n

n

nSyryn's back was turned to the squid as its blue light slowly faded. Darkness swallowed the final glow that lit up the dark walls of the alleyway.

n

"We have to contain it, S'ryn,

" Sebastian spoke as soon as the alchemist reached their hiding spot not too far from where the squid had disappeared.

n

"Yeah? It's not your job to. You're not a mage hunter.

"

n

"Rowan is. He needs to do his job, S'ryn. That thing is a killer. I know you feel sorry for it but we can't let the creature kill another person.

"

n

"There's nobody here but us to kill,

" Syryn replied.

"What will the mage hunters do if they catch it?

"

nSebastian looked at Rowan. The blond had been tracking the squid's movement while his friends debated.

n

"It's a single unique specimen of a species never seen before,

" Rowan told them.

"They'll most likely keep it alive.

"

n

"So you're gonna catch it and just hand it over to your friends then,

" Syryn said bitterly.

"You're such an upright mage hunter.

"

nRowan was put on the spot by the alchemist. He was quite aware of Syryn's subtle manipulation tactics but it didn't make him any more immune to it.

"Ryn, would you rather I leave it to attack another mage? Can you take responsibility for that?

"

n

"I didnt say you couldn't capture it, Rowan. Go ahead,

" Syryn answered. But to their ears, it sounded like the alchemist was daring Rowan to suffer the consequences of squid capture.

nThe blond exchanged a glance with the sandy-haired mage. To please the husband or to carry out his duty in good conscience?

n

"I'm willing to meet you halfway if you can suggest another course of action that won't put the lives of innocent people at risk.

"

nSyryn felt he had pushed Rowan far enough on the matter. His original intention to leave the creature alone was squashed by the reality of mage hunter duty. Forget one month, Rowan was going to snuff its freedom out right now. It was time to negotiate.

"What do mage hunters do when they're met with a hostile creature of rare origins that has been displaced from its native location?

"

n

"Relocate it after carrying out a thorough risk assessment exercise of the dangers it would pose to the handlers,

" Rowan answered. It was obvious what Syryn was trying to do.

n

"I've assessed the risk and I declare the squid relocatable.

" The alchemist raised his chin to meet Rowan's amused eyes.

n

"It isn't just a creature of rare origin, it's undocumented. Protocol dictates that I bring it in for study.

"

nSyryn's mouth twitched.

"You said you'd meet me halfway.

"

nRowan didn't want to waste any more time bantering with his stubborn lover.

"What exactly do you want me to do then?

"

n

"Relocate it. I am willing to fund the purchase of ten thousand joules of mana crystals which will be rationed out to the squid while I'm away for a month.

"

n

"S'ryn that's a lotta money yer squandering on a dangerous pet like the squid.

"

n

"Money is useless if I can't spend it to buy my happiness. I can always make more anyway,

" Syryn declared with an easy shrug.

"Besides, Rowan has enough for the both of us.

" Syryn was already eyeing the blond's wealth and it didn't bother the anti mage one bit.

n

"Spoken like a true profligate,

" Sebastian replied.

n

"You want me to babysit the squid till you're back from Nua.

" The anti mage raised one gold brow at the alchemist.

n

"It doesn't have to be you but if you're volunteering then I won't refuse.

"

nSebastian was starting to see a pattern. How Rowan allowed the alchemist to have his way repeatedly was a testament to the blond's feelings for the teen. He worried for the man's future.

n

"I suddenly feel like I've been forcefully conscripted,

" Rowan said with an amicable smile.

"I'm sorry Ryn, I'm already breaking more than a few rules by not hauling the squid in for observation. You'll have to make me a good offer if you wish to hire me as a babysitter for your new project.

"

nSebastian was wrong. Rowan could hold his own against Syryn.

nThe alchemist had a calculating look in his eyes.

"I offer you a favour of your choosing.

"

n

"That's borin'!

" Sebastian interjected.

"Even Luci thinks it's borin'.

" The redhead was dozing off with his arms loosely draped around Sebastian's neck. He had fallen asleep while Syryn was talking to the squid.

n

"I am one of the best alchemists you'll ever have the honour of meeting. Can you imagine the amount of gold you can save by calling in an alchemical favour? Ultra rare potions, illegal decoctions, drugs, undetectable poisons, the possibilities are endless! Rowan can have what his golden heart wants if he only dares to ask for it.

" Syryn's wicked stare burned through Rowan's skin like a brand. He was already angering Rowan's goddess by partaking in the meal that wasn't for him. Everything else seemed trivial in comparison.

nSebastian rolled his eyes at the sky. He just couldn't handle the sticky tension that was starting to brew between the two men who were supposedly here to help with a murder squid. Arresting the squid was already off the table now that Syryn had laid claim to the creature. It wasn't his business just how much trouble Rowan would get into if Artemus found out. But if he had to stand here and watch them make eyes at each other for one more minute, Sebastian was ready to abandon it all and ride off into the night with the sleeping Lucien.

n

"Okay, that's enough. Rowan accepts the favour. Just go, S'ryn, get the squid. If it tries anythin' around me though, all bets are off. I won't wait around for Rowan to suppress it.

"

nSebastian's words had their intended effect. Syryn blinked away the sweetness that had been spreading across his chest. All he had wanted at that moment was to hug Rowan and be squeezed back by the man's beautiful biceps.

n

"I'll be right back then.

" He looked at both of the men.

"Is it still hanging around the same area?

"

nRowan nodded.

"A little further off from where it was when you left it.

"

nSyryn speed-walked back to the alleyway. He was late! Very late. There was packing to be done for both of them, and letters to be sent out. He had question. What was the weather like at Nua? Did he need special medicine for localised diseases that could harm Lucien? Did they need special equipment to tackle the dangerous walkways of Nua? There was suddenly so much more to do.

n

"Squiii-iiid, where are you?

" He called out.

n{Syryn} the creature sounded surprised that he had returned.

n

"So, I've got a proposition for you. Would you like to go somewhere else?

"

n{Hungry?}

n

"You'll get fed although I'm not sure how much you need to eat. You'll have to promise me that you won't attack anyone unless it's in self-defence.

"

n{Hungry no- kill- Syryn-home}

n

"Can't you make more sense than that? You've been here long enough.

"

n{No kill}

n

"That was easy..

" Syryn was starting to think that the squid had been killing out of desperation. He wanted to give it the benefit of doubt but he didn't entirely trust the creature just yet.

n

"Look, Rowan will feed you. If you take the life of another mage, you can kiss your freedom goodbye cause he's not going to put up with that sort of behaviour. It's a damn miracle he hasn't already dragged you into anti mage hq for experiments.

"

n{Rowan}

n

"Yes, Rowan.

" Syryn let out a deep sigh.

"I don't know why I'm doing this. I feel sorry for you. Maybe its because you remind me of myself. I was just like you, going on a murder spree because there was no easier choice to be made. I actually learnt to enjoy it though.

" Syryn said the last part with some regret.

n{Syryn}

n

"I am giving you a chance, squid. Kill one more mage and I won't lift a finger to help you when Rowan decides that you're better off as a test subject. Do you understand? I need you to comprehend what I'm saying, squid. This is for your own good.

"

nThe squid floated before him and its lights began to glow.

n

"What does that mean? Come on. Answer me. Tell me you understand!

"

n{Yes}

n

"No, kill humans.

"

n{No kill hu-mans}

n

"Run if humans attack.

"

n{Home?}

n

"No, you dumbass. Just run wherever. I have no idea where Rowan will put you.

"

n{Dum-ass?}

n

"Just follow me.

"

n{Dum-ass}

n

"No.

"

n{Syryn}

n

"What?

" The alchemist looked back to see if the squid was following him. It was.

n{Home}

nThe alchemist felt bad for the squid. He had no idea where it had come from.

n

"We'll see, squid.

" He looked at the creature floating next to him.

"I can't keep on calling you that. Let's give you a name. How about Blue? Fantastic. That's your name.

"

n{Bloo}

n

"Blue

"

n{Blue}

nSyryn reached the spot where the two men were waiting. Rowan already looked like he was regretting the entire thing. Sebastian though was staring at the squid with fascination.

n

"Blue, this is Rowan. That's Sebastian.

"

n{Rowan Sssbastan- Sebastan}

n

"Sebastian,

" the sandy-haired mage enunciated his name clearly for the squid.

n{Sebastian}

n

"How does it understand human language? It's almost intuitive, isn't it?

" Sebastian said while reaching out to poke at its cool blue skin.

n

"It's unnerving,

" Syryn replied.

"Blue told me it came through a hole that had closed up by itself. I am perplexed by the question of who or what opened up the hole and from where.

"

n

"That's what you're calling it? Blue?

" Rowan asked.

n

"Blue likes it,

" Syryn shot back.

n

"How are we transportin' it?

" Sebastian asked.

"Blue won't fit in the carriage.

"

n