I turned to face the newcomer. I'd had my aura senses retracted after my little outburst, so I hadn't noticed his approach.

  "My name is Argyle Van Dorn. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Kaesor, or do you prefer Aiden?" I eyed the man warily. He was over six feet tall, nearing my own height, his eerily pale skin even more at odds with the evening light that filtered into the tent. Dark eyes sat above sharp features. The man was dressed in a fine black suit that looked like it probably cost more than my yearly salary, not so long ago. He brought nothing to mind so much as the image of a refined noble, if that weren't a few hundred years out of date.

  "Aiden is fine," I replied, my voice gruff. "How do you know my name?" Argyle smiled, revealing perfect teeth that seemed almost too white. There was something about him that set my nerves on edge, a kind of ageless quality that didn't quite fit with his youthful appearance. That wasn't the only thing unsettling about the man, just the most blatantly obvious. On a deeper level, there was something else, something far more esoteric than a discomfort brought about by the man's appearance.

  "I make it my business to know about promising individuals in our... unique community," he said, his voice smooth and cultured. "And you, my friend, have been making quite the impression in the short time you’ve been active. I do also happen to have, I think, a good working relationship with both of our mutual acquaintances here." I looked over to Uncle Wolf and David questioningly.

  David let out another sigh. "Argy, why must you always show up at the most inconvenient time possible?" Uncle Wolf stifled a laugh behind a clenched fist, playing it off as a cough. That drew a glare from David. I relaxed somewhat. The two of them wouldn't be acting this way if this Argyle person were a problem or involved in the political mess I was now a part of. Argyle chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

  "My dear David, you wound me. I simply have an impeccable sense of timing." He turned back to me, his expression growing more serious. "But I digress. Aiden, I've come to offer you my assistance. The mess you've stumbled into is fraught with danger, and I believe I can help you navigate it."

  I felt the Vipera's desire to manifest once again. This time, I didn't stop her. From one moment to the next, she appeared in the space between heartbeats, coiled around my body protectively. The feel of her scales against my skin was comforting. "And how would you do that, Argy?" I responded using the nickname David had.

  Argyle's lips curved into an enigmatic smile; he was completely unbothered by the appearance of the large serpentine familiar. "I'd heard you familiar was impressive, but she really is a sight, isn't she?" He said softly, I could see the look of wonder in his eyes. A moment later, he snapped out of it and cleared his throat. "Returning to the topic at hand, Information, to begin with. The White Banner isn't the only player in this game, and there's much you need to know about the... shall we say, darker corners of our world."

  Uncle Wolf stepped in, his grey eyes narrowing. "Argyle, tread carefully. The boy's been through enough."

  "Peace, old friend," Argyle said, raising a hand. "I mean no harm. Quite the contrary. I mean to arrange a similar agreement to the one he's come to with your own organization. That should help ameliorate some of the political pressure, should it not, David?"

  David's eyes narrowed, his expression thoughtful. "It could," he admitted reluctantly. "But at what cost?"

  I felt a chill run down my spine. The way they were talking, it sounded like Argyle represented another major faction - one that, while not in opposition to the White Banner, wasn't exactly its ally either. The political tangle I was caught in suddenly felt even more complex. This could work, though. Another organization involved would muddy the waters further and buy me more time.

  "What exactly are you offering?" I asked, my voice low and guarded. Vipera tightened her coils around me, her blue energy pulsing more intensely.

  Argyle's smile widened, revealing just a hint of fang. "Protection, for one. The White Banner isn't the only group with resources and influence. And as I said, information. There are aspects of our world that the Banner either doesn't know about or chooses to keep hidden. I can fill in those gaps."

  I frowned, considering his words. "And what would you want in return?"

  "For now, largely simple goodwill. My information says that you are not about to become a member of the Banner. You would be more of a subcontractor. A trouble shooter, if you would." Argyle explained. "I would sign off on a deal similar to what you have in place with them, as I am my organization's liaison with the Banner; it is not much of a stretch for me to work with you as well." He smiled, revealing a little more fang, and my aura flared, coming back with a response I'd never seen before. His aura wasn't a bonfire in my senses; his aura was cold, lacking warmth, but there was a depth to it. He was by far the strongest person in the room. He also wasn't human. "We would offer you jobs; you may decline or accept at your pleasure. Alongside an exchange of resources. We have uses for some materials that the Banner has no use for and would be willing to exchange those for cash, favours or information."

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  I mulled over everything Argyle said, along with the knowledge that he wasn’t quite what he seemed. He certainly wasn’t human. I grinned as pieces began to fall together. The name ‘The Unseen‘ seemed a little on the nose in retrospect now that I thought of it.

  "Your faction, the Unseen, is all the things from human myth, isn't it?" I asked curiously. "Centaurs, Fae, Spirits, Werewolves, Vampires…" I trailed off, still smiling at the man across from me. It wasn't much of a stretch to assume everything else was real with a pertinent example standing directly in front of me.

  "Indeed it is." Argyle smiled, showing off his fanged smile fully for the first time. I had to admit I like the idea of the world being more magical than I had ever thought it was previously, though it left a kernel of worry in my gut for my very human, non-magical family.

  “I don’t see anything wrong with such an arrangement. Uncle Wolf? David?” I asked the other two men in the room. David and Uncle Wolf exchanged a glance, silently communicating in that way long-time colleagues often do. After a moment, David nodded reluctantly.

  "It's your call, Aiden," Uncle Wolf said, his gruff voice tinged with concern. "But if you're asking for our opinion, I'd say it's not a bad idea. Having the Unseen's backing could provide some much-needed leverage."

  David sighed, rubbing his temple. "I agree, though I can't say I'm thrilled about it. No offence, Argyle."

  The vampire chuckled. "None taken, my friend. I understand your reservations."

  I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the decision. This decision could have far-reaching consequences, not just for me but for my family as well. Vipera's coils tightened slightly around me, a comforting pressure. I could sense her curiosity about Argyle, but also her wariness. She was leaving the choice up to me, not pushing in either direction. She would support my decision no matter what came of it.

  "Alright," I said finally, meeting Argyle's ageless gaze. "I'm in. But I want everything in writing, just like with the Banner. And I reserve the right to refuse any job or request that doesn't sit right with me. Last thing," I said, looking to both Argyle and David in equal measure. "You're both going to sign another document that says neither organization can send me after the other. I have enough political bullshit to deal with without getting caught up in a conflict between the Unseen and the Banner." Both men looked thoughtful for several moments.

  "I can easily agree to that, it will make things much simpler. And it reinforces your status as a free agent." David replied with a nod, seeming satisfied with this outcome. He seemed pleased with the addendum that I had added as well.

  “It will satisfy my people as well. The Unseen has always tried to have good relations with the neutral members of our community.” Argyle's smile widened, a glint of respect in his eyes. "Well negotiated, Aiden. I believe we can accommodate those terms. You're proving to be even more intriguing than I'd initially thought." I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension. This was a big step, one that would undoubtedly complicate my life further. But it also felt right, like I was finally starting to gain some control over my situation. That control would become imperative if I wanted to avoid being swallowed up into one of the organizations or one of their factions. Which seemed like a distinctly bad idea currently.

  "So, what now?" I asked, looking between Argyle, David and Uncle Wolf.

  David cleared his throat. "Now, we draw up the paperwork. It'll take a day or two to get everything in order, especially with the additional clause about non-aggression between our organizations. It won't be difficult, just time-consuming. Lawyers always are. I'll also be preparing the NDA's for your family that we spoke of earlier."

  "Indeed, lawyers, bloodsuckers, all of them." Argyle agreed, grinning at the irony of his little joke. "In the meantime, Aiden, I suggest you take some time to rest and recuperate. You've had quite the eventful day, from what I understand."

  I couldn't argue with that. The exhaustion of the day's events was starting to catch up with me. "Alright," I said, suppressing a yawn. "I'll head home then. You all know how to reach me when the paperwork is ready.”

  As I rose to leave, Argyle called out, "One moment, Aiden." I paused, looking back at him curiously as Vipera slipped back into my soul. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small bag; from that bag, he withdrew an ornate box. One that should not have been able to fit in the small drawstring bag.

  “Spatial Artifact. Expensive.” Uncle Wolf let out a low whistle.

  "A token of goodwill," he said, holding it out to me.

  I hesitated before taking it, my eyes darting to Uncle Wolf and David. They both nodded slightly, so I accepted the box. It was surprisingly heavy for its size, made of dark wood with intricate silver inlays. I could sense something inside the box, but I wasn't sure what it was. It didn't feel dangerous, so I wasn't concerned that I'd just been handed a hidden bomb by a vampire who was probably older than dirt.

  "What is it?" I asked, turning it over in my hands. It was hefty for its size, and there was no rattling or shaking from within.

  Argyle's smile was enigmatic. "A tool that may prove useful in your future endeavours. But I'll let you discover its properties for yourself. Consider it a useful addition to your capabilities."

  I raised an eyebrow before slipping the box and its unknown contents into my [Inventory].

  "Thanks, seeing as it came from a vampire, it should be interesting." I stuck a hand out to Argyle. The vampire was unsettling to deal with, but I found I liked the strange man. So far at least. We shook hands briefly; surprisingly, his skin was warm to the touch.

  "I'll give you a call one day soon, so we can speak a little more in depth, if you don't mind?"

  "Sure, just not tomorrow, I feel like I'm going to sleep for a couple of days. I'm long past my tolerance limit for politics tonight." I finished with a strained smile.

  “Indeed, not much for of politics myself. I dislike the compromises required.”

  I left the tent, accompanied by Uncle Wolf; I could feel the weight of their gazes on my back.

  "Well done, Kid. Well done." I nodded. I was too tired. Too wrung out to say much more tonight. After so long in the Soul-Sheer without the need to sleep, I could honestly say I had never appreciated my bed and a full night's sleep more. I followed Uncle Wolf back to the SUV that brought us here. He said something about David catching a ride back with the recovery team, but my mind was fifty miles away, occupied with thoughts of my bed.

  At least my immediate priorities were sorted out.