Patrick was excited.

Tonight he’d be attending a party one of his future classmates were setting up.

Normally Pat wasn't that into parties, or people, or... going outside...

But this was different! He was going to learn magic, he was finally gonna be something. Pat'd never been to a proper school before, so this was all new.

He might even make friends, might even get a boyfriend! The possibilities were endless!

"Yeah, until you inevitably mess something up."

Shush you, we're going to have fun tonight and there's nothing you can do about it.

"Just please be careful..."

I'm always careful!

"...sure."

Oh come on, it'll be fine!

Patrick couldn't imagine anything could bring him down now!

***

"Hey, Pat!" A voice sounded out, freezing Patrick in his tracks. Ugh. What did he want?

Patrick was still mad at Ryan, or at least, that's what he wanted Ryan to think. The last time they'd talked, the guard made a disgusting, gross, ugly, annoying, mean, heart-breaking joke.

He'd said that Patrick's cookies weren't that good...

Patrick's self esteem had shattered, his skin had broke out, his house instantly burned to ash, and the world imploded!

...Ok, maybe he was being a bit dramatic, but who would say such an awful thing?

Patrick was pretty much over it, but he wanted to see Ryan beg for forgiveness. His plan to get that? A cold shoulder, and some passive aggressiveness.

Ryan was a huge attention whore, he couldn't go 5 seconds without poking Patrick, complaining that he's bored. In a game of attrition, Ryan would crack in 2 minutes top.

He didn't respond to the large boy's greeting, and simply kept walking as if never having heard. Ryan groaned and started walking closer, trying to get Patrick's attention.

"Patrick? Hey, did you hear me?"

Patrick just kept walking. Ryan made a offended scoff and began to walk alongside Patrick. He kinda wanted to start running to see what Ryan would do, but those damn long legs. Even now, Ryan had to purposely slow himself to keep to Patrick's pace.

Patrick had always complained that Ryan's legs were too long, and offered to cut them off... Ryan always refused because he was evil and greedy.

"Pat, you wouldn't be ignoring me, now would you?" Ryan asked Patrick, a smirk on his annoying face.

Gosh, and Patrick thought he hadn’t been subtle enough.

"Cuz if you are, then I'll have to make you pay my protection fee," Ryan said nonchalantly, side-eyeing Patrick with one of his wicked grins.

Patrick almost shuddered, the last time he'd had to pay a "protection fee" Ryan had eaten a whole red velvet cake and still demanded a tray of cookies. The guy had a black hole for a stomach.

In Pat's defense, if you didn't want to get kicked in the nuts you shouldn't have snuck up on someone. Obviously Patrick had felt terrible and was in near tears afterwards, Ryan had to reassure Patrick like 20 times that he was fine.

Yep, Ryan had been fine, but assaulting a "guard" was technically a crime. Pat's "sentence" had been the fee, and Pat paid with sugar and diabetes.

Which made it worse that this selfish brat had said Pat's cookies were bad!

Pat refused to back down, and continued in silence.

"Wow, you're really determined to make me punish you, huh? I didn't think you were into that." Ryan snickered,

Patrick almost choked at the comment, but he kept it down. He also somehow managed to keep the fiery blush from spreading across his face.

Ryan sighed at the silence, and continued with mock sadness. "Pat, why do you make my job so difficult... oh, well!"

Patrick began to prepare himself for whatever Ryan demanded of him, he just hoped his pantry could take it.

Well, his pantry could probably take it, but Patrick's heart couldn't as the giant scooped up Patrick in his muscular arms.

Patrick immediately tried to push this overgrown rat off of him but Ryan didn't even flinch.

"What, you wanna be put down? Well, you should have thought of that before hand. If you wanna act like a kid then I'll treat you like one." Ryan grinned like the monster he was, and began walking in the direction Patrick had been going.

"Well, you already have the body for it." Patrick immediately smacked Ryan on the arm. Being restrained, Patrick only had a limited range. He personally would have chosen the balls again. Let's see if your future kids can survive this time.

Being a tall, muscley brute was so unfair in Patrick's humble opinion. If that wasn't bad enough, Ryan had to be handsome enough to put some Ferins to shame.

Ryan was large for a human, with disgustingly long legs and upsettingly broad shoulders. There was a sheathed sword at his side, glimmering in the moonlight. Ryan's guard outfit looked like one you'd genuinely find at Kiolite, or Canti, but the way he wore it blew the others out of the water.

The way it stretched over his annoyingly, hideously, perfectly sculpted body set Patrick's heart on fire. If he didn't know better he'd think Ryan knew how Patrick felt about it, because Ryan seemed to wear it more and more. First it was once in a while, then once a week, then to multiple times a week, and now Ryan wore it whenever he was on duty.

That was part of the reason Patrick needed to keep away, He might start staring more.

Speaking of staring... Ryan's campfire eyes conveyed his amusement as he looked down at Patrick.

Patrick had never mentioned Ryan's looks. He had the tiniest crush on Ryan, but he would never bring it up. Patrick didn't want to make things awkward, or even worse... Patrick didn't want Ryan to feel the same.

As much as Pat wanted a boyfriend, he didn't want to be broken up with. It was bad enough to have to constantly take care of your "friend", but a boyfriend?

Patrick once made a bet to his demon that if he and Ryan were to date, it wouldn't last a week before Ryan ended it. Patrick wouldn't even blame the guy, but he sure couldn't take it.

That was why he had to keep his distance, Ryan already thought they were close enough to do things like this.

Patrick didn’t want there to be any attachments left when Ryan finally decided he’d had enough.

He sometimes wished his comments weren't as funny as they were, if his tone was harsh enough maybe Ryan would just leave... he had to try, right?

"I'm so sorry for my pitiful, pitiful stature, Mr. Ferin." Patrick's tone dripped with as much sarcasm as he could force into it. Ryan hated being compared to a Ferin, despite almost looking identical to some werewolves Pat had seen in the Nexus before while shopping.

He never yelled at Patrick for the comments, but maybe today...

Ryan froze, before glaring at Patrick with that smug glint in his eye. "Well aren't you uppity today, huh? Your fine is doubled." Now was Patrick's time to freeze, his poor ingredients couldn't take that abuse! Ok, Ryan seems like a huge prude, maybe...? Well, either Patrick didn't have to bake for a giant, or Ryan leaves anyways. Win-Win... perhaps Patrick was gross, yes.

"Well... is there, any other way I could pay you... mr. guard?" Pat felt disgusting just saying that, and it must have sounded it too, because Ryan almost dropped him right there.

"Gods Pat, Don't say things like that! Well, just... tell me where we're going." Ryan looked a bit grossed out, but it wasn't enough. Well, at least there's an way. It almost seemed like there was nothing Patrick could do to make Ryan not like him.

Now he had to explain where he was going... wait, we?

Oh Nononononono... This was getting too close, Patrick didn't like it. Pat needed to put up some walls, before something... bad happens.

"I'll tell you if you Put. Me. Down." Pat had gotten so caught up in this fool's demands he'd forgotten that he was currently in their arms.

Ryan seemed to also realize this and immediately set Pat down, looking embarrassed.

"Well, I'm going to the Nonya district, down on the business sector." Patrick remarked dryly.

Pat was kinda proud of himself for that joke, he wasn't usually that funny. But he didn't want to be funny, he wanted to be a Bitch!

Ryan paused, confused until he got the... joke. He genuinely laughed, a bit harder then the stupid joke probably deserved, but Patrick kinda appreciated it.

"Ok but seriously, I'm going to this stupid back-to-school party thing." Patrick begrudgingly admitted. Pat had to answer, else Ryan would just start prying and Pat might say something he can't take back.

Pat neglected to mention the district, and hoped Ryan wouldn't notice.

"What district?" Ryan immediately asked, dashing Pat's hopes of being sneaky. There obviously wouldn't be a party in here or the Kiolite, which only left Varta, Warnum, or Canti.

Varta was out, same problem as here, no one parties when one of your neighbors is starving to death and the other mysteriously disappeared.

Ryan would never let Pat go to Canti, that's a place where humans weren't allowed. While technically you could go anywhere, you shouldn't be surprised if your house burned down after a visit... ok, maybe this is a terrible idea.

"Warnum" Pat lied, though a little too quick. Ryan looked into Pat's eyes, and Pat knew he'd been caught.

Pat didn't like it when Ryan did that, because Ryan always knew Pat was lying afterwards. Magic's a bitch, and Pat didn't know of any way to block it.

Pat expected that usual feeling of someone watching you, and a gaze from somewhere hidden. It never came.

"Ok, where are you actually going?" Pat was confused, Ryan hadn't done it? How did he know, then? Pat didn't think he was that obvious. Pat looked down at his feet, trying to hide himself in case Ryan changed his mind.

"It's Canti, isn't it." His tone read more like a statement then a question. Pat sneaked a glance up from his shoes, to see Ryan's disappointed expression. Pat felt bad, despite wanting Ryan to hate him.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Seeing someone mad at you was so much better then them being disappointed in you, because you can see the care in their eyes when they're disappointed.

Pat couldn't lie.

"Yeah..."

"Who's party?" Patrick registered the cold tone, yet he could feel the burning eyes.

"I dunno." Ryan seemed to get ticked off by Pat's answer, because they responded:

"Why the fuck would you go to a random person's party in the Canti district." Pat wanted to bitch about how it was his decision to go, but Ryan was right.

Pat shouldn't be going to this party. There was a good chance he’d die. But...

Wow, you're making a stupid decision, surprising.

Maybe death was better then whatever the hell his life had become.

His papa is dead, his dad is inconsolable, rent is coming for his ass, and someone worst of all there’s a fucking demon in his brain!

Pat remembered when he first started calling them the mind demon. When Pat was 13 he'd heard that demons existed with an affinity towards mind magic.

Pat had only ever been contacted through magic a few times by then, and the way the voice talked to him felt similar to that. Not that Pat could go off anything but intuition for that.

"So, it's a mind demon" 13 year old Pat had thought.

The demon had, obviously, taken offense to that. The name stuck, and here they are.

The demon was either friendly or mean, and Pat couldn't predict when the bitch would come out. All he knew was that it eventually would, and that it was coming more and more.

Pat couldn't escape it, but he could stuff it down with enough force.

In a social situation, he'd have to. Apparently people get upset when you tell them to fuck off, the demon had been particularly annoying that day.

But that didn't matter, what matter was that this was Pat's chance. Ryan was getting genuinely annoyed, this was his only chance...

Go figure the one time Ryan gets mad, it's because he wanted Pat to be safe.

You should try pushing everyone away, it works wonders for not getting your feelings hurt.

"Because I feel like it, now I need to go, but thanks for the talk... Mr. Guard… oh wait, you’re just a shitty copy of one.”

Pat felt awful as he injected the nastiness into his voice. At the very least, this won't happen to Ryan again, should it go well.

Pat started forward, he couldn't watch as one of his only friends began to hate him. He was almost running, desperate to get away from the man with shock written all over his face. He was suddenly running, sprinting even... until he felt it.

Pat could feel Ryan's cold expression thaw, and his eyes turn into an inferno.

Pat could feel the anger radiating off his former friend, felt the ache of his own heart. He was still running, until he wasn't.

In a split second, Ryan loomed over Patrick. Pat couldn't look away from those fiery eyes, as Ryan grabbed Pat by the arm, preventing him from leaving.

Suddenly, Pat realized what was going to happen. He began to tremble, as for the first time in his life... Patrick feared a human.

The enraged man leaned in towards Pat, and pratically growled into his ear.

"When you get back, we are talking about this." Ryan was gone after that, and Pat realized what had just happened.

Ryan had left to cool off, that was probably the only reason Pat could still go to the party. He wondered what Ryan would have done, should he have decided not to leave.

Pat now really couldn't turn back now, because if he did Ryan would want to "talk".

Pat really didn't want to face that, so he kept going.

***

Pat knew he should've turned back before he even reached the Canti district.

More like he knew when he arrived at the Nexus. The nexus was Biko City's hub, and where every human learned the truth of this world.

The Nexus was where you got all your shopping done, it was chock full of restaurants, grocery stores, alchemists, enchanters, even blacksmiths and stuff if you were into that.

It was also the border and path to the 6 districts, and the city's entrance.

Basically, if you needed to do anything, you went to the Nexus.

Most Humans don't really come here if they can, despite it being one of the only places of relative safety. Jini Quant made a rule forbidding violence within the Nexus, Kiolite, and Canti, all the "common folk" were pissed about that, the one instance of Ferin-Human solidarity. It was literal solidarity, as in Ferins were genuinely escorting Humans home for about 3 months.

That was 35 years ago, if she was to include an exception for violence on humans? There'd have been riots. Even now, Jini Quant couldn't even glance at the rule except to remove it or include all the districts, else there'd be riots.

Thanks to that humans were "safe" in those places. The only real safe place? Nairiq, because Ferins didn't like going there and humans had an understanding. Humans knew that Ferins had the best stuff to steal, and felt the most satisfying to kill, if you're strong enough to do that.

And if you pissed a Ferin off enough for them to visit you personally? Well, your neighbor's safe at least.

But, that just meant people found new ways to be assholes...

Humans were allowed out of the Narique at age 12, and all of them left excited, happy to finally see a bit more of the world!

Then they got stopped by border patrol.

It wasn't the Nairiq border, as only a human would lower themselves to that level. Patrick had met the human border guard, she was chill. She tried to let you through as fast as possible and let Ferins wait.

Fara was likely the only reason some people are alive today. Well, due to her guard duties, anyways.

Her teachings? They probably saved hundreds. Not just because Humans need all the info they can get. But because that meant most Humans grew up together, and that along with the understanding meant that a human had to be a real bastard to hurt another human.

She had to be strong too, because not even Ryan can get a guard job while she's alive. Being the sweet old lady she was, she would've given it to him in a heartbeat if she could.

However, apprenticeships weren't allowed for humans, not even for a replacement. Succession wasn’t even an option, Fara would be alive for a long time.

Most Ferins live to be 150 if they’re unlucky, 200 if they aren't. Magic was a bitch though, so a decently strong Ferin could live to 300, a master could live to... probably 1000.

They also had the magic to not look a day over 22 until they're on their deathbed and the magic runs out.

Fara was 83, and she was the strongest human in this city. She looked like she was 40, but had the personality of a grandma could kick your ass.

Unfortunately she couldn't talk to her students on the job if she wanted to let them through quickly, it was a shame, but even she knew the dangers on hanging around the Nexus too long.

So yeah, not the Nairiq border. The Canti border though?

"Sir, our detectors have picked up some disturbance, we're gonna search you now." That was a common phrase to hear when you were a human. There wasn't even a please, or any hint of remorse. Fuck, they didn't even try to not phrase it like an order.

The guard ordering the search was like every other Naiad, a tall man that was fit but not bulky, that looked like they were born to go swimming. Which… they were.

People say that zalios are the prettiest color of blue, but Pat would disagree. Maybe this was because he'd never actually seen a zalio, but Pat thought the prettiest color of blue was a Naiad's eyes.

Though that was a tad unfair, as Naiad eyes aren’t one specific shade of blue. The eyes of a Naiad were like the sea, they constantly changed and shifted, never static.

But the eyes of this Ferin were dark. Dark, deep, and endless. Like being pulled under in a storm. They barely changed, only getting darker and never lightening past that smoky blue. His voice held a bored tone, sorta tired. It was hopefully a tone of someone who'd just want to ge this over with.

There was no getting out of a search.

"You do the search, or you rot in jail for the rest of your inconsequential life." That was the message they sent.

Pat had been through this many times, so he just followed the man. Patrick kept pace with the Patrick was led into the guards building, he looked at his feet, not wanting to see the faces of the guards as they caught a look at the newest "human criminal scum".

"Look, I've seen your mug around here before, you know what to do." The man said as he closed the door behind him, though he never stepped away from it.

Pat froze, he'd never had this happen before. The other times the guards had always guided him through the process no matter what.

Pat just assumed that this man was tired or something, it must be exhausting having to deal with Canti people, from what he'd seen they weren't exactly friendly.

He didn't want to make life any harder for the guard, so he complied. He knew what it was like to just wanna get through the day. Pat took off his shirt, and left it on the floor.

The guard smiled "Good, at least some of you can be obedient!" The guard grinned at Pat, but didn't move from his spot.

Pat once again froze, mind now racing. How did this guard know he was human, Pat still had his amulet. This Naiad said that he had been watching Pat, and Pat had just assumed that the guard had seen him once or twice.

The nexus is extremely busy, with dozens of people coming to and fro at the same time. With magic, most people didn't have awful clothes, and no one went that hungry.

Though, magic clothes were stiff and scratchy, only looking like wool. Magic food had a 5th of the calories, that's why his baking was actually helpful.

But to an outsider, everything would look fine. That's why it was so easy to pass as a Ferin once you hid your scent.

If this man knew Pat was a human, how long had he been watching him?

"Now, do you have any enchantments or castings to declare?" The Naiad asked, that bored tone returning to his voice.

Well that's stupid, you should've asked that before I took my shirt off.

Patrick was a little annoyed at that, til he realised that there was no reason to make him take his shirt off first thing. Usually they asked you questions, checked if you're lying, then patted you down for any disguised weapons or contraband because humans are sneaky little things and can somehow get passed a lie-detecting spell.

This is too weird...

I... have a bad feeling about this...

Mind demon, got anything?

...

Uh... hello?

Oh, Gods...

What's going on?

Why is this guy acting all weird?

Why did he make me take my shirt off?

Why is he just standing there!?

W-why is he smiling!?

Why the hell is he smiling!?

WHY DOES HE HAVE THAT DAMN LOOK ON HIS FACE!?

Click.

...why did the door just lock?

The sound had been quiet, Patrick might not have heard it if not for the silence as the guard waited for Pat's responce.

Except, the guard wasn't waiting anymore. He was walking towards Pat, and Patrick backtracked, trying to remember what the Naiad had said.

"Are you not gonna answer? Jeez, and I thought we could get through this quick."

Patrick panicked, the man was likely coming to manually search for enchantments. What scared him was the look on the guards's face, even with the "annoyance" there was a hint of that earlier smile.

That earlier smile wasn't friendly, it was... different.

Patrick quickly responded, trying to keep the man far away.

"W-wait I don't have any-" Pat began, but the man cut him off with sigh.

"Nah, you shoulda responded right away like a good boy, can't trust you now." The Naiad said huffy, almost as if he were pouting.

Pat's skin crawled, the door was locked, he was sure of it. This man isn't going to listen to Pat, they'll do what they want.

How do I get out of this without getting hurt or arrested?

The answer was awful, to let them do what they will and hope they'll be gentle. It was the only option however, the guard had power over Pat socially, magically, and physically.

Pat forced himself to stand still and not back away from the man. He forced his hands not to tremble and his legs not to shake. Pat even raised his arms to make it easier for the guard to search him.

At that, the Naiad's grin grew, and their awful aura returned full force.

"I'm glad you're ready to make it up to me." Pat forced himself to not shiver, or scream.

Finally the man had reached Pat, and stood with their chest to Pat's back. Arm's grazing over skin and magic trickling over Pat's torso. Even with the horrifically gentle touches Pat could feel strength, power. The man had a foot on Pat, at around 6'8. Naiads were more tall then broad.

"Ok, no enchantments on your upper body, now take your pants off." The Naiad demanded, without a hint of subtlety.

Pat did it, the guard seemed happier when Pat complied quickly. Pat was left in his underwear, and the Naiad has this gross twinkle in their eye.

"Y'know, you should be lucky. It's not everyday a human gets my attention." Pat almost threw up in his mouth at that, he just wanted to leave.

Why did he have to be so unlucky? All Pat had wanted to do was go to a stupid party.

The arms began their search once again, except this time they routinely prodded and massaged Pat's skin.

"Fyner, your skin is so soft..." The Naiad said softly, like you would say to a sleepy child.

Of course it would be Fyner...

The magic wrapped around Pat's thighs, doing a lot more than searching. It was like having a thousand extra hands caressing your body, Pat hated it.

The man then tried to slide his fingers under Pat's underwear. Pat was terrified, it didn't take a scholar to figure out what this man planned to do.

What with the dick poking his back...

But before it could go there, and Pat broke completely, the doorknob rattled.

The Naiad froze, and Pat debated calling out for help. Before he could think on it further the man covered Pat's mouth.

"Say a word and I break your neck." The man ordered harshly, with a hint of panic coursing through his voice.

The doorknob continued to rattle, before the person stopped. They must have thought no one was inside, because they used a spell to unlock the door. The lock slipped open, and the person stepped inside the search room.

Two people stepped inside, a man and a woman.

The woman had curly black hair, with charcoal eyes. Her lips were a bright red and her body was fit and curvy.

The man had sandy hair and cobalt eyes, with a physique much like the Naiad's but a bit buffer. He looked young too, 20 at most.

They both wore guards outfits like the Naiad's, and looked confused at the human and Naiad being there.

"Oh uh, sorry Foks. I was looking for my badge... so... uh... bye? I'll be in the lounge Zane... please don't assault someone." The women explained awkwardly.

It was obvious why she was so uncomfortable, The man... Zane, looked at the Naiad named Foks with cold fury.

"Yeah, see ya Kala." Zane responded, still staring at Foks.

Kala left, and Zane drew closer. They glanced at Pat, before saying. "I'll take over, Foks. I'm on my break anyways."

Foks didn't even get a chance to respond as Zane tore Pat from the Naiad's grip and shoved Foks out of the room.

Pat signed in relief once the Naiad was gone, he was safe. The door was open and the young man wasn't blocking it.

Zane stared at the door for a moment before turning to Pat... then immediately turning away again at the human's lack of clothes.

"H-hey, he's gone, you can put some pants on now..." The man stuttered out, not looking nearly as intimidating as before.

Pat blushed and ran to become decent once more. After he was fully clothed Zane turned back to him, though not looking any better with Patrick clothed.

"You can go now, you obviously don't have any contraband..." Zane paused for a moment, mulling over his words before he continued. "You're not from the Canti district, right? I'll get a night shift, you won't have to see him again."

Patrick looked at the still flustered man with relief, he's safe.

"Thanks, I'll... be going now." Pat stated, not knowing what else to say.

"Oh...yeah, but um, let's talk more later. For a report, obviously..." Zane was an awkward thing, obviously not used to saving humans from r-

From... that.

Patrick agreed, and Zane left first. They made sure Foks wasn't around first before they went.

Pat quickly exited the building, praying to avoid Foks. Obviously, he pushed down his emotions.

Patrick didn't think on what happened, refused to think about anything but this stupid party he was going to. He even noted that his scruffy appearance made him stand out.

Patrick didn't belong in Canti, he was sure he'd get some looks.