Work Text:
The Interview
Killian tried not to look at Hazel Medeis, who was staring daggers at him from across the meeting room.
It wasn’t that he was intimidated, it was that it was adorable. His beautiful wife, strong powerful wizard that she is, was the most endearing angry kitten he’d ever seen.
Also, sometimes he liked when she scratched him, but the last time he’d told her that in polite society she’d swatted him more and refused to talk to him for a few days. Also amusing, but simultaneously frustrating, because he particularly enjoyed Hazel’s good humor and attentions.
Thus, today he endeavored to avoid her eyes, because she’d threatened if he cast one more bemused smile her way during a council meeting, she would wipe that silly grin off him, and he had an evening appointment with one of the more frustrating vampire elders tonight. He couldn’t go getting distracted by Hazel’s tantrum and a spicy argument back at House Medeis. Then he’d never want to leave to talk to the stuffy elders.
He was saved by, of all people, Leila. The Night Queen, rounding out the end of the meeting.
“And, finally, I’d like to call to order the final item to the Council’s agenda today, the new application for the Task Force investigator position—”
Wait, what?
“—which, given recent events in the city and a dire need to augment the magical task force, would recommend holding a quick interview presently.”
Killian’s eyes widened.
No…
“Surely my ears are deceiving me. Surely you aren’t volunteering to extend Council business, Leila?”
Leila opened her mouth to respond, but Hazel beat her to it.
“Yes, she is!” Hazel called, slamming her hands on either side of the table where she was seated. “And the wizards second the motion!”
“Hold on, Hazel, calm down. The wizards do not,” Bellus interrupted, exasperated. “Not until we find out more about this anyway. Who exactly is applying? Must we do this now? Usually we provide notice of all scheduled items—”
“Not usually,” Killian responded. “ Always, pursuant to Curia Cloisters Public Discourse Memo 27, dated 2 August 2021, reaffirmed just this past December 16th. All matters for council discourse must be promulgated ahead to the offices of the representatives to permit appropriate preparation and discussion.”
“Yes, except that only applies to matters of public discourse. The hiring of task force personnel is not necessarily considered a public measure and can be conducted behind closed doors, particularly when it comes to matters involving investigators to avoid ruining their cover,” Leila parroted back without missing a beat as she neatly tapped a stack of papers against the desk and slipped them into her portfolio.
Killian’s eyes narrowed. “Weren’t you just harping about the need for transparency between the Cloisters and Magifordians, and how they deserve to be informed about what their government is doing?”
“Yes, when it involves matters of accounting,” Leila said, taking a sip from a portable coffee tumbler.
“Doesn’t this involve expenditures of funds? We’ll have to approve a salary, won’t we?” Killian snarked back, as Leila rolled her eyes.
“We can defer the actual salary discussion until later. Besides, isn’t that set based on years of service or experience, anyway?” Leila refused to take his bait.
“Regardless, the vampires object. The matter was not scheduled and is not ripe for discussion at today’s events. I move to close today’s meeting and reschedule the application and interview for a later date.”
“Objection denied!” Hazel shouted again from where she sat.
“Hazel—” Killian began.
“Don’t ‘Hazel’ me, Killian. We’re going to do this, and you’re going to let us.” Hazel shot back.
It was risky, but given who he expected would be interviewed by the council, he took the risk of invoking Hazel’s later wrath. “Elite Bellus, are you articulating the wizard’s formal position to reschedule, or not?”
Hazel and Leila gasped.
“ Killian,” Leila called from her seat, eyes wide, hand placed over her heart in dramatic fae fashion. She’d be the picture of shocked surprise, if it wasn’t for the mischievous glint in her eye. “Did you seek the Elite to avoid speaking with your wife? Are you making this personal?”
Killian rolled his eyes as Leila dramatically moved her hand from her heart to her mouth with another exaggerated gasp. “Or is this because I caught your nostalgia vamps purchasing silver plated quill pens on the Cloisters’ dime?
Killian rolled his eyes. “That is not it, and you know I already said I’d reimburse the Cloisters for those expenses. You also know those orders were not approved by my people. Turn your wrath upon the Accounting Department, Night Queen.”
“Oh believe me, I am,” Leila snickered, reaching for her coffee again and chittering as she closed out of a spreadsheet on her tablet. Killian wasn’t quite sure what Leila was more addicted to—coffee or QuickBooks—but that was beside the point. The fae monarch continued.
“I’m sure Chase can sniff out whatever pheromones were used to pass the order form through, but it would be helpful if we could engage a specialist when needed for things like this, which conveniently brings me back to our investigator candidate. Can we clear the hall?”
“No—we still haven’t passed the motion to proceed unscheduled.”
“Oh, pish posh,” Leila insisted, lifting her eyes to the Cloister’s security guard who looked flummoxed. The man was nervously looking between Killian—who most assuredly did not want him to let anyone in—and the two people in the public seating area, which were Rigel and Celestina, neither of whom showed any indication of moving.
“Oh, well, if it’s just them, that’s fine. Nevermind clearing the hall, lets just let our applicant in, please?”
“Halt,” Killian repeated, and the poor guard paled as he was caught between two masters.
Celestina cast an appraising look at Rigel, who ever so slightly shifted his eyes in her direction.
Drat. Killian didn’t want to move forward, but he also wasn’t looking to start another war with Hazel’s Best Friend’s Husband, which would never go well for a whole panoply of reasons.
Surprisingly, Bellus saved him.
“All due respect, Queen Leila, the Eminence is correct that we require advance notice of all discussions. Unless you can secure additional support for your recommendation, I would recommend rescheduling—”
“The werewolves will second the motion,” Harka said, sounding all too pleased from where she was seated.
Killian swiveled to narrow his eyes at the outgoing PreDominant, who fingered the edges of her braid while staring down the Eminence. “What? I’d like to see what’s got Killian in such a twist myself, and we all know I’ve only so many more opportunities to needle him. What are you up to, Leila?’
“Me? I’m up to nothing. Just introducing the next item for discussion.” Leila’s voice was so matter of fact he could almost believe she was uninterested, if he didn’t know that was an absolute lie.
“And it doesn’t matter about the scheduling anyway!” Hazel said crisply. Retrieving one of the papers from her desk, she slammed it down in the middle between them. “It’s on the agenda. Right there, Killian.”
Killian retrieved the paper with a deft grasp and skimmed his eyes to the bottom. There, in Hazel’s handwriting, was an addition reading “ Magiford Task Force Interview: Considine Maledictus.”
Killian scoffed. “You can’t count this as scheduling.”
“Is it really?” Bellus asked, looking at the page Hazel extended to him. Blinking he withdrew a pair of glasses, lifting the page closer and farther from his eyes to read it. “I thought you had just scrawled a note, Hazel. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because she was plotting against me,” Killian said, rolling his eyes.
“I can confirm the addition is on everyone else’s schedule,” Leila said, holding up her copy with the note and waving it cheerfully at the rest of the group. Harka held up her own. Even Bellus weakly raised his copy of the agenda, which also bore Hazel’s handwritten signature.
Killian’s eyes flitted over to Celestina who paled and shrugged, looking as confused as Killian was. “Regrettably, the schedule was not passed to my office, and so it is still out of order.”
“Chalk it up to an email error. You could have picked up one of the paper copies when you arrived.” Hazel doubled down on the demand as she stared at Killian across the room.
“You could have informed me,” he announced, a little crossly. Hazel had no idea what she was doing—what she was inviting by having a meeting so uncontrolled like this.
“Oh, come off it, Killian,” Hazel called from across the room. “If you’re as all-knowing and infallible as you seem to think, I’m sure you can handle a surprise meeting or two.”
Killian pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled.
I love my wife. I really, truly love my wife. That is why I am so concerned about this—because of my incredible, everlasting, wonderful love for her, although right now you are making this oh so difficult, my One.
“If I may say, this is starting to sound a little personal…” Elite Bellus tried to break in.
“You think?” Killian asked crossly, looking up at the others again.
“Hazel, you cannot wield the Council to conduct personal business—” Bellus tried to interject.
“Killian is wielding it to avoid personal business. Isn’t that basically the same?” Hazel objected.
“No, actually, it’s—”
“Can I come in now, or not?” came a bored sounding voice from the door.
Killian actually groaned. Leila grinned. Hazel beamed.
Standing she rose and walked over to Elder Considine Maledictus, not-quite leader of the Dracos family, and the one person in all of Magiford Killian did not want Hazel to meet.
“Hello, Considine. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’m Hazel Medeis, Adept of House Medeis, and—”
“Killian’s beloved. Charmed, I’m sure,” Considine offered, bowing over Hazels hand and dropping a brief kiss onto it. The elder vampire positively dripped with charisma and geniality.
Killian wanted nothing more than to dash over, rip Hazel’s hand out of Considine’s, and swaddle her away in layers of bubble wrap and protective foam padding, but they were beyond that now.
As much as he had griped, at least they were in a public meeting—or semi-public meeting—which meant Considine and Hazel could only indulge their mutual interest in each other so far. Also, given Considine’s most recent awakening that he was in love with the Magiford task force slayer, he had little room to criticize Killian’s love of a human. The risk to his One had already vastly diminished as Considine observed Killian continuing with his ever-capable ways, but the new Slayer capturing Considine’s affections was practically its own armor.
Margarida was going to be so smug when she found out. Killian had been holding off on sharing this development, but with this change in circumstances, he would be texting her later.
His focus returned to the scene before him. Hazel was practically bouncing with enthusiasm at Considine’s greeting.
Now Killian did sigh, and give in to the impulse to drag a hand over his face.
“Wow, Killian. That bad, huh?” Harka needled him. She must be loving the opportunity. She didn’t get them often. “What tick’s up your—”
“Welcome, Mr. Maledictus,” Elite Bellus interrupted. “It’s a pleasure to have you with us this evening.”
“Good evening, everyone. Evening Killian—or should I call you Eminence in this meeting?” Considine’s eyes lit on Killian and practically twinkled with his amusement.
“I’m sure you will call me whatever you want but Eminence is fine,” Killian said dryly, settling back into his business persona since he seemingly couldn’t get out of this.
“You two a very chummy,” Leila said, settling back into her seat and folding her hands. Now that her mission was accomplished, she seemed inclined to sit back and watch the show. “How long have you known Killian?”
“Oh, for a little while,” Considine responded vaguely, his own eyes amused. “I happened to be in town the last few weeks and learned your task force retained some openings. I’m here to offer my services, at least for a little while, anyway.”
“What brought you into town?” Harka asked, curious herself. Her tail was practically wagging with excitement.
“Family matters,” Considine replied cooly.
“Vampire family matters?” Elite Bellus queried, motioning Hazel to retake her seat.
“Of a sort,” Considine responded courteously but unhelpfully.
Killian rolled his eyes. “Oh, get on with it. Since you all insist on doing this tonight, allow me to introduce Considine Maledictus, old friend of the Dracos family, including my Sire.”
Killian extended a hand as Considine inclined his head to the group at large, which gasped.
“Oh god, you’re ancient!” Leila exclaimed, grabbing the arms of her chair and leaning forward. Killian heard the briefest rasp of a chuckle from her beloved in the audience, but also noted the shift in his posture to suggest he was also going on guard.
Celestina caught it too and put a careful hand on Rigel’s shoulder. Considine had also noted the change, and had already adjusted himself in event of attack. As good as the fae assassin was, he likely wouldn’t survive if Considine went after him seriously.
Hazel sputtered, retaking her seat. “Old friend? He’s your uncle, Killian. The uncle that you REFUSED to bring over to visit!” Hazel outed their business to the entirety of the Regional Committee of Magic.
Killian rolled his eyes as more gasps erupted around the room, the eyes of the other council members flitting back and forth between he, Considine, and Hazel.
Considine chuckled and turned his attention back to Hazel. “It pains me that this is what we are reduced to for scheduling a meeting, Hazel.”
Hazel leaned back in her seat. “I’m sure there’s more to it than that, but now that we’ve gotten to see each other, hopefully you can swing by the house for dinner sometime? Maybe this Saturday? We’re having steak at Drake Hall—or just blood packets if you like. We’ll be back at House Medeis next week. I think on Tuesday we’re having butter chicken.”
“Buttered chicken?” Considine raised his eyebrows, trying to put that concept together, probably trying to remember what butter or chicken even tasted like thousands of years ago. “What a novel concept. Perhaps I will visit. Tuesday, you said?”
Hazel opened her mouth to respond but Killian cut in again.
“Is this a personal interview or a professional interview? What has brought the illustrious Considine Maledictus to offer his hand at government work? ”
“As stated, I heard your office had openings and was in need of assistance,” Considine repeated.
“And the red-headed vampire slayer downstairs had nothing to do with it?” Killian queried further. If Considine was going to get into his business, Killian would return the favor.
Elite Bellus, Leila, and Harka all shared a look between each other. As interesting as Considine’s hiring might be, working with a slayer posed two risks: first to Considine, who could be killed by the slayer’s blood; and two, to the slayer, who could easily be victimized by an older vampire they let within her midst.
They were not yet aware of Considine’s romantic interest in the slayer. Considine’s eyes narrowed the slightest amount at Killian, and Killian heard Celestina’s heart skip a beat.
“I have heard of a slayer in your task force. I’ve also heard that her squad has a difficult time keeping up with her exceptional abilities. I would not mind being paired with such an individual—I would be best used on your most challenging cases, and having a hardy partner seems to benefit us both.”
“You do know that employee romance is prohibited, right?” Killian said flatly.
Leila and Hazel gasped, romantics at heart. Harka and Bellus frowned.
Considine shrugged. “Should the slayer fall for me, that would be through no fault of my own.”
Killian could have snorted. Yeah, right. Considine had already confessed he had every intention to court the slayer. Killian believed this as much as he believed Hazel could resist an ice cream sundae.
Leila tilted her head thoughtfully. “I don’t think employee romance is actually prohibited between coworkers—” her eyes flitted to her own husband, who stood guard in the audience. It was well known that he advised Leila on a variety of Cloisters business, and every now and again augmented her official security, which Leila was able to ensure he was paid for somehow. Seriously, once she had gotten her claws into the accounting regulations, she had snared every dollar possible.
“—But we do have a sexual harassment policy. Or, at least, I think we do. Do we?”
Hazel’s eyes got wide at the oversight as she looked across the room at Leila. “You know, I don’t know?”
Leila also looked determined . “Right. We should probably get on that.”
Killian looked curious “Why do you two look so serious? Is there someone I need to kill?”
“Nope!” Leila said matter of factly again. Killian was pleased to note the Night King’s attention also seemed to narrow in on his wife. “In fact this should help keep you from killing people.”
“What does that mean?” Rigel asked from the audience.
“Nothing, fae bae~! I love you!” Leila sang back to him before blowing him a kiss.
Bellus look perplexed. “This is getting out of hand a bit. Why don’t we—”
“—get back to my qualifications, yes,” Considine smiled, then rattled off a list of his most impressive abilities and achievements, or at least the public ones he was willing to admit to anyways.
From there the proceedings went rather painlessly. Hazel tried to edge in a few more personal questions here or there but Killian or Bellus managed to shut her down. It didn’t help that Considine often answered them anyway, taunting Killian where he was able, whenever he was able, but in a manner that was still respectful and polite.
Killian didn’t actually object to Considine being on the task force if he kept away from Hazel. He hadn’t planned to fight it—just wanted to strategize around it—but then something happened he had never expected, which removed any chance whatsoever he had of succeeding in an objection outright.
“Now, Mr. Maledictus,” Elite Bellus said at the end of the discussion. “We do not negotiate salaries here in counsel meetings, but I understand you are a vampire of some grandeur. You should know that the Cloisters salary are modest at best, and for an individual who is used to luxury, would probably be considered quite nominal.”
“Oh, I consider the entertainment value of the new position payment enough.”
Leila’s ears perked. “So you’ll work for free you say?”
“Essentially.”
Leila did that thing she and Hazel were inclined to, where they slapped their hand on the desk like a gavel to make a motion. “The fae move to hire Considine Maledictus!
“You can’t work for free,” Killian rolled his eyes. “There are laws against that too, fae queen.”
Queen Leila looked put out.
“I would be happy to make a donation to the regional committee of magic or its causes, if that would assist as well? Truly I have enough funding, I don’t need the pittance of a salary the investigator office would supply me.”
Leila slapped her hand on the table again. “The fae move again to hire Considine Maledictus!”
Killian—and Rigel—both groaned. “Why am I not surprised this is the defining factor for you? Killian asked, exhausted.
Hazel chuckled. “The wizards second—”
“Hazel,” elite bellus cautioned, and hazel blushed sheepishly. Bellus cleared his throat. “The wizards second the motion.”
“The werewolves third it.”
Sighing, I stared at my mentor, and near-sire. “It seems I am outnumbered. Very well. The Vampires do not object.”
Smiling a toothy smile at my elder, I congratulated him. “Welcome to the team. I look forward to your first report.”