***

We stood in opposite directions from each other. Our fingers tightly gripped our weapons as we raised straightened arms. A little smoke was still rising from their barrels — it drifted upward until it hit the ceiling and dissolved. My gaze probed the stranger, but inside my heart was beating in alarm. Probably one of the few people I was truly afraid of. If he wanted it, I’d be dead or already on my way to jail, but that wasn’t what he wanted at the moment.

He stood staring at me, too, and then glanced behind his back, where the black and red magical mark of my shot was still visible. I did the same thing, looking at the same mark, but it was blue-white, bright and light.

— Your gift is one of the darkest. You can’t get a dark magic from birth unless you’ve committed a sin. Depending on the severity of the sin, it will grow blacker and blacker, more like the kind used by demons. You don’t even get one for murdering the person like you. – Yes, that’s it. All the gifted from birth have a light magic, only with different strength. However, for committing a sin of any gravity, it will fade, and a dark side will replace the light side. At first it is a yellowish shade of magic, then it increasingly tends to orange, logically followed by red, and only a few have it become black-red — as close as possible to the one used by demons.

Demonic magic is black, with barely noticeable red sparks. Ordinary people cannot cope with such power, so they have only two outcomes: either they die, after which the magic finally deforms the body and turns its master into another demon, or another demon will take possession of both the magic and the body. Possessing such blackness magic was considered impossible until there was an exception in my person. I am keeping a crunching balance, trying not to fall into the abyss, and so far, I’m doing pretty well. And no matter what anyone says, dark magic has a lot more advantages, helping me to survive rather than sacrifice my life for another.

— I don’t like to talk about the past, but you’re right, I am an exception. – I chuckled, lowering my hand as well. The gun immediately shattered into black sparks and disappeared. – So, what is the true purpose of your visit? – He grinned again, and I realised that I hated that grin even more than umbrellas!

— You’re not fooled, and I’m actually glad you figured it out. Believe me, it’s no secret what you’re really doing and especially that this whole shop – He put his hand round the room. – is just a cover. If we wanted to, we could have had you imprisoned a long time ago, but the Legion and His Majesty benefit from your continuing to do so. Everything in this kingdom exists in a precarious harmony: we have one enemy, and we all stand against him, including your true customers. Any gifted person is valuable, no matter what side they’re on. – Even if it’s a slow-burning bomb like me, apparently. I’d take myself out in a heartbeat, and I don’t understand what’s in Legion’s head. Nor do I understand what it wants from me. – But sometimes organisations overstep their bounds, and if they were not dealt with in time, it would become much worse.

— Who? – It’s been a long time since I’ve followed the activities of powerful groups, and I don’t think I should. I wonder if I should warn them that the Guardians are watching them now.

— The Alastair Mafia. – I managed to restrain myself from swallowing and only bowed my head in bewilderment, but what I really wanted to do was panic. The Mafia... the most dangerous organisation. They were the last ones the King made a deal with and the price for their co-operation was incredibly high. And I think I understand why they decided to break the deal. But didn’t they wait too long?

— Obviously, you want to ask me for help with something. Except you really think you can take down the Mafia with my help? It’s a pure suicide. – A nervous note broke through my voice, but to keep my nonchalant expression I have to cover it with a bright, wide smile and my usual cheerful laugh.

— I don’t know. I was told that if I wanted to find Dory, I should go to his daughter. – D-Dory?

— Named daughter, don’t mistake it. – I didn’t let off my emotions this time. Dory, the head of the Alastair Mafia, brought me up. Only two people know his real name: me and his dead mother. No one has ever found out where exactly the headquarters of the group is, and they wouldn’t be able to when it’s constantly changing. Dory is one of the most careful gifted people I’ve ever known. It would probably take even a long time even for me to figure him out, even though I know him vaguely.

Wait, so this guy’s trying to get to Dory? Has he lost his fear or does he think he’s immortal? The Mafia won’t go easy on guys like him once they get wind of it. The members of this gang are some of my most frequent and regular clients. It’s in my interest not to set them up. It’s a very foolish thing to come to me with a statement like that. Unless he has an ace up his sleeve.

— If you’ll excuse me, that’s a detail I didn’t know. – Not many people did. All people saw was a picture of a father and daughter having a great relationship. The reality is much darker.

— So, you want to find Dory as the mastermind behind your problem? I realise that would solve it, but I haven’t done business with him for a long time. – The guy smirked again, and I wanted to kill him, but I held back. I can’t even though no one would prove anything.

— But you know better than anyone what’s going on in this evil circle.

— Information is a valuable resource. – I sang out with a giggle.

— How much?

— Come on, it’s not about money. I have plenty of it, but if you share with me equal or more valuable information, then everything will be fair enough. – I whispered, smiling in my all thirty-two (meant all thirty-two teeth).

In my work, money is not so important, I can easily earn it, and if not, I can get it another way, but when you have information, it changes everything. It’s so much more interesting, and most importantly, it can come in handy.

— Without your help and knowledge, I won’t be able to make my plans work. That’s why I’d like to make a magic contract with you. – He said with such a serious expression – he’s not kidding, is he? Should I get involved in something like this? On the one hand, if anyone found out about it, they’d be all over me. On the other hand, it’s not a bad opportunity....

— What are the terms?

— You’ll be near the Legion. I know it’s uncomfortable for you, but you said it yourself: information is a valuable resource. Not a poor chance to get it in abundance. And in return, you provide me with your services as a fighter and an informer. – So, you’re close to the Legion. It’s not a pleasant prospect, but if the contract is my shield against the Gardeans, it shouldn’t be a problem.

— A magic contract implies a long-term perspective. I'd like to know how long you'll be working with me.

— And that depends on your work. The sooner we find Dory, the sooner you can get rid of me. – I can't say “no” without looking at the contract. I'll have to give in to him for now.

— Well, then, please follow me. – I waved my hand towards the bookcases that took up the entire wall. That was where my true work, my secret and my profit were hidden.

— Where to?

— Where the fun begins. – I winked and walked over to the bookcases.

***

I stood in front of the Legion headquarters, looking around, but I kept getting this unpleasant feeling. It wasn't fear, but it was hostility, because I'd always thought that there was the only one way I'd get there, but I wasn't here to hear a judgement.

The building looked like a royal castle: the same white stone with old historical themes carved into it, famous throughout Alastar; clear and perfectly clean windows, so many of them that there was probably no dark corner inside; huge double-leaf carved doors made of dark oak from the North, and several towers, one of them was a bell tower with a huge bronze bell, perhaps the size of whole me, to announce emergencies, for example if there was a demon’s massive attack. The walls reeked of grandeur and menace, and I could sense the same in the guardsmen.

The prestige and glory of the position beckoned to more than one gifted man, especially in the days when the Legion had first appeared. Crowds used to sign up, and I dread to imagine how much paper it took, but since the Night Massacre a few months ago, the ranks have thinned and there are few new recruits. The situation in the Legion is quite deplorable now: the gifted are recruited by force if they have any magic, there are a lot of disgruntled and fooling around among them, there are whole squads of non-serious young men whom I wouldn't trust even to sweep the streets, let alone to save human life, and serious specialists are such a minority that we can only rely on their professionalism.

Few people know that contracts with the strongest organisations also include the protection of civilians, although not in such an open format. There is a delicate balance in the capital right now, but it is easily disturbed by the uncoordinated actions of both sides. For now, it is a quiet peaceful time, which is comforting, but someday a new storm will come, and once again the two opposing forces will clash in battle. Perhaps only one uncontrollable problem can prevent this, and it will bring far more destruction than anything else. And the two forces will unite, just as they do now, to survive. When that will happen is hard to say, but something tells me it will be soon.

The horses rumbled behind them, and the carriage quickly disappeared into the mist. Only the clatter of hoofs reminded me that it had been here. Elazar came up to me and nodded to the guards at the entrance to open the doors.

The two young men nodded in sync, grabbed the handles, and pulled the huge and even heavier doors with all their might, barely halfway open. I giggled quietly and looked at them sadly, which earned me some unhappy looking back. I smiled broadly back at it, as if not noticing the visible dislike and boundless anger, letting out the mocking laughter.

— I could see from their looks that they didn't recognise me. You didn't tell your colleagues about our collaboration? – Elazar glanced at me with silver eyes, then shrugged, answering casually:

— Who said they were my colleagues? I told my colleagues everything I needed to know. – Aha, so that means that things in the Legion are not so rosy either. And what about the much-praised fighting spirit and brotherly relations? That's what the Garda Legion's been boasting about since the day it was created.

— Do they know that? – I snickered, but the guy didn't answer, just held his hand out towards the door, inviting me to step forward. I shrugged my shoulders and grinned, not wanting to keep both of us waiting. I wanted to see what was going to happen next.

***

My fingers tapped gently on the covers of numerous books: some were scientific works by the greatest scholars of all time from all kingdoms, some were even forbidden editions that had taken great effort to obtain; some were encyclopedias and compendiums on various subjects. Between or on top of them were neatly folded scrolls or ordinary yellowed sheets of paper with drawings, recipes, and so on. I looked through some of them myself, gaining some experience, but most of them were still a mystery to me, which I didn't really want to solve: the world's works are dusty, let them continue until the connoisseur comes.

— Red, white, gilt in the left corner, a trivial novel, upside down, stained with tea and... – I deftly pulled out the books I needed, then pushed them deeper until the mechanism clicked, the well-maintained metal tinkled, and the bookcase first moved forward and then aside, opening the way to a narrow staircase, the steps of which led to the basement of my shop.

— A secret passage. – He wasn't asking, he was stating a fact. I just hummed contentedly, waving my hand for him to follow.

The first time I'd been in the shop, I'd never imagined there were any hiding places. The man who owned wasn’t the kind of man who liked surprises or hid something dark behind his soul. But one day I noticed that the cupboard was not level enough, and behind it I could see a barely perceptible gap in the secret corridor. I magically devised and created the mechanism myself, and just knowing the sequence doesn't work here.

— It's a good thing you were prepared for this.

We walked down the stairs into a small room lit by wall lamps. In the very center stood a large carved table and chairs. That’s where I met my customers, who did not come to see me for antiques, but for something more interesting. It was also where I made weapons.

The magic of all gifted people varies in strength and its light or dark component, but there is one thing they have in common: it is closely related to magical weapons. Usually a license from the King himself is needed to create them, but of course there are illegal sources. They are often shut down for lack of profit and the rising crime rate in the capital, but there are also those who are cautious and cunning. I've never been caught, even if it was known that the weapon was bought from me. What is the advantage of its creation? Well, that it is objectively better. Legal is created on the same template, extremely inconvenient and outdated, when illegals improve their product. Usually the standard set includes a pistol, revolver, dagger and throwing knives. I have spent months collecting and studying weapons from all the kingdoms, and I have succeeded in doing so: I have over 100 weapons to choose from. And not just weapons, I create much more than meets the eye and what is known to the Garda Legion.

Creating parts is not very fast, and it is one thing to create something for yourself, and quite another for a stranger. A gifted person may not use every weapon, especially those that were not created for him. The work is very delicate and painstaking, but it is worthwhile, even though it is costly. Much is spent to bind the thin threads of magic into something tangible, and some of it is infused into the finished weapon for its magical recharging, and only after the gifted person resonates it with his gift. Depending on the skill of the creator, the product created by him will either immediately suit the new owner, or not.

The walls are lined with shelves, in which I've stacked all the parts I've created in advance, or even ready-made versions in case someone needs something urgently. Once you're done feeling chosen weapon with magic, the weapon is bound to you, so the only thing you have to do is to think of it and it will weave itself from your magic threads wherever you want it to, and when it's not needed, the weapon will disintegrate, waiting for the next call: simple and convenient.

— Have a seat. – I pointed to one of the chairs, smiling kindly. The guy never once changed his stony expression, as if he'd always had it. Only occasionally there was a semblance of a smile at the corner of his lips, but nothing more.

— Perhaps we can switch to the informal way of addressing. – There's no getting out of the contract. He wouldn't talk about formalities if he wasn't sure he'd get his way. I don't want to get in too much trouble. And yet, it's so boring without them.

— Well, I'm all for it. I don't like formalities.

— Now, before the visit, I've already made a printed version of our contract. Surely, you can make adjustments according to your conditions, but I ask you to not change mine. – He took out a thin white sheet of paper with neat handwriting. I took it and read it while he continued to explain: – My only condition is that you help me find Dory, preferably as soon as possible, but I won't push you, and I won't go into the details of how you'll find him. Moreover, if necessary, I will give you official approval from the Garda Legion, if that will help.

— Since when do I need permission for anything? – I snapped at him, but then I tried to smooth over the sharp edges of the phrase: – You know the field of my job – no permits required.

— You can do whatever you want in your spare time until you get caught, but if you fulfil my condition from the contract, I'll ask you to do everything legally. Speaking of which, that's my next condition. – So many stupid conditions. You can do only a half of it legally, and that's not for sure – the prove of just how narrow is the part that the King allows to do. But in general the point is clear: he continues to do his job, and I have to look for Dory without substituting our bright-eyed man, because my actions will have a big impact on the Legion, and they're not likely to be happy about the new reputation, or rather the remnants of it.

— I have only two conditions. – I held up two fingers, tilted my head slightly to the side and smiled. – The first is discretion. Neither you nor any of your co-workers are to get involved in my affairs or discredit anyone by doing so. There must be no way you use anything you learn about the world of crime against me or anyone I deal with. Don't forget, they'll bring you closer to Dory, too. – He'll have to agree. It's obviously more important to him to find the head of the organisation than anything else, or he'd never have come to me.

I caught a glimpse of his full name: Elazar Drak'Gongor. His family was made up of aristocrats from the highest ranks of the Southern Kingdom, but after the Crown passed a series of reforms, all the aristocrats had to leave, or voluntarily give up their property, leaving themselves with nothing. That's probably how he ended up with us, and not only that, he took the position of a Chief Fighting Mage. Only the best gifted person who could demonstrate not only practical knowledge, but also theoretical. The exam he passed is incredibly difficult, I wonder how anyone can pass it. I've never seen so much unnecessary information!

— All right, write it down on paper. – I took a fountain pen, dipped it in ink, and began to write down the mentioned condition. – So, – he said, after I had finished and put the writing utensils away. – what about the second one?

— The second condition is that I don't have as much time as I might think. I have to work, so you have to put up with it - we all have our own lives. I could use some help, even if it's only once in a while. It would help me a lot, give me plenty of free time to spend looking for Dory. - Smiling and resting my fingers against each other, I pressed them harder and loosened the pressure. Elazar grasped his chin, thought for a moment with his eyes closed, and then answered:

- If you promise to do the same. - Sly bug! What part of ‘I don't have much time’ didn't he understand?

- Wouldn't that slow down the search for Dory? - I'm going to crumple up this sheet now and make this guy eat it!

- I'm willing to wait. - What do I call him after that?!

- Okay. - I put a smile on my face, though the pen in my fingers was starting to crack a little, that’s just how hard I was squeezing it.

Having scribbled what was necessary, I stamped the pen on the table, kindly handed over our contract, and as soon as it was taken away, I rested my head on my locked hands, hoping that very soon I would have a mental respite from the company of this obnoxious, arrogant, selfish...!

- Fine, now we have a magic deal to make. - He interrupted the flow of my subsequent swearing.

- Come on already, and get it over with. - I exhaled, standing up from the table and walking almost point-blank towards the guy.

Magic flew from our fingers: different colors, opposite. My dark one could have absorbed the whitish light, but it didn't give up, either, illuminating the black clots. It was a bit amusing to watch this strange dance. The streams swirled around each other, as if intertwining.

At that moment we simultaneously began to read out the text of a written contract stating that we would never break the contract until its terms were fulfilled, that we would not violate our personal terms, and that we would be faithful to the contract. The paper glowed with a golden light at the last words, signaling that it was magically secured, so we released the magic. The currents dissipated in a second, leaving no trace behind, and I breathed out a sigh of relief, because it meant I could take a break from the unpleasant company.

- Well, now that we're done with the formalities, you may leave my shop. You know where the door is, and also where the other door is. Have a good evening.

I walked past him, intending to leave the secret room, but I was grabbed by the collar and dragged like a kitten in the same direction.

- Hey! – I shrieked, swinging my fist, but Elazar dodged me.

- We're not done yet.

***

I was dragged to the Legion headquarters so early. The sun was just beginning to play in the few stained-glass windows, reflecting off the white brick of the building, making it impossible to look at it for long. I never liked days like this, I much preferred the constant clouds. But the others enjoyed the few days of sunshine, you could see it in their smiles and their sparkling eyes. I wanted to pull up my hood and hide away, never to see the building.

Even being inside was uncomfortable: there was nowhere to hide, and there were windows everywhere, where the light invariably fell. I suddenly felt like vampires, mid-rank demons addicted to human blood. These creatures can't stand sunlight, like all demons, but these ones especially, so they hide in the shadows. I'm really like them in a way: I don't like to be in the light either. It's like I'm in the crosshairs of a crowd, and at any moment someone will shoot. But you have advantages while being in shadows, and that's all I liked. That's why I choose late hours for errands: when I can hide, when the organisations are in full force.

I followed Elazar down the red carpet, glancing at portraits of older and not-so-old people I didn't know, mostly men. At some point their gazes became so similar that to me they merged into one: equally contemptuous. All were wearing the uniform of the Legion, likely they had glorified it more than once before tragically perishing. I even wonder how that happened. I once had the honor of fighting a high ranking gardain, and I'm still alive. I wonder if there's a portrait of him on these walls or is death at the hands of a common peddler is so disrespectful that it would be a laughing stock to show it?

In fact, it is a pressing question, I did not know many of these honourable men, nor did I ever meet them. Do the ones I had to deal with hang or not?

I debated with myself on this subject internally, without showing it outwardly, smiling radiantly and walking briskly along. I didn't want to pay attention to the passers-by who were throwing slanted glances at me, and why should I, if I would meet them a hundred times more in these halls?

I was gently pushed into a spacious office and the door closed. I had to distract myself by looking around.

It was too bright, the white tulle covering nothing but adding light to the room. The only dark furniture was a massive desk, two chairs on either side of it, several bookcases, one of which was filled with books, antique folios, statuettes, and other knickknacks, the other more like a wardrobe; and a couple of shelves with flower pots. By the way, I've never seen such flowers in our country, but knowing the home country of the owner of the study, we can assume that they are from the Southern Kingdom.

- Cute. - I muttered, twirling and looking around. Why did I want to jump out the window so badly? - Are the flowers from your homeland? - I pointed to the plants I was interested in.

- Yes. - He answered dryly, sitting down on a chair with soft light upholstery. - Have a seat. - He pointed with his right hand to the last chair in the room.

I sat down, throwing both legs up on the seat of the chair, bending them at the knees. The guy just furrowed his eyebrows at that, but he didn't make a remark, although I could see from his expression that he would have liked to. But not to fight with me on our first day of work, he decided otherwise.

- So, I've invited you here so that we can discuss a plan of action. I'd like to hear your… - Elazar stopped in mid-sentence and asked, - Elvira, are you listening to me? - I shifted my gaze from the flowers to the man, and then asked:

- This is not the same temperature here, how do they bloom in such conditions? - I'm curious, what can I do?

- Does it matter now?

- Maybe I want to grow some. They'd look good in the shop. - I propped my head up with my hand and rested my elbow on my knee.

- Elvira. - Elazar growled menacingly.

My full name made me shudder inwardly. It was like I was back in the past again, in a dark room with the unpleasant smell of decay, stale blood, and something else, something special. There was not a soul around, and I, as a little girl, was sitting in the center of the room, holding a revolver. My fingers clutched the warm metal tightly, afraid to part with it for even a second, for it was my only salvation. I was breathing hard, as if I'd run a marathon, but my breath was heavy not because of fatigue, but because of fear, shock, and incomprehension. And then a menacing ‘Elvira!’ came from the darkness, and when I turned around, I finally saw the light, but my joy faded when I saw the man whose appearance was my salvation and the beginning of a dark streak.

I had almost forgotten my real surname, hiding under someone else's, long ago forgotten by the world. I was known as Elvira Yar'Bran, the shopkeeper, but they mostly shortened it to Elia. It didn't do any harm to my reputation, so I accepted the form, and it soon caught on. Hearing my full name was like a thunderclap, something unpleasant and disgusting.

- Call me Elia. - After a moment of silence, I said. - It's easier for me.

- Only if you stop asking me about those flowers.

- Deal. - I replied, smiling thirty-two. - As for a plan, I don't think it's possible to make one at the stage we're at now. - The guy was waiting for details, but I didn't feel like explaining. It was like I was in school, and the teacher was asking me a question, and all I could think about was leaving the classroom and running out into the street. Reality, by the way, is not far from the truth.

- Are you telling me you don't know how you're gonna find Dory?

- It's not a matter of what I do or don't know. It's just that Dory could be anywhere in Alastar, and since we don't know anything about him or where he is, is there any way to make a plan? - I picked up a small fox statue from the table and began to play with it. Elazar, sighing, gently took it from me, set it aside, and looked at me carefully. I had to sigh here. - I don't know if the Legion knows this, but the Alastair Mafia is the only organisation that doesn't have a permanent headquarters in the capital. If they did, I'd just take you there and be done with it. But there isn't. The temporary headquarters in the capital changes every week, and the locations are very rare and chaotic. - I had to use a pen instead of the statue. I twirled it in my hands, or tapped it lightly on the table. In any case, at least I had something to occupy my hands - you could call it a habit from the past. If you constantly twist something in your hands, it develops motor skills, so it is much easier in battle.

- No organisation can survive without a headquarters. You said several times that they don't have a permanent headquarters in the capital, so they must have one outside the city. - He's so clever, I am surprised how lucky I am. He's annoyingly annoying, but he's not slow and he's smart, so I think he's almost the perfect partner. I haven't met anyone like him in a long time.

- Yeah, the permanent headquarters is out of town. And before your enthusiasm rises up, don't even ask me where it is. Of course, it's not in the contract, but I won't work to my own detriment. You won't get anywhere if you come to headquarters and I'm killed. Do you want that? I don't think so. - Elazar leaned back in his chair, frowned, but nodded, as much as he didn't want to admit I was right. - There is a hierarchy in the Mafia as well as in the Legion. Often there are several groups of gifted people sent to Alastar to complete a task. They are the ones who are in the temporary headquarters inside the capital. Dory, who has to keep a close eye on the progress, is also in the city under a false name and even appearance. He's unlikely to be spotted in the crowd, but even if he is, he can still escape, the Mafia will lay low - and you'll have achieved nothing.

- In that case, what do you suggest we do?

- Dory, though you wouldn't know it from him, - I leaned back in my chair, turned the pen in my hand, and continued, - is a very curious man: - a very curious man. He doesn't just dress up like that to follow his men, but also to gather information. You, too, before you take any action, monitor the situation in the city: you pay attention to the mood inside, to events, to the consequences of the next reforms, and all that at all levels. Only based on this can you set the right tasks for your subordinates.

- That's what Dory does, too. - I winked and flipped the pen to my other hand.

- Yes, and if something catches his attention, he'll do anything to find out more.

- So you what you intend to say is that our job is to do something to get his attention?

- Pretty much. You and I just have to fulfil the terms of our contract: I help you, you help me. The duo of a former mafioso, but nowadays the owner of a big shop and the Main Fighting Mage is very interesting and entertaining, don't you think? - We'd only need to confront the mafiosi in the capital city once, and they'd have to report it to Dory immediately. If he's out of town now, he'll show up, there's no doubt about it. I don't know what Elazar's planning to do, but I don't care. He'll get what he wants, and I'll be done with itt.

- I see. It may take a long time, but it's worth it. - Great, since he doesn't need convincing, I'm free to go.

- Since you enjoyed it so much, I take my leave. - Dropping the pen on the desk, I jumped up from an uncomfortable chair and strode briskly to the door.

Before I'd gone three steps, I was grabbed by the collar and yanked up a little, so that I left my futile attempts to escape.

I glanced unkindly at Elazar, but he didn't even raise an eyebrow; he just let go of me, grabbed my wrist, and dragged me to the exit. If only he took me to the street and let me go in peace, no, he wanted something.

- Where are we going? - He's walking, silent, ignoring me, and I don't like that.

- I've been told to introduce you to the general and a few of the King's counsellors. As I said, my co-operation with you is official, so we'll be watched. - Good, the last thing I need is some important royal dignitaries. I don't think they know about my past and my real identity. After signing agreements with organisations, the King changed his counsellors several times, and the general was chosen for the Legion relatively recently, as the former one passed away soon afterwards. There was no need to worry about keeping my identity secret, and yet I wanted to avoid a meeting.

- Do I have to? - I begged.

- Would I have dragged you there if it wasn't? - How rude. How am I supposed to work with him if he's so rude and has no respect for me? I haven't done much good in my life, but I've done enough not to be treated like this! I've done so much that I should have been treated worse, but that doesn't give him the right to disrespect me! - It won't take long. But then we have work to do. - What? We signed a contract just yesterday, what job? What's wrong with him, eh? If he keeps this up, I'll throw myself off this building.

- What job? - I didn't have any enthusiasm at all. How could you find anything in such a short time?!

- You'll find out. - I'll give it up as soon as I find out what's going on, but then I'll have no choice. Clever bug!

I was dragged into what I assumed was the main hall of the Garda Legion headquarters. The high-ceilinged room reeked of grandeur, menace, and a pathos that disgusted me. I'd never understood why you'd build yourself such a palace when your job was to patrol the streets. But perhaps it was the image that had once beckoned young blood to the Legion: young gifted men flocked here from all over the kingdom, hoping to find their calling. But one day, it was heralded as the Night Massacre, when the ‘brave’ new recruits set out to defend the city from the demon onslaught. Back then, people were afraid to go outside, once the cloud-covered sun illuminated Alastar. Everywhere you looked there were bodies of the dead, wrapped in their new Gardean uniforms. I can still remember the cries of grief and fear as the inhabitants overpowered themselves to leave their shelters. Having lost so many dear ones, their mothers were afraid to let their son into the Legion. The early years were also some of the darkest times of its existence. After that, the King issued a decree to forcibly recruit all known gifted into the Legion.

Everything was still bright, with large pots of tall flowers in the corners, red carpeting, numerous dark cabinets, most of the shelves filled with books and maps, the yellowed paper of which stood out in the long stacks, in the very center a huge circle table, on four sides of which stood upholstered armchairs, just like my partner's in his office, three of which were occupied by those very important people: The General of the Garda Legion, the Security Counsellor, and the King's Chief Counsellor.

The General was a thirty-years-old man with sharp looking brown eyes the color of chocolate. The hair on his head is cut short to avoid inconvenience with it in battle. His thin lips are tightly compressed, and his thick black eyebrows are perpetually furrowed, as if he's been thinking for most of his life. The only thing that stood out on his face was his large eagle nose, and that was what drew attention to him. He was stately, trim, and tall, except that I could barely reach his shoulder with my head. His figure was emphasized by his legionary uniform, and his blue cape swayed lightly behind his back, like an integral part of any man who was important in status but annoying in life.

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I didn't have a chance to deal with him personally, but he must have heard about me and quietly hated me. And it's mutual, because it was at his mercy, thanks to his sharp mind, incredible thinking and leadership that dozens of my clients and good friends were put behind bars, if not executed. His career is relatively recent, but he has made a great deal of difference in the quiet life of the capital, for which he is favored by His Majesty, all the counsellors, and the inhabitants. The sight of him made me sick to my stomach.

The Security Counsellor was older, in his sixtieth year, his neatly styled brown hair showing a few strands of grey, but he was still fit, and his two-handed sword, which he never parted with for a second, looked like a small toy in his hands. His narrow blue eyes looked at me with disdain, but he didn't show any more dislike for me, neither thin lips nor bushy eyebrows did, which was good. Dressed in a white shirt, blue uniform, grey trousers and high boots for comfort. It was on his shoulders that the physical component of the royal guard stayed: ordinary guards, without any magic. They can't fight demons, but there are enemies in other kingdoms. He manages the distribution of forces throughout the city and the entire kingdom, the training of elite units, and the resolution of conflicts outside of the Eloi Kingdom. He's not a bad guy, but he and the people under his leadership also have a habit of appearing at the wrong time and in the wrong place.

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The King's Chief Counsellor was about the same age as his colleague, with a long, curly grey beard that had once been coal-black, if it had been at all; his hair was almost grey, leaving only light black patches; his bright blue eyes had already faded, with only a touch of fatigue in them, but in life he was very lively, and he held on to his position as counsellor with the both hands, feet and teeth he still had. He is dressed in a red camisole, white trousers, and unexpectedly black shoes.

- I apologise for the delay. - Elazar bowed. I even thought that he would fall to the floor. Should he apologise like that? We are late just for a few minutes.

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- I hope it was for a good reason, my time is worth a lot. - The guys weren't lying about the Chief Counsellor's unpleasant manner of speech and inflated ego, but it was even worse than that.

I turned my head to the window so I wouldn't be seen rolling my eyes. When I turned back, I saw the general raise his arm with a bent elbow, thereby giving the “grandfather” a little restraint:

- Come on. The safety of all of Alastar is at stake, and a few minutes are clearly worth it. - The counsellor snorted, folding his arms across his chest, chin up. I could hardly contain my laughter, suppressing it inwardly.

- Mr. Chief Mage, you promised to explain yourself to us for the contract you signed with this girl, and to explain what you're trying to achieve. - Do I have to be present for that? I'm going to fall asleep.

- That's right. I'd like to start by saying that there's a lot of activity in the capital right now by gifted organisations, especially the Mafia. As you know.

I didn't want to listen to any more of these stories, so while Elazar was talking about them, I took a sideways step to the darkest and most secluded corner, where a large full-length mirror hung on the wall. At least she was more comfortable here than in front of the gaze of the important people, as they thought to themselves.

I yawned as the boring speech went on, and I glanced at my reflection with my tea-colored eyes, which were red because of the dark gift. I tugged tightly on the red ribbons that tied two bundles of long, dark brown, straight hair, slightly curled at the ends. I flapped my thick black eyelashes, a satisfied smile played on my plump scarlet lips. On my cheeks immediately appeared hateful dimples, making my already rounded face in its own childish way. My slender, short figure was covered by a shirt belted with a wide red sash, over which I wore a light brown jacket, and a black leather cloak with a deep, wide hood swayed behind me, to the envy of the general, along with his colleague. For my height, my legs were long in tight black leather trousers, and on my feet were small flat-soled boots. I'd always been short, long-necked, and thin, which made me the subject of jokes in the Alastair Mafia and in the criminal world. Perhaps not even once did my new acquaintance pass without open mockery because of my innocent appearance. And only later, when I got to work, did they bite their tongues and realise that there could be nothing worse than to see me in a bad mood, when I no longer seemed like a child, when you could see the steel in my eyes and the ringing in my voice; when I took up arms and used my magic. Yes, I am not a child, my childhood was over when normal children have it just beginning, I don't know what it is. In my nineteenth year, I think I've seen and experienced too much.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

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- Elvira! - Elazar shouted to me. With a sigh, I peeled away from the wall and sprang slightly, running up to my partner.

- So, you're committed to leading the Legion to Dory? - The general spoke harshly, not letting the royal counsellors get a word in edgewise, even though they wanted to.

- Not the whole Legion, but only this young man, and whether he brings anyone else or not is his choice. - I replied, smiling broadly. Why? I don't work for the Legion, so I don't have to do anything for them.

- Your plan is inaccurate and sounds unreliable. - The Security Counsellor grumbled. He's got distrust beating from the darkest,depths of his soul.

- It’s just I haven't heard any other suggestions from the Chief fighting mage. - I parried, expressing calm. Yes, I was his embodiment at that moment. - Moreover, let's be honest, you're less knowledgeable on the subject of the Mafia, much less its head. - A little more and the security counsellor’s eye will start twitching. Not to mention the Chief Counsellor, only decency compelled him not to spit and continue to sit in his chair, holding himself up with only his hand gripping the tabletop.

- Outrageous disrespect.

- I'm sorry, am I supposed to respect you? It's not a part of my contract, so you'll have to be patient. - I replied, arching an elegant eyebrow, looking skeptically at the old man. He was panting heavily, and the tabletop didn't help, so he jumped up and looked at me with an annihilating stare.

- Chief Counsellor, I would ask you not to quarrel in this room. Especially when the girl has told the objective truth. We have only general information about the organisations and it will not help us to reduce their activity. Any action I've taken hasn't had much effect either. This girl can help, you will have to accept that. - Taking a deep breath, the man returned to his seat.

- I will deliver such nonsense to the King in a milder form so that he won't interfere. However, I will personally monitor the course of events. Only under such conditions will I give my consent to this gamble. - He's so boring and obnoxious. But it's respectable that he's going to deal with the King. I hadn't realised that His Majesty himself might be watching my activities, and more than usual. That could have caused me a lot of trouble.

- Chief Fighting mage, do you agree to such conditions? - The general asked in a menacing and loud voice. Elazar bowed his head slightly in affirmation:

- Absolutely. – Why don’t they ask me? Of course, the counsellor's surveillance is unlikely to interfere with my work or have any effect on it, but it is unpleasant.

- I am concerned about the possible disorder. We shouldn't forget what kind of circle this girl is in, and what kind of people take a part of it as well. The problem could get bigger if we drag her into it. - I raised my elbowed arm, smiling.

- You don't have to worry about that, Security Counsellor. I'm on the neutral side of the conflict, I have strictly business relationships with all my clients, and I'm not influenced by any organisation. My actions are not coordinated by anyone or anything, so you should not have any problems. - The only problem would be a direct confrontation with the Mafia, but I know their vulnerabilities, and I can press one of them if I have to. Then the security counsellor won't have anything to nag.

- I'll also keep an eye on progress, and if things get out of hand, I'll intervene. - He gave me a sidelong glance, making it clear what ‘intervene’ might mean to him. He'll kill me if I fail.

- Is that your condition? - Asked the General, to whose question the Security Counsellor nodded affirmatively. Sighing and interlacing his fingers on his hands, he spoke, ‘I have only one thing I would like to ask of you personally. - And I will have to fulfil it, I see. How difficult it is with them. - Could you show me your magic? - Unexpected. I was expecting literally everything, but not this. I didn't want him to ask any unnecessary questions.

I came a little closer and complied. A small dark red ball appeared in my hand, with small black sparks coming out of its center. The faces of the counsellors finally expressed nervousness and a little apprehension in addition to contempt and distrust. This is the most unstable stage of all: one false move and you are either at the mercy of the demon or dead. Even Dory's gift is bright red, where not a single dark spark can be seen.

The system is such that saving an innocent soul favors the light magic, when murder favors the dark magic. It is very difficult to keep a balance between these two extremes, and usually people are afraid to go through the yellow magic stage, fearing for their own souls. I have spent two years studying my own magic and the influence of every factor on it, and I have been able to gather full information in this area. In this way I have very skillfully brought my magic to the most unstable stage, where I have remained for three years - the most outstanding result.

- This is the most unstable stage of the magic possible. - Checking to make sure I don't go insane or get possessed by a demon during our mission? Very reasonable of him, of course, but still unpleasant. Elazar had found out about my magic the same day, but he hadn't doubted for a second that I was in control. I was lucky to have such partner after all.

- I've been living with this magic for three years, how can there be any doubt that there's nothing to worry about? - I won't explain the reason I deliberately brought my magic to this stage if he asks.

- Well, I trust you. - Fine, no questions asked. - I will not personally monitor progress, but I will ask you, Chief Fighting Mage, - he glared at Elazar. - to send me daily reports so I can monitor the situation. - He needs to be in control. I'd better make sure Elazar doesn't write anything in those reports. Of course, according to the contract, he can't use information about Alastair’s criminal circle even if he wanted to, but we have to stop him from mentioning it. - Both sides of the contract agree to the Three's terms? - Three is the name of the three who approve and sign the decrees on behalf of the Garda Legion. Each one leads a different side of the vision of the situation, which helps to arrive at a differently correct decision. This system was invented in the Bantrian kingdom in the east, where democracy has always reigned, and there have been so many reforms during its existence that it would be impossible to fit them all into 10 volumes. The system is really effective, and not a single decision made by the Three has had a negative impact on life in the kingdom.

- Agree. - Elazar spoke without hesitation, looking at the general with determination. I closed my eyes, weighing the pros and cons of each condition, but there was nothing to quibble with: each side had the right to monitor and make adjustments to my work, and there was nothing I could do about it, but I was worried about the Chief Counsellor.

As soon as I glanced at him, he gave me a murderous look. He's been harassed by the general several times today, and he's expressed his displeasure in a manner unbefitting his status, for which the Garda Legion will send a complain to His Majesty. A good reason to dislike me, but don't let it turn into more than just dislike.

- Agree. - I confirmed, leaving the subject for now. I'm not working yet, so I have time to do something about it.

- In that case, we agree, your contract is effective for this moment, and we will send you a written form of our agreement and all the above-mentioned instructions with our signatures shortly.

- Thank you. - Elazar bowed again, and I gave him a sympathetic look. I don't know about him, but my back would have collapsed from bending over so many times.

- The counsellors are free to go, but I'll ask you to stay. - The General said, pointing at me and my partner. I gave a fake wide smile and sighed.

The two counsellors also bowed, then headed for the door behind us. The king's chief counselor walked right past me, lightly touching my arm. It felt unpleasant, and I never liked it when someone showed their displeasure by shoving or touching me, so I gave him the same murderous look he'd given me. He swallowed, but he didn't show any more signs of nervousness, and it was enough for me to know that he'd taken it in.

As soon as the door closed behind them, the general rose from his seat and ruffled his hair, running the strands between his fingers. Tiredness showed on his face, and he yawned, covering his mouth with his hand,

- They're boring, aren't they? - The general muttered, and I was taken aback. Is he serious? He said that?! He'd literally taken what I wanted to say out of my mouth.

- Greg... - Elazar said reproachfully, but there was a slight smile on his lips.

- Would you say I'm wrong? - So they have an informal relationship when they're alone together, but they keep it formal in front of the others. Well, that's to be expected. - All Onos cares about is that a former member of an organisation is going to be involved. He is so indignant that he forgets that he is unable to deal with the problem himself. Tair's only concern is that he not be given too much work to do, nothing more. - Tair Bern'Niv, the Security Counsellar, has always been a perfectionist who doesn't like to delay his plan. He would do anything to stay on top of it. This is perhaps his greatest weakness, which could be used to remove the councillor from his post if he wished, but so far there has been no one willing to do so. As for the chief royal councillor, Onos Cre'Milch, he prefers to control the situation in the capital personally, so he does not accept outside help.

- Not only are you right, but I'd check their mental health. - I answered the question with a stretch, for which Elazar gave me a murderous look. But Greg smiled suddenly.

- Next time I will, but only if you help me. - The general said with a wink, throwing me into a stupor. So he's normal? I thought he was just like those two, plus Elazar, but at least he has a sense of humor.

- Greg, why did you leave us? - My partner grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest, resentful that he wasn't supported in his displeasure.

- I'd like to talk to your new partner first. - He returned his attention to me. I patted my eyes questioningly. - I'd like to keep things informal with both of you, so I'd like to start with the ‘you,’ if you don't mind.

- Of course, it would be easier for me. - I shouldn't have picked on the general. No, of course, he's a rare bastard, considering how many times he and his guys have interfered with my plans, but if you evaluate him as a simple man, not a general, he's a pleasure to deal with.

- Great, then we're both on the plus side. I'm relying on your expertise, Elvira. Dory is one of the most enigmatic individuals, even among the members of the organisation, few have seen him in person. But you know a great deal about him and his behavior. So I will have no influence on your decisions, and I will try to stop this kind of behavior on the part of the Two. - I didn't think it would be so easy to get the general's support. But I don't know if he's hiding his personal agenda behind this charity. I don't think he's doing it for no reason. It's to his advantage to keep the counsellors out of it.

- Thank you. I'm glad you realise that. - I wasn't too happy about the general's good-naturedness. I have to be very careful with him, and before I bring Elazar to Dori, I should check out the legion. The General must have issued a decree to begin the search for Dori before Elazar came to me, so it must be stored here somewhere. We need to find it and check it out. There must be something Greg By'Narth is not telling us.

- Elazar, as you requested, I've gathered information from the others. - The General handed over a paper folder with several sheets of paper. I wonder if my partner knows what Greg is up to, or if he's just as clueless. I'd like to believe that he's not consciously involved, otherwise I'd be trapping myself. But the first time we met, I didn't see anything to suggest an outside plan.

- Thank you. Can we go now? - What's our hurry? Aren't we done with business?

- Of course. - The General turned to me, and I saw the pretense. It was in his every action, in his every tone and gesture. Everything he was saying now was just a way to get closer to me at the expense of good relations. - Elazar said you prefer the short form of your name, so it was a pleasure to meet you, Elia. - The general smiled broadly and covered his eyes as he held out his hand to me. I smiled too, accepting the friendly gesture, and I felt so disgusted that I wanted to pull my limb out.

After exchanging farewells, my partner and I left the hall and again walked along the monotonous and boring corridors. The corridors became more lively as the guardsmen, girls and men alike, bustled in and out. When they saw Elazar, they bowed their heads to him a little, but their eyes were fixed on me: those who knew looked at me with anger mixed with dislike, and those who didn't, just wondered. I glanced casually around at the passersby, trying to find the ones that stood out-they were likely to be the ones either leading the squads or doing the writing, and they were the ones I'd have important business with.

Elazar turned and I headed down the corridor, remembering that there was an exit. But as soon as I took a step, my partner came back, wrapped his arm around me like a snake, and pulled me back to where he'd been going all along. I gave him a nasty look:

- I didn't think you'd enjoy my company so much. - The guy didn't react, reading the papers the general handed over. Pouting my lips, I poked him in the cheek with my free hand, and he sighed and squinted his peculiar eyes at me.

- What do you want? - Rude and indecent, by the way.

- I've served my punishment in the form of Three, and I can go now, so why do you keep me in this serpentarium? - The guy ignored the barb. He wrapped his arm around me even tighter, pulling me closer to him.

- There's a job. I think the contract clearly states that we help each other.

- We only signed the contract yesterday. Where'd you get a job? - Even I have a lot less. What am I supposed to do, work for the public good instead of the legion?

- There's a demon at the center. He can hurt you, too, so it's in your best interest. – You gonna play dirty, you bastard. But is there a demon at the center? I haven't heard of any black activity lately. What kind of de-mon is there?

- I'm not gonna help you anyway. - Although my hand was not given to me, and still I was able to cross both on my chest, defiantly turned away, saying, I am serious.

- Good. - That was pretty quick.

- What's on your mind...?! - Sitting down, he picked me up and threw me onto his shoulder. What the hell is he doing?!

- Either you agree or I'll drag you to the demon like this. - And he just went on like nothing weird was going on.

- You won't do it. - I gritted my teeth, but I don't think he was listening, given that I had my-- Shit! Let go now!

- I made my terms. - I was literally being shot at by the eyes of the Gar Indians. Their curiosity could create a second ocean, maybe even flood the world.

I waited another five minutes, but Elazar was determined. He was ab-absolutely ignoring the stares, and he wasn't about to let me go, as if transporting me like that were normal. Fearing that he would drag me down the street like that, I sighed and agreed to follow him obediently. Immediately I had the option of walking on my own two again, but I didn't feel like walking and working until Elazar eyed me suspiciously. The likelihood of my regular customers seeing me like this was very high, especially in the center of the capital, so I walked briskly towards the huge door, where I could see a thin strip of light.

It felt good to breathe the fresh air, cooled by the frequent rains. The sun was once again obscured by clouds, but they did not threaten to rain, and that was welcome. A light breeze cooled my skin, caressed my cheeks, and wrapped my fingers around my fingers. A girl in high heels walked by. Their clomping sounded for a long time, until she turned off the main street into some alley. From somewhere in the distance, where the capital's market was located, I could hear the calls of the traders - they merged into one stream of noise, which I liked in its own way. The center was quiet, disturbed only by the clatter of horses' hoofs, the squeak of carriage wheels and the casual conversations of passers-by. No one was expecting rain today, and not seeing a single umbrella was a gift from above.

Everything was perfect, except for Elazar standing to the side. He stared off into the distance until he nodded his head toward one of the alleys that led to the square. I sighed and followed him, remembering that this was where we worked.

But I'd forgotten about that, too, when I saw the fairgrounds on the square. I'd never followed it, but I always loved it when I happened to be at one. I was excited about something like this, as I had never been able to attend any festivities before, even important ones. As soon as my eyes caught sight of the colorful tents with their colorful flags fluttering on top, I couldn't help myself.

I took Elazar under my arm and dragged him over there. He did not expect such persistence, so he followed me obediently for the first time. I managed to get him into the thick of the crowd. It was impossible to see anything because of the pandemonium, but nothing could obscure the huge circus tent. It was bright purple in color, its top reaching up to the sky, and from it ropes with colourfl flags were tied to wooden poles. It was where most of the people went, but many were also interested in the various delicacies brought from afar: foreign teas, coffees and alcoholic drinks, there were also those that were not known in our kingdom at all, and it was impossible to count the different kinds of food. What I adored most were the big pretzels with sesame seeds and condensed milk inside. It was in search of these delights that I wandered, leading Elazar with a stunned look on my face.

When I reached my destination-the pretzels were mostly strung on sticks that stood on a high stand so they could be seen from a distance-Elazar finally came to his senses, pulling his limb out and squinting his eyes at me.

- What are you doing? - I made a sad face, pointing my finger at my favourite tasty treat.

- I really like pretzels. - Elazar looked at them without any interest, then shrugged and said:

- It's nothing special.

- You can say that too! - I shouted, folding my arms across my chest. - Unlike regular pretzels, these are big! And they're also filled with delicious condensed milk. - I turned to the guy, folded my arms pleadingly, and smiled: - Can I have one, please? I didn't bring any money with me, but I'll give it to you if you want it! And if you take me one, then I will definitely help you now. - She winked and looked at him pleadingly. Elazar bowed his head incomprehensibly, looked at the pretzels, at me, at them again, until he gave it away:

- Will you help me?

- Yes!’ I nodded. - I'll do the job to the best of my ability. - I raised my elbowed hand with an open palm and assured him.

- But I won't buy you anything else. - I nodded in agreement, jumping up and down in excitement.

When I received the long-awaited treat, I began to eat, almost moaning with pleasure. Despite the fact that this is my favorite treat, I have eaten them only a couple of times in my life: when I tried them for the very first time, and on the same day, but two years later. Usually it was accompanied by sadness and sadness, but now I was having fun for some reason, even though I had to work. So unlike the past two occasions, I was actually enjoying myself now.

- So where is that demon? - Chewing on a bite, I asked.

- In a former aristocrat's old house in an abandoned part of town. - The Po-hole district is the most dangerous part of the capital. It was the epicenter of the Thunderstorm Disaster, a natural disaster that destroyed all normal life in the kingdom. It was the heaviest downpour in history, and with it, demons stepped onto the streets of Alastair for the first time. They didn't know how to deal with this kind of thing, and the elements only got in the way, so the whole neighborhood was destroyed: almost all the inhabitants died and the houses were flooded. Now it is a few streets of destroyed houses that are just hanging on by a thread: the wood in them is rotten, the windows are long since broken, and the inside smells of blood and death. Very often there are smaller but no less capable organisations hanging around. As far as I know, that's where the Alastair Mafia got its start before they broke out.

- No wonder there's someone out there. - I stated the obvious after finishing my pretzel. Licking my fingers, I continued: - Midnight District is separate from the rest of the capital, though its borders are close to the center. So why should we go there? - I don't know why we'd want to get involved. The moon district is separated by a wall - not a very high one, so it's easy to get in - but still. Even organisations rarely go there, let alone ordinary citizens of the capital. So what's a lone demon suddenly disliked by the Garda Legion? - so why are we getting involved in this?

- There are reasons. - Elazar replied dryly. - You promised to help, so let's go. - I should make a note not to throw words around.

I've never liked the atmosphere of the Midnight District. Even the air here is kind of stale and unpleasant. When my clients made appointments here, or I had to go here for personal reasons, I went as if I were going to the slaughterhouse. Everything was still in the same condition it had been at the time: scattered things, bloodstains, decay. Life was gone from this place, leaving a place of cold death. Every empty, dark window reeked of it. Many legends had been invented about this neighborhood: it was said that it was haunted by the ghosts of the victims of those who had died in that time. This gave rise to superstitions and various scary stories, which were first told to children to keep them from sticking their curious noses where they shouldn't, and then to adults as entertainment on holidays. But even though these scary stories are fiction, the Midnight District is really dangerous: there are a lot of common thieves and other such rabble, demons that can reappear on these streets at any moment. Every minute you spend here could cost you your life.

Elazar walked on, not paying attention to anything. How well developed is his sense of smell that he can so easily distinguish between the usual pressurized atmosphere of this place and the danger that doesn't exist yet? Of course, I'm not far behind him in that skill either, but I still glance around periodically for extraneous noises, checking to see if it's a bandit or a demon.

- Elazar. - I was ignored. Squinting my eyes, I spoke again: - Elazar. - Again, nothing. - Elazar.

- What?!’ my partner said through gritted teeth, glaring at me unkindly. I chuckled, walking a little closer to him:

- So, where is this house? - I said, as if nothing had happened. The guy sighed, covered his eyes, and turned away, dropping it:

- We'll be there soon.

- Okay. - Folding her intertwined fingers behind her back, I replied, walking at a walking pace and humming the same tune. A slight smile played on her lips, the pleasant rhythm helping to calm her, and only Elazar's gaze and the oppressive atmosphere made her tense.

- It's hard to believe that you're the named daughter of the biggest mafioso in the world. - I looked at my partner questioningly, pointing a finger at myself and frowning.

- Me?’ I smiled and continued: - Believe me, he and I are a lot alike. - And how could it be otherwise if he raised and educated me? Elazar has seen one side of the coin, and it's different from Dory's, but everyone has a second side, and that's where we're really similar. But I don't want to see that side myself. It's like a disease that never leaves me and becomes my shadow-it follows, doesn't bother me, and waits for its turn. - For example, he likes pretzels, too. - I continued the casual conversation with a giggle.

- I can believe it. - Yeah? That's not what everyone usually says. - You smile a lot, laugh a lot, and act like you have nothing to do with crime, but it's all lies and falsehoods. - He realised so quickly. What an observant kid. He's earned a plus one in my opinion of him.

- Maybe someday you'll have a chance to find out where the real one is. - Elazar chuckled, but didn't continue the conversation.

I don't know how long we'd been wandering like this, but I noticed an oddity in the midst of the broken, almost splintered houses. It was neatly trimmed wood, with white curtains in the window apertures that swayed slightly in the breeze, the roof intact and in good condition - in general, it looked as if the Great Shore itself had left it untouched by the Thunderstorm. I don't remember the like, and it hasn't been long since my last visit. And who's going to fix anything here, anyway? No, something's definitely wrong.

- Here we go. - Said Elazar. I glanced at him, his eyes fixed on the house as if probing. I looked at the building again and tilted my head to the side in confusion.

- It's nice. I'd even live in it if it weren't in the Midnight District. - All that remained the same was the absence of windows. Dark, gaping holes, and darkness and gloom inside, as if darkness had taken up residence in these rooms. In principle, the situation is not far from the truth.

- Let's go.

Sighing, I followed. Surprisingly, the door yielded easily, and we entered the hallway. There was practically no furniture, though usually in old-fashioned houses there was a bedside table in the hallway, where shoes were stacked and an umbrella stand beside it. But there was no such thing here, but there were shoes. I bowed my head, and strands of hair fell on the pretty neat shoes with a nice pink thin strap and a gold clasp, and a small red flower on top of it. Interesting approach, very good work, you don't see such things nowadays.

She straightened up and followed Elazar, but before she did so she carefully unbuckled a small piece of bling from the waistband of her trousers, which she had made at her leisure, and dropped it in the hallway. It fell silently into the shoe that I liked, so my partner didn't hear a thing. In fact, I had the impression that he wouldn't have heard, because he was so concentrated on something of his own.

Then we went into the living room. There was a small fireplace against the wall, and in the very center of it was a milk-colored rug with brown monograms, and on it a small low sofa. There was a table with a small drawer at the side, an oval mirror on it, and then a large wardrobe. I immediately ran over to it and opened it, but found nothing, which was a little disappointing. There was a floor lamp in the opposite corner, closer to the window.

Elazar was also looking around in silence, but he didn't dwell on anything. Nevertheless, he continued to lead us further and deeper. I followed him obediently, but I was uneasy. He must have realised the point, but he kept going as if he didn't notice. Is he up to something?

We went out into a corridor, which didn't fit the layout of the house. I'd noticed from the outside that the house was shaped like a big square-there was no way it could fit two large corridors in the same direction, separated only by a living room. Nevertheless, it was there. At the end I could see a staircase to the first floor, and two more doors on either side.

I ducked into one of the rooms and ran straight to the window. It faced the road we were standing on, though it should have faced the right side of the courtyard. It's an interesting case, I'll give you that. I love these.

- Elazar, this isn't funny anymore. You know exactly what's going on here, but you keep pretending you don't. What's this all about? - The guy was about to answer, but then there was a noise from the first floor. We both looked at each other a little surprised and at the same time rushed to the staircase - luckily it was still there.

We went up, and came to a pile of boxes and old things. Ela-zar stepped forward, one hand out in front of me, which made me puzzled, and with the other he gently pushed the box that stood above the others. It fell safely sideways, revealing a young fellow.

He did not look like a brigand, but he was too young for any of the organisations. He didn't seem to have a gift, so he wasn't connected to them in any way. About fifteen years old, with red straight short hair. His entire triangular-shaped face is moustache-pocked with freckles, a little snub-nosed. Almond-shaped olive eyes stared with horror. When he saw us, he immediately jumped up and put his hands out in front of him, warding us off. He was tall, very tall, almost as tall as Elazar, at his age.

- I'm not a thief! I have done nothing wrong! - He shut his eyes, took his hands away, and bowed his head. - Honestly!

- Nobody's accusing you of anything. - The guardsman assured him, and the boy looked at us hesitantly.

- Elazar finally took his hand off me, folded them across his chest, and looked at the boy.

- And yet I have to ask, who are you and what are you doing here? - The boy shrank back and looked away.

- I... We made a bet that I could go into this house and bring back something from it. When we first saw it, it looked so scary, and there was so much junk: rags, old shoes, toys. But as soon as I walked in, everything changed. This house... it became clean and tidy before my eyes! I was nervous at first, I was going to leave, but the front door just wasn't there. I don't know how long I've been wandering around, but I can't get out. And just when I thought of going out the window, I find myself in a place where there are no windows! What's that?! - He's holding up well, of course, but his nerves are a little frayed,’ he said, a nervous note in his voice. He hugged himself, trying to calm the trembling in his body, and looked around.

- I wondered what the demons were feeding on. - I chuckled, covering my mouth with my palm, and the guy got scared.

- D-demons?

- Didn't they tell you there were demons here? - Elazar asked sternly. He could compete with the general on that one.

- I knew, but we'd never met them, so I figured I wouldn't this time, either. - So naive, I couldn't resist putting in a word:

- You don't know what kind of place it is: you pass once, you pass twice, but you'll definitely get caught on the third time. So you walked into a demon's trap. - My partner looked at me reproachfully, but I just clapped my eyes innocently, saying it was true.

- She's right anyway, this isn't fun. We have to get out of here.

- I hate to break it to you, but we're in the most de-mon-controlled place in the world, and it's going to be hard to get out. - I nodded in the direction where the stairs should have been, but they were gone-just a smooth wooden floor.

Demons come in many forms: strong and weak, material and not. Those who have a physical shell, need only food, which is people. But the category that does not have such a similar, needs it, and otherwise the dark energy will simply dissipate - and the demon will die. If he has enough power, he can take a human body: stronger gift - harder to detect possession. If the strength is not enough, they borrow the bodies of animals, well, and if it is very bad, then merge with objects.

This demon most likely merged with the house: its dark energy spread like a contagion, soaking everything around it. That's why the house looks as good as new: the new owner is well aware of how the building used to look, so he shaped it. But his powers aren't infinite, so there are no details inside, such as windows, furniture, or most of the clothes. He only gave the outer shell, something easy to remember, but not the features, because there are too many of them. And now that he and the house are one, he can change the position of the rooms inside without actually changing anything on the outside, and we're in a dilapidated wreck.

- Shit.

- There's plenty of rooms at our disposal. - I rushed into one of them.

- Elia! - I heard behind me, but I was already in the room.

When I turned around, I didn't see the door I'd just run through. I was alone in what I presumed was the nursery, for there were a couple of toys on the floor. One of them, a small ball, I picked up and twirled. The colors were bright, not at all what they should have been after all this time. Some noise could be heard from behind the walls, but it was hardly the guys left in that place, more like something else.

I turned to the wall on the right and found the very same sandals. The demon is able to visually change the surroundings, but nothing actually changes. What is also interesting is that it is not able to remove items or add new ones, as it does not know what to add and how it looks. So those small and small details that are still present here are still in their places. The demon simply hides them so that they do not catch our eye, and for this image we do not come to the place where the exit is. That's why I threw a small storage unit into this shoe: it's closest to the exit. My magic, chained inside, dissipates as I activate the mechanism, and this image becomes less and less subject to the demon. That's why I was able to find it so easily, but it's hard to control it now.

I walked over to them and touched them lightly. The image dissipated, and the door appeared in front of me. I smiled, stepped behind it, and found myself in a study. There were shelves and cabinets everywhere, a huge desk in the center, a massive armchair behind it, a small armchair near one of the cabinets, and a coffee table next to it. All empty, which made the room unremarkable. What caught my eye, though, was the next door. It was supposed to lead to the corridor where Elazar and the kid were supposed to stay, but I stepped through it and found myself in a bedroom.

There was a bed in the corner, neatly made up with a light green bedspread with ruffles, a nightstand next to it, a table with a small child's chair on the opposite wall, and a window opposite me. Apart from the highchair there was nothing else to indicate that this was a child's room.

I paced back and forth, looking around until an idea occurred to me. When I got to the bed, I carefully bent down and found the sandals underneath. I smiled contentedly and touched them back up again. Now the window was gone and another door appeared.

Finally it led me into the living room where Elazar and I had been, and from it I jogged into the hallway. Reality shifted behind me, separating the room from the corridor. There was now a wall, and nothing more. I chuckled and turned the doorknob and finally stepped out.

The wicked house was behind me, and I could breathe. No demon, no annoying guardian, just complete freedom. That's what I liked about the dark gift-it allowed me to avoid the unpleasantness of a magical contract. Usually it binds two people together, and even if you want to, you can't break it. But the dark gift is not subject to morality, as well as its owner, and therefore, starting from the red stage, there is an opportunity to prematurely break the contract. That's what I'll do when I get back to the shop.

But one single step cost me a lot of effort. I turned round and looked at the house. There was no sound, nothing in the dark holes of the windows, but it was as if I could sense where the others might be. Elazar... He's so strange. The first day we met, he found out about the stage of my gift, but he didn't hesitate and insisted on signing a magical contract. He's the chief battle mage of the Garda Legion for a reason - he knows a lot of things, including the fact that I can easily circumvent his terms. Did he think I'd be loyal? A most foolish decision.

Even though I continued to think that, I was still disgusted by what I had done. I'd done it so many times, but now I wanted to stop and go back to that house and help. Elazar is an interesting man and a good guy, and he didn't even refuse my small request, even though he could have.

My mind flashed back to the time he'd grudgingly agreed to buy me a pretzel. I was so glad, and for the first time in a long time I was able to blissfully savour the treat. And when something made a noise, he shielded me from potential danger with his hand. With Elazar, I can forget about my dark past, and the scary shadow of my other side fades away when I see his silver eyes again. He's fun to be with, casual and relaxed, even when he's looking at me angrily, and it's a pleasure to annoy him. Will I ever have the chance to find someone like him again?

I gritted my teeth and headed back toward the house. This time the demon felt threatened by me-the door didn't open as easily as it had the first time. I chuckled at that, then kicked it hard, and it opened, revealing the hallway. My sandals were still against the wall, and the storage unit was glistening inside. There wasn't as much magic left in it as I would have liked, but it would be enough to deal with the bastard. The main thing now was to find them, push the boy out of the house, and then my partner and I would deal with it somehow.

I went into the living room, but it looked a little different now: almost all the furniture was gone, just the couch in the center. If a demon stops hiding and objects start disappearing, it's preparing to consume the souls of those inside. But not only because of this: in order to kill his victims, he needs to disconnect from his physical incarnation - in this case, the house. That's why the objects he created for the sight disappear, but those that connect us and this image to reality remain. And if they are destroyed, the demon's connection to this house will become incredibly weak, and he will forcibly assume his true form, weakening slightly. That's enough to kill it.

The couch isn't very big, just enough of a good bump to break it. I jumped on it, trying a slight bounce to see if I could break it that way. Once I was sure it would, I jumped harder, and as soon as I fell on it again, it split right down the middle. It probably wouldn't have done that with a real couch, but the demon's strength wasn't that great.

The room went hazy, and a doorway appeared across the room. While I had the chance, I jumped through it, and this time I was in the kitchen. I'd never been here before, so I couldn't assess the changes, but there was a lot of stuff and furniture: an oak table, a few nightstands, and a vase with a flower on one of them in the very corner.

Humming, I walked over to the table, tipped it over, and kicked one of the legs to make it easier to destroy the rest of the stuff. A few kicks sent the table to the couch, the vase I smashed against the wall. As soon as I was done with the ni-mi, the room changed again, and a door appeared.

It led me to the corridor, at the end of which was the same staircase, but now its direction had changed. The first time it was a continuation of the hallway, literally opposite it, but now this corridor is directly perpendicular. So everything's going according to plan, and the demon's losing power.

Where I'd left Elazar and the kid, they were gone, and so were the boxes of stuff the kid was hiding in. But there were a lot of paintings.

- Now it's your time. - I tapped the table leg lightly on my free hand and intercepted it.

I took great delight in destroying the absurd paintings: first I knocked them down, then I broke the frame and cut the canvas with a knife. Everything I could break, I turned into a pile of rubbish, leaving it to lie sadly on the floor. With each new object, the demon was less and less able to control the images, and so each time new doors and passageways opened before me, rooms changed and became the places they should be, and there were fewer and fewer pieces of furniture. I was surprised that everything was happening so fast. The demon was the weakest of the weak, but he shouldn't have lost control so quickly.

I was so engrossed that I burst into the next room, table leg over my head, ready to start smashing everything again. And then I saw the Gardaian standing in front of me. He looked at me a little surprised, and I, amazed, continued to stand with the table leg. The boy recoiled in the corner at hearing and seeing me.

Elazar, too, had realised how to get out of here, and was also breaking and destroying furniture. He certainly did it better and much more easily, something even killed in splinters altogether. Before I came, he was about to tear up a poster, but he didn't manage to do it.

- So that's why it was so quick. - I mumbled, screwing my eyes shut.

- I'm back after all. - Elazar exhaled, finally tearing up the poster and throwing two of its pieces on the floor. Was he sure I was coming back?

- Did you know? - I tossed my looting tool aside.

- You think I brought you here for nothing? - I knew you did, but I couldn't figure out why! - I wanted to see if you'd leave me here and run away, or if you'd stay or come back. If we're going to be partners, at least I'll know you won't leave me in danger. - The fact that I'd fallen for it and hadn't realised it sooner made me want to punch myself, but he said it with such softness in his eyes that the anger disappeared and I felt proud of my decision. I had done the right thing.

Elazar came close to me, his hand on the top of my head, stroking my head lightly. I wanted to be angry, but then I saw the smile on his lips. It was light, kind-it made his face look very pretty, and I didn't want to be angry with him as much.

- Thank you for not letting me down. - He took his hand away and took a step back, and I didn't even know how to react. I just rested my palm on the same spot he'd placed it. That's... so weird. - So you've already sorted out the rest of the rooms? - The Legion's chief battle mage has returned. Immediately the surprise was gone, and the urge to punch him a couple of times returned.

- Yeah. - I said cheerfully. - Judging by the layout of the house, there shouldn't be any more rooms on the ground floor.

- She left you here. - Mumbled the boy, who had been silent until then and had practically merged with the wall.

- But she came back. - Looking at the boy from over his shoulder, Elazar threw. - To her, the magic contract is just a piece of paper and two words. She could easily bypass its terms. But she's back. - Elazar Drak'Gongor himself praised me? It's been a day of discovery.

- You two deserve each other, both of you with your oddities. - I smiled, and Elazar let out a chuckle as if to confirm it.

- And don't you relax, we're still in the demon's lair. And you need to get out of here. - I jabbed my finger toward the door.

- Show him out, and I'll finish up on the first floor. - I nodded, grabbed the guy under my arm, and ran swiftly for the exit.

The demon wasn't able to change reality and the view of the house so smoothly now, and yet at times the walls would appear or the door would disappear in front of us, but as soon as I touched the same image of the shoe embedded in my memory, everything would return.

We were already in the living room when the walls began to move in, making the room smaller and smaller. This way the hallway would disappear completely, and the boy wouldn't be able to leave the house, and no one would be able to vouch for his safety here.

- What's going on? - I pushed him back against the door.

- Get out of here!

- But...! - There's no way anyone can get through if he keeps going slow!

- Get out! - I shouted, and he looked at me fearfully and went into the hallway. So he sidled to the door, and before the hallway was completely gone, I saw him leave the house.

My magic from the storage unit was completely drained, and so the image that had connected me to our reality was gone. There was nothing left to tell me where the exit was, and the room was getting smaller by the second, the walls threatening to flatten me. My eyes darted around, but there was nothing here, and I couldn't find a way out. Nothing's really moving, it's just my imagination, but how do I make it stop? I would never trap myself like this, especially not for someone, and I'd never thought about how to get out of it.

The walls were almost closing in, but suddenly they were gone, and Elazar was standing in front of me, covering me again with his right hand. He held a revolver in his left hand, pointing it at a dark blob of energy the size of a man. Usually that's what demons without a physical shell looked like, but this one was much bigger than I'd expected. Also, it turns out my partner's left-handed.

- Are you okay? - Elazar asked over my shoulder.

- Yes.’ I called my gun and looked at my opponent with determination. It was the first weapon I had ever used, and it was the first weapon I had ever used to kill a man. Nothing good came from it, but I still didn't want to part with it. It was the only thing I could be sure of, the only thing that would help me when I was in danger. Its handle was covered in old bandages and it was scratched. I'd converted it to a magical weapon, so it wouldn't kill humans, but it was good against demons.

The demon had grown even bigger, gathering the last of his strength to change houses again. If it can handle one of us, the other will follow, because it can get a lot of power. Elazar and I have no margin for error.

We dodged a shot of magic and ended up on opposite sides. The dark blob slammed into the wall and dissipated as if it had never happened. He's trying to run the house again. And just as I thought about it, the room started to turn upside down.

I had to jump to the once wall near where Elazar was standing.

- What do we do with him? Any idea how to get him out of the walls of the house? - The room began to turn again, but this time in the other direction, so that the wall I was standing next to became the new floor, though it had been the ceiling.

- There is one.

Elazar walked to the center of the room. Only lightly, with just his fingertips, he touched the new-fashioned floor from the wall, and from them, just as the not-so-long-ago demon had done, pure light magic began to soak in. The floor, three walls and the ceiling began to glow slightly with a bluish light, most likely in the rest of the rooms as well. It became clear what he was up to, but I didn't think he was such a cool guy.

I took a new look at the man. I had never seen him in action, but now I could understand why he had taken up the position of Chief Battle Mage at such a young age. What kind of gift power does one have to possess to be able to encompass the entire house? And since he's so adept at controlling it, he excels at shooting as well. I'd have a problem with him if we did face off in battle. I might have even lost.

- Get ready. - I gripped my weapon more comfortably and hummed in agreement.

A few seconds after I said that, a black blob reappeared from the only unlit wall. It screamed, causing me to cover my ears. The demon took advantage of my confusion and rushed toward Elazar, but as soon as he stopped screaming, I held my gun out, squinted, and fired. There was a sound similar to that of a normal gun, but instead of a bullet, my magic flew out of there. No matter how similar it was to what demons were made of, it was like getting burned.

The clot wriggled, grew longer, and I fired another shot, followed by another, and then another. The shots sounded one after another until the demon was completely gone. I closed my eyes, concentrating on my sense of magic, but I couldn't feel any presence of dark magic other than my own. So I'd definitely killed her.

As confirmation, the house began to take on its former appearance: rotting de-wood, gaping holes in the floor, a dilapidated roof. I was just standing where the floor was gone, so as soon as the house took on its present appearance, I flew down, only to scream.

Elazar grabbed my arm before I could fall. He lifted me easily over the hole, then set me down beside him, giving me a flick. By the way, I've never been hit harder than that before! I've never had one of those before!

- Hey!’ I frowned, and Elazar gave me a mocking look.

- Look around more.

- Be, you bore. - I rubbed my forehead, and then I finally noticed that the sunset sky was showing through the windows. We'd been here so long, it was already evening, to think of it.

- Hey! - There was a muffled shout from the street. We carefully went to the window, and from there we saw the boy. He stood in the middle of the street and waved at us. I smiled back at him and waved, Elazar only smiled at the corners of his lips.

The boy returned home. A little shaken, of course, especially after the lecture from the Garda, but alive and well nonetheless. As soon as we handed him over to his parents, whose house was not so far from my shop, we walked through the streets of the evening capital.

It was already getting dusk. The clouds had not cleared, but the sky and the atmosphere were calm. The wind had died down, it was even a little warmer, and the streets were almost deserted. Soon it would be night time again, the time of demons and gifted organisations. I guess I'd have to put off work for a while after this day.

Elazar, who was walking alongside me, was silent, but he smiled enigmatically. He was obviously pleased with today's result, but I didn't understand it. But I did understand the point of going to that house.

- So you had it all planned out from the beginning. - I folded my hands behind my back again.

- Yeah.’ The guy said. - I always work alone, and if I was going to get a temporary partner, I should have checked you out. That's why I asked you to get me some information on some low-level demon, so it wouldn't be too hard to deal with.

- But this kid wasn't part of your plan, was he? - Elazar wrinkled his brow.

- No. I didn't think anyone would go into such a suspicious house. - Yeah, I agree with him there. You'd have to be pretty reckless to do that.

- Well, he's alive, that's good. - I stretched with my hands folded over my head. - Finally, I could rest.

- You did good work today, so yes, you can rest. - It was a short walk to the shop, and I couldn't leave without saying something nice to him.

- And since I'm so good today, why don't you buy me another pretzel? - I smiled innocently at Elazar's angry grimace. He gritted his teeth and gave me a murderous glare:

- ‘You'll get by. Just a waste of money!

- Don't. - I threatened him with my finger, squinting at him. - Do you want some for you too, then you'll understand why they're so tasty?

- Shall we? Aren't you confused? - I laughed.

- Just kidding, I owe you one anyway.

A dark figure was watching the argument from a distance. It stayed in the shadows of the buildings, its deep hood hiding its face, but a grin played on the stranger's lips.

- I wonder where your co-operation will lead you, Elazar.