As we rode in the automobile to the Maji Guard headquarters, I crossed my arms and legs, rubbing my chin as I thought over all of the particulars of the crime.

First someone, a Maji Guard officer allegedly, procures a warrant slip, somehow signed by Lavarsus–which Lavarsus has no memory of signing.

Next, he uses the warrant slip along with his badge to get into the Maji Guard vault, where he takes the box we had placed there only two weeks prior. A box containing a dangerous Necro Spirit.

However, after the officer is captured later, he has no memory of ever stealing the box or what happened to it from there.

I glanced over at Fleur as I exhaled sharply. "Have you called Professor Greenhorn?" I asked her, to which she nodded. "Good. We'll see if he can detect any traces of magic on the officer."

She narrowed her eyes at me. "Do you really think he won't be able to?"

I shook my head as I glanced away, sitting silent again for another moment. "It's hard to say. My question is if this has anything to do with Vianola's murder, why would they use the same trick again?" I pondered aloud, not really to anyone in particular. 

"Do you have any ideas yet who it could have been?" she asked. That was another question I couldn't answer either. I shook my head. "It's an interesting case indeed."

Just then, there was a squeal from my shoulder. I glanced over with a smile, looking at the tiny purple lizard with big bulbous blue eyes staring back at me. "Do you have any ideas, Noralyn?" I asked her.

She cocked her head from side to side. "Yeah," I said, frowning. "That's my reaction too."

Fleur grinned, watching the two of us. "You and Psicon certainly have grown attached in a short time," she said softly, reaching a hand and rubbing a finger over Noralyn's tiny head. "When you first told me how sad you were that you couldn't imprint, I felt really sorry for you. I really wanted to help you if I could."

I smiled slightly at her. "But you found a way around it, and I'm eternally grateful to you," I replied, looking back at Noralyn, who squealed happily in response.

"And I'm so glad that it worked! I wasn't sure if it would. But it did, and I'm so glad. You two are so good together," she said. Then, her smile turned to a frown as she looked past me toward the window. "Looks like we're here. And there is Professor Greenhorn."

Frowning myself, I unbuckled my seatbelt and reached for the door. I really hope he doesn't get on me about missing class again today. Opening the door, the heat of the sunlight beat down on me and I almost wanted to shut the door again. I really hate this climate. I set my foot out on the sandy ground. And this sand. It gets literally everywhere.

I could already feel some grains of sand in my shoe. Ick. Damn it. I shook my head, clenching my jaw as I tried to focus on the professor as he straddled up to me. He stood only about waist high, and was wearing a green suit today, his brown mustache blowing in the soft breeze. Noralyn squealed and scurried up to the top of my head, staring down at him.

"So, Ms. Kamuya. You've missed class again, on account of another mystery?" He complained, his lips curling into a frown. "You are sure making a habit of this. What's the case this time?"

Exhaling sharply, I feigned a smile as I looked down at him. "Hello to you too, Professor," I replied. The corner of my mouth twitched as I began going over the case.

When I was finished, he stood back on one foot as he pondered it. I could feel Noralyn quivering atop of my head. I reached up and picked her up, cradling her in my hand. "What's wrong? The professor's nice," I said to her in a soft tone. My eyes glanced up at her. "When he wants to be."

As he sighed, she quickly scurried back up my arm to my shoulder again. Must have something to do with how he is in class. I looked down at him, curling my lips upward in a smile.

"Alright. This is a mighty fine predicament, that is for sure. Do you really think they're using the same tricks again?" he said finally, furrowing his brows.

I averted my gaze as I bit my lip. "It's really hard to say, Professor. That's why we need you to confirm. I know how it all sounds, believe me," I responded, my eyes meeting that of Lavarsus as he stood closer to the building, puffing on his cigar. "I trust the sergeant implicitly. If he says he didn't sign that warrant slip, I believe him."

Suddenly, words my father once said to me echoed in my mind. Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. I tightened my jaw muscles as I glanced back down at him. "But I admit, we will have to consider the possibility."

Professor Greenhorn glanced back at Lavarsus as well, and exhaled sharply. "Yes," he replied, looking back up at me. He cleared his throat before adding, "I'll help you get to the bottom of this. Let us hope you're right about him."

I smiled slightly as I nodded. "Thank you, Professor." Please let me be right. There's no way Lavarsus could be involved in this. Right?

"Nice to see you, Professor," said Fleur as she stepped up behind me with a smile.

Professor Greenhorn beamed as she walked up. "Ah, Ms Aurora! Likewise."

Together we all walked up to the station. Time to figure out what's really going on here. And where the box might be. I gritted my teeth as my fists tightened. Please, for the love of the Gods, don't let that box get opened.

Lavarsus led us through the building, past all of the other officers' desks. Nearly all of them turned their heads, staring at me as I walked past. You would think they would be more accustomed to me by now. The left tip of my lip curled upward.

Finally, he brought us up to a door. It was blue painted-steel with a barred window on it. Just below the window was a sign that read: INTERROGATION ROOM 1, in big bold letters. There, he turned to face us, clenching his jaw. "Inside is the suspect," he said, with a softer tone than typical. "This is where I leave you, Kairine. Inside is an associate of mine. She's been briefed about you."

I crinkled my brows as I stared at him. "What? You're off the case?" I exclaimed. My heart sank in that moment. I've spent months training him. Now I have to work with a completely different officer? I could feel my head spinning as I glanced up at Fleur.

"It came from higher up, my hands are tied, Kairine," he responded with a shake of his head. "They seem to think I really signed that slip!"

"Well, then, I'll prove them wrong!" I exclaimed, a tear falling from my eye. "I know it may not seem like it sometimes, Lavarsus, but I really do respect you. I know you couldn't have done this. And I swear to you, I will get to the bottom of it."

I turned away, crossing my arms. Suddenly this case has just taken on a whole new meaning for me. Noralyn nudged her head against my cheek softly. I gazed at her with a slight chuckle. "It will be okay," I told her. I wiped my eyes as I looked back at him. He gazed back at me with furrowed brows and weary eyes.

"I didn't know you cared," he replied.

I smiled. "Who else am I going to rag on all the time?" I said, giggling. "I'll clear your name. I promise you."

Turning toward the door, I took a deep breath as I closed my eyes for a moment. Slowly, I reached for the door handle and opened it, swinging the door open.

"Oh hello!" said a cheerful voice from inside as soon as I walked in. I raised at eyebrow, looking at the source of the voice. She looked half-Fey, probably around Fleur's age, and her dark brown hair was tied in a ponytail. She bolted up from the table and came right up to me, holding out her hand, a wide smile spread across her face. "I'm Detective Desdelin Bolera! But you can call me Skinny!"

I furrowed my brows as one corner of my mouth twitched as I took a step back, my eyes darting back to Fleur. "Um," I started, biting my lip. Does she have to be so. . . Happy? My eyes glanced down at her hand, waiting patiently in mid-air.

Fleur stepped past me and took her hand. "Hello! I'm Fleur. This is Kairine. You'll have to excuse her," she replied, shooting a look back at me with a smile. "She's not used to people being so forward."

Skinny's eyes went from Fleur to me, then back to her. "Oh! I'm so sorry. I didn't realise."

"Thanks, Fleur," I whispered, as I smiled slightly, looking at the officer. "It's alright. I'm sorry for freezing up there."

My eyes scanned around the room, falling upon another officer sitting on the other side of the wooden table. There were three chairs, one of which Skinny was occupying. As I did, Noralyn squealed, tilting her head to the side. "What is it?" I asked her. Narrowing my eyes, I approached the table.

The man remained seated, not even bothering to look up at me, his hands under the table. Probably cuffed. I frowned. "Hello. My name is Kairine Kamuya. I'm a psion consulting with the Maji Guard on this case," I stated, as I took a seat. As I did, suddenly, Noralyn scuttled down my arm and onto the table, her head raised upward, staring at the man with her big blue eyes.

He had wavey black hair and tanned white skin, with a square jaw and angular nose. Even as Noralyn stared up at him, he wouldn't look up at either of us. She glanced back at me, cocking her head from side to side. She senses something? I darted my eyes with her, then gazed up at him. In an instant I could feel a wave of emotions wash over me. I tightly shut my eyes as I took a deep breath. In. Out. In. Out. Then, I looked back up at him. "You're feeling remorse," I said with a soft voice. "For something that you have no memory of doing. Do you want to talk to me about that?"

No response. He stayed motionless, not moving a single centimeter. Odd. I glanced back at Professor Greenhorn, who was standing just outside the doorway. "Professor?" I called to him.

He shot a glance at Detective Bolera before straddling inside. As he approached the man, he began casting his spell. A moment later he finished and. . . glanced up at me wide-eyed. "There's nothing!" he exclaimed.

I raised an eyebrow as I gazed at him. Peculiar.

"Could it be that the anti-magic device at the vault washed away the traces?" asked Fleur, rubbing her chin.

The professor crossed his arms. "Maybe. I'd need to get a look at the device to tell you for sure," he replied.

But even as they were talking, my gaze was on Noralyn as she slowly approached the man, cocking her head to the side. Narrowing my eyes, I suddenly had a thought. "Professor," I said, as I got up from the seat and rounded the man. Even as I did, he didn't appear to react at all. This is too weird. I turned my attention to the detective as she shut the door. "Has he said a word to you in the past while at all?"

She shrugged. "He said something about being sorry? Other than that, not much."

Looking at the professor, I asked him, "Do you perhaps know of any Mystimon that might cause similar symptoms of missing memory?"

Fleur stared at me with a raised eyebrow but said nothing as Professor Greenhorn rubbed his chin deeply in thought for a long moment. Suddenly he raised his gaze up to me. "You know what?" he said, furrowing his brows. "I can't believe I never thought of it. There is a peculiar Mystimon that could be responsible. It's called Illusiam.” 

"What's that?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at him. I've never heard of a creature by that name before.

"They're sorta like doppelgangers. They will take the form of a person, and consume that person's memories," he replied, his voice trailing off as he glanced at the man sitting motionless before us.

Just then, the man moved his hand slightly, as Noralyn jumped back and hissed at him, her big bulbous eyes narrowing. Quickly, I moved to grab her from the table as she scurried up back to my shoulder. As I did, I turned around to face him. "Detective Bolera, do you have a weapon on you?" I asked her. There's something not right here.

I cast my mind out, focusing on the man. . . But there was nothing.  I shot a look up to Fleur as she stood back, taking an offensive position. "Detective Bolera, this is no man. It's a Mystimon!" I called out as I stood back as well.

Suddenly, the man's body slumped forward, as Noralyn scurried behind my neck. I could feel her tiny body trembling. Then, a mass of black-and-purple wings and shadows emerged, lashing out at me. Instantly, I raised my arms before me as a veil of violent energy appeared clashing against the creature.

Sparks of electricity flew forth from Fleur's fingers as Professor Greenhorn shot blasts of purple energy. Detective Bolera drew her pistol, firing off several bullets at it. A loud shrieking noise erupted from it as it retreated backward and up through a grate in the ceiling.

When it was gone, we were left glancing at one another and then back at where it had just disappeared. "H. . . How did a Mystimon get past security?" cried Skinny with a shake of her head.

I exhaled sharply as I scrunched my eyebrows. I wish I could give you an answer. But I don't think any of the security was designed to detect Illusiams. Glancing at Professor Greenhorn, I asked, "How common would you say those things are?"

He threw up both hands. "I've actually never seen one before. They're incredibly rare from all that I know," he responded.

As he said that, my eyes went to the door. Lavarsus. I moved toward the door, swinging it open and glanced out, searching for any sign of the man. Immediately, I found him leaning back against the wall, taking a drag on his cigar. "Lavarsus," I called out to him as I walked over to him, my eyes narrowed. "I know you do not remember signing that warrant slip. What is the last thing you do remember from before the theft?"

He stared at me for a long time. Then, gazing away, he said, "I remember being at a tavern, taking a drink. . ." Then he stopped, his eyes staring off into space. "And then nothing. It's a blank. . . Did I even get home that night?" His voice trailed off as he furrowed his brows. He looked back at me, swallowing hard. "What in the Gods' names happened? Why can't I remember?"

My gaze shot to Detective Bolera as she emerged from the room, followed by Fleur and Professor Greenhorn. "I think I know what happened. But I need everyone to meet me at the vault. I will explain there."

Everything is adding up for me. There is just one more thing I need to check.

Arriving back at the vault with only Fleur by my side and Noralyn perched on my shoulder, I scanned around the exterior of the building. I began strolling slowly along the outer wall. "Is there something in particular we're looking for?" asked Fleur, gazing around as well.

"There's something I noticed as we were going in the last time we were here, but thought nothing of it at the time," I replied softly. There he is. Across the street from the vault building, leaning against the outer wall of a house was a man, tall and lanky. His complexion was dark, his eyes and hair a chocolate brown. He was taking a drag on a cigar. Same kind as Lavarsus if I'm not mistaken. Coincidence? I approached him, waving to Fleur to hang back.

Suddenly, just as I was a meter from him, Noralyn squealed loudly, her head pointed directly at him. She senses something. I narrowed my eyes. His gaze met mine for a brief moment. Then, clenching his teeth, he whipped around and began to make a break for it. Suddenly, a spark of lightning struck him, knocking him back. "Good shot as always, Fleur," I stated as I quickly moved toward him. There it is. Spying a black feather with purple streaks tucked in his back pocket, I leaned over to pick it up. An Illusiam feather, I presume?

Flear approached and knelt next to him. "That's a pity. I was trying to stun him but I managed to knock him unconscious instead," she said with sigh, looking up at me. "Now we'll have to wait to question him."

"No need," I responded, examining the feather in my hand. "We have all that we need."

Half an hour later, Detective Bolera arrived alongside Lavarsus and Professor Greenhorn. Lavarsus stood back, his arms crossed as he eyes drooped to the ground, the cigar hanging loosely from his mouth.

"Good, you all made it!" I announced as I approached them all. "First thing's first, Lavarsus. You didn't sign the warrant slip."

His eyes shot up to me just then, his eyes wide. "I didn't?" he questioned.

"Not at all," I said, with a nod, motioning to the man we had captured, now laying back against the wall of the house. "I believe if you search that home, you will find surveillance equipment, among other things. This man has been casing the vault for months it looks like. Why, I am not quite sure yet. But the arrival of the box presented an opportunity."

"In fact, the capture of this man also solves a question left hanging from the case just two weeks ago. He is a Spirit caster, a rather powerful one too. And the Illusiam is his Mystimon, Noralyn confirmed it for me as soon as she saw him. This one man is responsible for both crimes," I declared, my lips curling upward.

Lavarsus shook his head exhaling sharply. "But why?! What's his motive?" he asked, glancing at Skinny, who was raising an eyebrow.

"I'm glad you asked that. Fleur?" I said, turning around to face her.

She nodded as she knelt and unbuttoned his shirt, revealing underneath tattoos in the shape of strange symbols. "These are Elvan glyphs," she stated, looking up at everyone. "I would say that he's probably lived among the Nyselvan for a time. Making it entirely plausible. . ."

"He knew Vianola," I added, turning back around to everyone. "There was something about that box that made him want it."

Detective Bolera spoke up finally, crossing her arms. "If that's the case, then where is the box?"

Turning toward the house, I pointed. "It would stand to reason it's probably in there," I replied. I glanced back at them. "As we are only consultants, I didn't want to break in there to confirm my suspicions, so we waited for you."

She looked at Lavarsus for a moment before nodding and making her way to the front door of the house. At first, she knocked, waiting a moment. Then again. No answer, just as I suspected. She glanced at me, the corner of her mouth curling, as she turned, standing back as she made a big powerful kick. "Heyah!" she called out as the door flew open.

Then, without a word, she entered with her pistol drawn. A moment passed. Then another. Finally, she poked her head out. "Come on in. Got some interesting stuff here."

Fleur and I glanced at one another, then followed her inside. As I gazed around the front room, my lips curled into a smile. Just as I suspected. Next to the window stood a large telescope, along with what looked to be listening equipment. But no matter how hard we searched, we couldn't find a single trace of the box anywhere. It's gone. But how? Where could it have gone? 

Then, Skinny called me into the back room, where she found a long dark wooden table with blueprints of the vault, maps of the city, and other documents sprawled out. "So," the detective said, looking at me. "He had his Illusiam first take the form of the sergeant."

"In order to get the warrant slip. Then he directed it to take the form of another officer in order to retrieve the box," I said, rubbing my chin. Just then, Noralyn's head swung toward another door on the right coming in, as she let out a loud squeal. Narrowing my eyes, I slowly approached the door. My hand trembled as I reached for the knob. Then, I swung the door open, revealing a dark staircase leading down. A basement?

Desdelin squinted at me as she drew her weapon again, leading the way down into the darkness, as she reached for the light. "We've got him!" she called out a moment later. Fleur and I looked at one another as we quickly made our way down. There, leaning against the wall, his hands and feet bound, was a man, the same as the one the Illusiam had taken the form of back at the station.

My eyes darted around the basement, the sand crunching beneath my feet as I winced. No sign of the box anywhere. Where could it be?

As we finished the search, we found a ton of additional material. We’ll probably be going over it for months, including documents that looked as though they’d been smuggled from the vault, more maps of the Palace and the Academy. But no matter where we looked, there was no signs of the box anywhere. I had a gnawing feeling that this isn’t over. . .

In the end, Lavarsus and Desdelin interrogated the dark-skinned man for hours, but while they eventually got a confession, he wouldn't tell them where the box was. As we heard the news, I leaned back in the recliner at the tower, pondering over the whole case. It's still out there. Somewhere.

"When did you first notice that man?" asked Fleur, as she worked away at her desk.

"Rennyn Miatris, that's the name Lavarsus got from him," I replied, not looking at her.

She glanced up at me. "Do you not think that is his name?"

I shook my head as I exhaled sharply. "I think everything he told us is lies. The only true thing he did say. . ." I said, my voice trailing off as I leaned my head back, staring up at the ceiling. "He has no idea where the box is."

Gazing over at her, I reached my hand over and ran my fingers along Noralyn, who was resting peacefully on the arm of the recliner. "I first spotted him when we arrived at the vault with Lavarsus. He was eyeing us, looking at Lavarsus in particular as we went in. At first I didn't think much of him. But then as I began to put the pieces together, I realised. . ."

"He wasn't just looking, he was watching," she finished for me. Her lips pressed in a flat hard line. "And it looked as though he had gathered a lot of information."

"Yes. But the question is why?" I responded, shaking my head as I leaned back again. I don't think I've heard the last of this case.