Child of the Black Flames

Prologue

A tall blonde woman in a red dress stood silently before the two most important people in the order. The leader Mr. Zackary Ctyl, and his teenage daughter who would soon take his place. The meeting was paused to wait for Tanner Zen, Atlanta's partner who happened to be unreasonably late as he usually was.

Atlanta brushed away blond strands away from her face, smiling embarrassedly at the tall bearded fellow who looked back impatiently.

"I-I'm sure he'll be here soon, sir." She tried to regain confidence, clearing her throat. Zackary sighed and looked back at the photos laying on the large table between them.

Tanner rushed through the double doors into the meeting room, his platinum hair flailing about. He bent over trying to catch his breath and at the same time apologizing for his tardiness between gasps. Atlanta sighed relief and smiled at Tanner, covering up her anger. He clumsily fell back into his seat.

"Everyone is here, Atlanta. Now, what is the big fuss about?"

The blonde woman nodded. "Yes, well I have these photos..." she gestured to the pile of pictures on the table. "I see you've already looked at them-"

"Oh GREAT, that's what this is about?" Tanner turned to the old man. "Very sorry to waste your time, Sir, she just won't let this go. Rather annoying actually..."

"QUIET, Tanner!" She hissed, glaring at her partner. He quickly shut up and sat back into his seat. She continued on, showing photos of a strange boy. Atlanta pointed out a large, dark scar on the boy's shoulder.

Tanner interrupted once again, claiming the mark alone didn't mean a thing. It never did. He then accused her of wasting everybody's time, all of the time. The two broke out into a very heated argument until Zackary's daughter stood up, slamming her fist onto the table.

"Quiet! Both of you! This is no way to act in the presence of my father! You will show respect."

"Yes, Miss!" The two flushed red and sat down without another word, obeying her immediately.

"Dear, that's enough." Zackary put his hand onto her shoulder, commanding her to sit. She did as he said, folding her arms in frustration. Zackary grabbed hold of his stone cane, pulling himself up to stand. His sharp blue eyes peered over the three. "This is no way to behave on such a matter." Atlanta and tanner both sunk back into their chairs, averting their eyes from the man in embarrassment. Zackary picked up a photo. It seemed to be a school picture because the boy was dressed in uniform. The school badge on his jacket read Jincen High School. "Tanner is right." He said, not taking his eyes off of the picture. "The mark alone proves absolutely nothing." Tanner stuck his tongue out childishly at Atlanta but stopped when he felt the cold gaze of Zackary's eyes once again. "...But" He continued, "It is worth keeping a close eye on." Zackary turned towards his daughter not saying a word but she understood. She nodded and quietly left the room to prepare. He turned to the two young adults still having another petty argument under their breaths. "You two can return to your work. Thank you for the information, Atlanta."

"WHA-? I was totally a part of that!" The young blond man complained. Atlanta smirked and took Tanner's hand, escorting him out of the room.

Zackary sat back down into his seat with the photo in his hand, staring at the odd boy with the strange eyes.