Chapter 29

February 17, 2001

Coralis flew to the flyball practice an hour earlier to attend a meeting with the team officials. She remembered what the EBEE elder agents had told her a few days ago. Despite the confidence she'd shown during that meeting, she was hoping that she'd actually be able to renew her contract with The Northerners.

She also remembered the elves attacking the royal vampire family in Chicago, and Prince Hendrick calling her the next day to let her know that their elf prisoner was a militant for a movement pushing for the elementals to go out of hiding. She felt that the elves striking King Matthew's stronghold a few hours after EBEE elders told her to cut ties with the king's youngest child wasn't any coincidence, but she had to be able to prove it.

"Three days ago, we received words from an EBEE representative, verifying that your contract with us was going to end, stating that it was in everyone's best interest. However, as you know, we have been discussing extending your contract for 3 years. What are your thoughts about it?" said one of the team officials.

"I spoke with the EBEE elders 3 days ago. I have been very clear with them: until my career officially ends, my priority is flyball. So, if The Northerners want me on their team for a few more years, they shall be my priority for a few more years."

"That's good to hear," said another team official. "As you know, our current team captain will be retiring at the end of this season, and we want you to become our team captain for the next few seasons. We intend to renew your contract for the next 3 years, as you know, but as the official team captain."

"If The Northerners want me as Captain for their team for the next 3 years, I will agree to that."

"Excellent. If you don't mind, we will also mention the EBEE call to CMMA representatives. We are aware that you also work for them, but we do not think that it gives them the right to interfere in your business with us and pass veiled threats," said the team officials in front of her.

"Please do. I did not appreciate them pressuring me to quit flyball. I'm already doing enough work for them."

Just before practice started, Mylo, their coach, announced to the team that Blue Thunder was going to be their captain for the next 3 years, when Brono retires. Brono played defence. Practice ended an hour and a half before the game started and with some teammates, she went to eat at The Wooded Tavern, an establishment owned by werewolves located near the flyball field.

"We'll need to go for drinks after the game, to celebrate your promotion," said Lydia.

"Yeah Congrats on becoming Captain! Although to be honest, it won't make much of a difference, you've been acting like one since last season," said Sebastian.

"Thanks! Sorry Lydia, I can't go with you guys, I already got plans after the game."

"Of course she does," said Sebastian to Lydia, "we're playing The Imperialists, you know Blue got history with them."

"I know, and they could join us. They're rivals, but I don't hate them."

"Maybe next time, I promised Erik and Henry Fullemon that I would introduce them to Frank. I won't hear the end of it if I bail on that. I haven't told him about our world, so I can't invite him to our after-game drinks. We'll be going to my place after the game, and Frank will meet us there."

"Well then, let's celebrate here right now," said Lydia.

Coralis told them about the EBEE calling The Northerners officials regarding her contract, and how they wanted her to quit flyball.

"Seriously? Can they do that?" said Lydia.

"Hmm, think I'll talk to my dad about that, something doesn't sound right. You know that my dad works for General Tobly. I'm going to start an apprenticeship with a CMMA agent at the end of the season, have you considered transferring to them? You're already working more with the CMMA than you do with EBEE agents."

"It came to mind, not gonna lie. Next time I'm in London, think I'll dig up my contract with the EBEE to search for a way out, it's somewhere in my storage unit there. Think in theory I could when my apprenticeship is over, but it's not like they are going to let me walk away."

They made it back to the flyball field 20 minutes before the game. As usual, the game between The Northerners and The Imperialists kept the crowd on their feet from the beginning to the end of it. During the third period, the announcer mentioned that Blue Thunder was going to be replacing Brono as captain for the next season and the crowd erupted in cheers. The Northerners won the game 15 to 13.

When the game ended, she met with Erik and Henry by the players' exit.

"I want to say congrats sis, but truthfully, I can't say I was surprised, so I'll just say that it was about time!" said Henry.

"That made the coach upset, think he's still mad that the team officials didn't recruit you when they had the chance," said Erik, laughing.

Coralis saw journalists coming their way and jumped on her stick to head home. The twins followed.

"Journalists-dodging is becoming a beloved sport of mine," said Henry.

"They love talking to me, but the feeling is not mutual. They'll get my comments some other time," said Coralis.

While they were on their way to Victoria's and Coralis' apartment, Frank rang their bell. He had tried to reach out to her during the afternoon, but Coralis didn't call him back and no one answered the phone. Coralis had told him to be there around 21:30, and he was hoping it was still the case. He heard the buzzing sound coming from the locking mechanism, so he opened the door and walked up the stairs.

"Hey Frank," said Victoria, from the landing as she opened their apartment door. "Coralis isn't home yet, but she should be here soon."

"Good. I tried to page her earlier, I also tried to call, but no answers and she didn't call me back, so I was hoping that she didn't cancel."

"Even if she wanted to, the twins wouldn't have let her. I literally just got back home, like 5 minutes ago, I went to my parents' house for dinner. I know that Coralis had a lot on her plate today, probably didn't get the chance to. Want a beer?"

"Sure, you said she'll be here soon?"

"Yeah, uh, when she works in Mirabel, she usually doesn't have to stay there longer than she's supposed to."

In fact, she'd been watching the flyball game with her family, so she knew that Coralis would have left the field shortly after the game, unless she got cornered by journalists and fans. She was usually good at evading them, but considering the team announced she'd become their new captain, there was a chance that she wouldn't be able to quickly get away. However, she couldn't tell that to Frank.

Ten minutes later, Coralis, Erik and Henry landed in the wooded park nearby, within shadows.

"Not on the rooftop tonight?" said Erik.

"Frank is probably at my place already, so can't exactly just show up through the back window. He doesn't know about what we actually are. I totally forgot to call him back earlier. If he's already there, I'm hoping Vic was home to let him in. She went to her parents' house to watch the game, but said she'd be heading home right after."

"Let us know when you tell him about our world," Henry said as they started to walk toward Coralis' apartment, "so we know when we can safely talk game and business in front of him."

"If it comes down to it, we'll help you protect him," said Erik.

"Honestly, if things get to that point with him, I will probably have to take you up on that, there is a lot that I need to tell you."

It was almost 22:00 when they arrived at her place. Frank was on the phone with his boss. Erik and Henry hugged Victoria.

"It's been quite a while, nice to see you again," whispered Erik, as they were taking off their winter coats.

Frank got off the phone, visibly annoyed. He stood up and walked toward Erik and Henry to introduce himself.

"Sorry guys, my boss called just before you arrived. I'm Frank," he said, while shaking Erik's hand.

"Hopefully you won't have to leave just yet, we have been wanting to meet you for quite a while. I'm Erik."

"Sis couldn't exactly keep us from listening to her voicemail messages when she played them. I'm Henry."

"I don't have to leave now, unlike Coralis, there is no night shift at work, but I will have to leave in about an hour. I need to be at work at 5 in the morning, so can't stay the night," said Frank, while shaking Henry's hand.

Victoria handed them beers and they sat down. Frank sat to Coralis' left on a 2-seater sofa, with his right hand on her tight.

Soon after he left, Coralis' hologram went off. The EBEE wanted her to immediately come to their London headquarters, some elder agents requested a meeting with her and Andrew.