I flatten the short hair at the base of my neck. The last time I had cut my hair above shoulder level was when I was a toddler. Right now, I had both long hair on the front dangling in my face constantly and short hair at the back.

I don’t know why I picked this specific, very annoying, non-functional, yet really decent hairstyle, but I am sure it had something to do with wanting to merge my new life and old life together. Keeping my hair long in the front was my way of keeping a piece of my old self with me. I could have easily achieved that with a piece of jewellery, but that would not suit me.

I take a deep breath and watch multicolour suitcases travel pass me, waiting for both my bag and gun to come through. I still can’t believe how quickly this transfer was. I barely had enough time to blink and poof, my bags where packed and I was on the first flight over here. I look to my left and see the bodyguard that had been appointed to me.

“You know this transfer was meant to be under the radar. You’re not very inconspicuous in your black suit there mate.”

Orin, as he introduced himself to me didn’t respond. Unless the question was relevant, he tended not to answer any of my questions. He was the same bodyguard that accompanied Gerry to our camp. When he didn’t return with him, Orin had informed me that until I was packed up and my ass was on next flight out, he was staying by my side. Probably a precaution in case I decided to announce to the world that vampires exist. Good policy. Also, there was an extra need to keep an eye on me since they had no way of controlling what came out of my mouth and I must admit there were moments while I was packing that I wanted to blab about it.

I had a front line seat to what happens when you erase someone’s memories. I was allowed to watch Edge erase their entire existence from Winch’s mind. I have seen someone get hypnotized in a show before and this was nothing like that. Winch’s eyes lost all life almost like he was about to collapse, but his body was still holding him up just by instinct and when the order was given Edge vanished leaving only Gerry there explaining that I passed their interview and they wanted to recruit me into their “security firm”. It was truly terrifying to see someone have that much power over someone and I knew the only reason I was allowed to watch was because Gerry wanted me to know how terrifying that power was.

“You can brood all you want Lovey, but that just makes the black suit look better.” I say coming back to reality leaving that memory buried in my mind, but not before shivering discreetly. For the first time he responded with a smile.

“I do wear my suit well.” I smile back. My bag appears in the corner of my eye. It was my silver case that held my livelihood in it. Orin steps forward to take it first and I grab his wrist.

“I appreciate that you are trying to help a lady, but no one touches my gun.” Orin takes a step back and I grab the case before is moves pass me. “If you could, please pick up my other bag.” I ask.

“Understood.”

“Also, I saw the handcuffs in your bag. Lend me them would you?” I hold my hand out. Orin arches an eyebrow at me. “I may be a bit paranoid when it comes to my gun I am well aware.” He rummages through his bag and hands them to me wordlessly.

“Also, why do you have handcuffs on you?”

“Why do you know I have them?” He fires back and I smirk.

“Touché.” I quickly snap them on my hand and the handle. Almost instantly I feel relieved having my gun cuffed to me. This gun is more than just a tool to me. Jolene and I have been together for many years. It was with Jolene that I got every job done perfectly. Breaking in a gun was like breaking in a new pair of shoes, it took forever and it was tedious. So, I take care of Jolene like she was my child.

It wasn’t long before we were walking out of the airport towards a black car that had no licence plates. Well, this isn’t a good start. It’s not lost on me how this entire situation screams stranger danger.

“Tell me something, do you know all the ins and outs of the people we work for?”

“Yup.” Was all he said.

“Did you have to sign one of those “bite me if I die” contracts too?” We stand on the curb close to the car and two similarly dressed armed men step out opening the door for me.

“This is too much. This transfer was supposed to be soundless.” I groan.

Orin gestures for me to get in first and he gets in right next to me, while the other two move around to the front of the car.

“This transfer wasn’t meant to be a secret Ms. Chávez.” We aren’t an illegal group if that is what you think.” Orin answers after the car starts moving.

“You deal with what common folk still assume is just fiction. How aren’t you a secret?”

“That will be explained to you when you get to our headquarters.”

“Sounds fancy. I am going to assume that means I will no longer be sleeping in a bed filled with holes and a proper working shower. Oh and actual soap.” I say with excitement.

“You’ll find that our HQ will have everything you need to make yourself comfortable.”

“Fuck!” I shout when we pull up to the biggest building I have ever seen. I get out of the car when someone opens the door. I step out with Jolene and it hurts my neck to keep my head angled upwards.

“You Americans and this need to put a target on your heads.” I say with dismay.

“Don’t worry as far as any civilian is concerned this is a security agency.” We begin to walk slowly up the stairs and at the top I see Edge’s hooded head. I smile when I spot my future partner.

“How polite of you to welcome me.” I say with delight and I see Edge’s hard features crack with a smirk.

“I needed to see it with my own eyes. I was sure you would chicken out.”

“Probably would have, but I was told that wasn’t going to end well.”

“You would be right.”

I turn and reach for my bag, but Edge zoomed around me and grabbed it first. He slung it on his shoulder and I stare at him with mild agitation. “You’re going to have to get used to that here. It’s a big building and there are a lot of vampires in there.”

“You just used your powers in broad day light, you must be brave or stupid.” Edge smiles and turns me slowly by pushing my shoulders. I flinch when I feel how cold his bare hands are. “You’ll get used to that too.”

“Get used to you touching me?” I ask with a devious smile. He clears his throat and looks forward pointing at something.

“Anything that happens past the sidewalk can’t be seen by civilians.

A few people walked by and Edge’s eyes flared purple. He grabbed Orin’s shirt lifting him off the ground and snarling like a beast. Orin scrambled and my instincts kicked in I reach to unclip Jolene and Edge raises his hand to stop me. I breathe rapidly staring dumbly and his hand. He points to the sidewalk and no one even turned their head our way. I look around waiting for someone to see the vampire holding a human aloft and scream bloody murder while someone filmed it, but nothing.

“Please put me down, Sir.” Orin said weakly.

Edge puts him down slowly and fixes his eyes on my hands that were still ready to whip out my gun and shoot him. “The entire building is surrounded by magic runes. Think of it like an illusion. The spell that protects this place stops any sounds or images that shouldn’t be seen.”

“Noted.” I let go of the case, but his expressions sours. I look up at the sky. “What about camera or satellites?” Holy shit, magic was real too. MAGIC WAS FREAKING REAL.

“Good catch. It’s the same for them too. This place is completely hidden.” I smile looking around once more.

“And what better place to hide than in plain sight.” He nods in confirmation.

“It’s worked for the 147 years I have been here.” I arch my eyebrows in surprise.

“You know the fact that you’re an older man is kind of sexy.” I flash him a smile.

“Clearly not enough not to shoot me.” He speeds further into the building. I may have fucked up, but to be fair seeing a vampire even after I found out about them is still pretty frightening.

“Come on, Ainsley.” He says impatiently.

“Don’t get your knickers in a twist, Edge. I come in peace. And if it makes you feel better I wasn’t going to kill you.” I raise my hands in mock surrender. The soft smile he was wearing before returned to his usual scowl. I laugh and walk towards the entrance.

The inside of this place was even more mind boggling than the outside. I am taken aback by how high tech this place was. The reception area, which is what I am going to assume this place was, looked so high end and I felt out of place here.

The floor was a spotless, shinning white marble. Only, magic could make a floor look this clean. There was a giant desk on the right side. I felt like I was about to sign into a hotel. Edge walks towards the giant silver desk. In the middle of the freaking floor there was a stupid and unnecessary fountain. There were a few people standing around it chatting. Are they humans? Will, I get to the point where asking myself that question doesn’t feel weird?

That wasn’t the weird part. Along the wall to my left was a wall that was covered in silver doors. There was about seven of them, but there were pressed to the edge of the building. Did they lead outside?

I wanted to walk closer to get a closer look, but Edge shouts for me again. I walk towards him looking around the room some more.

“This is Camila.” I smile and her and take a dramatic bow.

“It’s an honour your highness.” I say and she smiles. Camila was a frail old lady with snow white hair. She had beautiful blue eyes and a face that was deeply lined. She handed Edge a card back with a trembling hand.

“It’s about time one of your treated me like royalty.” She says sarcastically to Edge. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, dear.” She says to me in a warm tone. She gestures to the open and lively floor that was bustling with people. Some of them looked ragged and dirty probably just getting back from a mission, other were waiting in line by the reception desk and others were leaving the building causally chatting. I haven’t had a chance to ask too many questions about vampires, but from all of these people it was ridiculously easy to tell which ones where human and which ones where the other red meat. “Welcome dear to Folklore.”

“That’s what this place is called?” I ask with a curled lip. Camilla smiles and nods. “Well, that’s disappointing. I was hoping that this place was called the V academy or something. Folklore is kind of cool.”

“That’s only in recent years dear. We used to be called something much dumber.”

“Feel like sharing?” I asked with a smile and she shakes her head.

“Rather not remember that.” I chuckle.

“Camila, is in charge of everything on this floor.” Edge offers.

“The reception?” I ask and Camila smiles and nods.

“Yes, but that’s not all, dear.”

“Unlike Mark, she is new to this world.”

“Mark?” I ask him.

“My previous partner. His girlfriend always got a kick out of hearing about our missions.”

“Wait, there are civilians aware of this world?” I ask in disbelief.

“Yup.” He said curtly.

“Ainsley here is still easily impressed. Go on Cam. Tell her who you are.” Cam smiles at me.

She places her hands beneath her chin and smiles. I feel a bit uncomfortable and almost scream when her face begins to melt in front of me. Her face begins to shifts before me, from an old frail lady to a very, very beautiful red hair with feature so sharp she could be a model. She doesn’t stay that way long instead she changes back into her previous form.

Edge bends over laughing and all I can do is look at Cam in disgust. “Ok.” Was all the reaction I could muster?

“I am a witch, dear. I am in charge of the doors, the runes outside the building and making sure you guys punch in your time cards.”

“I hope you get paid well for all three.”

“You bet your ass I do.” She says.

“Ok.” Edge stops laughing and takes a file out of her outstretched hand. “Why couldn’t you just make something move or anything else rather than melting in front of me?” I ask breathless.

“Edge, isn’t the only one who likes to mess with the newbies.” She says winking at me.

“I think that’s the first time you heart has beaten that fast.” Edge says smugly.

“Now, here you go.” Camila hands me a similar brown file and I take it gingerly. “This is your new company card. It has a credit card in it, an entrance card you will use to have access to the building. You will use it every time you leave the premises. Think of it like punching in your hours at any other normal work. In there you will also find a room key. It will be your new living quarters. If you want to live outside of the building you will let us know in the future.”

“I can live outside of here?”

“Yep. We won’t stop you if you want to rent an apartment, but I would get settled in first.” Edge answers.

“Now, there are doors behind you which are only for professional use. You will not use them for personal reasons.” I turn to the doors behind me and I see two people waiting patiently in front of one. One of them is dressed in army attire and has a giant bag on his back, while the other one is dressed normally. It looked like they were geared up for an assignment. Well, one of them was, which made me think he was the human.

I look at what I assume is the vampire and I feel uncomfortable for some reason. I felt scared. I must have made that fear too obvious because that vampire and a few others turned their purple shinning eyes my way. I wants to take a step back, but I stand still and clutch Jolene harder in my hand. I was safe with her near.

This all just got real.

“Aren’t those just normal doors?” I ask to distract myself.

“No, dear. Those are how you guys are going to get to your destinations for your missions. It’s way too dangerous to fly you guys to these places and some times time won’t be on our side. When you guys are done, you will call for an extraction and you will be collected.”

“Cool, magical doors that lead anywhere.” I was genuinely excited about that. This world was getting bigger to me by the second and I hated to admit it, but I was getting a rush from it.

“Can it just open anywhere?” I ask supressing the need to bounce on my feet like a child.

“Yes. In the middle of a forest, in the sea, in someone’s house you name it.” Camila says loving my excitement.

“Come one. You’ll learn more about this tomorrow. For now, let’s get you to your room.” Edge says.

“See you soon, Cam.” I wave to her and she waves back.

Edge escorts me to the glass elevator and I step in. I was reeling from all of this and I was sure this was still a small part of this world. Yet, as terrifying as the unknown was, I wanted to jump feet first into this new world. I wanted to explore every inch of it and see the wonders it had, not just the horrors. But I was no fool, I knew my mission here was to kill the supernatural. Still, that didn’t mean I couldn’t find some good in this new life and I was itching to see it all.