“Didn’t you hear what I said, Kael? Someone isn’t just after jinn hunters. Capricorn also mentioned a missing artifact.”
Arin paced back and forth impatiently.

Kael exhaled slowly again. “I heard you, but considering where that information came from, I wouldn’t call it reliable.”

Arin stopped and narrowed his eyes at him.

Realizing he would not win a staring contest, Kael added reluctantly, “Still, I’ll look into it. But the Empire keeps records of these things. Artifacts were used during the Civil War, and all of them are locked away in secure locations.”

Arin thought about that for a moment. “What if it’s the kind of artifact that wasn’t recorded?”

Kael was about to say that was impossible, but then he hesitated. Thinking about it, he realized it could actually be true. The country had just come out of a war; every level of the administration must have been in chaos. Maybe not all artifacts had been catalogued properly. Maybe something had slipped through. As much as he disliked it, Kael had to admit Arin might be right.

Finally, he said, “I’ll look into it thoroughly, alright?”
When Arin tried to interrupt, he quickly cut him off. “For now, I need to know more about your meeting at the guild.” He would need that information later when reporting to his superiors. “And about the attack. How did they find you?”

Arin blinked, surprised by the sudden shift. “I told you already. They lured me in. When I entered the building, they were all waiting there.”

“So the thief led you there, and then everyone appeared out of nowhere? Considering your income, I’d say you don’t exactly look like a rich man,” Kael said, earning a curse from Arin. “Why would they go through all that trouble?”

Azimushan joined the tense conversation only with a curious hum, clearly finding it suspicious too. Then again, he also regretted not getting a taste of a few of those souls.

Putting his anger aside, Arin said in a flat tone, “I assume you have a theory, and you’re dying to share it.”

“Yes, I do,” Kael replied in the same neutral voice. “But I need more information from you first to confirm my suspicions. Let’s say everything happened as you claim, the thieves trapped you. How did that boy, Talen, find you?”

At the sound of Talen’s name, heat flooded Arin’s face. He still felt the thrill of what he had done, something bold and unlike him. Normally he would never act that way, but Talen’s persistence and that infuriatingly attractive smile had stirred something in his mind. People usually backed away when they learned what he did for a living, especially the good-looking ones. But Talen had come straight to him instead. And he was a jinn hunter too. And his eyes–

“Arin!” Kael said sharply. It was the third time. “Forgive me for interrupting your daydream, but I need that information.”

Arin snapped out of it. “Why?” he asked defensively. “He has nothing to do with it. He just saved me from those bastards. I could have handled them with Azimushan anyway. I just chose not to.”

Kael narrowed his eyes. “Your face is red. And you’re sweating. You’re not telling me something.”

Arin turned his back quickly. “Look, he saved my life, alright?” he said briskly. “Then we went to the guild, and that Capricorn guy wouldn’t stop talking.” When he decided the effect of thinking about Talen had passed, he turned back to Kael. “He talked a lot trying to convince me. Then he brought up the artifact. That’s all.”

Kael stared at him in disbelief. “Is that really all?”

Arin tried to suppress another wave of heat but knew it showed anyway. “Yes.”

“No, it’s not,” Kael said, his tone sharp with irritation. “Listen, Arin. In this city, everyone handles their business in their own way, and I know you might want to make secret alliances related to your work. But don’t forget, you’re not an officially registered Jinn Hunter yet. That means it’s your duty to report any secret arrangements to me. If you don’t—”

Arin cut him off. “We kissed,” he said shortly.

Kael froze, taken aback. “I’m sorry, what?”

“We kissed,” Arin repeated quickly.

Kael frowned without meaning to. “You kissed Capricorn?”

Arin rolled his eyes. “Oh, please. Talen and I kissed. I didn’t tell you because...” He crossed his arms and looked down. “Is that against Imperial law too?” 

Kael thought about it for a moment. “No, of course not. You’re free to kiss whoever you want.”

Arin glanced up at him. “Really?” he asked.

Kael looked at him blankly, unsure how to take the question, but finally said carefully, “It’s natural for someone your age to have that kind of experience.”

Arin kept looking at him, waiting for more, but nothing came. Something twisted inside him. For some reason, he had expected Kael to get angry, to scold him like usual.

“No advice about city boys?” Arin asked tensely.

Kael cleared his throat awkwardly. “Just be careful. Kissing people you don’t know can be dangerous,” he said, and that was the end of it. He didn’t mention the guild or the thieves again. Instead, he started talking about the new case.

As Arin watched him, he realized Kael seemed more on edge than usual.

***

The next day, while investigating the sealed artifacts, Kael realized he would need special authorization to access their locations and records. But to get that, he would have to tell the Chief about the matter, which would mean revealing what Arin had done.

He couldn’t. He was sure Arin wasn’t acting with hidden motives, and since he was already under Imperial surveillance, drawing more attention would be his death sentence. Kael imagined that possibility for a moment, and a chill ran down his spine.

He was surprised by how deeply the thought of Arin in danger unsettled him. And then there was the matter of that kiss. He had tried to stay composed, but what had he really felt? Disappointment? Anger? Jealousy? Exclusion? Probably a bit of all of them. Still, he knew he had no right to feel that way.

Yet since yesterday, no matter how hard he tried, the image of Arin’s lips kept returning to his mind: full, cherry-colored lips that parted slightly when he spoke, his pink tongue brushing over them now and then to wet them. When damp, they caught the light in a soft shine.

His heartbeat quickened. When warmth spread low in his stomach, he shook his head quickly, refusing to think such things. At least not about Arin.

He had lived for a long time with only one purpose: the Empire. He should not feel this deeply for someone he had known only a few weeks. For anyone. Feelings only gained meaning when supported by action, and for someone whose body was half machine, that kind of emotion was a luxury he could not afford.

He forced his mind away from that impossible subject and tried to focus on what mattered.

He suspected Arin’s attack had been staged, but he was not sure if that arrogant brat Talen or the man from the guild was involved. Of course, it could all be coincidence, but for now, it would have to wait. The artifact issue came first.

Since he could not get authorization, he would have to move forward by less lawful means. That meant he would once again owe Malachi a favor.

***

That evening, when Arin saw the envelope slipped under his door, he immediately went on alert. Determined not to be caught off guard again, he reached for his sword.

Azimushan stirred uneasily inside him. “Be careful, master.”

Without replying, Arin grabbed the envelope and opened the door, but the corridor was empty. He stepped back inside and locked the door.

Once he had calmed down a little, he pulled the note from the envelope. The handwriting was terrible, like it belonged to a child who had just learned to write, but when he saw the signature, he couldn’t help smiling.

Come to Mille Square at nine tonight. I want to see you.
Signed: The boy you kissed yesterday.

Technically, they had both kissed, so it wasn’t a one-sided act, but apparently Talen had chosen to play the victim in this story.

Kael’s words echoed in his head: Kissing people you don’t know can be dangerous.
Still, a little kissing never hurt anyone. Maybe even a little more than that.

Thinking of Kael annoyed him. “You’re free to kiss whoever you want,” he had said also yesterday, and when Arin had looked at his face, he had imagined kissing him instead. Kael was handsome, but they were from different worlds. If their paths hadn’t crossed, they wouldn’t even be breathing the same air.

He scolded himself for such ridiculous thoughts and stood up. Tonight, he was going on his first date in the city.