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"Come, let's talk on the way." Enzo must have read the situation that was growing, and with a gentle hand on Foster's shoulder, he led him to a shiny black car. He got him in and buckled before closing the door. He quickly rounded the front of the car and seated himself behind the wheel.
Enzo was just sitting there. He hadn't started the engine but rather was watching Foster with a look that was filled with speculation. Foster desperately wanted to know what he was thinking. The man was compelling in a way that had Foster wanting to open up to him to tell him everything, and it was only through sheer will that he was able to hold back.
"You accept that there are vampires, so why is it shocking to hear there are shifters?" He asked the question that was weighing on him based on Foster's reaction.
"It wasn't exactly shocking. It was more like a surprise." Foster minimized and quickly averted his gaze to the side window.
“There are also Fae, angels, sprites, mages, and a variety of magics, along with a variety of shifters, and I'm probably forgetting some others. What I'm telling you is that the paranormal world is vast, and many live in this city and the surrounding area." Enzo was telling him so much more than he wanted to hear. "We depend upon our anonymity for our safety, and that is why the Master would like to speak with you."
Foster turned and captured his gaze. This time, those black eyes were sincere, and his words rang of truth. Enzo was being brutally honest with him, and although he appreciated it, he also felt overwhelmed by the information. He just wanted to go home and go to bed and start looking for another job, but instead, he had to go talk to the leader of a vampire coven. He felt a shiver slide down his spine, and a fresh wave of fear washed over him.
Enzo sensed his beloved's fear rush between them; it was sharp and thick and upsetting. His beloved was a stunning young man with honey-blonde hair that just dusted his shoulders and sharp, intelligent blue eyes, alert and watchful. He was no more than five foot three and thin, not skinny but of a very thin build.
Enzo was enthralled the moment Foster opened the door and looked at him. Every moment spent in his presence increased the want and the need that grew within Enzo’s heart and his soul.
Foster looked him over head to toe, and the recognition was evident. He knew Enzo was from the Center, but he didn't panic or try to run. He knew there was no escape, so he accepted his Fate for the moment. Foster presented himself as a rational man who could remain calm in a crisis, a quality that no doubt helped him escape last night. But he still felt fear and panic; he just tried hard not to show it or have it control him.
"You want to make sure I don't tell anyone about what I saw." He said, and it was more of a statement than a question.
“Yes, humans are not yet ready to know that such beings exist, and you can understand why.” Enzo challenged gently.
"I understand, but there are those who know, like Roddy, who haven't had to visit the Master." Foster pointed out.
"Mr. Green is getting a visit as we speak," Enzo told him, and Foster immediately stiffened.
“What are you going to do to him?”
“Clear his mind of the information. There are those of us who can take memories from humans and make those memories disappear. Mr. Green will have no recollection of what he saw or suspected over the course of his career, and he will have no memory of his discussion with you.” Enzo felt for Foster and the sudden feeling of loneliness that took him over.
"He will still have his relationship with you, and his life will not change; only the knowledge of the paranormal will be gone, nothing else." He wanted to make sure Foster understood that Roddy Green would still be himself and would not otherwise be harmed.
“Is that what the Master will do to me? Will he reach in and take my memories of last night?” Enzo realized that he was painting himself into a corner with their current course of conversation. There were some things that Foster was not yet prepared to hear.
"No, your memories cannot be touched. That's why the guards had such a time last night trying to stop you. Normally, they would have used a glamour to stop you and then stripped your memory on the spot, but no one could touch you." Enzo started the engine and began to pull out of the lot.
"Wait," Foster commanded forcefully and reached over to touch Enzo's arm. "You can't just stop there."
“Master Hadden will explain the rest.” Enzo placed his left hand over Foster’s where it lay upon his forearm and held it there for a few seconds. The sensations that rushed through him at his beloved’s touch were charged and powerful. He wanted to tell him everything, but he'd probably said too much already. Humans coming into the knowledge of the paranormal was something to be handled carefully. Each person seemed to adjust in their own way, and just blurting it out has been found to be the least helpful approach.
"There is more to this world than just humans and vampires, and there is much you do not know about the cultures involved. It is best that you ask your questions in a setting more conducive to getting all the answers you seek." Enzo was vague, but it appeared to placate him for the moment.
He pulled out onto the street and headed downtown to the Hadden Center. He'd been in contact with Commander Noori, who informed Master Hadden of the status of Foster Rhodes and set up their meeting.
“Do you have any magics or witches who work for you or reside at the Hadden Center?” Foster’s question was unexpected, and Enzo quickly shook his head.
"No magics of any ilk or level are allowed at the Hadden Center," Enzo spoke firmly with the memories of the violence and cruelty that seem inherent with that breed.
"They have also been run out of the city," Foster commented. Enzo glanced to his side, taking in the expression of interest his beloved wore. He was familiar with the magics, but he himself bore no markers. He was not a magic, but Enzo needed to know where his interest came from.
“Magics have tormented this town and its occupants for decades and when they brought a sorcerer to our territory for the purpose of gaining power and control over everything including the supernatural, they were destroyed." Enzo's tone was harsh, conveying the significance of what had taken place.
"Master Hadden dealt with them individually up until that time, taking each individual or group on their own, but with the near upset of power, he decided no magic would ever find a home in his territory again. He has special teams that search out and remove them no matter their intent. No magic is tolerated here." Enzo was emphatic.
"I am familiar with the magics. They tried hard to recruit me a few years before I was to age out of foster care. They were nice at first, but the more I met with them and refused to join, the more their true motives became clear." Foster turned to stare out the side window once again. "I found their casual cruelty and hubris distasteful." He sighed and then added. "I was glad when they started to leave, and the city began to breathe again."
“You will encounter no magics at the Center, I assure you," Enzo stated as he pulled into the underground garage of the Hadden Center. He parked and then turned to Foster.
"Nothing is going to happen to you here." He said, emphasizing each word. "Master Hadden rules this Coven fairly and with compassion. He is unlike any master I have served in the past."
