Henry has been silent for a while, his head tilted to the side, watching me as I battle with myself. It must be obvious what is happening to me. Can he see it?

“No one could confirm without a séance,” he says. “Though, of course, I could not grant you permission to hold one in here without a warrant. Too many people’s secrets, too many dead, you see.”

He pauses, I wait. I’ll swallow my own tongue if I speak.

“I can check my records to see if I was picking up a body on that night though, if you would like, Special Agent?” He glides more than walks to his Book of Names.

“That would be appreciated, thank you.” I’m glad when the eye contact breaks. A moment longer and I’d be done for.

It is easier to think when I’m not the sole focus of his attention. Easier to breathe. Even though his smell is so distracting.

Why now? Why him?

I didn’t want this. I wanted to help people. To use my dragon talents to kick ass and solve crimes.

But the connection is not complete yet. If it was, I’d be nothing more than a simpering idiot. I’d be hauling him off to a tower in the middle of a forest with nowhere for him to escape to so we could start eternity together or something.

That’s what I hear happens.

I wouldn’t know.

There are so few of my kind to ask.

Henry flips to the 21^st, but the page is almost empty. Earlier in the day he had accepted the body of an old gnome but other than that, it’s blank.

I will have to come back with a warrant for that séance…

“I am not trying to make your life difficult, Special Agent, but it seems I do not know what you’re talking about,” Henry closes his Book of Names and turning back to me.

His face is expressionless.

I’m sweating again.

It occurs to me that I don’t even know what kind of fairy he is. We have jurisdiction over him, so he can’t be human, but his species wasn’t listed in the files. I thought it might be because it was obvious, yet I can’t pick up any of the tells that would point out just what he is.

He isn’t human; he’s been alive for over a thousand years. That was in the records. There were whispers when I took this assignment that the Celestial Intelligence Agency has been investigating him for centuries and that’s why his records are so bare. Sealed. Censored.

I need to know what he is now, but it’s an irrational need. It makes no bearing on the case. On my job. It is personal, and thus it can be pushed aside. For now.

“People are going missing. Please cooperate.” It sounds like a plea.

“Human people or fairy people?” Henry’s voice inflects upwards, but his face is like a stone.

“Both. That’s why it’s serious enough for it to involve the FBI.”

“Ah. A crossover to the mortal world. Never a pleasant scenario.” He rubs his chin, a gesture that shows he’s thinking, even though his expression remains unreadable.

“And I suppose you will need a statement from me?”

“Yes.” I clear my throat. “You’ll need to come to the precinct to make it and-”

“Oh, that sounds inconvenient,” Henry’s tone is still even and calm.

“I will make an appointment for-”

“Oh, there’s no need Special Agent. I’ll drop by tomorrow after I’m done with my only booking for the day. I’m sure you’ll be there in the early afternoon, will you not?”

He’s moved again.

He’s now stood right in front of me, close enough for the dampness of his breath to breeze across my lips. How did he move so silently and so quickly?

“I am,” I say, without wanting to. He’s so close. Is he going to kiss me? This is inappropriate. Why is he so close?

There’s fire in my chest now.

“Oh. Jolly good. I look forward to seeing you then,” he smiles, and then takes a step back.

The dragon struggles to be released, fights against my will to tell me to take, protect, hoard.

“T-tomorrow,” I gasp, and turn on my heel and flee the funeral parlour, resolutely not looking backwards.

When the cool air hits me, I realise I’ve forgotten my coat.