The golden doors clicked shut behind Nathan.
General Emerald stood near the window arms crossed, gaze burning through the sunlit glass. "He's become unhinged."
Raphael leaned against the table, hands in his pockets. "You mean alive?"
"I mean dangerous"
"He's a detective. He gets results."
"He ignores orders. Challenges structure. Disrespects the churches but still won't hesitate to use an enchantment." She turned sharply. "He's a loose spark in a room full of dry parchment."
Raphael raised an eyebrow. "Then why not let him burn out on his own."
Emerald didn't answer right away. Her gaze hardened. "Because the Lunaris Council said no."
Raphael's smile vanished.
"They want him watched," she continued. "Controlled. Compliant. Or dead."
"That's a leap."
"It's an order."
He crossed his arms now. "And you're just going to follow it?"
Emerald stepped forward. "You think I trust that man? He tears through sanctums like a storm. If it weren't for the fact that he solved the Ash veil case, he'd still be chasing coin in the gutters."
"Yet here we are," Raphael said softly.
"That's why another detective was assigned to him by them."
Raphael blinked. "The Council?"
"No," Emerald replied, her voice dipping low. "HIM."
A chill ran through the room despite the sunlight.
Raphael straightened. "Sir Failure?"
Emerald nodded once.
Raphael was silent.
Emerald turned her back again. "The council is moving pieces we can't see. And Nathan Blake, he's either the blade they're wielding… or pawn they're sacrificing."
"And you're just going to let that happen?"
"It's the council, even the royal family avoids pissing them off," She looked over shoulder. "I can only make sure that when it happens, it's not on my soil."
Raphael's eyes darkened. "And if Nathan finds out?"
Emerald's voice was flat. "Then you'll do what's necessary."
A long silence passed between them.
The Raphael said quietly, "Then act fast, he doesn't quite trust anyone."
Emeralds voice barely carried. "Neither do we."
Raphael stepped out of the golden gates alone, rubbing the back of his neck like the meeting had let a bruise.
Nathan stood leaning against the wall beside the gate, arms folded.
"Still in one piece?" Raphael called with a lopsided grin.
"Physically," Nathan muttered "Emotionally? That's questionable."
He pushed off the wall, falling into step beside Raphael. "What did the general say about me? More lectures on procedure?"
Raphael side-eyed him. "Something like that."
"What, she finally gave me a medal for 'Most Uncooperative Civilian?"
Raphael snorted. "She said 'you're a necessary nuisance. That's practically affection."
Nathan gave a tired grunt and rolled his shoulders. The two of them walked in companionable silence as Daylight city unfolded before them.
A little girl with golden tattoos danced barefoot across a glowing pavement, drawing shapes in the air with a ribbon of fire.
"Careful," her mother warned from a stall nearby. "You'll set another bird on fire."
"It was an accident last time!" the girl pouted.
They passed a boy floating six feet above the ground, reading a book upside down.
"Show off." Nathan muttered.
Raphael smirked. "You just hate that everyone here smiles in public."
"Because they are all pretending."
A man selling sweetbread waved them over. "Detective! Haven't seen your grumpy face in moons! Try the honey-fruit loaf, just enchanted it this morning… floats in your mouth."
"No thanks," Nathan said. "Last time it floated into my nose."
The vendor cackled. "Worth it!"
Two lovers drifted hand in hand, one of them with butterfly wings made of light and the other conjuring small glowing orbs that burst into soft music.
"Alright," Raphael nudged at him. "Even I admit Daylights got its charm."
Nathan shrugged. "It's too clean. Too bright. Makes me nervous."
Raphael stopped. "You're nervous around cleanliness?"
"It's unnatural."
Raphael shook his head. "You need therapy."
As they continued, Nathan's pace slowed slightly. His eyes lifted toward the spires glinting gold in the sun, watching phoenix-feather banners flutter above arching bridges. Sun-priests chanted on raised platforms, their robes glowing faintly, casting warmth down on the people below.
It was strange… this place never saw night. It felt untouched.
Then…
WHAM…
Nathan stumbled back as he walked straight into someone.
A top hat flew off, bouncing across the marble path.
"Dammit… sorry!" Nathan reached out instinctively, steadying the man.
The stranger righted himself with grace. He wore a crisp black suit, cane in one hand, and eyes like polished steel under ink-dark lashes. His smile was polite… too polite.
"No need for apologies, Detective Black," he said smoothly. "Happens to the best of us."
Nathan narrowed his eyes. "Do I know you?"
"Not yet," the main said, picking up his hat with a precise flick. "But I know you. Quite a bit, actually."
"..Right."
"I hear you solve things. Let's hope you stay unsolved, eh?"
"Thanks. That's… encouraging."
The man tipped his hat, "Enjoy the sunshine."
He walked off, cane tapping lightly, his shoulder relaxed.
Nathan watched him go, brows furrowed. "Weird guy."
Raphael stepped up beside him again. "Friend of yours?"
"Nope."
The stranger paused once he'd put enough distance between them, turned slightly, and watched Nathan disappear into the crowd.
Then, with a smile more wolfish than warm, he muttered to himself.
"So that's the detective I'm working with…"