Alpha's Faire

III

"Knock, knock!" Shou announced as they reached a large black door. Jexanna shifted nervously as she caught the gaze of several onlookers in the crowd. She wasn't allowed on this floor. It was for the leaders of the FLA, and rarely were ever non-staff members allowed up here. Despite the numerous requests from Shou to join under his division, Jexanna had little desire to be a part of the FLA. She became a bounty hunter, mainly as a source of income. The job was more suited for her. It allowed her to have flexibility in how she spent her time; it allowed her to be rough when she wanted to, and it allowed her to pursue her other interests. Not even Shou, the most dangerous man in the FLA, could convince her to abandon her freedom.

Her eyes took in the door, inscribed with intricate golden patterns traveling up and down the surface. It all connected in a single circle that wrapped around her brother's name, 'Aerin Trellis'.  It was brilliant in the light, glowing every few seconds, effectively conveying the aura of everyone else on this floor, commanding and powerful. It was also intimidating as hell. Jexanna's eyes shifted upward to Shou.  He probably had a door just like this on the floor. Jexanna scoffed at the realization, not that he would ever be in it. Shou preferred to be among his men, rather than in an office. After a minute, if one could call it that, it was more like 15 seconds, Shou raised his foot against the solid surface of the door and kicked.

"Shit." Jexanna let loose a curse as the door flew off a hinge and reverberated back, barely hanging on to its remaining hinge. "Shou!" She hissed at the echo as pieces of wood drifted into the hall. Shou smirked.

"Watch." Jexanna's mouth closed as the pieces stopped in mid-air. They rushed back into their original positions on the door, making it whole once more. Just as rapidly as it had fallen apart, the door suddenly came back together once more, standing straight up on both hinges. Her eyes narrowed at the sight of the open doorway. Of course, the door had an enchantment.

"Shou," Her brother's voice came around the corner of the office, stern as ever. "Please stop doing that." He came into view, arms crossed and lips pressed tight. His golden eyes narrowed, glowing in the light. Aerin was always one to look pristine, and today was no exception. His nearly white blonde locks were pulled back away from his face into a traditional half up and half down style. His straight locks went down his back, contrasting against the dark blue uniform he always wore. Normally, Jexanna would give a witty remark, but not with the door open. She would have to wait until they were safe inside his office.

"Like, I'd miss an opportunity." Shou snorted and went into the office, leaving Jexanna and her brother at the door. Aerin's posture stiffened. Jexanna could tell that he was just as uncomfortable as she was. Normally, they were both at least a bit relaxed.

"Ms. Lewis, why don't you come in?" Aerin sighed and she quickly obeyed. Jexanna followed Shou around the corner of Aerin's office. It was very bright, things considered. She always thought that Aerin would have a dark, wood-ladened office, lined with shelves. But it was quite the opposite. It was modern and sleek, with white walls, a large window that light basked in, and a glass desk in the center that faced a pair of velvet armchairs. Shou leaned against the wall and motioned for her to sit in a chair. Her heart raced. It wasn't until after she heard the door close and the click of a lock that she released a breath she didn't know she was holding.

"So," She watched her brother cross the room and sit in his chair at the desk. "Aerin, what's with bringing me in?" Aerin shifted with a tightening expression on his face. His eyes glanced over to Shou. Jexanna's eyes narrowed at Shou's furrowed brows.

"It's best to get it over quickly with Aerin." He snarled. And Aerin sighed, before pulling out a gold envelope and slid it in front of Jexanna. Her teeth gritted as fists clenched at the gold rectangle that had her name printed in bold letters with the agency's logo below. Her lips pressed together as eyes hardened at her brother.