Asher stepped into the firm's conference room, the atmosphere thick with unspoken tension. Clarissa was already seated at the table, her brow slightly furrowed as she reviewed her notes. Captain Bolard leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his expression serious.
"Asher," Clarissa began, glancing up at him. Her voice was light yet cautious. "Can we talk about last night?"
"Is it about the shadewalker?" Asher asked, taking a seat across from her.
Clarissa looked up at him, her eyes twinkling like a puppy that had done something wrong.
"Um, yeah," she replied, her tone careful but friendly. "You were a bit… intense. I mean, I get it—she was dangerous and all—but it felt a little cold."
Asher shrugged, feeling the weight of her words but dismissing her concern. "I did what was necessary. She was a threat."
Captain Bolard pushed himself off the wall and stepped forward. "I understand the necessity of the situation and the danger inherent in it. However, it's wise to always keep an eye on yourself. The step toward the abyss can easily be your last."
Asher nodded, taking a moment to process Bolard's words. He knew there was some truth in them and decided to reflect honestly on his behavior. It was indeed unlike him to act so coldly.
"I'm sorry if I seemed harsh," he said, sincerity in his voice. "I'll keep it in check next time. I think I got caught up in the moment. I was worried sick that she would hurt you, Clarissa. I think I was still rattled from the bloodfiend incident. Forgive me. I'll apologize to the shadewalker as well. Thank you both for keeping me in check."
Clarissa leaned forward slightly, her bright eyes earnest. "I appreciate that, but I think we need to remember we're trying to build trust—even with those who oppose us. They need to see we're different from the people we hunt."
Asher considered her perspective, though he still believed his approach had merit. Nevertheless, he made a concerted effort to pay better attention to his behavior. He smiled at Clarissa, masking his internal struggle.
"Understood. I'll work on it."
"Great!" Clarissa said, a smile breaking through her seriousness. "Let's focus on moving forward."
Just then, Henry burst into the room, the shadewalker trailing behind him, looking sullen and defiant. As he surveyed the scene, Henry rolled his eyes. "Useless kids," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head. "You'd think they'd know better than to get involved with this stuff."
Asher suppressed a smirk at Henry's typical complaints, knowing better than to challenge his senior. Instead, he took a moment to appreciate the gruff wisdom that often accompanied Henry's words.
Henry shrugged, unfazed. "Just saying. They're not cut out for this kind of life." With that, he turned on his heel and left the room, muttering about "kids these days" as he disappeared down the corridor.
"Let's get back to business," Captain Bolard said, turning his attention to the shadewalker. "We need to know the location of the market where you acquired your potion."
The shadewalker crossed her arms defiantly. "And why should I tell you?"
"Because," Asher interjected, leaning forward, "this is your chance to save yourself. You tell us what we need to know, and maybe we can help you."
She hesitated, glancing between the three of them, weighing her options. "Fine. The market is located in an old warehouse district near the docks. They run it at night, hidden from the light."
Asher kept his gaze on the shadewalker as Captain Bolard pressed further, his voice calm but authoritative. "We still need the boy's name. Who led you to this market?"
The shadewalker clenched her jaw, refusing to speak. It was clear she wouldn't budge, no matter how much they pressed her.
Clarissa, maintaining her usual bubbly demeanor, walked over to the girl and gently touched her arm. "Come on, let's get you some rest. We can continue this another time," she said kindly, leading the shadewalker out of the room. Her tone was soft, almost comforting, despite the tense situation.
As the door closed behind them, Asher turned to Captain Bolard. "Why is this market still open? Surely you know about it by now."
The captain gave a small smile, clearly impressed with Asher's perceptiveness. "Sharp as always, Asher. Yes, we're aware. The market has its uses, and while it isn't without its dangers, it doesn't pose an immediate threat to the city's balance."
Before Asher could respond, Clarissa returned, her usual brightness subtly dimmed by the weight of the situation. She nodded to both of them as she sat back down, ready to continue the conversation.
"The market doesn't operate without our knowledge. We're aware of it; it's not necessary to shut it down. However, we will investigate to ensure there's nothing especially dangerous happening there."
Asher exchanged a glance with Clarissa, their resolve strengthening. "Then we'll go to the market. We'll gather what information we can and see for ourselves."
"Be careful," Bolard warned, a hint of concern creeping into his voice. "Remember, it isn't our goal to cause a scene at the market. I'd just like to verify the identity of the vendor and make sure they aren't part of something bigger."
"As an aside, the girl doesn't seem problematic—Melody, was it? She seems quite useful. What do you two think?"
Asher chewed the inside of his lip before offering his opinion. "Naive, but if she shows the ability to learn, I think she could be an invaluable ally and coworker."
Captain Bolard seemed to agree with Asher's assessment.
Clarissa was perhaps a quarter as serious as Asher in her evaluation. "I like her! She seems nice, Captain! Can we, can we, can we—"
"Okay, I got it, Clarissa. You two know what to do. I'll keep your words in mind when deciding if she's a good fit."
Asher and Clarissa nodded, determination coursing through them. They stood up and made their way to the door. It was barely two o'clock, so they had a long time until evening.
"I want to spend it with Renee. Ahh, life is truly so troublesome."