The Time Keeper

Chapter 17 - Necessary Mission

Darius led me down a hallway branching off the main meeting room. The hallway was lined with closed doors until we reached his office at the very end. We both entered and Darius took a seat in a wood and leather armchair behind a large wooden desk, cluttered with paperwork.

His office was rather messy yet organised at the same time. There were bookshelves lining the walls, filled with dusty books and interesting-looking trinkets. In one of the corners of the room, there was a small bar shelf with many various bottles of liquor displayed neatly, and glasses stacked beside.

"Take a seat," Darius said as he gestured to another chair. "So, Elias, let's get down to business. The job I have for you is as a bounty hunter which you know. Fleur told you didn't she?"

"Yes boss, she told me that you guys take down the high-value targets and deal with criminal magic users,"

"That would be correct, what she failed to tell you is that to take down said targets, we utilise this magic also," Darius replied.

My eyes widened in shock. From the little I knew of this world, wasn't magic a criminal practice?

He continued, "Us Huntsmen have been tasked with not just taking down those dangerous targets, but leading, and controlling the illegal underworld of magic. You see, it's not something we can just get rid of, so our job is vital to maintaining peace between the two worlds if you will."

I was in disbelief, did this mean that I'd be learning magic? "But what about the enforcers, if we're using magic won't we be classed as criminals and be executed?"

Darius leaned in and whispered. "And that's why we have to be careful don't we."

This made the job much more exciting yet nervewracking, it was a lot different from what I was used to back behind my desk writing in books and at a computer. This role was much more of an important position than I had realised.

"You said that I could handle it, but are you sure? If you do know me, you'd know that I'm much more suited to working in law or politics. Not as a contracted killer who leads criminals."

"Well, then it's up to you to decide if you want out. Oh, and you won't have to worry about criminals or taking down targets just yet anyway. I'm wouldn't be throwing you into the deep end."

I guess that's a good sign, Jean said I should trust him but that'll come in time. I'm not that easy.

Darius leaned back in his seat and reached up behind his shoulder and pulled a piece of paper out of thin air. I watched in amazement as the contract seemed to materialize out of nowhere. Was this the kind of magic he was talking about, and would that also explain the chilling sensation from the other night and when Lucas came to interrogate me? What kind of magic would I eventually have to learn?

"Since you're just starting, I'm not going to get you to take out any targets just yet or even touch anything magical." He placed the contract on the desk and pulled out a pencil from one of his draws. "So this is just to start you off as a regular bounty hunter," he explained. "You'll be working closely with one of your colleagues on smaller assignments like scouting targets, and you'll work your way up if I see promise."

"That's more my speed."

I read through the contract which outlined basically what Darius had just told me about what I'd be doing, detailing my responsibilities and my compensation which is what I was looking for. Just starting out doing jack all, I'd be earning 20 stoek a week. Once I start taking on a more prominent role I don't think I'll be worrying about money for a while.

After signing the contract I passed it back and Darius handed me a separate document just for the employee, for employment's sake which I shoved in my back pocket.