The stone of divinity

“This is your new employee, Mr Xiao? I must say, every new employee you hire is easy on my eye. Even the new girl you hired has her charms even if she deemed a little, uh, depressed. How about it Mr Xiao?” This was the sole reason Xiao did not want to ask this favour yet.

In front of him sat a pair of women, one young and one who was getting on in her years. However, the older woman had a huge smile on her face, her body language screaming excited.

It made Xiao uncomfortable since no one should be this cheerful with strangers without an alternate reason. And Clair Bloom had her own. The girl sitting at her side, Sara just shot them apologetic looks.

“I was not aware you stopped by our shop yesterday Mr Bloom. Both my new workers were hired yesterday, so I’m afraid we'll have to have this talk sometime else” For her part, the woman did not look any less wilted at the reflection.

If anything, her smile grew at the reply. Clearly, she had not taken it as a rejection but more like a not now but later kind of situation.

“Sure darling, I didn’t. But news travels fast in our business. I’m sure they will be as good as my little Sara here. Been in the industry for two years and she already has a regular spot in a blockbuster” Her pride shone in her words which caused Xiao to sigh.

Sara had been a past employee at his shop who had interned for a month. Just like others’ she had gotten her to wish to be fulfilled. Hers was more tamed than some of his other clients, just to be a celebrity.

His brother had hooked her up with this agent. Claire Bloom was 100% human and knew nothing about their side of the work.

However, there were some close calls before and now Xiao just preferred to avoid the lady. Kei at his side showed no sign of visible discomfort he must be feeling as most of the comments had been aimed at him to reel him into the celebrity business.

“I’ll decline Mrs Bloom. Maybe we can talk after my contract expires” Kei brushed off which caused the lady to burst out into happy noises.

That was simply encouraging the danger Kei. However, Kei could not hear his thoughts so it didn’t matter.

“I’m sorry, but I was on a tight schedule so I had to bring my agent with me. I still don't have a licence and arriving on time gets tough sometimes” Sara explained. This was a common problem for the Siren people so it was understood.

Since most of the race was aquatic, when they gained human form with magic there was discontent and hence it took them a long time to adapt with legs. Walking and simple dancing was easy enough but instincts took time to adapt and hence complex things like using a clutch with muscle memory took a long time to get used to.

He couldn’t fault Sara for it. Even if the company was less than desired.

“Sara, I hope you got the message in the morning. Sorry for the short notice, but we need to head toward the north as soon as possible” Xiao decided to stop beating around the bush with his words.

HIs fatigue from last night had not vanished fully. Kei was thankfully a great presence to have right now since he had distracted Clair. Whatever worked was fine with him.

“Yes, I did get the message. That was unfortunate timing for the north and I understand what you need the stone for. However, you gave really short notice to me so I couldn’t retrieve the stone” Sara explained and Xiao got what she was getting at. With her earlier comment, the situation became much more clear.

“Don’t worry. I’ll get the stone myself. Is it in your family grave still?” She wanted him to get the stone himself. Truly, Sara was a perfect example of a Siren. Their species was notorious for detaching themselves from any work they deemed as a burden.

They were not selfish, just efficient in what they would do. If there was any other way to achieve the same result without effort, a siren would always choose it.

Clearly to retrieve the stone herself and keep it protected would be a huge chore, so it had been left behind. If Xiao left it to her then they would not get the stone for some time. It was better if he retrieved it himself.

“Cool. Then give us an entry pass for the graveyard or I’ll break open the seal. Really, I think my idea to brute force it was so much better” Kei had joined the conversation at this point. A quick look around showed that miss Bloom was no longer there.

However, there was a patch of water on the table cloth in front of her seat so it was not difficult to imagine what had happened.

“I had the pass prepared for one person, but not for two of you. Also, what is an employee doing here? I was not aware that we were allowed to participate in this side of the business” Sara turned her cool grey eyes at the black-haired teen sitting diagonal to her. Her blond curly hair styled perfectly for her shoot.

Kei just smiled at the accusation.

“You were not, but I am an employee for both sides so I don’t count. Besides, I’m here now” Kei gloated and it was clear to see that he was trying to get a rise out of Sara and it was working.

For all her cool head and Siren nature, Sara was no older than Kei in looks and apparent age. Her mental maturity was not enough to let it go. Plus, Xiao was willing to bet that no one talked to her like that now.

Before it could ugly, Xiao Decided to interfere.

“It’s alright. One will do for now Sara. I’m sure we’ll manage it there. Just inform your elders that we will be visiting the graveyard so they should expect the place to get a little wrecked” if the wards of his house and shop had decided not to treat Kei as an external factor, then he was sure that these wards would also not.

If not, then he had some tricks from his old days to make it all work out. And if nothing else worked, well, Kei’s idea sounded tempting to him. Let’s hope that it didn’t come down to it.

“Yes Sara, just give us the pass now so that we can be on our way” There was something in Kei’s voice when he said the phrase. A type of warning, but as usual his senses remained dull to it.

Sara’s however were not as a shiver passed down her body. Wordlessly she took out a talisman from her purse and extended it toward Xiao.

After it was packed it was time to go.

“I’ll head down and get the car from the parking lot. Don’t take long” Kei called out as he left the two of them alone. There had been something dark in his looks but it had vanished when he had left. Looking at his back, one could only see an excited teenager who was excited to drive his favourite car.

Almost cute enough if you ignore the earlier dark look that he had supported.

“I’ll pay the bill and get going then. Give my regards to your elders” Xiao turned toward the still sitting blond in front of him before he decided to take his leave.

However, Sara’s body language screamed hesitation, so Xiao decided to wait till she had said her piece before leaving. It didn’t take long for her to speak, so that was nice.

“That Kei, Your new employee” She began delicately and seeing him nod continued, “be careful around him. He seemed dangerous and he’s definitely hiding something. He’s not normal and something in me screamed when I looked at him. It screamed the same way when I saw the black branch for the first time. Please be careful” Sara concluded with fear in her voice.

Xiao didn’t know what the feeling she described was. For him, the feeling had never appeared. When he saw the black branches and butterflies he felt comfortable and warm. They were a part of his powers and origin, but for others, they were a source of misery and destruction.

He could not comprehend their thoughts at all. But he could assure her thoughts for now though.

“Sara, don’t worry. I’m aware of the situation and it is something like that. However, even if it is we can do nothing about it just like we can do nothing about the black bloom and black chaos” that was a fact and an undeniable one.

This made him realise that perhaps even if Noah had caught up to the fact that Kei was dangerous he had decided to not react for this very reason. To not attract Kei’s attention and to allow Xiao to keep an eye on him.

After all, Xiao was the only immunity to that power currently and the best defence against Kei should he decide to do anything outrageous.

“You’ll tell me to not get involved here right. Alright, I’ll trust you and inform the elders about this. You take care of yourself then” the end of Sara’s words were awkward and Xiao grinned at her before taking his leave.

Best to get away before Clair Bloom made her appearance. He could see her outside the door from the periphery of his vision. Thankfully, entry and exit were situated at opposite ends of their accommodation so that made it easy to avoid her.

The stairs were a short walk and soon he was outside. Just taking a casual look around the area he could see a lot of supernatural creatures just adjust and among humans. A perfect and effort blend that no one could point out and it caused a smile to appear on his face.

Once upon a time, this was a dream but it had become a reality much quicker than most had expected it to. Even supernatural creatures had released advantage of technology and had incorporated it in traditional methods.

Not that it had no side effects. It had caused disagreements, problems in conflict and even given rise to Hunters.

Hunters were a relatively new society that incorporated traditional methods but in a more destructive way. They were mostly infamous for their way to handle things, supernatural experimentations and even killings for their samples. They were like pests with actual power and threat behind them.

Really, the supernatural political structure was unstable and he was at the centre and out of it at the same time. Curse his position, just another con. However, he could never bring himself to abandon it, no matter the cost.

But that was a conversation for another time and his own run-in with the hunters had been something of the past. His present life was simple and he would keep it as such.

“Get inside looser, we’re going to get the stone” Kei’s voice attracted his attention at the right time. The teen had already parked the car in front of him with the door to his side open. Vaguely, he recognised the line Kei had used as a popular quotation but he had never known its source so he missed the humour in it.

“Thanks. So, how’s the traffic?” he asked as he slid inside the car. Kei looked over him once before his attention shifted back to the road.

“It’s not heavy, so I think I'll reach there in two hours. What did you talk to Sara about after I left?” Kei asked a curious note in his voice. His eyes never leaving the road in front of him, yet Xiao still felt as if Kei’s attention was on him instead.

“Well, she reminded me to be wary of you and your intentions. Said that you are a dangerous creature and I agree. But you’re my employee right now so I had to defend you all the way” Xiao decided to add cheer in his voice. He could have lied, but he decided not to.

Thankfully Kei didn’t look to be taking any offence to his words. Instead, he just chuckled.

“I am dangerous and she is right. You should be attentive to all the dangers around you. But rest assured, I will never be a danger to you at least. After all, I am your employee. Tell you what, I’ll even protect you for the time being since you are special” Those were the words spoken however, Xiao felt that they were completely different in their meaning.

He was grateful all the same for them though. Apart from that one person, there had been no one who had told him as such.

Perhaps there had been a lot of people who were invested in his well being for their own good and interest. And maybe Kei was the same, but this was the first time in a year he had been told this.

It felt good, even if it was said in a jesting tone. It didn’t matter at this moment if he didn’t know who Kei was or what he was. This moment was enough for him to get the warm feeling inside him that he carved.

“Hey, do you think I’ll get pulled over if I drove a little faster? You can sleep on the way there for now.” Xiao felt that voice very pleasant for now. And the atmosphere was comfortable too. It caused an unconscious smile to bloom on his face.

“It will be a miracle if we don’t get pulled over for illegal driving. Kei, you are fifteen” Xiao replied in a playful mood. Kei just passed a grin on his face. Perhaps this was his first friend. One he could actually get along with.

The sleep throughout the way was much more comfortable than last night’s one.