They found the car exactly where Constantine said it would be. Paul and Cyrus didn't approach it at first, they watched it from a distance to see if Thanos's men were in hiding. Slowly they moved closer, positioning themselves to get a clearer view. It looked like, from a couple of parking fines stuck behind the windshield wipers, no one had been near it except city rangers.
Paul approached the car with his face tilted up and his nose flaring. Cyrus watched on confused, frowning. This sniffing business was the first question he was going to ask about when he got the chance.
"They haven't been here." He opened the driver's door and jumped in, then let the human in. Paul carefully removed his sunglasses from his jacket pocket and put them on. He could see that once again there was a look of frustration on Cyrus's face. Once he was seated and they were confined to the small space Paul watched him as he slowly relaxed.
"Now tell me where you were this morning." His alpha voice filled the car and Cyrus, who was about to say "you first", buckled under its weight.
"You have to know about my relationship with my dad to understand why I dropped everything when he called me home." It was humiliating having to explain to someone like Paul, who exuded power and strength, that even though he had loosened the grip Stocland senior had on him. His father continued to treat him like a well-trained dog and present him to the world as a dutiful, obedient son. It was still beyond him not to go running when he was called. It was a short unpleasant story but he hoped Paul understood some habits are almost impossible to break.
"Is that why you're dressed like that?" Paul ran his eyes over him. "You look like a Ken Doll"
Cyrus frowned. He should talk he grumbled. Paul sat beside him in his designer black suit looking like he had been poured into it.
"I was going for business professional actually." He pulled off his tie and opened the collar of his. He tried to ruffle his glued-down hair but made it stick out in spikes instead.
"Better." Paul spared him a small smile.
Feeling more himself Cyrus then went on to explain what happened from the moment he walked out into the garden and spotted Theodore sitting with his father until he arrived back at the hotel. Paul drove in silence. Cyrus couldn't tell what he was thinking, his eyes hidden behind his shades and his face expressionless.
Paul believed the human. It had been a lucky coincidence that benefited them. The fact Cyrus was covered in Theodore's scent was unfortunate and led to a misunderstanding. He was pleased that his first impression of Cyrus was correct, the boy was smart and loyal. Paul hoped he could handle what was coming up next. If he had to sum up the boy in one word it would be unorthodox. He thought his ability to think outside the box was a plus in this situation.
When they arrived at the hotel Paul suggested they walk down to the boardwalk and talk there.
They looked like business associates discussing some office intrigue. Paul decided he would speak plainly, slip into Guardian mode, and turn up the alpha voice so Cyrus could see precisely the difference between humans and Lycan. He needed to see the line clearly before he got more involved and risked his life.
They sat down on the same bench as when they first met. Paul stretched out his legs and crossed them at the ankles. It was warm but he looked unaffected. He straighten his jacket and folded his hands on his lap. For a few peaceful minutes, he enjoyed the view. He could feel Cyrus beside him wanting to get on with it. "Do you believe in the supernatural?" Paul asked.
It was not what Cyrus expected to hear but he went along with it. "Hmm...I suppose I'm like most people I believe there's more than what we are aware of. I've never personally experienced anything...yooooOOOOw." Cyrus waved his hands around and made a ghost noise. "I've never had anything go bump in the night if that's what you mean."
"So you're open to the idea there is more?" Paul upped the Alpha voice and instantly saw the effect it had on Cyrus. He sat a little straighter and planted his feet flat on the ground ready to jump up and run.
"Have you noticed anything about me and my men that has struck you as unusual? You're a smart boy, I"m sure you've picked up a vibe from us."
The Alpha voice went up a notch and Cyrus started to squirm. It doesn't have the same effect on humans as it does on Lycan and werewolves but humans can sense the power, feel it in their bones like any other animal.
Suddenly, Cyrus felt parched. He undid a couple of buttons on his shirt, it was getting hotter. He wasn't sure why, nothing had changed but he was tensing up ready to defend himself. Was Paul threatening him, he didn't understand where the conversation was going.
"To be honest." He braced himself. "You are all scary as shit." In a moment of panic, he pulled his cigarettes out of his pocket and lit one up. "I haven't made up my mind if your mafia, mercenaries, corporate gangsters, black ops...I'm pretty sure you're into some weird shit."
He was on a roll and puffed away at his cigarette. "In my job, I have met all sorts but I've never come across people like you and your team. Then there's Theodore and his lot, well they just don't even look human."
Not sure where the conversation was going Cyrus was losing patience. "I thought we agreed. I would explain where I'd been and you would explain the pair of wolves in your room and why you all looked like you wanted to murder me."
"We're getting to that." Paul leaned forward and looked up and down the boardwalk. It was a work day and the area was quiet, no one was around. "You said we're scary but are you scared of us? There's a difference."
Paul stood up, his hands in his pockets, and strolled to the edge of the path. He looked down at the water lapping gently against the piers. Once again he looked up and down the boardwalk. Cyrus watched him, why did he feel like he was being led somewhere dangerous, the edge of a cliff, into a lion's den?
"Cyrus." Paul used the full force of his alpha voice and saw the boy shudder. "I'm expecting a lot from you. Please don't let me down."
The sun was behind Paul as he slowly walked back towards him. "Are you scared of me Cyrus?"
He didn't need to think about it. "No, not really." He put his hand up to his face to shield his eyes from the sun.
"Do you trust me?" Paul asked taking a step closer.
"Yes." Cyrus realised every time Paul spoke it was like a little spark of electricity ran up his spine.
"Keep looking at me." It was spoken softly but it was clearly a command and Cyrus obeyed.
Before he could say "Why?" Paul disappeared in a blink and in his place, a couple of meters in front of him sat one of the wolves he'd seen that morning. It was quietly staring at him with big amber eyes, its huge dark head tilted to one side. It slowly laid down, like it was someone's monster size pet. It was only when it lifted one paw and crossed it over the other that he recognised who it was.
"Pauuuul?"
....
Lewis stared at the screen in front of him but his mind was far away. He wondered how the conversation between the Guardian and Cyrus was going. He was still annoyed that the Guardian had refused to let him tag along.
He tapped his foot nervously as he tried to focus on what he was doing but the apartment was strangely tranquil, too quiet. Santo and Barnes were watching TV. It was starting to feel to much like a holiday and it made Lewis him feel uneasy. The were becoming to comfortable with the situation and losing their edge. Was it the calm before the storm? Tap Tap tap on the floor.
Barnes's phone rang. It was Constantine. They had a brief conversation. "Adam's awake. He's not climbing the walls this time. It looks like he's finally back." All three were out the door the next minute.
......
Something was niggling Theodore, like a half remembered dream it almost took shape and then disappeared again. Whatever it was bothered him all day but he couldn't put his finger on it. Perhaps it was the human ex-policeman. There was something irksome about him, one of those humans that made you dislike the whole species. His fawning was repulsive and that boy of his, he shook his head. He reminded Theodore of a werewolf pup, beaten too many times by its master.
He made a note to keep his meetings with the boy away from the hotel. Thanos would take one look at that innocent face and the boy....he didn't want to think about what could happen.
For a split second the elusive thought surfaced then faded before he could catch it. It would come to him eventually.
He crossed the foyer quickly, long elegant strides that made people look in his direction. He felt like it had been a productive morning. The ex-cop worm of a human was supplying them with guns, nothing fancy but they will do the job. Stocland senior bragged he had connections who could easily acquire unregistered firearms. The more he thought about the human the less he liked him.
Theodore sensed that the boy wasn't made from the same clothe as the father, money wouldn't win him over.