Still on my bench, I smiled as I noticed a cat playing with a mouse.
It chased, caught, and released it—only to pounce again the moment it tried to flee.
Amusing.
Who said parks were boring?
Then, a call.
I sighed and answered.
"Mr. Spade, your nine o'clock is here early," my secretary, Delancy, informed me.
"Delancy, just call me Mr. Gacanagh. Or Sir Gacanagh. I'll be right there."
Eight-thirty instead of nine? That was... interesting.
I was nearby anyway.
I walked down the boulevard, stepping over brittle autumn leaves that crunched beneath polished leather shoes.
The tall, dark office building loomed ahead, a shadow cast in glass and steel—just the way a corporate jungle should.
Necessary evil, this job.
The moment I stepped into the firm, junior lawyers turned with overeager smiles.
"Sir Gacanagh, I loved how you handled the case with the kidnappers," one of them gushed.
"I'm a big fan," another added.
I returned a polite, measured smile.
"Hard work and experience, gentlemen. Your time will come."
My tone was calm, deliberate—just enough to stoke their ambition without handing them more than they deserved.
As I headed toward the stairs, their whispers followed.
"He never takes the lift."
"He doesn't even break a sweat climbing five floors."
"He's so cool…"
"I want to be just like him someday."
Pathetic. Gossiping instead of working—and they expect to reach greatness?
I didn't crack the most impossible cases by sitting on my hands.
Mortals. Pfff.
I reached my office and found my nine o'clock already seated inside.
The Kitsune.
Yes, one of those nine-tailed fox creatures, cloaked in human form.
Some might call him a handsome redhead with amber eyes.
But to me? He was just another piece in my game.
Just like that cat, I let him run—only to pounce when it suits me.
"Hello, Player One," I murmured under my breath, amused, watching him through the open doorway like a cat eyeing the last lick of cream.
"Mr. Gacanagh," Delancy greeted, appearing beside me with a clipboard. I nodded and shut the door behind me.
Elis sat calmly, amber eyes steady, calculating.
"I don't like owing you things," he said.
I leaned against my desk, folding my arms across my chest.
"Yes... any answers? Have you found others like me?"
Elis held my gaze, unwavering. "It's not that simple. It's hard to find someone with both love fairy and dark fairy blood in their veins—like you."
"You know why I chose you? Why I saved you?" I asked, my voice smooth, almost gentle.
He waited, silent.
"It's because Kitsunes are supposed to be resourceful. Knowledgeable. Strategic." My tone cooled. "And yet, I've given you time—year after year—and you have not delivered. So now, it will cost you again."
He exhaled slowly, a flicker of discomfort passing over his face.
"About that…" he began cautiously.
"I came here to ask for an extension."
I tilted my head. "I assume you've brought something to justify the request?"
"Everything has a price. I know how this works," Elis replied.
I narrowed my eyes. "Speak, then."
"I found a banshee here in Sommerville," he said, tone flat.
He paused.
I frowned. "Go on."
"Promise it won't cost me more once I give you the name," he pressed. His amber eyes burned. Red hair gleamed beneath the ceiling lights.
Bold.
Was he trying to bargain with me?
I liked that.
A long silence stretched between us. I watched him closely.
He didn't flinch.
"So what's it going to be, Gacanagh?" he asked. "Give me one more year, and I'll give you the information."
A banshee…
Not just a harbinger of death. They sense it. Feel it coming.
I've always enjoyed knowing what's coming before anyone else.
"Fine," I said at last, reclining in my chair and propping my feet on the desk. "One year. Now tell me, Kitsune."
Elis met my gaze. "I'm sure you've heard of Andrea."
I sat up. "Andrea? Chief of the Elimination Company?"
Of course.
A banshee.
That's how she's always three steps ahead—how she always knows.
No wonder the Company's operations are so precise.
So… infuriatingly efficient.
"Yes," Elis confirmed. "The police firm for magical crimes. She's the boss. That's likely how she leads the Elimination Company. It checks out."
"And?" I prompted.
"I've seen her turn during a full moon," he said. Then added, with a hint of smugness, "From a distance, of course."
I smirked.
Excellent. A banshee would be very… useful.
Unfortunate for her. She's piqued my interest.
"So—one more year?" Elis asked, raising a brow.
"You have my word."
He gave a curt nod, then rose and walked out.
I leaned back again and exhaled slowly.
A banshee in Sommerville, leading the Elimination Company.
Now that is exciting.
Too bad for her.
One banshee down.
Now, how many more truths would scream their way to me?
Before every game begins, all players must be known to the game master—
and I just found Player Number Two.