Chapter Seven: Rookie

After an overnight cram session, Garfield was able get some well-deserved sleep; until the alarm rang twenty minutes later. He groaned and slammed the snooze button. Garfield drifted off to sleep and was awoken once again by the blaring sound of the alarm clock. The man finally gained the strength to get up and prepare for the day. Garfield walked out of his bedroom and into the kitchen. Instead of reaching for the soymilk, the man turned on the coffee maker. Garfield walked into his bedroom and changed into a purple shirt, dark jeans, and his black trench coat. He brushed his teeth, combed his short shaggy hair, and shaved.

Garfield walked over to his coffee and poured himself a cup. He rubbed his eyes and took a drink of his coffee. After placing the cup on the table, Garfield began to make himself tofu eggs. Once he finished his eggs, he sat down at the table and ate. The man was silent throughout this whole process. He read the whole night and did not get any sleep. Hopefully, he would be able to take a catnap before his assignment. It was nearly three in the afternoon and Garfield exited his apartment. He wished that he could drive himself over the headquarters. After all, he did have his own car. Garfield waited patiently for his ride while going through what he read last night. Suddenly, a large SUV pulled in front of the door. The man walked towards the passenger side and opened. He was not surprised to see Cleaver in the driver's seat.

"Good afternoon Mister Logan. I trust that you slept well last night." Cleaver greeted with a smile on his face.

Garfield smirked. "Ehh. I was up all night reading that Goddamn book. But I slept well the whole twenty-five minutes."

"Well at least you read the book." Cleaver smiled and began to drive. "So now Miss Raven won't have to murder you."

"Well that's nice to know." Garfield replied and looked out the window.

"Anyway since you read the book, tell me what you learned from it. What are the basic characteristics of a demon?"

It took a few moments for Garfield to remember what he read last night but it came to him. "Um, demon's usually appear like normal humans. They can blend in with a crowd. The differences between a human and demon are obvious and, yet, some qualities subtle. Demons have longer canines, taller compared to a human man or a woman, ghost white skin, unnaturally colored hair, and not to mention their blood red eyes whenever wild and unruly."

"That would be correct Mister Logan. Now what is the typical demon behavior?"

"Generally, demons are denominate over other beings around them. They are cautious at times and are highly intelligent. Demons also prefer the night rather then the daylight. They can go into sunlight, but it is a nuisance to them. Demons tend to be rebellious and some have supernatural abilities. Many of those abilities include reading minds, transporting from one place to another within seconds, and have fast reflexes when in hand to hand battle." Cleaver nodded his head. "Demons are known to have a good sex appeal. Many have abilities to seduce humans and kill them. Not to mention in the book they had research and witness testimony that demon sexual intercourse surpassed human intercourse"

"Kudos to you Logan! You did a wonderful job. I congratulate you! However, it was unnecessary to read the section on demon sexuality." Cleaver strongly patted Garfield on his back. The two men finally reached the headquarters and entered the building. They reached the thirteenth floor and walked the same hallway they did the previous night. The men reached the same door and Cleaver knocked on the door. A feminine voice form the other side of the door spoke and the men entered the office.

Raven was leaned back in her chair with a cigarette hanging from her mouth. As the men entered she continued to stare at the ceiling. Cleaver bowed and Garfield followed afterward. The woman spun her chair to view the men. She took out her cigarette and lightly smashed it in the ashtray on her desk.

"Good afternoon Cleaver and Mister Logan." she welcomed and turned her attention to Cleaver. "Did he pass?"

"Yes Miss Raven. In fact, he passed with flying colors." Cleaver replied and Raven turned her attention to Garfield. Her stunning amethyst eyes made contact with Garfield's eyes.

"Now I won't have to mutilate you. I'm glad you read last night." she said and adjusted herself in her reclining chair. "Now let's down to business, we have our mission tonight and your first assignment. We were informed of a rogue demon that habitually visits the same club. The demon has killed multiple humans and the council has ordered her demise. This is where you come in Logan. We need you to infiltrate the club as yourself with no alias and disguise. You need to confirm that our suspect is indeed our rogue demon. Once you have identified her, you will leave the club and report to one of us. That's all you need to do tonight."

"Wait, so I don't get to kill any demons?" Garfield asked.

"No, but you will be given a commission of three grand if you fulfill your duties." Raven replied. "Anyway we leave at nine tonight. I ask that you stay here until we leave. We need to draw your blood quickly, and then you can get some well-deserved sleep until our departure. After your blood draw, Cleaver will escort you to one of our spare suites for you to rest before our departure."

"Sounds fine, but what is the blood draw for?" Garfield asked.

"Standard procedure." She replied. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. "Come in!" Raven shouted and the door opened revealing the man from yesterday who held the demon. He walked in a white lab coat and a clear box in hand.

"Mister Logan, you remember Dante?" Raven said to Garfield.

"Once again Mr. Logan, hello." Dante said and shook Garfield's hand. "I will be doing your blood draw now." The man took out a needle and a tube. The man placed it on the table by Raven's desk. Dante then took out a disinfecting wipe and wiped in the crease of Garfield's upper arm and upper forearm. He rubbed it for thirty seconds and threw it in the trash. The man took out the needle and put a strap on Garfield's upper arm. Dante felt for a vein and marked once he found one. "You will feel a pinch." the man said and pierced Garfield. Garfield felt a sharp pain, but it slowly disappeared. A few seconds later, Dante withdrew the needle and the tube attached to it. The man put a piece of cotton over the mark and wrapped a bandage over it. Garfield could feel a slight pain, but it was tolerable. "Okay, you are free to leave."

"Thanks. I guess I will see you guys around 8:30?" Garfield said. Raven nodded and motioned for him to leave. The man bowed and exited the room with Cleaver, leaving Dante and Raven in the room.

"Take that to the lab for testing. I hope that will help in your investigation." Raven spoke with a soft tone.

"As do I Miss Raven. Maybe this sample will give us the answer to what Mister Logan is." Dante said. Raven stared at him and motioned for him to leave. Dante followed her motion, bowed, and left her room.

Hours later, Garfield's alarm rang and it was time for him to wake up from the nap. He looked around the suite to his new surroundings. The suite was larger than his apartment. Although the walls were bare, it was quaint. He could say he loved the king sized bed, but he could no longer stay in the room fearing he would be late.

Garfield exited the suite room and locked it. He took the elevator down and went down the 12th floor. After reaching that floor, he entered through the door to the operations room. There were few people sitting on the couches and they paid no mind when Garfield entered the room. Cleaver was sitting on one of the couches and Garfield sat next to him.

Soon after, Raven walked into the room and whistled. This time, everyone was at attention. "Glad you are listening. Anyway, we will be leaving momentarily. We will take two cars. I will take a car with Jenny and Dante. Cleaver, Trent, and Logan will take Cleaver's car. Everyone got that?" Everyone in the room nodded. "Good. Now, our destination is on 14th and Cheyenne. We meet there around 9:30. Garfield, here is a picture of our target. Study it while your way there." Raven handed the man a picture of a woman. Particularly, a mug shot of the woman. She had pale skin, red-orange hair, and eyes red as blood. She had a mole in her left cheek, and a tattoo of a star above her right breast. Raven opened the door and everyone followed behind. Garfield trailed behind Cleaver.

They drove off to their destination with everyone in their designated cars. Garfield sat in the back with Trent. They were quiet men and barely spoke. Garfield's only concern was to study the mug shot. He studied it carefully and the car stopped in front of the club.

"Okay Logan, this is where you go. We will be stationed outside of the club. Trent will be inside in case you need him. Just remember, identify and get the hell out of there. Okay?" Cleaver commanded to the man. Garfield nodded and exited the car door.

Garfield entered the club and searched for the woman. He scanned the entire area and located a red haired woman at the bar. She was sitting next to a man flashing her sharp canines in seduction. Clearly, the man next to her was interested. Garfield walked towards the woman and sat to the vacant chair next to the woman. Garfield ordered a glass of water and the woman next to him looked over her shoulder. He looked at her and gave her a smile. Her appearance looked exactly like the woman in the photograph. The woman exposed her cleavage, revealing her star tattoo above her right breast. Garfield looked away from the woman and she was disappointed that the man did not want to converse with her.

Garfield received his water and the woman puffed out her chest for Garfield to see. Apparently, she attempted to make her breasts appear larger, but it didn't make much of a difference. The man looked over and the woman was pleased. The woman had a certain, unique smell about her. She smelt just like the demon he battled yesterday. He didn't know how he could distinguish their particular smell. Garfield left he bartender a tip for the water and left the club. He saw Cleaver outside the club and nodded. Cleaver did the same and pressed on his blue-tooth piece and spoke into it. Immediately, the man entered the nightclub and he saw several shadows go into the club. Garfield could only stand by the cars and wait. He looked over the one of the side buildings and saw a female figure standing by the edge of the building. After looking for some time, Garfield could tell the woman had bright violet eyes. It was indeed Raven. However, a thought came across his mind.

Could she be? No.Garfield brushed it off and continued to wait for the rest of the team.