Axel Light Trilogy: Wands and Shield

Chapter 12-B

Stanley knocked on the door of the temporary room that the Commissioner of MaxPol was using in Stirling MaxPol. The door was unlocked, and Stanley turned the knob. He pushed the door opened, stepped in and closed the door behind him.

'Commissioner Linden!' greeted and saluted Stanley at Linden, who was seated by the desk.

'How is Axel?' asked Linden as he massaged his brows.

'Asleep,' said Stanley, and he cleared his throat, 'Well, he was sleeping throughout dinner...'

Linden frowned at Stanley.

'He ate halfway, and he fell asleep. He woke up and he would continue where he stopped, but he would doze off after he took a scoop or two,' said Stanley, half-amused, 'Then he would wake up, and repeat. Elliot quickly cleared his plate when he dozed off once. He woke up and saw that his plate was cleared, then he rushed up to his room to sleep. I just checked on him before I came, he was sleeping soundly. No dreams.'

Linden nodded gladly and then he frowned again, 'Then why are you here? You left Johnson alone at the Greens? Protocols, Stanley.'

'Monsford is there with Johnson. I know the protocols, Commissioner Linden,' barked Stanley, 'I want to know if it was our enemies at the cemetery, earlier. I want to be prepared if it was.'

Stanley could feel Linden's eyes training on him, digging into his mind. But he had nothing to hide.

'I believe so, Stanley. But no prints,' sighed Linden, 'No traces. I expect nothing less if it was indeed Cyrus Veldor. I don't expect to find his fingerprints on the vase.'

'The shadows... could you recognise...' stuttered Stanley.

Linden shook his head, 'I think I saw an Elite, not Cyrus Veldor himself. But Axel...'

'He might have seen Cyrus Veldor...' gasped Stanley.

'Or you can say, Cyrus Veldor had seen Axel and he wanted Axel to spot him,' said Linden curtly, 'We have to be careful where Axel go next time.'

'I know that we are telling everyone that Cyrus Veldor is after Axel's high Magical Quotient. But I know that this is not totally true. Do you... know...the real reason,' Stanley hesitated, 'Why he wants Axel?'

Again, Linden's face was crumpled when he scrutinised Stanley's face, searching for the right words that he could share with Stanley.

'There are a few theories at the back of my head, but nothing has proof. So, no, I don't,' said Linden frankly, and then he leaned forward the desk to be nearer to Stanley, 'But what I am sure is, Cyrus Veldor will do anything to get Axel Light. My gut feeling tells me that if he does, we will not get Axel back. My gut feeling also tells me that we must have Axel at our side. So, make sure that you do everything possible to protect Axel and with your life. This might be the biggest case that we both will ever face in our career,' he whispered urgently, stabbing a finger on the desk, 'If we solve this case, nothing will be in our way. Nothing!'

*

Cyrus Veldor rubbed his chin gleefully. Another good day.

He had just met Axel Light with his very own eyes.

He looked skinny, weak, jittery. Understandable. He had been through trauma. Having nightmares that he could not sleep, so he heard. From a trusted source.

He smirked at his streak of luck – all good.

'Carter,' Cyrus called out to his loyal assistant, 'I am very happy today. Thanks to your eyes.'

'It is our honour, Master Cyrus,' Carter Benson gave a short bow with a smile, 'We are delighted to be of useful service to you.'

If Xavier was Cyrus' right-hand man, Carter Benson was Cyrus' left hand. They would always be by Cyrus' side and either one of them would always be with him when he would travel. Cyrus trusted both of them the most, amongst the Elites.

'Useful? You are both outstanding! You will be well rewarded!' beamed Cyrus, 'I had never regretted saving you and Xavier. One of the best decisions that I had ever made! The stars were aligned at that time. Like they are now! Even more so now than ever!'

Carter nodded at his Master agreeably, 'Everything will work our way, Master. The stars said so.'

'Yes, Carter, yes!' Cyrus continued to beam, 'The stars said so!'