Paragon - Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Hell as usual.
Why was it that mortals needed so many bodies crammed into one room for it to be considered a social experience? I hid my glare of utter contempt well. I opted for complete indifference as I followed my coworkers, Will and Jamie to the bar.
It was mostly the after work hour crowd. Each of their unique blood scents hit me in different flavours more rich than any alcohol. Loose ties and morals as company staff flirted or offered drinks out. We slowly wove through them before securing a space at the busy bar.
Four staff flitted behind it with practiced skill and memories as orders flew at them.
Will turned back to me over the dimly lit wood and I had an answer. "Whatever you are having."
He gave me a knowing grin and saluted me with his credit card. I rolled my eyes and leant against the wall at the edge of it all. I had come to notice that whenever a mortal felt awkward or uncomfortable in a situation they would pull out their phone and scroll blankly at messages they had already read. It amused me to no end that simply standing without conversation for a second could cause their heart rate to beat faster or insecurity to flare.
I watched a blonde woman flirt desperately for the attention of a male with an expensive watch and false smile. His intentions for her obvious yet she continued with the same eagerness. I also watched what I would regard as a group of outcast, pale skinned males with thin frames and thick glasses pass around various tablets and devices between their unfinished pint glasses. I couldn't decide which type of mortal had a better existence.
My thoughts stopped as a pint of painfully sweet, Somerset bitter was presented to me with an ethanol level of 5% if my senes were accurate tonight. I looked to Will with a questioning look.
"What drink am I experimenting on?" I asked, knowing the answer.
"Have a taste, see if you like it." He grinned as he took a deep gulp of his amber bitter.
I liked nothing I had to physically throw back up later. I suppressed a sigh and took a sip. I nodded to him.
"This is probably my favourite."
"Really?" He asked with the excitement of a small boy.
"No." I deadpanned. "It taste like urine with apple in it."
Jamie spat out some of his own in a loud laugh while Will deflated. A slow smile stole my face as he threw me a glare over his glass.
"Girls in this city like gin and vodka mate. Give it up." Jamie told him in his trademark thick Irish accent.
Will only rolled his eyes at him. "Listen here mate. We can't all drink that sewage water you call stout."
"Guinness is a drink of champions my friend." He chuckled, saluting his glass before securing a long gulp. Jamie was a walking definition of the Irish after all. Short cut hair on the sides save for a longer dark fringe. Tall, broad frame and light blue eyes that almost met my own save for the thin ring of gold around my irises easily missed by mortals but recognised by immortals.
"Our definition of champion is different. Take the rugby for example." Will jabbed with a knowing look. It had its effect. Jamie's Irish blood came out in full force and a sports debate was coming on. My eyes drifted away from the men and their squabble.
I took a careful sip catching and releasing the eyes of a number of mortals. Their hearts spiked on contact before I lost interest. My appearance was nothing if not striking with sharp and chiselled features and bright eyes but it was one of many weapons an immortal possessed.
"We're losing her." Jamie informed us loudly as he looked at my bored expression with a grin.
I side eyed him with a smirk. "You never had me."
"Ohhhh. That's cold." Will tutted as he patted Jamie's shoulder. "She's just here for me I'm afraid."
"Yes, Will. How would I ever survive without this..." I said eyeing the drink in my hand and losing the words.
"I need to take you to Ireland, Fletcher. Get you a real drink and a good time." He told me with an eyebrow waggle. I laughed but not because of the shameless flirting. More because I'd explored every country on the globe and knew more about his country's history than he did.
"That's my partner!" Will defended loudly.
"How's your real partner?" Jamie grinned, "Cause it doesn't sound like you're getting any."
I let them continue in their verbal joust. I set down the glass of apple urine and told the men I'd go to the bathroom. They gave me brief nods before probing each other's sex lives.
I took a deep breath of the brisk January air. Not many lingered outside the bar other than to smoke and take phone calls. The traffic was moving hastily. Many getting cabs back to their home or making the route for London's nightlife.
Hot air never clouded out of my lips the way it did with the rest of them in the cold. My blood ran cold and dark. Reptiles followed the same biological law. It was only recently that mortals discovered they did not age the same way either. Technically the crocodile was ageless, the only thing killing its kind were predators or disease. Another ancient being.
I pulled the collar of my black winter coat up around my face, feigning the cold. I could perhaps kill a few minutes before I tell the men I will leave. They were likely discussing the length of their appendages at this point–
A frantic heartbeat ripped my thoughts away.
I cast my senses out and scanned the mortals around me. No none of these it was too far. But the fear of it. The most primal of human emotion was hard to miss even at distance.
I moved off the wall without thought and crossed the road, dodging between cars on the narrow street between glass skyscrapers. I sent my senses outward again and closed in on the direction of its source. I picked up a brisk pace down the street, crossing another and turning before another large glass tower. A law firm I vaguely knew through past dealings with money laundering and expensive suits.
I crossed through the revolving doors of the high ceilinged foyer and marble floor.
A secretary instantly snapped her eyes up to meet my own with business-like efficiency and a practiced smile. I was always dressed appropriately, I blended into any business environment seamlessly.
"Good evening, can I help you?"
"Yes, I have a meeting with Karl Epsom." I answered her flatly, watching her eyes flash quickly to her screen. The moment she turned her attention away I seized her hand and her mind with it.
Her face went blank before me.
"You will give me a security pass. You never saw me tonight." I told her simply as she nodded her head in compliance. Her eyes glazed and her will was my my own.
"Good evening." She murmured in a daze.
"Thank you, mortal." I returned as I released her hand and moved for the security gate before the elevators freely.
They were quick up floors. I tested the 30th floor keeping my senses focused on the frantic beat of fear that struck more primal and more strongly than ever. It strengthened as I climbed in height. I put in the top floor just to be sure. I found it all the more intense yet not quite level. I closed my eyes and silently took in every sound and heartbeat left in the office at this time.
Cleaners vacuums, night shift workers typing, coffee pots heating, printers–
Then I found the source two floors down. I punched in the number and the elevator chimed happily before opening out onto what appeared to be an executive level. Large offices with privacy glass and oak doors. I moved quickly as I approached the ever growing pace of the terrified heart beat.
I hear their voices now. The only ones that appeared to be present after hours. A voice that wavered and one that dominated.
"–you say this is what you want from your career." It rumbled in deep timbre as I closed in on the door.
"Yes because of my ability not–like this." A female insisted as I heard objects drop on the floor and movement.
"Don't think I won't put you over my knee you fucking tease." The deep voice responded with more things sounding like they were breaking.
A growl left me and my teeth threatened to extend in response when I grit my jaw and closed in the last few feet. Monsters were always the same. I knocked loudly.
The voices paused, before footsteps loudly approached and the door yanked open.
A thick necked balding man looked over me in unconcealed anger–potentially embarrassment if he had a drop of dignity.
"If you think you can waltz up to my office after hours–" He began his speech but I cut him short flashing my badge and watching with satisfaction as the colour drained from his face.
"I have a warrant to search this premises on charges of drug trade and use within this office, Mr Epsom." I lied, flawlessly confident. I really did enjoy the way he squirmed too.
"I–I–preposterous this is an institution of law!" He got out through scoffs. I also noted the taint in his blood from excessive alcohol abuse and a potentially fatal heart murmur that could claim his mortality in a few years.
"Then you would not mind me taking a few minutes of your time to clear the air would you? Or perhaps you would prefer the police station?"
His loss for words made me nod my head and let myself inside his office. He continued to hold the door for support as I quickly took note of every detail in his large office. The long dark desk, dimly lit room, lingering whisky in the air, the large glass pane overlooking London behind and of course... The utterly terrified mortal that still failed to calm her heart rate as her eyes met mine.
They held more relief in them than anything else but also gratitude more than anything. But her white shirt was ruffled and untucked from her charcoal pencil skirt. Papers lined the floors. I resisted the urge to drain that sack of meat behind us.
"Detective, Fletcher." I greeted formally, extending my hand. Her beating heart and scent was stronger than the entire crowd in that bar. I had to take measured breaths.
She stared at my hand that may as well have been a life raft before meeting it with hers and shaking her warmth into it. "Quinn Adams." She got out, flashing her startling shade of green eyes back to her superior in caution. The shock was setting into her mind now.
I turned easily around and addressed the heathen. "Mr Epsom. I will need to discuss the formalities with you alone. Would you please step outside for a moment?"
He clenched a fist briefly before cutting a hand back outside his office. I walked through it with a smile, glad I was taller than the rotund pig I could look down upon. As soon as the wood clicked shut I seized his throat tightly. His weight–though extensive for a human man–was nothing to me.
This wasn't remotely necessary to control his small brain but I took satisfaction feeling the blood struggle to get through. The vessels in his eyes straining and his lungs rasping.
"You will resign your role at this firm tomorrow morning." I commanded darkly. "You will never so much as have another thought about this woman other than to apologise profusely and recommend her with the highest appraisal before your leave. You never saw or heard of me. You wish to retire far away from this city." I ended, staring coldly at the creases in his dull eyes and the fat on his chin.
I released him and he coughed out aggressively before staring blankly ahead. Through me. It would take a few days for his mind to uncloud immortal power but by that point it would be too late. I righted his shirt collar. Then I opened the door for him with a smile.
"Thank you for all your help in this investigation, Mr Epsom. I'll send you through the details." I said smoothly as the terrified woman glanced between us.
My gaze lingered on her a moment and her own on mine. On the way her warmth and sweet scent wrapped itself around me without permission.
I shut the door and walked away.