KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Hindu Temple – Cary, IL
Skills:

---

---

”Or he stole it,” I said and leaned forward on the bench. I didn’t trust very many people, so I usually jumped to the worst conclusions. However, this time, it seemed logical that they could have stolen it.

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

Kimiko immediately confronts me, her voice laced with a hint of anger that she's struggling to suppress. Her eyes, usually warm and inviting, now hold a glint of frustration. I listen intently to her and her information, my hands clasped behind my back in a show of openness. I nod, my expression neutral but my mind racing with thoughts on what actually happened today. Why didn't Nero mention anything?

”I am aware,” I say. My phone buzzes but I don’t reach for it.

---

---

Avery Zain

---

---

Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

The tension in the room spikes slightly, and I shift to walk back out, but Caden turns his head slightly.

”Stay, Avery. You will be spending time with Nero as well; you should be kept abreast of any concerns.” I swallow and nod. I glance at Kimiko, praying she lets this go before I take a seat.

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Hindu Temple – Cary, IL
Skills:

---

---

I bat Nic’s hand away, but I have to pull my hair out of the ponytail. I run my finger through my hair a couple of times before I pick my phone back up.

I nod and pull up two photos that I flip back and forth between. I zoom in as I talk and explain. ”I think it’s missing a stone. It’s very subtle and easy to miss if you don’t know to look for it. Honestly, if it has been a long time since the fountain was restored, those alive might not even realize it was there or what it means. I’m guessing the stone is straight from India and was blessed and suggested by an astrologist to use in this specific fountain.”

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

Maybe ;) I text Nero as I walk through the front door.

I put my phone away and walk into the living room, Avery sulking behind me. I don’t see Kimiko anywhere, but my supernatural hearing directs me towards the music room. She must have left the door open a bit if I could hear her.

I make my way down the hallway, the music growing louder the closer we get. I frown as I listen to the music, something is clearly bothering her. I open the door more as I reach the room and step inside, Avery following along behind me.

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Hindu Temple – Cary, IL
Skills:

---

---

I grin at Nic and his charm. I shake my head at him, a twinkle of joy in my eyes. ”I just don’t see it,” I say, goading him on.

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Aston Martin —> Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

Awe, I knew you cared about me ;) I sent off to Kimiko before I got another incoming message. I watched the video Nero sent me and shook my head at the fact they discovered TikTok.

The video makes me smile, though, and I text them back right away Yes

I slip my phone away, and ten minutes later, Avery and I are pulling up the driveway. He parks out front, and I tell him just to leave it for now. ”Come inside. Kiki wants to see me. You can test your newfound patience,” I tease him.

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Hindu Temple – Cary, IL
Skills:

---

---

I lean over to follow along with Nic’s notes while he speaks. I grin when he says he got phone numbers. ”How did you manage to get their phone numbers?” I ask, curiosity getting the better of me there.

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Aston Martin – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

My phone buzzes, and I look down, expecting to see a message from Nero, but it’s from Kiki.

About twenty, why? Is everything okay?

I resume my conversation with Avery about work out plans and starting a new routine. Apparently, he wants to start tomorrow with Nic, who is coming. I reluctantly agree, knowing I need to get back onto a routine despite having Nero.

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Hindu Temple – Cary, IL
Skills:

---

---

I laugh while Nic’s voice tickles my ear as he speaks. I can feel my stomach drop from the close contact and laughter in his voice. Thankfully, he is behind me, so he can’t see how red my face is, probably from his contact. I focused on the question he asked me, and I nodded.

”It seems temple numbers dropped off after the fountain and the temple underwent some repairs. Even the number of marriages at the temple has dropped off. I guess the fountain is also a symbol for one of the Hindu gods of love and fertility. I’ve been comparing before and after photos to see what has changed. What did you find?” I ask and finally turn my head to the side to look at Nic. I didn’t realize how close he was to me, so I swallowed, returning to look at my phone.

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: BBQ Place —> Aston Martin – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

We eventually make it through our meal and head for home. Along the way, I bring up Kimiko to Avery again. He sighs but listens to me. ”Maybe hang around the house a little more while I interact with her. You might feel more comfortable around her if you do that like you have with Nero, and I’ve known them for even less.”

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Hindu Temple – Cary, IL
Skills:

---

---

My vision becomes temporarily impeded and I startle, only to be comforted by the familiar voice of Nic. A smile tugs at my lips, relishing the temporary loss of sight that heightens my other senses. Nic's touch is surprisingly gentle and smells like soap and the faint scent of sanitizer. His voice hides a deep rumble underneath his cheerful tenor. I keep my eyes shut, even as Nic’s hands shield them, mulling over his question.

”Hmm, Uncle Jerry?” I joke, referencing the pizza place we were at earlier.

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: BBQ Place – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

You two will eat me out of house and home, I tease, although they wouldn’t definitely eat me out of house and home, at least.
I set my phone down to concentrate on my meal so we could leave and I could return to Nero. I very much want to see what’s in that bag, and I want to know how their day with Kimiko went.

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Hindu Temple – Cary, IL
Skills:

---

---

Thankfully there are photos of what the fountain used to look like and what it looks like now. I snap pictures of these with my phone, but while I have them in person I peer closely to see what looks different. After that, I wander back to the fountain. I wasn’t even sure where Nic was in the chaos of tourists, I just felt drawn to look back at the fountain. I took some photos this time from all angles, thinking I might be able to go online and find what might be missing.

I walk around the fountain several times, taking photos or just looking before I find a bench nearby to sit on and I start comparing photos.

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Aston Martin – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

I reread Nero’s message probably eight times before Avery waves his hand in front of me. ”If you don’t start eating, I’m going to round the corner and keep eating yours,” Avery warns me.

I look down to see Avery is halfway through his meal, which is big enough for three. I chuckle and set my phone down. ”Now now, no need to have a fight in the middle of this fine restaurant.”

Avery grins at me before resuming his meal. It always astounded me how much a werewolf could eat. I was glad the eating hearts thing wasn't normal. That was just the wolves who went feral or weren’t raised properly. Still, Avery has a pulled pork sandwich, three racks of ribs, several coleslaws and an entire plate of fries that he is just devouring. Absentmindly, I take a picture and send it to Nero.

And he’ll still eat this much or more for supper.

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Hindu Temple – Cary, IL
Skills:

---

---

Nic and I split off into separate directions to get to the bottom of my vision. I wander closer to the temple, acknowledging the workers and the worshippers. I wish Caden were here to help me translate some of what they are saying.

I end up in the temple and I’m wandering about when I see pictures of weddings. I admire some of them and their colours. A keeper of the temple notices and comes over. “Stunning, aren’t they? It’s a shame we haven’t had any weddings in a while.”

I look over at the keeper, curiosity plain on my face. ”That is a shame. It’s a beautiful location. Was there a new temple that opened up?” I asked, thinking of the logical answer. The gentleman shakes his head, looking forlorn.

“No. There just haven’t been as many people coming together within the community. This temple sees more tourists than any other these days. The fountain seems to still get a lot of attention though, despite the repairs.”

I latch onto this information quickly and turn to face the man. ”Repairs? How recent?” He looks at me perplexed before answering.

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Aston Martin – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

Nero sent me a picture of a bag from a store that is a purveyor of lingerie. I stare at the photo, waiting for it to move and reveal what’s in the bag, but of course, nothing happens.

Tease.

Avery pulls into a BBQ joint and jumps out of the car seconds after parking and shuts off the ignition. I shake my head, amused and get out of the car to follow him inside.

I’ll have to give that a try next time. I’m sure he’ll enjoy it as much as I do. I follow Avery inside and decide to get something as well. Of course, Avery orders a mountain of food for himself, and I just shake my head before I pay.

I’m feeding Avery for a job well done, and then we will be home. I miss you.

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Police Station —> Aston Martin – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

Nero texts me back almost immediately and I decide to just keep my phone out. I look at their message and smirk

Oh, really? Do I get a little preview before I get home? ;) I ask them.

”Are you hungry?” I ask Avery. ”We can stop and pick up whatever you want to hold you over until supper,” I offer.

Avery nods eagerly and I chuckle, telling him to pick the place.

It proved fruitful. It was a pair of Lamia. Avery and I tracked them down to an apartment building in the supernatural district. They're dead and the Detective will put up with my company for another day. He seemed disappointed you weren't there, though.”

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Hindu Temple – Cary, IL
Skills:

---

---

”Mmm, let's split up and see how much ground we can cover. Plus I can then make sure your detective skills are top tier,” I tease, grinning at him.

Once we get close to the temple, I let go of his hand. ”Have fun,” I say before going in my own direction.

---

---

Avery Zain

---

---

Location: Supernatural District – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

Caden and I clear the rest of the fourth and the fifth floor together. We even go out to the roof and check for anything strange. Thankfully, we don't find any other evidence of Lamia. We do find what room they were in and thoroughly go through everything to ensure there isn't evidence of more Lamia in Chicago.

Caden bags some things up to take to the station, while I write down the address and the apartment number for the supernatural police unit to come and do their investigation. After that, we head to the station to do a debrief.

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Police Station – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

As usual, when Detective Costa sees me enter his office, he looks relieved but apprehensive. He glances around me and when he doesn't see a certain demon, he seems to relax some.

I take a seat and relay the events of the day to him. I hand over the evidence as well.

”There's one more thing. When you go to raid that building, don't displace anyone. They are struggling enough to get what they need within the limits of the treaty. The Lamia took advantage of that situation as they are known to do.” Costa looks like he wants to argue but he doesn't and simply nods.

After an hour stuck in the station debriefing, Avery and I are finally heading home.

Hello, little imp. How was your girls' day? I text Nero on the drive back, letting Avery take the wheel.