"Attention, agents."
Alec looked up at his father. This was the first meeting he'd had since addressing the attack on the Downworld. And something told him this would be important.
"Now, in our last meeting, I told you all that I would have a representative talk to the Seelies. During that meeting, we learned that they have indeed aligned themselves with the Circle. And, after informing the Council of this, they have declared the Seelies an enemy of the Clave. So, if anyone here is any type of communication with a Seelie, I would recommend cutting it off at once."
"The rest of the Downworld will be meeting tonight to discuss the future. It is strictly for head agents only, so any questions or concerns that you would like to be discussed should be given to me. I'll try my best to get all your answers."
A couple hands raised. Robert pointed to one. "Yes?"
"Will you be taking those questions now?"
"Actually, I'd prefer if you wrote them down, and I'll look at them before leaving tonight."
The hands went down. "Alright, that's all, agents. You're dismissed."
Alec walked away to the ops room, where he found Izzy. "Hey, Izzy. Did you go to the meeting?"
"No, I didn't. Could you give me a recap?"
"Well, the Clave has declared the Seelies our enemy, so Dad'll probably be talking to you about Meliorn sometime soon."
"About what?"
"He's gonna tell you you have to stop seeing Meliorn. He pretty much told everyone that they had to cut off all contact with Seelies, period."
"What? Dad promised me I could stay with Meliorn because he helps us out with information! I can't believe this!" Izzy made a move towards the door, and Alec stopped her.
"Izzy, where are you going?"
"To talk to Dad! This is stupid! Just because the Seelie queen wants to ally herself with Valentine for whatever reason, doesn't mean all the other Seelies agree with her! We shouldn't be punished for the Queen's decisions!"
"Look, Izzy, I understand that your upset, but I don't think Dad is going to consider changing his mind if you walk in there screaming at him."
Izzy nodded and breathed heavily, trying to calm down.
"Besides, I haven't told you everything. Dad will be having a meeting with all the other Downworlders to discuss their next move, and where they stand."
"Oh ok, yeah, sounds reasonable. Where's it at?"
"That's the thing, he's not telling anyone. They don't want the Clave or Seelies finding out."
"Yeah, makes sense. Is that it?"
"Yes, but Izzy, is that tracking device that looked like a stele still in the lab?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"Could you maybe get it hooked up in here?"
"I mean, I'd have to take a look at it, but I'm sure I could."
"Good, I want to use it on Dad when he goes on his meeting tonight."
"Why?"
"Well, someone needs to know where he is just in case something happens."
"Okay, but Alec, just how do you plan on doing this? Just handing Dad the stele?"
"Well, no, I'd have to sneak it in his pocket or something."
"That's not going to work. Surely, he'll notice there's two steles in his pocket."
"Not if I put it in there in the last second."
"Too risky."
Alec thinks for a second. "Okay, what if you put a tracking device on Dad's stele? There was a tracking chip in the fake stele, right? You could take it out, and put it in Dad's stele."
"And I'd have to hook it up to the computer."
"Yeah. Do you think it could work?"
"Maybe, but there's one flaw to this plan of yours. How are you going to get Dad's stele, and keep it long enough to get the chip in it?"
"Okay, um...what if I convince him it's broken? Then I'd take it to you to "fix" it, and you could put the chip in."
"And how would you do that?"
"I could step on it."
"That might actually break it."
"More reason to give it to you to fix!"
Izzy shook her head. "This is so silly it might work."
"So should I go pay Dad a visit?"
"It's worth a try. We are trained agents, after all."
"Alright, I'll be back with Dad's stele."
****
Magnus:
"Agent Fell, may I see you in your office?"
Ragnor Fell had just finished a meeting discussing the future plans of the warlock agency. The head agents of every agency in alliance would be meeting tonight.
"Sure, Magnus. Come with me."
Once they got to Fell's office, Magnus shut the door and welcomed himself to a seat at his office desk.
"What were you wanting to discuss?"
"I wanted to know where this meeting will be taking place tonight."
"Magnus, I said during the meeting that the location must be kept confidential. No agents can know about it. Just because we're friends, doesn't mean you are excluded."
"Look, Ragnor, I understand all that, but, don't you think someone should know about your whereabouts? In case something happens?"
"I understand your concern, but we have taken every precaution-"
"What if that isn't enough? You know Valentine is working with Seelies, they have eyes and ears everywhere." Magnus looked around the room nervously to emphasize his point.
"I assure you, none of the Seelie's eyes and ears are here."
"Look, my point is, you should inform someone you trust of where you are going, so that way, they could help you if the need arises. And you happen to be in front of one of the few warlocks who had proven that that can be trusted."
"Magnus, I'm sorry, but I just can't tell you."
"Fine, but just know, I know you better than anyone in this agency. I'm finding out where you all are going."
Ragnor sighed. "Well, if you're going to find out anyway..." Ragnor beckons Magnus to come closer to him and whispers in his ear the location.
"Thanks for telling me, Ragnor. You won't regret it."
"Yeah, yeah, but look, you can't tell anyone. This is classified information."
"Ragnor, this isn't the first time I've been told sensitive information."
"That includes Catarina."
"But Ragnor, I'd trust Cat with my life! Telling me is like telling her!"
"I said no one. I understand you trust Catarina, but as you said before, you never know who could be listening."
Magnus should've known that would come back to bite him.
"I understand, Agent Fell."
Ragnor nodded. "Good. If I find out this got out-"
"Ragnor, it won't. Stop being so paranoid."
Magnus backed towards the door and left Fell's office.
"Catarina, where are you! I have something very important to tell you!" Magnus shouted down the hall.
Magnus heard Ragnor's voice in an instant. "Magnus, don't you dare!"
Magnus laughed and continued on down the hallway.