Chapter 6

Glitter and Still Life

Most people hated early starts. For Kandomere, they were part and parcel of MTF life. Leaving for the office at 5:30 am was a regular occurrence, especially when Inferni activity was so rife. With Leilah and her coven dead and gone, there would be others hoping to pick up where they left off. Fortunately, there were only so many wands in the world, and with Leilah's now in lock down, it would be harder for other Inferni to cause magical mayhem. It didn't stop others from trying. Magic could be utilised in other forms, although without the drastic consequences gained from using a wand. The Shield of Light might have hoped to be a benevolent force against The Dark Lord's supposed return, but if they were magic users, they were still breaking the law and would be dealt with accordingly.

The Shield of Light member the LAPD had captured wielding a sword, Serling, had been very little help after his initial posturing. He'd refused to give up any further information about members and where they met. Kandomere knew that the complex Leilah died in would not be the only SoL safe house. Hiding Tikka could be setting a precedent for hiding more Brights. Being a Bright wasn't in itself illegal, but as Serling has described, the only way to discover such a fact was to hold a wand and survive. Something he had decided decades ago to never try. He valued his life and the lives of those around him too much to satisfy random curiosity. It was true that the MTF didn't chase just any old magic. It had to cause ripples. But, his opinion on such things was slowly changing. The problem with waiting for ripples was that damage could be done before the ripples reach any form of law enforcement. It was why Leilah had become so powerful, and so close to attempting what she had set out to do. Kandomere had long since believed that after 20 years, she must have had leads on other Brights with wands. With Tikka and the woman he and Montehugh had discovered with her throat slit and body transformed, three Brights would need three wands. The problem now remained; where were the other wands?

He picked up his usual coffee and pastries on his way in, still contemplating where they might search next for Inferni activity. Montehugh would usually get in at around 7am unless Kandomere specifically asked for his presence. He'd known the man long enough to want to give him at least some time with his wife.

The first thing he always did when he got into his office was check his voicemail and email. Some minor leads, nothing substantial. He huffed and sat back in his plush leather chair. His eyes drifted around the office, falling onto a family photo his mother had sent him years ago. He was instantly reminded of Alice and her penchant for photography. She had asked for help in finding work, and he had said he would check what was available, but looking at the picture, he had another idea leading him to call on an old friend.

It must have been gone midday when Alice heard a determined knock on the main door. Momentary panic set in as she feared that some elf official was here to kick her out of the apartment and out of Elftown, but she shoved it away. She wouldn't be cowed by prejudice, even if she could do nothing about it.

She pulled open the door decisively, her chin held high, but then was startled when Kandomere was on the other side.

"Oh! Hi... Something wrong? Is Faltorin causing trouble?" she asked in rush.

"Oh, no, nothing like that. I had a thought on what you could do for work," he answered, smiling slightly.

"You found something for me at the MTF? I don't care if it's cleaning toilets!"

"Goodness, nothing like that. No, I found something more suited to your talent. Do you have a portfolio of your work?"

Alice frowned... Did he want her to sell her work? "Uh, a small one, yes... Why?"

"You will need it. And your camera. But we should hurry. She doesn't like to be kept waiting," he said cryptically.

"Who doesn't?" Alice asked, shoving on her shoes and grabbing her camera bag, pulling a dog-eared folder off a shelf on her way out.

"You'll see."

He elaborated no further as he drove them to their destination, heading deeper into Elftown where Alice had never been. Glittering high-rises where dirt never touched them. It never failed to amaze her just how pristine Elftown was, down to every pointy ear. He pulled up to a particularly shiny chrome building, complete with valet parking. She could see that Kandomere had a hard time handing over his keys to the Orc waiting to park his car. MTF agents didn't experience such things, and Alice imagined that he never needed anyone to park his car.

He was admitted inside the exclusive building with ease, but the looks Alice earned simply by existing could have cut glass.

"I'm not sure I'm allowed to be here..." she whispered as they entered the elevator.

"It's not an issue. You'll see."

"You keep saying that. You're really not going to tell me?"

"You don't like surprises?" he quipped.

"Not if it involves me potentially being tossed from the 50th floor."

Kandomere laughed outright, and it startled her. She'd never heard him laugh before!

"Not even an elf would get away with murdering a human in such a public manner. They'd just poison your coffee," he joked, smirking at her.

"That's not even funny... I'll never drink coffee in this town again, not that anywhere here will serve me anyway."

Kandomere was still chuckling to himself as they arrived at the top floor. He stepped out and passed numerous well-dressed assistants and stylists, each sneering with equal venom as the elves of the entrance had as Alice trailed behind him. He headed straight for an impeccably dressed older blonde elf who was ordering several subordinates around, and a barely dressed male model with glitter covering his impossibly defined pecs.

Kandomere embraced the woman as she turned, exchanging pleasantries in Elvish. It all seemed rather personal and Alice felt like an interloper, standing to one side hoping not to be noticed, which of course the blonde woman did. She gave Alice a scrutinising look, then crooked a finger at her. Not wanting to start trouble as her stubbornness reared its head, she simply walked closer, looking nervously between Kandomere and the woman.

"So, you like to take pictures?" the woman asked, nodding to the camera Alice was carrying.

"Uh... yeah... sort of."

"She has talent, Alavara. I have seen her work myself. She brought some with her to show you," he said, dismissing her downplaying of her ability. He reached forward and took the folder from her, handing it to the elf.

The blonde flipped through the folder, casting her critical eye over each picture in turn. Alice couldn't tell whether she liked them or not, and she couldn't quite work out why she would even be here... It was a known fact that humans didn't work in high-end elven dominated jobs. Elven fashion was exclusively reserved for Elves. The most Alice thought she could hope for was as a photojournalist in the human world. This was beyond her scope.

"Interesting choices... But the proof will be, as you humans would say, in the pudding. My model; snap some shots of him," she commanded, standing aside as Alice looked like a deer caught in headlights.

It took her a few moments to realise what she had been asked to do. The model was stood looking incredibly bored. She stepped forward cautiously, trying to quietly have him move into a more natural pose, but given her humanness, she failed to get him to move an inch. Stubbornness rearing its head again, she dumped her bag and coat down on the floor, and started snapping shots from all angles, even daring to move some small lighting stands for a better shot. Usually, a shoot would involve direction from someone, and the photographer, as well as lighting assistants, make-up artists, and clothing assistants. Alice knew she was being tested. She also knew that she had very little to lose. The fact that the elf had even allowed her in the place was something of a miracle. Did Kandomere really have such influence?

When she was done, she handed her camera to Alavara to inspect. Kandomere looked over her shoulder as she surveyed each shot in turn, his mouth lifting slightly into a smile with moment. Well, he was impressed. But, he wasn't the one she needed to impress.

After several more agonising minutes, Alavara handed Alice back her camera. She considered the human woman for a long moment before she spoke.

"You have a good eye. You are fortunate that I am in need of a photographer. Someone who can anticipate my direction and know what I want to have shot. What qualifications do you have?"

"Uh... None. I never earned enough for that," Alice answered, wondering if such an admission would hinder her chances.

"No matter. Human qualifications mean very little here, not that you really need them if you have natural talent. If you report here tomorrow morning at 9am, I will see that you are taken care of. Instructions will be left at the reception desk for you, so you should have no trouble getting in."

Alice stared at the woman. She was offering her a job. A job she never thought she'd have. "I'll be here. Though, I have a condition," she answered.

Kandomere gave a her a pointed look, but she ignored it.

"And what would that be?" Alavara said, folding her arms.

"I'm assuming you heard about what happened to my friend and I?"

"Indeed I did. Such things do not stay secret in this town. Purists always were vulgar and hateful. What is your condition?"

"I want Kyra here with me. It doesn't matter what you have her doing. Just something she can get paid doing."

Alavara inclined her head. "I could use an assistant, as long as she doesn't mind doing the running around."

"We were waitresses. Running around was part of the job."

"Then bring her along. On time. I do not like to be kept waiting," Alavara warned, though there was little venom in it.

"Of course. Thank you. I appreciate you giving me a chance. I'll try not to let you down," she said, glancing at Kandomere. He was looking at her with a curious expression.

They left in silence, Alice's mind still a whirlwind over what had just happened. How he had managed to convince the prestigious Elven photographer to take her on, she couldn't fathom. Did she owe him something? Was she an old flame? She tried not to dwell on such possibilities as he drove her back to the apartment. She turned to him as he parked up.

"I don't know how you did that, and I'm not sure I want to know, but thank you. It's beyond anything I could have hoped for. I'll try not to screw it up. Unless Faltorin shows up, then I won't be held responsible for my actions," she said, smirking.

"You're welcome, and Alavara would never allow a purist to set foot inside her building. I'm sure you'll be fine."

Alice wanted to say more, but she didn't know how without sounding like an idiot, so she simply got out and let him go back to work. The more she discovered about him, the more mysterious he became.