FILE 24: AT THE SECRET HOTEL PART 2

I was even more flustered. This guy was a freaking CEO? I feel so pathetic in front of him with my holiday outfit. I clasped his hand firmly and produced a shake as I stuttered, "O-otherworld I-investigator Nathan M-McNeill. Uh, it sounds like my job is a con, but I assure you I'm not a conman…" Stop babbling Nathan, I scolded myself.

But Liam merely laughed it off. The bell tinged as we reached my floor. What a relief, now I can flee this scene forever and erase it from my mind. As I was about to turn and run away, he pulled out a card from his jacket pocket. I gaped in surprise. It was my business card!

"Why do you have my card?" I was somewhat thrilled. Though I don't recall presenting someone like him my credentials, I'm quite flattered. Liam must be loaded with wealth, right? I promptly planned my next payroll check.

"An employee of mine had it. Coincidentally, it landed in my hands just as I required services that may need your expertise," he said modestly. An employee of his? I can't think of any.

"You require my help? Definitely, as long as you pay the fee, I mean, if it falls within my capabilities." I coughed to cover up the slip up, but Liam was unbothered. "I'm certain you will do fine. Meet me tomorrow at one pm for lunch at the Flying Toucan Pub and I'll inform you," he spoke smilingly.

I agreed and withdrew. When I arrived at my room, I finally grasped that the elevator hadn't moved for some reason. I subconsciously shivered but moved it to the back of my mind. I entered a dirty room with a snoring Lea on the floor.

*

Liam was pleased. He couldn't believe his luck. What of the odds that he would run into the one person that he desperately was keen to meet? Edrys had called him a few days ago purely to rant into his ears about how everything was going wrong concerning the investigator, but that was because she was progressing regarding it the incorrect way. 

"If he's protected by the Sith, then that means they recognize his value as well," he pondered. "Hence sending demons his way won't work, Edrys," he smirked, delighted at her failures.

"Only I or a human for that matter can approach him unscathed as they will believe we are harmless. I'll provide a case for him to evaluate his skills just like you want and then if he passes, we'll dispatch him to search for the portal of the Sith or better yet, the Sith themselves."

His grin became broader when he thought of Nathan and his ignorance. If Nathan succeeded then they would be another step closer to the destruction of the Veil and his immortality.

He entered his room and saw it had been cleaned. YunHee sat on the chair with a towel wrapped around her head, typing away. She quickly rose to bow but he held up a hand.

"How was the meeting, Sir?" she asked anxiously as she sat back down. If it went well, then she was permitted to enjoy a wonderful vacation. But if it went badly, they had to work.

"They were inspired by the sample and thus greenlit the project. You and Hanuel Kang will be project managers and create more of Vial HR-25."

"Affirmative. I will instruct Kang when we return." YunHee wrung her fingers uncertainly before continuing. "So, um, can we—"

"You can enjoy yourself for the rest of our stay," Liam pronounced testily. YunHee rejoiced internally as she returned to her laptop.

 *

Liam waited patiently as the phone rang. Pick it up you demon, he brooded. A few rings later the phone clicked and he flinched as a female voice screeched "Bastard! What do you want now?"

"Good evening to you too, Edrys," Liam greeted forcefully. "I contacted you for my report, don't you recall?" She cursed and answered bitingly, "It's barely past nine am and I was still sleeping when you phoned. Ever heard of time zones?"

Snatching deep breaths Liam spoke politely, "I'm sorry. I thought since we had a deadline you would be awake by now." He heard a snort on the other side. "Oh sweety. I totally forgive you," she drawled. "So, what's up?"

"The board has agreed to sponsor the project so we can use as much funds as we want. Moreover," he paused for a moment before continuing, "I encountered that investigator, Nathan McNeill."

"That sonofa!" she shrieked.

He gripped the phone from his ear as she raved. When silence returned he asked mockingly, "Does his name cause you to feel like a failure?"

"Shut up. Since he's there go kill him," she demanded shrilly.

"Not so fast. Let's not write him off just yet. I'm meeting him tomorrow and believe he can help us." Liam argued.

"You sound very assured of yourself. He could very well be our enemy since the Sith are keeping close watch on him." Edrys didn't sound profoundly convinced.

"You needn't worry about that. I will act like an ordinary customer with a haunting problem that he has to solve. They won't suspect anything," Liam said firmly.

"I'll not grant you immortality if your plan doesn't work out," she threatened before saying dismally, "I have to admit he's worthy. My minion informed me that he's reasonably strong. At any rate, now that we have sponsors, we can hire some guinea pigs for our experiments."

As she babbled, Liam scowled fiercely. Periodically she just wouldn't shut up. "I can't take any chances when presenting the healing potion to my Queen. Let's see; we already kidnapped some lunatics from the asylum, didn't we? I doubt they will miss a few more."

"Sure. I will allow my employee to take care of it," Liam asserted through gritted teeth. The way she expressed humans set his teeth on edge. Evidently, she looked down on them and naturally at him as well.

"You mean that girl you spewed everything to? She your new lover or something? Had an one night stand?" Edrys giggled maliciously. "Kidding. I know you're still a virgin as I can smell it." Liam's face reddened from fury at her taunting.

"It's getting late here, and I'm tired. I'll see you once I get back. Leave the boy to me, all right?" Liam muttered. She only hummed in reply as she hung up.

He threw his cell phone on the bed in fury. When will she ever stop treating him like dirt, he ranted.

*

King Finvarra listened attentively to his subordinate as he delivered his report. Nicneven clutched her sweaty fingers nervously. Things were moving more rapidly than they had initially thought.

"While the prince and human are still solving cases, the Draconian has already sent another minor demon after them, this time just to observe instead of confronting. The boy has become outstanding as he can now banish demonic entities."

Moved the King murmured, "Ailbhe's teaching no doubt. Carry on, captain." The Fae bowed and proceeded, "The prince has now gained two new companions, a fox named Blair and a woman called Lea but as the demons do not consider them important. I wonder if our king will discard them as well?"

Finvarra contemplated for a few moments before his wife interjected. "A woman! She may be valuable to Nathan, and you never know, the hellcniht may realise that as well and exploit her."

"Are you proposing we send protection for her as well?" Finvarra entreated her. She nodded earnestly. "The fox too. We cannot suffer any risks, my love. Until Ailbhe returns with his partner, they must be protected."

The Fae king then turned to the captain, "You heard her. Gather two more guards to go with you when you return to the human world." The Fae saluted as he was dismissed.

Finvarra sighed as he massaged his temple in agitation. "I cannot believe the preparations are taking so long. Just how difficult is it to alter the road?"

"No human has ever passed the Way between the Worlds. The elders are trying their best to be as quick as they can. They know how urgent this is and won't slack down, especially since it's for their crown prince," Nicneven comforted her agitated husband.

"Still—"

"Trust in Ailbhe, and the boy, Nathan." Nicneven hesitated but then leaned in and said in hushed tones, "The guards assigned to Nathan have witnessed him transform into Feile Maor."

Stunned, Finvarra gasped. "It can't be. Fully?" She twinkled, displaying a row of pearly teeth. "That Ailbhe. He did it! That boy!" The king guffawed until tears rolled down his cheeks.

"At the minimum I know the human can take care of himself," he sighed loudly. "A human feline shapeshifter. I guess anything is possible. We don't know of any humans of Fae descent?"

"There's no history of one," Nicneven confirmed. Her husband tapped a finger on his throne. "I wonder how Ailbhe managed it? In that case, the only other method left was a blood transfusion. That is one of our biggest taboos. Those long-winded elders will have a field day!" He doubled over with laughter. "My son, I can't wait to see what kind of king you'd make!"