- Damien -

I had hoped to elicit a response from Fenrys with my sudden arrival, but he had only demanded where his twin brother was.

Damn the demi-fae and their superhuman senses. Can't he act a little surprised at all?

Taking one look at Fenrys face I could see he was in one of his moods. Hearing him say he needs a one on one talk just confirmed my suspicions.

I don't impose a strict rule when it comes to my teammates. Usually, I will call them in for a meeting when a mission is sent to us and we will discuss who to send for the mission. Per instructions, I leave the details to either Fenrys or Vesna. Everything is out in the open. So one-to-one talks are reserved for when something important crops up or when someone has personal scores to settle.

I waited for Fenrys to appear back from the kitchen. He was holding two cups of water and he handed the other cup to me. Should I take that as a good sign?

Putting down the device that we use to measure magical readings, I accepted the cup and said "So, what's up?" I kept my tone casual and light to brace for what Fenrys might say next.

He just leaned against the kitchen door and glowered at me. Finally, he swallowed and said "Must I really do this?"

For a moment confusion clouded my head as I tried to understand what he meant. He gestured to himself and then shapeshifted. A slightly shorter and younger boy appeared that looked everything like Fenrys, down to his very sulk.

"A forensics class!? If you allowed me I could have scouted the magical energy here. But why put me in a situation where I have to babysit the humans? Given that I'm technically older, I am giving you a lot of face to even accept a scouting mission of the school compounds. But sometimes there are limits to things. And this, squad leader, is getting on my nerves."

A wave of shame and guilt washed through me.

Am I so blind to see that my friend has issues when it comes to interacting with humans? I've been too wrapped up in my own personal needs to even consider the feelings of my teammates. As a leader, I should have placed my team first.

"Look Fenrys, I'm sorry for giving you orders to blend in and attend lessons here. I can understand why you dislike the idea of interacting with them. But, here, no one knows your identity and I really do hope that out of our missions, you and the rest, get the chance to experience what it feels like to have a normal life. It's not all about the S.P.A.D."

"Sometimes, I ask myself, what if I have made the wrong choice choosing you guys into the team? Why do I have to ruin the lives of people who had everything? ... I mean look, if I hadn't offered you and your brother a place here, you both would have probably been enrolled into a private school by the P.D. and get to enjoy the rest of your life as normal citizens."

I stopped and took a breath.

"So, I'm sorry for making this selfish request, and if you really want to stop it just say the word. But, I do hope that you, of all the others, can take this chance to enjoy a life that you deserve. A normal university life."

It was the most naked thing I said as their leader. I had never shown my inner feelings with them because I don't want to be overly-attached. The missions we are given to eradicate monsters prowling in the night aren't child's play, in fact, they are all highly dangerous.

It takes more than just guts and training. Things may not always turn out as smoothly as we expect, and the idea of losing any of them hurts me more than I dare to admit. As the minister's son, my safety may be ensured with additional back-up protection squads at disposal.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

But not the rest of my team. No.

It's easy. So very easy to scour the streets and wind up with several of the Fae children, abandoned in the Human World. One just needs to look at the right places. They can be easily replaced, with the rate that the Fae outcast their offspring. I knew better than to risk my heart getting ripped into shreds if I ever let any of them too close inside. I would rather be that cold distant leader if that is what must be.

"I won't force you. As your leader, I want to know what you feel about this." I said breaking the silence. This is hard. If talking to Fenrys about this is already so hard, I wonder how I should tell him about my plan to disguise myself for the welcome party.

"Alright, since you put it that way, I can't say I am particularly set on not attending the classes. But just don't expect me to be able to keep an eye out on all of them." Fenrys finally spoke, studying me with his pair of stormy blue eyes. "Are we going to scout the area for magical traces or are we doing it with the rest?"

"My plan is to wait for Vesna, Qas, and Raziel to complete their mission at Velin before we start. I want the team to have time to rest and get used to it here. That said, father arranged some lessons for me to attend as well. The HQ has sent an undercover agent to work with us. Since our mission this time isn't our usual, we have plenty time to check out the magical traces in the school compounds. I'd prefer it if you guys take the chance to attend lessons of your own interests before we start." I explained to Fenrys, giving him a rough plan of what I have in mind.

"One more thing. Before we call it a day... I need a favor from you." I hesitated, before saying. Oh well, might as well just get over with it. It never comes easy when dealing with Fenrys.

Fenrys is older than me by two years and with his demi-fae abilities to shape-shift as well as razor-sharp intuition, I saw potential in him when I set my eyes on him. Over the years, he became someone I rely upon. gaining trust and respect from other members of the team. It wasn't a surprise when I announced him as my Beta or second-in-command. Fenrys can be loyal to a fault but he is also very tricky to deal with when he's angry.

He is very different from Jonathan, who is much more quieter and calm. Jonathan is a great team player, he is kind and considerate, playing the role of back-up to his younger twin. Both brothers are able to see a situation and handle it swiftly. Just that with different means.

"What favor?" Fenrys looked at me and gestured for me to continue.

Swallowing, I said, "I need you to attend this welcome party. Well, all of you. But, I will be taking the cover of a foreign student. So I need one of you to disguise as me. You or Jonathan." I added quickly so that Fenrys understands I won't force him if he says no. "The party is held in the dorms by the Science students and I think the rest of the team will have arrived by then. You know how much I hate having to portray a superficial image of myself to the public." I said, raising my brows.

Fenrys just nodded and said, "I will consider it." With that, he walked into his bedroom, shutting the door.

I gulped down the rest of the water. That went rather well. No swearing or violence. I leaned back against the cushions, massaging my temples. Someone from my father's source has tipped me off about the party. Outsiders aren't allowed to do it, but students can eh? Jeez. Give me a break.

My phone started ringing. It was an anonymous caller, but the only people who used anonymous numbers are only a few. The only way to find out is to nswer it

"Hello? This is Damien Ytger speaking." I said into my phone.

"My sources tell me that other countries are seeing strange magical energy fluctuations at their gateways. There are more reports of fae incidents." My father's gravel voice spoke through the phone. "I need you and the S.P.A.D. to quickly locate the gate in the university asap."

"Noted. Then I will proceed to scout the place while we attend the welcome party. This way I can keep an eye out." I said as I made a mental note. Change of plans. With this we need to push up our scouting agenda.

"Do whatever you deem necessary. Just make sure to look out for them. They are not to be trifled with." He hung up without saying anything else.

I frowned at the anonymous caller ID blinking on the screen. Why can't he just use a proper phone and save my number? I've even modified it to ensure that my call signals are encrypted if he's so afraid of someone tapping on the line.

But my father never gives me his personal number, nor does he talk much to me anyway. Most of the time his calls are about work, instructions and to check up on my progress with the missions. We used to eat meals together when I was young, but now he never asks to eat with me, or when I breach the topic he would be too busy with political duties.

Oh well. Not that I lack friends to eat with. My squadmates are practically my family even though I'm strict with them.

Talking about my squad, I better call Vesna and check on their progress with their mission in Velin. My fingers dailed the familiar digits on my third-in-command's hotline.