We arrived at the unassuming building that housed VCD headquarters. Faith stood by the entrance, her posture relaxed yet alert. Her dark eyes scanned us carefully as we approached, likely assessing potential threats despite our previous meeting.

Aria leaned close to my ear, her breath tickling my skin. "Is this the mortal you mentioned?" Her violet eyes sparkled with interest as she studied Faith's form. "She's quite lovely for a human."

I nodded, watching as Isabella also assessed Faith with calculating ice-blue eyes.

"Impressive," Isabella murmured. "Her stance, the way she carries herself - clearly well-trained. Perhaps these mortals aren't as incompetent as I initially assumed."

Aria giggled. "Oh please, you're just impressed because she looks dangerous. I'm more interested in how delicious she appears." She licked her lips. "Those curves hidden under that practical outfit..."

My stomach twisted. The thought of my friends eyeing Faith like prey made me uncomfortable. She was my ex after all, even if they didn't know it. I hoped they wouldn't set their sights on her - that would make things even more complicated than they already were.

"Professional, disciplined, yet maintains an approachable facade," Isabella continued her analysis, ignoring Aria's comments. "Strategic choice for their organization."

Faith crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow at our huddle. "Are you three going to stand there whispering all evening, or would you like to follow me inside?"

I turned to my companions. "Let's go. We have work to do."

Faith held the door open, and we followed her toward the elevator. The lobby's bright lights reflected off the polished floor, our heels clicking against the tiles in perfect synchronization.

The elevator waited at the end of a short marble hallway, its polished steel doors gleaming under recessed lighting. Faith pressed the call button, and we filed in as the doors slid open with a whisper.

Faith held the door open, and we followed her toward the elevator. The lobby's bright lights reflected off the polished floor, our heels clicking against the tiles in perfect synchronization.

The elevator waited at the end of a short marble hallway, its polished steel doors gleaming under recessed lighting. As Faith pressed the call button, she turned to us.

"Galahad's waiting for us," she said, her tone clipped. "Try not to do anything... provocative. Please.

"Isabella and Aria turned to me, their expressions questioning. Aria's eyebrows arched high while Isabella's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Galahad runs the VCD," I explained. "He's reasonable enough, but challenging to work with.

"Faith snorted. "That's putting it mildly. He doesn't trust demons. At all."

"A wise position," Isabella remarked, her silver hair catching the reception's fluorescent light. "Though I assure you we three are quite trustworthy. Our word, once given, is binding."

The doors slid open with a whisper, and we filed in. Faith punched in a complex sequence of numbers, and the elevator began its descent fifteen floors below ground. As we dropped deeper beneath the city, Aria sidled closer to Faith. "So, Faith, was it? Do you enjoy your work here? Must be exciting, hunting vampires..."

I shot Aria a warning glare, which she pointedly ignored.

"It's classified," Faith replied flatly.

"What about your training? Those muscles must require intense practice-"

"Also classified."

"Your outfit is lovely though. Where did you-"

"Standard issue." Faith's answers grew increasingly terse.

I cleared my throat loudly. "Aria."

She turned to me with an innocent smile. "What? I'm just making conversation."

The elevator stopped, doors opening to reveal a stark corridor. As we followed Faith toward Galahad's office, I noticed Isabella's ice-blue eyes methodically scanning our surroundings. Her gaze lingered on security cameras, noting guard positions and examining the reinforced walls with careful attention.

"Quite the setup you have," Isabella remarked casually. "Very... secure."

"That's the idea," Faith replied, leading us out into a corridor lined with offices and monitoring stations.

* * *

We entered Galahad's office, his golden eyes sweeping over us with an intensity that made me shiver. Even as a succubus, something about his gaze felt penetrating, almost divine.

"So, these are your 'friends'," he said, emphasizing the last word with subtle scepticism. His scrutiny felt like it pierced straight through our glamoured forms.

After a long moment, he leaned back in his chair. "At first glance, they seem competent, even if their... alluring appearance would suggest otherwise."

Aria's giggle broke the tension. "You don't look so bad yourself." She twirled a strand of black hair around her finger, violet eyes sparkling with mischief.

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Galahad didn't even acknowledge her comment. "It's quite surprising you've managed to trace the target's location so quickly." His golden eyes fixed on me. "And commendable that you contacted us instead of proceeding alone. We had a team ready to follow you if you chose otherwise."

"We made a deal to work together on this," I said, meeting his gaze steadily.

"Indeed, we did." Galahad's expression remained neutral. "I didn't expect you to honour it though."

"I understand you're still against working with demons," I replied, "but-"

"I won't look a gifted horse in the mouth," he cut me off, pulling out a large tablet with a map of London on its screen. "Now, let's discuss how we're going to approach this vampire."

Galahad tapped the tablet's screen, zooming in on several sewer entrances around the suspected vampire location. His finger traced a path between them.

"We'll breach here and here." He indicated two points on opposite sides. "Standard flush and capture protocol."

"What about us?" I asked, already suspecting his answer from his tone.

Galahad's golden eyes flickered up. "Your involvement ends here. You've provided valuable intelligence, but I can't risk my teams working directly with demons. You understand."

"And what would you have us do instead?" I kept my voice level despite my rising irritation.

"Stay on standby. Monitor the perimeter if you must." He waved his hand dismissively. "But direct engagement is out of the question."

Isabella stepped forward, her ice-blue eyes narrowing. "Without us, you'd still be searching blind for this vampire. We tracked it down in hours while your organization spent months failing to do so."

"Your abilities aren't in question," Galahad replied. "Your motives are."

"Our motives?" Isabella's voice carried a dangerous edge. "You're the ones who've been less than forthcoming about your true capabilities."

"We're here whether you like it or not," she continued. "Either we coordinate properly, or we might accidentally interfere with your operation at the worst possible moment."

Aria stretched lazily, drawing attention to her curves. "If you don't want to work together, that's fine. We can handle this ourselves." She examined her nails with exaggerated disinterest. "Though it would be such a shame if we happened to run into your teams down there."

I watched Galahad's jaw clench, his golden eyes flashing with barely contained anger. "This is exactly why we can't trust your kind. You're already threatening us." He straightened in his chair. "The AOR has dealt with demons before, especially ones bound by dimensional restrictions. You'll stay in support roles."

"No." My voice came out sharp and cold. "You won't get rid of us that easily. If you think we came here unprepared, you're mistaken." I leaned forward, placing my hands on his desk. "I doubt your agency could contain us without casualties. So, we better work together if you truly care about your men."

The argument dragged on, each side refusing to yield ground. Faith remained silent throughout, her expression growing increasingly concerned as the tension mounted. Isabella maintained her icy composure while Aria lounged in her chair, occasionally making provocative comments that only heightened Galahad's irritation.

After what felt like hours of heated debate, Galahad's shoulders slumped slightly. "Fine, but I won't risk my team's lives needlessly." He rubbed his temples. "You three will handle the vampire directly. My men will provide support, intelligence, block escape routes, and prevent any backup from arriving."

Isabella's laugh sliced through the air. "Of course - mortals talk big until the real work begins." She crossed her arms, ice-blue eyes flashing. "But we expected as much. They'd only slow us down. At least stationed far away they might serve some purpose."

* * *

I watched as Galahad spread out detailed sewer maps across the conference table. The harsh fluorescent lights cast deep shadows across his face as he marked key points with precise movements.

"These maintenance tunnels here provide the best access routes," he explained, tracing lines with his finger.

My attention drifted. We'd been at this for hours, discussing every minute detail of the operation. Even Isabella's usual sharp focus seemed to waver.

Aria sprawled back in her chair with an exaggerated sigh. "Is all this boring stuff finally over?"

I nodded, grateful someone had voiced what we were all thinking.

"Get some rest, if your kind even needs it," Galahad said, straightening up. "We start tomorrow at noon. Best way to ensure our target stays underground."

Faith shifted forward in her seat. "Sir, I'd like permission to accompany them." Her voice carried an edge of anxiety I'd never heard before.

"We don't need a handler," I cut in quickly. The thought of Faith facing whatever was wearing my old body made my stomach twist.

Galahad's golden eyes met mine. "I can't believe I'm agreeing with a demon, but she is right. This isn't-"

"This is my decision," Faith interrupted, her jaw set. "I'll take full responsibility for whatever happens."

Isabella's laugh held no warmth. "Fine, the mortal can come. But if she dies, don't blame us."

"I understand this is personal for you, Agent Clarke." Galahad replied, his expression softening slightly as he looked at Faith. "But are you sure it's a good idea?"

Aria giggled, breaking the tension. "Oh, this is getting interesting."

"I won't change my mind, sir." Faith's voice carried that steel edge I remembered from our time together.

Galahad pinched the bridge of his nose. "Fine. But understand this - whatever happens down there is on you. The agency bears no responsibility."

"Understood, sir."

Aria perked up in her chair, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "What's so personal about it anyway?" She leaned forward, chin propped on her hands. "Got a thing for vampires?"

"That's classified information." Faith's response came sharp and cold.

Aria's bottom lip jutted out in an exaggerated pout. "Come on! We're supposed to be working together here. How can we trust each other if you keep secrets?"

"It's not relevant to the mission." Faith crossed her arms, her posture rigid and defensive.

I shifted uncomfortably in my chair, the weight of unspoken truths pressing down on me. Isabella and Aria had accepted Faith joining our group without protest. If I objected now, I'd be the only one, and what reason could I possibly give that wouldn't raise more questions?

My fingers traced patterns on the smooth conference table surface as I remained silent, torn between protecting Faith and maintaining my own secrets.

I watched Faith's tense posture, my heart racing with conflicting emotions. The urge to tell her everything clawed at my throat - to explain that I was Liam, trapped in this demon body. But the words died before they could form.

Isabella's ice-blue eyes studied Faith with calculating interest. "You're quite protective of your secrets, Agent Clarke."

"And demons are known for their honesty?" Faith shot back.

Aria lounged deeper in her chair. "At least we're upfront about being dishonest."

I forced a light laugh, though it felt hollow. "Let's focus on the mission. Faith's reasons are her own."

The pressure of maintaining multiple deceptions pressed against my chest. One wrong word could unravel everything - expose me to Faith while simultaneously revealing to Aria and Isabella that I wasn't truly a succubus. The complex web of lies I'd woven now threatened to strangle me.

"The mortal's right about one thing," Isabella said. "We should rest before tomorrow."

I nodded quickly, grateful for the chance to escape this dangerous conversation. "We'll meet at the designated entrance point at noon."

As we stood to leave, Faith's eyes met mine with that same haunted look she'd had when discussing Liam's disappearance. I turned away, unable to bear the weight of her gaze.

I'd have to trust that Faith's combat training would keep her alive tomorrow.