I’m not the only one who likes to hide. The Edge is riddled with such people. Just ask Master.”

I’ve only meant the man a few times, but I  had gathered that Renee’s Master was an illusionist just like Renee. And his expertise was, whether it was money or people, hiding things in plain sight. Other than that, I didn’t really care to learn anything else.

“Still, I don’t want to be gunned down on the street,” I mumbled. In any case, I knew that my Mana wouldn’t let my death come easily. More than likely, the result would be… catastrophic. “But I don’t want to be a monster.”

 Renee reached out, but her hand fell short of my hand as I fledge away. “That’s never going to happen.”

 “It happened before.” And it would happen again, my inner voice whispered.

They sat in silence for a time when Renee spoke. “In any case, you better contact Towers…not now, in the morning.” Renee got with a groan. “At least one of us should get some sleep tonight.”

I got as well but stopped. “But my room….”

“Yep,” Renee replied cheerfully. “You have a privilege to sleep on the couch.”

 I pouted. “But I don’t like sleeping out in the open.”

 “Too bad,” Renee stated. “Unless you want to help me fix up your room.”

  “I….”

 “Never mind, it’s easier just doing it by myself.” Renee waved her hand in dismissal.

I was about to protest, but I paused and nodded my head in agreement. “True, but…” With delicate work like illusions, I would be more in the way than anything else, but to pass up the opportunity to observe Renee’s magic….umm.

“Don’t bother arguing. You’re swaying on your feet,” Renee scolded. “Kera, you should know where the extra blankets are, right?”\

“Yes,” I drawled out, then a thought invaded her mind. “Has Raven called?”

 “I am sorry, Kera, but no.”

I paused, then shrugged. “Okay, that’s fine then.” I yawned, and my hand moved toward my neck, but something stopped me. “Ha, let go!” Then, yanked my hand away and gave Renee a betrayed look. “Why did you do that for?” She knew that I didn’t like to be touched.

“Your neck.”

“My what?” I asked, bewildered.

  Renee was way too close for comfort. “Let me see it.”

 “Ha, too close!”

 “Come on, stop squirming.” Renee tilted my head to get a better angle while making sure to keep me still. “Is that claw marks?” Then she let go. “Hellfires, I think Mistress Isobel tagged you.”

“When did she….” I ran to the mirror to find nails marks raked down my neck, and they were glowing. I cursed. “No, she didn’t!”

“Yes. Yes, she did.” Renee laughed as she walked away. “Tomorrow’s going be interesting. Almost makes me wish I could come along.” She disappeared as I glared at her backside and fell on the couch with a huff.

***

 “Stupid Renee,” I mumbled underneath my breath. As my hand went to my bandaged neck. It was still so itchy. But at least she let me have Nee. Watching as Nee kept on bickering with the Seargent. “Maybe not very helpful now.” I was getting a head¹ache just listening to their back and forth.

But I could understand why Nee was so frustrated. It was clear what was going on.

“You took your time, didn’t you,” I stated, feeling something shifting, as my eyes brightened to find not Det. Towers, but that Gargoyle menacing presence. Mildly disappointing, for sure, but it was not unexpected, not at all. “So, are you going to arrest me again or...?” Kill me.