Enter the Magistrate
I looked up at the menacing tower hidden behind Myeongdong Cathedral, Seoul’s very own Gothic cathedral built between 1892 and 1898. Fae glamour kept the tower hidden from the eyes of Humans. MacFlurry pressed his small warm body into my ankles as I felt frozen from a mixture of cold and fear. Gargoyles were not exactly know for their hospitality.
Did I tell you I love you this morning? I waited for Hue’s reassuring presence to brush against my mind.
Yes. Three time before you left and once when you arrived in Myeongdong. If you are this frightened then perhaps I should come meet with you and we can do this together. I wished with all my heart I could agree to that but as the Magistrate this was my job.
No, I got this. I didn’t got this.
There was silence, but I could feel he was surveying my emotions. If you say so. But if you need me, just call.
“Will you knock on the damn door already?” came a squeaky voice from around my feet. I looked down at my furry little familiar.
“Cool it! I will when I’m ready. If you don’t want to wait, go home and wait there.” His little folded ears seemed to droop and I resisted the urge to apologize to the kitten. Taking my courage in hand I knocked on the wooden door. I stood patiently waiting for any sound of movement within to indicate my knock had been heard. When a few moments passed without any signs of response I knocked again. Still no answer.
“Knock louder… harder,” chirped MacFlurry.
“Shhh, I will.” This time I raised my fist and pounded with the side of my hand. The vibrations shook the heavy door and seemed to rattle even a few of the surrounding stones. I looked down to ask MacFlurry if he thought they heard that but before I could, there was a rustling behind the door. With a rusty-sounding creak it opened about six inches. Two large yellow glowing eyes without irises stared down at me.
“What do you want?” growled a voice from within.
Clearing my throat and hoping to sound confident I opened my mouth and hope I sounded convincing. “I am Lady Alizeyah, Magistrate for the OAC. I am here on behalf of Lord Jellenaine and Master Gromy. It is my understanding that Master Gromy is being held against his will as a way of preventing the two from binding.”
“Go away!” The door slammed and reverberated through the old stone. I stared at it blinking for a moment.
“Did he just slam the door in my face?!” I asked, outraged by the rude treatment.
“It would seem that way,” said the furball hidden behind me.
I sighed deeply before pounding on the door again. There was shuffling inside again but no answer. “You can speak with me now or I can come back later with Enforcers. Then we can ALL talk about lots and lots of paperwork involving a Vampire who hates missing date nights.” There was whispering within. I crossed my arms over my chest and felt rather smug. Then the door was flung open and two large grey arms attached to something menacing looking grabbed me by the shoulders and dragged me into the darkness. There was a flash of white light and the world went dark and silent around me.
