Page 72 of Embraced

“The situation escalated quickly.” Aksel keeps it short.

“Do the rest of you have anything to add?” He asks.

We all stay silent as our answer.

“Well, this case needed to be closed so I don’t need any more information. I would keep the details to yourself and move past this.”

That’s strange. The director never has this few questions and telling us to move past this doesn’t make sense.

“Why is that?” Aksel asks with authority.

The director looks Aksel up and down. “Is that question coming from my subordinate or the dark fae elder on the council?”

Aksel doesn’t hesitate. “Whichever one will get me an answer.”

“I can’t tell someone under me but council members are privy to any information no matter how confidential. So, councilman, the previous dark fae elder was very invested in this case and interfered many times.”

I can tell the director is sizing Aksel up to see if he’s going to take his father’s side. He’s known us a long time but family allegiance could be in play.

“That seems unprofessional and inconvenient.” The director has a slight smile when Aksel says that. “Was he the reason for the redactions on the case?”

“Yes.”

That explains a lot.

“It’s time for your next case. I have it right here. The question is, Aksel are you remaining on as team lead or leaving to perform your duties as councilman?”

My muscles tighten. We can’t start a new case yet and I think that’ll be a problem. Anna needs us, we still have a million problems to deal with including Anna’s stalker.

“I will remain as team lead but we cannot start a new case. We have some personal matters to attend to.”

“You’re the one with the power to make that decision as a councilman so I’ll leave it to you. But, all of you need time off?” He asks in confusion.

“Correct.”

“Well, unfortunately, we need you on this next case so your leave will have to wait.”

“No,” Blaze answers.

“No?” The director asks with an undertone of anger.

“Sorry sir, we have to take our leave now. It is time sensitive.”

“You want me to let an entire team of agents off at one time?

“That’s going to be the norm for our team going forward. We stick together from now on,” Aksel says.

There’s no hesitance in his voice and the director’s eyes narrow.

“You don’t want to ask me for permission? I thought I was the boss here.”

“You are the boss but we cannot negotiate on this issue. We are prepared to quit if it comes down to that.”

I’m glad Aksel is the one having a stare off with the director and not me.

He turns to Griffyn. “Even you?”

“Even me.”

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