Page 42 of Fake Fae-Ancée

Now, he glared down at me like he was ready to pop an aneurysm. Man, I should’ve probably called him back right away.

"You sure got yourself in quiet a mess there, McKenn."

"Thank you for being so concerned about my well-being."

The chief snorted. "None of this would have happened if you hadn't broken regulations last night and gone out on a mission alone."

"Sir, it was merely a— "

"Spare me. You're neck-deep in trouble."

"Sir, I didn't know there was a killer after me. The genius here didn't tell me a word." I pointed at Kalinin who glared right back at me, like I was telling on him. "And technically, today was my day off, and with respect, I try to keep my professional and personal affairs separate."

The chief measured me with a cutting look, as if to say, Oh really.

"You'll be pleased to hear, McKenn, that you can solely focus on your personal affairs for the foreseeable future," he said in a sugary voice. "You are suspended from duty until further notice."

"Excuse me!?" In spite of myself, my mouth fell open. I was what??

Kalinin jumped up from his seat. Only the Witch remained where she was, not saying a thing, producing puffs of white smoke.

I stepped towards my boss. "You can't do that, chief, I..."

"Nox got away from us," gritted Taggart. "And since I understand you are incapacitated and thus defenseless, you are now under the protection of P.A.S.H. You will stay right here until further notice."

"Excuse me? Here?" I looked at Kalinin, who was once again looking elsewhere.

My boss narrowed his eyes to slits.

"You'll be safer here than anywhere else. Our forces are sealing off the area as we speak to keep watch. Nox can't reach you here. Kalinin has agreed to let you move in and sit things out until we have caught you pursuer.“

I glared at Yuri. "You did what?"

"Sorry for not wanting you to get killed!" He glared back. I ignored him for the time being, facing my horrible boss. "Chief, please, there must be another way. I have to be in the front line in this case —"

The old Troll cut me short, not without a certain amount of satisfaction, I noticed.

"You are not operational at the moment, McKenn. You're staying here. That's an order. Let us do our work. That'll be all."

He gave another curt nod into the general direction of the room, then strode passed Bates, who gave him a slight bow and accompanied him out of the living room.

* * *

"Well, well."The Witch behind me chuckled. "Looks like it’s time for plan B."

She sat on the couch like an old, wise owl, enshrouded in white smoke.

"What are you talking about? What plan B?" With my head spinning, I sank back into my seat.

"The nice sheriff over there," the gestured into the direction the chief had disappeared to, "is holding his shield of justice over both of you. Nox can’t reach you here, not for now. But in order to ward off the danger for good and keep both you and the prophecy alive, you must take action."

She took her pipe out of her mouth, pointing the mouthpiece first at me, then at Kalinin.

"It is time for you to reclaim your throne and free your kingdom."

A stunned silence followed. As so often that day, my brain had trouble keeping up. Yuri laughed in disbelief.

"Excuse me, auntie, but are you foolish?"

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