20. Dezoth
20
DEZOTH
I stride into Rolfo's office, my boots silent on the stone floor despite my size. He glances up from his desk, silver eyes narrowing at my expression.
"You look like you've got venom in your tea." Rolfo pushes aside the stack of reports.
I shut the door with a soft click. "Had a visit from the Third District patrol last night. Asked about my household staff."
"You don't have household staff." Rolfo's shoulders tense, his casual posture evaporating.
"Exactly. They claimed it was a routine census." I lean against his desk. "But their questions focused on whether I employed any humans."
Rolfo's jaw tightens. "Similar to the pattern before the disappearances started."
"My thoughts exactly." I tap my fingers on the polished wood. "Got three reports this morning from the Silvermark District. Noble houses reporting guards asking specific questions about their human servants. Times they leave for market. Which exits they use."
"Fuck." Rolfo runs a hand through his jet-black hair. "They're getting bolder. The Silvermark District is heavily patrolled."
"These weren't our guards." I pull out my notebook, flipping to the latest entries. "Descriptions match - tall demon, scarred left cheek, speaks with a northern accent. Same one from the Third District."
"Impersonating city guards." Rolfo stands, pacing behind his desk. "Just like the Westbrook case. Remember those children?"
"Hard to forget. Three half-demon kids vanished on their way to school." My claws dig into the leather cover of my notebook. "Parents said they saw guards escorting them. Guards we never assigned."
"How many households reported visits today?"
"Seven so far. All with human servants or mixed families."
Rolfo stops pacing, his silver eyes meeting mine. "They're mapping them out. Creating a network of targets."
"And using our authority to do it." The rage builds, but I keep my voice level. "They're getting smarter about it too. No violence, no threats. Just questions that seem routine enough not to raise an immediate alarm."
I spread the reports across Rolfo's desk, arranging them by district. My fingers trace the pattern emerging on the city map.
"Look at this. They're working their way inward, district by district." The golden glow from my eyes reflects off the parchment as I lean closer. "Started in the outer rings where security's lighter. Now they're pushing into noble territory."
Rolfo picks up one of the reports, his silver eyes scanning the details. "The timing between visits is getting shorter too. More coordinated."
"Because they're getting confident." I straighten, rolling my shoulders to release the tension building there. The silver cord holding my hair shifts with the movement. "These aren't random thugs anymore. Someone's organizing them, teaching them our protocols."
"A former guard maybe?"
"Or someone with access to our records." The thought makes my blood burn. I've spent years building the Elite Division's reputation, ensuring we protect all citizens equally. Now some bastards are using that trust to hunt the vulnerable.
"What about that deserter from last spring?" Rolfo taps another report. "The one who went missing after the purification riots?"
"Possible." I pull out my notebook again, adding the connection. "He'd know our rotation schedules, patrol routes. Could explain how they're avoiding our actual guards."
A knock at the door interrupts us. One of the junior guards enters, practically vibrating with nervous energy.
"Captains. Two more reports just came in. Noble houses in the Crystal District."
My claws dig deeper into the leather of my notebook. The Crystal District - where my sister lives. Where Rose plays in the garden.
"Same description?" Rolfo asks while I force my breathing steady.
"Yes sir. Tall demon, scarred cheek. Asked about human servants' schedules."
I meet Rolfo's gaze. We both know what this means. They're not just mapping targets anymore - they're ready to move.
"Double the patrols in that district," I order, my voice carrying the full weight of my authority. "I want every guard on alert. Anyone questioning residents about humans gets detained immediately."
The rest of my shift drags like glass shards across skin. Every report, every patrol update twists the knot in my gut tighter. The map on Rolfo's desk burns in my mind - the systematic pattern drawing closer to my home, to where Ada tends her herbs and Rose plays with her dolls.
"You're going to wear a trench in my floor." Rolfo's voice cuts through my tenth pass across his office.
I pause mid-stride, realizing I've been pacing while reviewing the day's incidents. "Something feels wrong about this. They're too organized, too precise."
"Go home, Dezoth." Rolfo stands, gathering the reports into a neat stack. "I can manage from here."
My claws flex involuntarily. "There are still-"
"Reports to file? Patrols to arrange?" He raises an eyebrow. "I'm capable of handling the shift without you hovering like an anxious shadow drake."
The mention of home only heightens the pressure in my chest. Images flash through my mind - Ada's careful movements as she works in the garden, Rose's tiny form climbing the apple tree. Both so vulnerable, so precious.
"They're safe," Rolfo says quietly, reading my expression. "Your wards are strong, and no one would dare challenge the Elite Captain's household."
I grip the edge of his desk, the wood creaking under my strength. "They challenged three noble houses today."
"And you've doubled the patrols, alerted every guard in the district." He clasps my shoulder. "Go home to your family."
Family. The word echoes, stirring memories of Raina, of the child we lost. But now there's Rose's laughter, Ada's quiet strength. The thought of losing them...
"I'll have updates sent directly to your house," Rolfo adds. "Any suspicious activity, you'll know immediately."
I straighten, forcing my claws to retract from the desk's surface. He's right - I'm more use to them at home than wearing paths in his office floor. Still, each step toward the door feels like fighting against a current.
"Dezoth." Rolfo's voice stops me. "We'll find them. Whoever's behind this - they won't touch our people."
I nod once, sharply, and stride into the darkening streets. The urge to shift and fly home nearly overwhelms me, but I force myself to maintain a dignified pace. I'm still Captain of the Elite Guard. I can't show weakness, even as every instinct screams to rush to their side.
The iron gates of my estate creak open at my approach, responding to my magical signature. The wards shimmer, a faint golden web visible only to my enhanced vision. Each protection spell pulses steady and strong.
Rose's laughter rings from the garden before I spot her small form darting between the herb beds. She's chasing a glowing orb of light - one of her first successful spells. Pride swells in me as I watch her manipulate the magic with natural grace.
"Cappy Dez!" She abandons her game and runs toward me, curls bouncing. I catch her easily, lifting her high above my head as she giggles.
"Been practicing your light magic, little flower?"
"Look what I can do!" She cups her tiny hands, concentration furrowing her brow. A spark of violet light dances between her palms, matching her unusual eyes.
Movement catches my attention. Ada emerges from the kitchen door, basket of fresh herbs balanced on her hip. Her honey-blonde braid swings as she pauses, watching us with that careful wariness she never quite sheds. But there's a softness in her brown eyes that wasn't there weeks ago.
"You're home early." She sets the basket down, brushing soil from her simple brown dress.
"Finished my reports." The lie tastes bitter, but I won't burden her with news of these updates. Not yet. Not while Rose shows me how she can make her light orb change colors.
Ada's gaze sharpens - she reads me too well these days. But she simply nods and returns to sorting her herbs, movements precise and graceful despite her obvious fatigue.
I settle Rose on my hip, scanning the garden's perimeter. The wards remain undisturbed, but my muscles won't uncoil. Each shadow holds potential threats. Every rustle of leaves draws my attention.
"Tea party?" Rose tugs my sleeve, pulling me from dark thoughts. "Please? With sparkles?"
"Of course, little flower." I summon a shower of golden sparks that dance around her head, drawing fresh giggles.
Ada's quiet laugh joins Rose's as I let our daughter lead me inside, my bulk awkward at her tiny tea table. But even as I dutifully accept an empty cup, my senses remain alert. They're safe for now. I'll ensure they stay that way.