“Finally, someone I can talk to. So, how about you undo these cuffs and-“

Before he could even think about bargaining, Ira grabbed him by the shirt collar.

“It’s really you?”

“I- who-“

Ira let out a tight breath, closing her eye as she resisted  the urge to punch the man in front of her. Such acts of violence would do her no good.

“What is wrong with you?!” The man exclaimed, struggling against his surprise assailant. 

“A lot. A lot is.” Ira answered with a slight chuckle.

The man shot a questioning glance as Ira leaned in closer.

 “What? No snarky reply this time? Where’s the Elijah I used to know? You used to love hearing yourself talk.”

She looked at him with a cold, unwavering expression. Elijah flinched at her gaze and averted his eyes from hers. She studied his expression and scanned his overall appearance. Up close, she could tell that he spent an excessive amount of his time being locked up, judging by his lack of personal hygiene. Ira could have sworn that there was a hint of pity brewing inside of her chest. No, it was just the adrenaline running through her body. Lies. She loosened her grip around his collar, allowing him to pull away and create space between them.

“I still do….” He eyed her suspiciously. 

“Really? Well, go ahead then.” Ira rolled her eyes, taking a deep breath in to keep her temper in check. 

“Right, well, are you going to introduce yourself or am I just going to have to guess?” Elijah cocked an eyebrow in her direction as she began to pace. 

Tentatively, Ira pulled a chair over to sit across from him. 

“You don’t remember me?” She felt her chest practically rip itself in two. Whether it was from the anger or the disappointment in the lack of recognition, she couldn’t tell. 

“No. I don’t.”

“Liar.” Ira spat, face crumpling in despair. “You really expect me to believe that? How many people with one eye have you almost killed in your life? Or was my face just so easy to forget?” 

“Oh. You’re Ira Lagear?” His animal-like ears flicked with interest. 

“Everyday of my life unfortunately.”

“Yes. How unfortunate. Sorry, my memory isn’t how it used to be anymore.” He murmured with a mischievous look in his eyes that indicated he was pretending to not know earlier. 

“Right. Sure.” Ira said, matching his low volume as she glanced over her shoulder towards the mirror. “Why the hell are they holding you here?” 

“It’s all a mistake really. I shouldn’t be here. Maybe you could help me, like old times-“

Without thinking, Ira lunged, gripping Elijah by his throat but putting no force into it. He froze, exhaling sharply, his face mere inches away from Ira’s. She refused to look him in the eye and remind herself of the years of torment he put her through. He seemed to relax, unbothered by the closeness. Their noses brushed against each other as Ira muttered a threat underneath her breath. 

“Don’t. Do I need to teach you how to behave?” Ira knew it was an empty threat, but she said it anyway. 

“Yes ma’am…” Elijah smugly remarked, his voice hoarse. “Oh, you could have squeezed a little harder …”

“Maybe I will next time.” She hissed through gritted teeth. She could feel how sore her mouth was getting because of the way she clenched her jaw. 

Ira pulled away, the pain in her gut sharpened, like twisting a knife as it raked up to her heart. She had expected it, Elijah’s flirtation. Yet somehow, she hoped it would have stayed in their past. She so desperately wanted to convince herself that things were different, that they could make amends. 

“Short temper as always?” Elijah tilted his head to the side innocently, throwing puppy eyes at his future partner. He knew exactly how to get under her skin thanks to years of practice. 

Ira felt her body flinch as if hit by an actual physical blow. She knew if she looked directly into his eyes, the ache in her chest would grow in size. 

“I see you haven’t changed either.” She returned. 

“Ah, well, why would I need to change something that’s already perfect?” Elijah smiled, but she could see he was hiding something. His eyes gave it away. “Now, tell me, why is it that I can’t use my magic here?” 

“You’re smart.” Ira leaned back, letting her emotions boil, flashing between hot and cold. There was no denying she was curious about Elijah, she always had some sort of fascination with him. Some would even go as far as calling it infatuation, but she’d deny it. 

“Yes, I am.” Elijah replied, confidently.

“So figure it out yourself.” Ira gestured around in the air before crossing her arms. 

“...it’s the cuffs. They’re anti-magic.” He guessed. 

“Wrong.” Ira shifted where she sat. 

“You’re lying.” Elijah’s lip twitched in irritation.

“I’m not.” Ira shrugged, her lips curling up into a slight smirk. 

“Says the liar.” 

“Ok, so you’re not as clever as you once were. That’s fine-“ Ira closed her eye, taking in the sounds of boiling frustration from the man across from her. 

“Ugh, just tell me!”

“But that’s the easy thing to do and easy is never fun.” She straightened in her seat, crossing her legs now as well. “Why don’t you try asking for it?”

“Oh, do you expect me to plead? Get on my hands and knees and beg? I’m already a chained and caged animal, what’s more humiliation going to do?” Elijah grimaced, smoothing his palms against the metal surface of the table. The rasp of his nails sent a chill up Ira’s spine as she watched the slits of his eyes narrow. 

“No. I- wait, stop. I was just messing with you like you were with me.” A breath hissed between Ira’s lips, taking in a shivering inhale.  “The reason why you can’t use magic is because this is considered a dead zone. Certain areas are warded so that certain magic can’t be used with the intention of  harm.” 

The tension in Elijah’s body seemed to dissipate and Ira let out a content sigh.

“So... where are the areas that are not considered dead zones?” Elijah leaned forward in interest. 

“That-I’m not going to tell you, because you’re a mischievous reptile. I’ve also told you enough… enough to get me fired.” She cocked an eyebrow to hide a trickle of unease that raced up her back. She really shouldn’t have told him anything, though, if telling him more meant getting fired…. She considered it, briefly. 

“Wow, so you’re a detective after all.”

“Keeping information from you that could possibly help you break out OR do harm…makes me a detective? Sure, okay.” Ira rolled her eyes, gaze darting around the room. There was no way he was escaping with just the little information she gave him. 

“Detective, I think you need to hear me out, just this once-“

“Ok, I’m not a detective and don’t act like I’m going to-“

“It seems as though you two already know each other.” A voice butted in.

Ira staggered, almost falling out of her seat at the surprise arrival.

“Commander Brian!” She straightened her posture and stood to face him. “I’m sorry, sir, I was just… questioning him.” 

“You’re not supposed to be here.” Brian huffed. “Also, I can tell you weren’t just questioning him. You know him. Otherwise, you wouldn't have any reason to be here.”

“What?” Ira stared in disbelief. 

“I’m still here, you know. Listen, Commander Brian, was it? If you could kick this detective out of here, I have a deal to propose-“ Elijah cleared his throat. 

“No.” Brian dismissively quipped. 

“Right... well-“

“No. You already signed the contract to work here. ” Brian pulled a face. “Do I make myself clear?”

With a hasty nod to himself, Elijah settled deeper into his chair. 

“Why would you ever hire someone like him?” Ira gestured towards her future coworker, who was obviously distressed by the situation like herself. 

“This is none of your concern and you’re not the one in charge, Lagear.” Brian said, avoiding Ira’s questioning glances.

“I understand, but come on. You can’t expect anyone, even me, to work with him.”

“You can and you will. If it’s a problem, you will take it up with me later on.” His lips twisted into a frown at the thought. “I can see there’s obvious history between you two.”

“Oh, we go way back. We have history, the good, the bad and the… well bloody? Yeah, that.” Ira chuckled jokingly, finding amusement in her own suffering.

“I see...Well, now that you’ve been reacquainted, we can leave now. You can become even more familiar with each other, after he’s done his clearances.” Brian gestured toward the door. 

“I’m not going to reacquaint with a snake like him!” Anxiety fluttered in the pit of her stomach, and she shoved it down. A tight wire of emotion clamped around her throat, and she swallowed against it, trying to ignore the thoughts of working alongside Elijah and what it could entail. 

“You’re close, Detective. I’m impressed, but I’m a dragon.” He corrected, making a point of sticking his tongue out and hissing at her, mockingly.

“For the last time, I’m not a detective and I  didn’t ask for your input, Q-tip.” Ira groaned.

“Excuse me, but my name is Elijah, Detective.” He corrected her with the same impassive smile that looked like a very well-made mask.

“You should be nicknamed ‘asshole’.” Ira muttered angrily under her breath. 

“You love me, face it. You can’t wait to work with me, it’ll be like old times again. We used to have so much fun. I’ve missed it.” Elijah sneered at Ira and it stung. 

Ira barely managed to bite back a retort. However, something inside her crumbled, and she could feel the ache that now stirred within her heart. Ira scoffed, ignoring the way the words made her feel and how her body seemed to tremble at the thought of it. Of course, Elijah didn’t genuinely feel that way. Ira shoved the thoughts of a happier time they once had from her mind. That was a long time ago. They were both past that point. The more Ira focused on those words, that one single moment in time, the worse the feeling became. She wanted to be angry but her body seemed to say otherwise. 

“Goodbye.” 

Without another word, Ira and Brian left the room, leaving Elijah alone with his thoughts once more.