They stopped in front of a door with frosted glass. Bold black letters across it read:
West Division - Captain Dylan Garrett.
Dylan swung the door open, motioning Kyle inside first. And the office was surprisingly messy. Papers cluttered the desk, a half-empty cup of noodles sat on top of a stack of mission reports and pinned across the wall were maps with markers stabbed into them like tiny wounds. Standing near the window, half-hidden in the slant of the setting sun was Ezra.
The man didn't turn right away. He stood with his arms folded, gaze on the street outside. When Dylan closed the door, Ezra finally looked over his shoulder. His eyes landed on Kyle like a blade.
"Shouldn't he still be in restraints?" Ezra asked flatly, his voice quiet but cutting.
Kyle stiffened, instinctively taking half a step back.
Dylan waved the comment away like it was a buzzing fly. "Relax, Ezra. There's no need, he's the new member of our division."
Ezra turned fully this time, his brow twitching. "What?" His gaze flicked between Dylan and Kyle, clear disapproval radiating from his calm exterior. "But he's..."
"One of us now." Dylan cut him off, grin flashing like a knife. He slouched into his chair, propping his boots up on the desk. "And directly under me. Which means if you ever pulls a stunt... any stunt trying to get rid of him? You'll be dealing with me personally."
Ezra stared at Dylan for a long moment, his jaw flexing once. Then, without a word, he turned on his heel.
"That what you were here for?" Dylan asked casually, twirling a pen between his fingers.
Ezra paused at the doorway. "No,sir." he said, calm as ever, but there was a faint edge under his voice. "But it can wait." He slipped out of the office, closing the door behind him.
Kyle exhaled slowly, tension easing from his shoulders. "Well… that was a warm welcome."
Dylan chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Ezra traded his emotions on his contract, that's why he's so grumpy all the time. So don't mind him. " He shrugged like it was the most normal thing in the world.
"He… traded his emotions?" Kyle blinked. "What... how?"
"Uh... someone will walk you through that, I'm to lazy for that conversation." Dylan pressed a button on the console at his desk, the faint buzz echoing through the room. "Send in Liam and Cassie."
The door opened a moment later. Liam and Cassie walked in casually.
"Captain." Liam said with a short nod, Cassie following suit.
"This here's Kyle Merrick. He'll be filling in as your new third member. So consider him part of the Clyck Squad from now on." Dylan gestured lazily toward Kyle. "And Kyle, meet your squad. Liam and Cassie."
Liam gave a small nod. Cassie followed with a faint nod of her own, though her eyes lingered on Kyle.
Kyle swallowed, forcing himself to stand straighter. "Uh… nice to meet you."
"That's all for now." Dylan said, breaking the tension with his usual breeziness. He leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "Oh, right, Kyle. I had already appointed someone to start your training as soon tomorrow."
Kyle blinked. "Training?"
"Of course... you thought we're gonna throw you at demons without teaching you how not to die in the first thirty seconds?" Dylan smirked. "Don't worry... your trainer is the best… well, she's a little grumpy. But good, too damn good."
Kyle tried not to grimace. "Great… sounds… exciting."
"That's the spirit." Dylan clapped his hands once, startling Kyle. "Alright, squad's set. Dismissed."
Liam and Cassie exchanged a glance before turning to leave. Kyle hesitated, lingering a moment longer before Dylan waved him on.
As he followed Liam and Cassie out into the hallway. He shifted uneasily, then asked before he could stop himself, "What… what happened to the last member?"
Liam's eyes snapped to his and in two strides he was close enough for Kyle to feel the heat of his glare. "Isn't it obvious, rookie?" His tone was cold.
Cassie's voice cut through the tension, softer but firm. "He's dead... he died fighting a demon."
Kyle's throat tightened. "…Oh."
Neither lingered on it. They turned in unison, Cassie pulling Liam back toward and without another word they left.
Kyle stood there staring at them as they disappear, he couldn't shake the weight pressing against his chest. He was walking in the footsteps of someone who had died just days ago.
"Welcome to the P.O.A…" he muttered under his breath, the words bitter and uncertain.