[IC] Chicago After Hours

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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As Nic's hand touches mine, I get brief flashes of his day. Nothing major, things that just needed to be confirmed. His emotions though tell a different story, and as I release his hand I feel genuinely sorry for him. The anger and hurt he is going through is a lot.

I've been alive for a long time. I look to be about 27 but in reality I am over a hundred years old. I'm a sorcerer and though I often get called a witch, that is not who I am. I may work with and base my spell work off of emotions, but the fact that I do craft spells and call on other forces deems me far more than just a witch who collects herbs.

I pull my hand from his and rest my hands on the table. I gesture for Nic to do the same. "Wayland will stay by your side for this process. He has a sixth sense about this sort of things." As if on cue, Wayland tucks his bushy, black tail around his paws and looks up at Nic, meowing in encouragement.

"I cannot guarantee that I will find the answers you seek. I cannot guarantee that the results will be pleasant or forthcoming." I reach behind to the shelf to bring out a set of candles and a bowl. I light the candles in the traditional way before I add some herbs. "Set an intention, what you would like to get out of this reading," I explain to him. I set the herbs on fire with the lit candle. Smoke curls up before drifting towards Nic and circles around him in loose tendrils. I pull out my tarot cards and start shuffling them. "If the smoke bothers you, let me know. That bit is just for show really," I say with a wink.

After the deck is shuffled I push the cards towards him. "Shuffle them into three separate piles," I encourage him.

[Donut Look Now]

Nic Wu

Location: Mystic Dreams, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I almost want to grab her hand back when she takes it away. The human contact was a welcome feeling that I didn’t realize I had been yearning for, plus her hands were soft. Following her example though, I place my hands on the table, looking down at the mewing cat with a small smile before turning my attention back to Cassiopeia. Now this felt more like the psychic nonsense I had been expecting but her remark about the smoke catches me off guard. Or maybe it was her wink. Set your intentions, Nicholas. I tell myself, choosing to ignore how the small voice in my head sounded like mom chastising me.

I swallow the knot in my throat and take the deck of cards from her, dividing the pile in three piles by drawing the bottom card of the deck. Determined to do this equally, I try my best to make each pile the same amount. Once there is no more cards in the deck, I hesitantly look up at Cassiopeia and wait for her next instruction. I take the opportunity to give Wayland more scratches to help with my nerves.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I watch Nic as he meticulously makes equal piles of the cards. I'm half tempted to knock a pile off the table to see what he does. Before becoming a witch, I am 95% certain I was a cat in one of my past lives. Instead of knocking over the cards I smile when he is done and pull them back to me.

"You seem like a person who likes order and precision. You mentioned it was your hospital earlier. Do you work in health care?" He seemed young to be a Doctor but I didn't want to assume he was a doctor or nurse.

[Donut Look Now]

Nic Wu

Location: Mystic Dreams, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Watching as she pulls the card piles towards hers, I clear my throat before answering, ”Oh, uh, I’m the head nurse for the emergency room.” I settle back into my chair more before I add, ”At the University’s Medical Center.” Thinking more on my job, I realize something. My mother’s injuries hadn’t been as unique and rare as I first thought. The furrow in my brow returns as I stare hard at the top of the table.

”…I don’t know if this helps you at all, but… I think I’ve had other patients with similar wounds end up in my ER in the past couple of months…” I shift my gaze to Cassiopeia. ”Do you think they’re… uh, related?” I wince at how awkward it was to phrase the question, but now that my mind has gone down this path, I’m remembering details more clearly. They were definitely connected somehow.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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"Really?" I can't hide the surprise in my tone. Head nurse for the university hospital. That was impressive, to say the least. I was familiar with the hospital and they had a glowing reputation. Most of the trauma accidents went to that hospital. Nic had certainly seen his fair share of blood and gore, but that didn't mean he could handle the other side of the world.

I drew off three cards, one from each pile and set them face down in the middle of the table. I piled the remaining cards up and put them away. I pulled the smoking bowl away and set it on the side table.

"I am not sure. You're the nurse," I reminded him. "You should tell the police of your information, though. It may help your mother's case." I smile encouragingly before flipping the first card over.

"You have great compassion for the world around you and more so for the those you care for. Its what led you led you to nursing, saving people. Protecting them." Truthfully, that bit was obvious enough without the cards. I flip over the second and nod slowly. "Sorrow and great change. The path you have chosen is full of it." I flip over the third and hesitate. If only Caden wasn't here. This card tells me I should definitely not be keeping Nic in the dark. Something was coming. Something dark and his world was full of it. "The journey you are on will shift. Where you are and what you are going through will continue to grow." I leave the cards on the table and pull my hands back.

"None of this is new information for you. It's more confirming what you already know. It may be in your best interest to let this go." I wish I can take back the words as soon as I say them, but I have to protect him. I have to try and get him out of Chicago.

[Donut Look Now]

Nic Wu

Location: Mystic Dreams, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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“I think Chicago PD is tired of my face.” I try to joke, but I make a mental note to bring it up to Detective Costa next time I’m able to talk to him. Watching with a curious gaze, I listen as she flips each card over and explains them. I feel my ears grow a little warm at the first card. It’s not that it surprised me, but it was weird to hear it from an almost perfect stranger. Usually people would comment on my compassion after watching my bedside manner or some other similar behavior.

Sorrow and great change. My brow furrows at that card. I didn’t believe that I really chose this path. Those thoughts were interrupted by the last card.

What I am going through will continue to grow… I stare at the last card trying to decipher its hidden meaning. Did this mean my dad is gone too? Biting my lip, I try to stop the rush of despairing thoughts before I cry in front of this person again.

But then she tells me to let it go and my nostrils flare. ”Let it go?” I ask Cassiopeia before scoffing. “Would you do that if it was your family!?” A small voice in the back of my head told me to calm down, I didn’t know anything about her, let alone anything about a family to use against her in this argument. Plus, she wasn’t really who I was angry at. Hot tears start to gather in my frustration, threatening to spill over at any moment.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:Smoke Form

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With the proper motivation, I make it to Chicago and immediately order some demons to start gathering information for me. Crowley might not have been forthcoming with what exactly this pet was, but it did make for an interesting riddle to solve. Already, there sat a stack of reports my subordinates had found. First things first though, I have kitties to appease.

I make sure the food and water bowls are full for the cats and set several inside and outside. Not hesitating with me at all, a black cat brushes up against my leg. Not one to be left out, a white cat uses my other leg to stretch upwards. I pick up both and cradle one in each arm.

”Oh Luci,”I coo to the black cat before turning to the white one. “And Mika. My darlings.” Carrying them both inside with me, I brush my nose against theirs. Don’t tell any of the other cats in Chicago, but these two were my favorites. I place both the cuties in my most recently acquired cat tree that sat in my office and carefully scratch each one under their chin, eliciting a chorus of purrs. Content for now, I head towards the stack waiting for me.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I gather the cards and add them back to the deck of tarot cards. I shuffle them once before tucking them into the cabinet. He’s mad, of course, and I can hardly blame him. I don’t look at Nic as I stand and gather the tea cups.

”What I would or would not do does not matter. What matters is what you do. You came here looking for answers. To look for ghosts to chase. That, I cannot give you. If you continue down this path, it will not end in victory. You will not find peace.” I set the cups on the counter and turn around to pull jars off the shelf, and start making a batch of the tea I made for us and something to help him sleep. I glance at Nic as I work.

”I am sorry for your loss, Nic. It is never easy to lose someone, let alone see them in distress and watch them die. You witnessed someone no human should have to, but as a nurse, you also know that there are limits to what medicine and science can do.”

[Donut Look Now]

Nic Wu

Location: Mystic Dreams, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I watch Cassiopeia for a minute, trying to listen to what she’s saying but it’s like all I can hear is a high pitched whine and her warning. The tears I had been fighting fall down my face as I feel myself on the verge of hyperventilating. You will not find peace. With shaking hands, I try to ground myself before I have a full blown panic attack. You will not find peace.

”I’m sorry,” I say as I stand up slowly, feeling an eerie calm wash over me as I realize this is a dead end as well.“For taking my anger out on you.” I clarify. You will not find peace. Tiredly, I run my hand over my face and take a deep breath before pulling my wallet out of my back pocket. ”What do I owe you?” You will not find peace.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
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Alright, enough of this. I come out of the back room and stand between Cassiopeia and Nic. Calypso runs out after me and chases Wayland from the room. The pair ran off to the back.

Cassiopeia shots me a look to stay silent and I just stand beside her, staring at Caden. Cass sets two paper bags on the counter and pushes them towards Nic. ”No charge. This is your tea from today and something to help you sleep.”

I pick up the bags and hand them to Nic instead. ”Off you go,” I say with a smile.

[Donut Look Now]

Nic Wu

Location: Mystic Dreams, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Thanks.” I give them both a tight-lipped smile before walking out, the chime sound barely registering. You will not find peace. Stuffing the paper bags in to my backpack, I unlock my bike and automatically put my helmet on. At least unconscious me still put safety first. I put my hand on my bike and close my eyes for a moment as I replay the last half hour or so in my head. You will not find peace.

Even if I didn’t find any answers with the psychic, I did end up with a new lead. My eyes flying open, I search my backpack to check if my hospital ID is still there. You will not find peace. Already knowing the way to the hospital by heart, I jump on the bike.

The statement plays again in my mind and I almost laugh at myself. ”I don’t think I’ll find peace either way.”

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Leck mich am Arsch!” I swipe the paperwork off my desk. ”Fifty fucking reports on this haustier and not one description of what it looks like?!” I groan loudly and dramatically, letting my head slam into the desk. Hearing footsteps enter the room, I hold up a hand. “Whoever the fuck you are, go away.” The words get caught mostly in the desk and my words sound more like garbled mumblings. I also don’t hear the footsteps receding.

Tilting my head up, but keeping my chin on the desk, I glare at the dumbass before me. “You’re playing a dangerous game here.” I growl, but my interest is piqued. What could possibly be so important that this demon would risk his own neck to ignore my orders?

“S-sorry.” The little man squeaks. “There was a fresh attack just five days ago and it wasn’t in our reports so I thought you might want to know-“

I tilt my head. ”Where?”

Translations

“Lick me on the ass!” (German phrase like “Bite me” or “Kiss my ass”.) Haustier is German for pet.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills: Sorcerer

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I wave my hand, and the door locks as soon as Nic leaves. The open sign switches off, and I whack Caden’s arm.

”You can be such a jerk sometimes, Caden. You didn’t have to push him out the door like that. I had it handled.”

Caden simply shrugs. ”Looked like you were getting a little too cozy to me. You know he can’t be around this. I did you a favour.” He walks away from the counter to sit in one of the chairs. He crosses an ankle over a knee and flashes a grin at me, his eyes shifting to that of a predator before returning to their normal blue-green. I roll my eyes and finish cleaning up.

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Caden

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
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”So are you going to tell me what you actually saw and felt or leave me in suspense?” I questioned her, mildly amused at her trying to clean up the shop and not look upset that Nic left with unresolved business.

”I have half a mind not to,” she grumbles, but I see her face and demeanour shift. I set both feet on the ground and lean forward.

”What did you see?” I coax, speaking more calmly.

Cassiopeia’s work slows until her hands rest on the counter.

”It’s what we feared. Something from hell has gotten out. I knew the walls were growing thin. There were rumours, and then something shifted that allowed all of us with the magical ability to feel the shift, the bonds lessening. I just didn’t think Crowley was growing that weak.” She shakes her head, falling silent for a minute and runs a cloth over the countertop, picking up loose herbs. ”Whatever it is, it's come to eat souls. To devour hearts and bodies.”

I roll my eyes and stand. ”You’re being dramatic again,” I declare. She looks at me and frowns.
”I saw his mother when she was brought in through his eyes. It wasn’t pretty, Caden. It was cruel and uncaring. Unfeeling, but it was also precise, just like the other kills. It’s looking for something specific.”

Calypso comes back into the room, followed shortly by Wayland. Calypso hops up onto the counter, and I scratch behind her ears. ”We should go talk to the police. They should know, even though they are incompetent. But they could place a cop car at Nic’s house and keep him out of trouble.”

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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One human woman dead and her husband now missing, but the woman had died after getting admitted to the hospital. Based on the other reports, not many made it pass the doors of the emergency room before dying… If they got away from the thing at all that is. This could mean I’d have my hands full of not just finding the little shitter, but also trying to tie up any loose ends.

I mused over these details as I make my way through downtown Chicago, whistling as I go. Both of my hands are shoved deep in my pants pockets as I watch the humans flit about, blissfully unaware that a beast from hell was running amok and snacking on them. Reaching my destination, I pull a hand out of my pocket and open the doors to the police station.

”I need to see Detective Costa right now. Please, I have information that I need to share with him.” I overhear as I waltzed in. At the counter was a tall young man arguing with the receptionist. I recognize the detective’s name as one of the pigs that was privy to the secrets of our world. In fact, he is just the person I came to the station to talk to.

“Mr. Wu, like I have already told you several times, Detective Costa is not available right now.” Curiosity gets the better of me and I side step closer to continue eavesdropping.

Now I know that Wu is a common Chinese surname and the odds of this Wu being related to the Wus I had come here to see Costa about, but how delightful would it be if this kid is related? I lean against a wall to watch, hopeful that I could kill two birds with one stone all in a single trip.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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Location: Mystic Dreams —> Outside Police Station – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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While Cassiopeia settled the shop cats, I waited by the car, flipping a coin and watching passerbys. A few women stop to admire, and even a man or two. I wink at them all, a shameless flirt and open for anything.
A door slams shut and I glance back. Cassiopeia stands there shaking her head. She turns and locks the shop up.

"There was a time when you enjoyed my flirtations," I reminded her.

"That was a long time ago," she reminded me.

I chuckled and opened up the passenger door for her. She passes by me and I help her inside.

"Aye, but I think about it often, mon amour," I whisper. She rolls her eyes but I don't miss the slight tinge of pink that now graces her cheeks.

Cassiopeia is one of my longest friends and we have an even longer history. I followed her to Chicago from South America, having grown bored of the scene down there. We had been here for about ten months now, but I got us working for the police. I often did consulting work for law enforcement no matter where I was, but I wasn't exactly tied down to the work. I often up and left, growing bored easily.

It was silent for some time while we drove. I wove in and out of traffic. A vehicle like mine wasn't meant to stand still and drift along.

"Do you ever miss Scotland?" she asked me. I glance over and see Cassi watching the world pass her by. Her hands are in her lap but they grip each other tightly.

I smile gently and reach out to touch her hand with my fingers. Slowly she relaxed them and intertwined our fingers.

"I think about it often. I enjoyed our time there and our time together, but I don't dwell on it. We needed each other differently then than we do now. This is a good path we are on. Better."

"I know," Cassi says with a nod of her head. "I suppose I just miss how it was. How easy it used to be, even though I wasn't in a good place. Everything just seems so complex now."

"That's called growth mon amour." She hits my arm again and I chuckle, planting a kiss on her hand as I pull up to the police station. I park but stop Cassi from opening the door. She frowns at me.

"What?" She demands.

"Nic is here," I say and gesture towards his bike. Cassi sighs and relaxes back.

"I told him to talk to the police again. He must have come straight here." I nodded in agreement, but we couldn't go in while he was here. He would confront us and know more was going on if we showed our faces.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”It wasn’t just my parents!” The kid says, frustration building in his voice. “There have been other victims! I see Costa finally making his way back to his desk and it seems the kid also notices this. Finally done trying to get anywhere with the officer behind the desk, the young Wu tried to force his way into the bullpen toward the detective.

“Nicholas?” Costa seems a little shocked to see him trying to physically force his way through.

A large smirk appears on my face. According to the reports, Nicholas Wu is the sole surviving family of the latest dead victim Lì Wu. There hasn’t been any signs of his father, Shouren Wu, since the incident either, but a foot or finger of his would show up eventually, I’m sure.

”Detective, please, I need to talk to you. I think you need to reopen the case on my parents. I think this is part of something bigger-“

Costa’s eyes land on me and I swear his face pales when he realizes I’m watching the drama. I throw a wink his way, flashing him the classic black demon eyes. Without missing a beat, Costa steps forward and starts steering Nicholas towards the exit, giving me a look as if to tell me to behave until he gets back. I give him a small mock salute.

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Nic Wu

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I try to fight against the detective and officers pushing me out the door, but I’m not strong enough. Hardly sleeping and eating has taken a toll on me. ”Please, listen to me!” My voice cracks but I don’t care. I just needed someone, anyone, to hear me out. Once I’m pushed out the doors, Costa places a firm hand on my shoulder.

“You need to let this go, son.” He tells me. There was a look in his eyes I can’t quite discern that looks almost like… guilt, but it could be pity for all I know. “Your parents would want you to go on living your life. I suggest you do that.” He awkwardly pats my arm with his other hand before he releases me and goes back inside the station.

”What’s the fucking point.” I grunt before kicking a rock, sending it flying into a nearby parked car.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mystic Dreams —> Outside the Police Station – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I sit back in the comfortable seats of Caden’s car and wait for Nic to leave the police station. At least Caden had a taste for luxury items. This was the nicest car I had ever sat inside, and it wasn’t even his only car. I pull a mint out of my bag and fiddle with the package before popping it into my mouth. Caden chuckles next to me. It was a habit I had had for a long time now; he clearly still found it amusing.

Finally, Nic walks out of the station, escorted by Detective Costa himself. ”Not the most incompetent detective I’ve had to work with,” Caden notes. I nod in agreement. Costa was a kind soul and was genuinely good. I felt bad sometimes when we had to inform him what exactly was attacking his town. Nic, however, looks less than pleased. He kicks a rock with his foot, and I see it heading right for Caden’s car. I mutter a word and flick my hand; the rock veers and hits the car in front of us instead. I know Caden. He would rip Nic a part if that rock hit this car. I muttered another word and cloaked our car.

It was still visible, but it was a different colour with different markings. Hopefully Nic would just continue on so we could get into the station without him noticing.

[Donut Look Now]

Nic Wu

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Although every part of me wants to follow Costa back into the station, I stop myself. Work wasn’t expecting me back for a while, but maybe if I had hard evidence that something bigger was going on, someone would finally listen. I unlock my bike, heading off to the hospital.

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Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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The detective walks back into the station and motions me to follow him. With a smile, I push myself off the wall I had been leaning against. ”He seems very determined.” I chirp to Costa as I follow him. His jaw tenses as he watches me with a cautious side eye.

“He hasn’t figured anything out.” He tells me quietly. “So no reason to involve him any further.”

With a raised eyebrow, I cock my head to the side at his order. ”Ooooh, you are a brave one, aren’t you?”

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mystic Dreams —> Outside the Police Station – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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As soon as Nic rides off, Caden and I are out of the car. He fixes the collar of his jacket as we walk before escorting me up the stairs and into the building. I roll my eyes but don’t tell him to stop. There were some habits that were hard to break, and chivalry was one of them for Caden. Sometimes, it was annoying, but other times it made me feel noticed. I didn’t completely mind it then.

We walk inside and immediately step. I sniff, and Caden’s nostrils flare. ”Great. Our worst fears are confirmed.” Caden huffed and tugged on his jacket before marching forward, requesting to see Detective Costa. Caden had been working with the Chicago police department since he arrived 10 months ago. They knew him well here.

I glanced around the room, trying to get a feel for the space and where the demon was. Caden had the skills to notice more than I could, but demons had a distinct smell that brought awareness to their presence. Of course, unless you knew to look for it, one would just assume someone had brought egg salad to work.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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We have a little staring contest as neither one of us says anything for a minute. Then the detective sighs and breaks eye contact. “I’m sure you have a reason for being here?” He asks. “What can I do for you?” I can see how much he hates having to help me.

”I need everything you have on the,” I smirk widely, using my hands to make air quotes. ”Animal attacks, or whatever you’re calling it.” I’m being nice by asking for this instead of just taking, but this city had its ‘rules’ or whatever. Costa’s not listening, looking over my head at something behind me. ”Alright, what’s catching your attention when I’m right here?” Tapping my food impatiently, I try to bring his attention back to me by waving my hand in front of his face.