Detective Dorian’s words made Lih’s heart swell with unexpected pride. He was ready now, to help Dorian and Nox with his first domovoi case. He could see now that, perhaps, they couldn’t do this without him, an earnest and young junior on the force, though in truth, few people could see why this could even be attempted. Atharim matters… the odds were long, the risks unrewarding, the objective… ?
“Yes, sir,” said Lih quietly. A shadow passing across his pale face ...
Vitya Lih put on his camo jacket and buttoned it up. Then he put on his cap and buckled on his officer’s gloves and holster. He could hear the music playing from the halls, the dishes and glasses from around them. The Vega reception was underway.
At least I’m dressed for it, Lih thought.
Turning, Lih smiled at Siobhan from his seat at the marble counter. “Thank you. It is an honor, Ms. West."
“Lasher!”
A set of tall doors burst open as though they’d been rammed by a siege clearance machine, and a smile of startling beauty crossed Siobhan West’s face as she cried out to the large dog bounding toward them.
Lih looked up. His eyes locked onto the newcomers behind “Lasher" like targeting systems. This was not a fanciful impression. His eyes were literally biological, auto-targeting systems, his scrutiny instantly assessing range, movement, identity and threat level. To be stared at was to be in crosshairs.
“Holy crap,” whispered the albino on the stool, rising. The stool creaked.
The young man Dorian called Sage was lean and striking, and his attractive, narrow face, made hollow with care, had the steel threat of an unsheathed weapon about it despite the grin. Almost at this Sage’s side was Aiden Finnegan, a lithe, extraordinary celebrity whose record needed no introduction or explanatory notes, head of Siobhan’s former band.
...Lovers?
Lih swallowed hard. He glanced back at Dorian. The veteran detective had decided it might be better to hover in the doorway than actually stay in the kitchen. Dorian’s son Cruz also loitered nearby, examining some food and drink that had been presented on the counter. It was hard to tell whether the handsome ‘god’ was debating if he was in need of refreshment, or simply puzzling as to leave Aiden and Sage alone.
Lih stepped past the members of his party and walked across the room toward the two entwined figures. He walked directly past the tall glass windows and stopped face to face with the taller figures. He took off his police cap, tucked it under his left arm, and made a bow to Aiden and Sage.
“Two things,” said Lih, blushing slightly; his voice perfectly calm. “First, I’m Vitya Lih… or Moon-King (as Ms. West calls me)… I’m a big fan. And second, yes, on this occasion, you’re missing out on terrific food and wine."
“Yes, sir,” said Lih quietly. A shadow passing across his pale face ...
Vitya Lih put on his camo jacket and buttoned it up. Then he put on his cap and buckled on his officer’s gloves and holster. He could hear the music playing from the halls, the dishes and glasses from around them. The Vega reception was underway.
At least I’m dressed for it, Lih thought.
Turning, Lih smiled at Siobhan from his seat at the marble counter. “Thank you. It is an honor, Ms. West."
“Lasher!”
A set of tall doors burst open as though they’d been rammed by a siege clearance machine, and a smile of startling beauty crossed Siobhan West’s face as she cried out to the large dog bounding toward them.
Lih looked up. His eyes locked onto the newcomers behind “Lasher" like targeting systems. This was not a fanciful impression. His eyes were literally biological, auto-targeting systems, his scrutiny instantly assessing range, movement, identity and threat level. To be stared at was to be in crosshairs.
“Holy crap,” whispered the albino on the stool, rising. The stool creaked.
The young man Dorian called Sage was lean and striking, and his attractive, narrow face, made hollow with care, had the steel threat of an unsheathed weapon about it despite the grin. Almost at this Sage’s side was Aiden Finnegan, a lithe, extraordinary celebrity whose record needed no introduction or explanatory notes, head of Siobhan’s former band.
...Lovers?
Lih swallowed hard. He glanced back at Dorian. The veteran detective had decided it might be better to hover in the doorway than actually stay in the kitchen. Dorian’s son Cruz also loitered nearby, examining some food and drink that had been presented on the counter. It was hard to tell whether the handsome ‘god’ was debating if he was in need of refreshment, or simply puzzling as to leave Aiden and Sage alone.
Lih stepped past the members of his party and walked across the room toward the two entwined figures. He walked directly past the tall glass windows and stopped face to face with the taller figures. He took off his police cap, tucked it under his left arm, and made a bow to Aiden and Sage.
“Two things,” said Lih, blushing slightly; his voice perfectly calm. “First, I’m Vitya Lih… or Moon-King (as Ms. West calls me)… I’m a big fan. And second, yes, on this occasion, you’re missing out on terrific food and wine."
Viktor Lih
Officer of CCDPD
Officer of CCDPD