A growl erupted from his lips, hands balling into fists so hard it hurt. “You got us stretched fuckin’ thin yet you blame us for not bein’ everywhere at once? Real convenient for you, ain’t it, Sir?”
Part of the wolf wanted to correct Des that it had been minimum 23 years, just to be a shithead, but he bit his tongue on that, at least.
Oh how he wanted to throttle the other man. “I ordered someone to keep an eye on the girls while I continued my god damn job. You got a problem wi’ that then maybe you shoulda hired private security to work this dog n’ pony show.”
Ray got up into Des’ face with a snarl. “I’m doin’ the best I fuckin’ can with this shitshow of a command. Most’a the cops here are too green to keep up and you expect god damn miracles from us?”
A dark chuckle left the wolf as he squared his shoulders. “You better believe we got a fuckin’ problem, Sir. You don’ know what the hell yer doin’ and you’re takin’ it out on the beat. Well I ain’t havin’ yer shit and I’m telling ya right now to watch yer pisspoor attitude.”
“Do you truly think I have the authorization much less the funds to reorganize our precinct? --” An indignant laugh, “We are underfunded and understaff but sure I’ll hire private security for a lake event my competent officers should be able to handle! I’ll pull the notes out of thin air!” This was barreling quickly out of control; the Casino Night attack had put a major stress on Des, and a major strain on his relationship with his officers. Maybe he was too hard on them, but no one had the balls to talk to him like Ray Goldstein. Such a clash was a long time coming. “I have Detective Vorona, Officer Finley and you Goldstein! That is all I have to work with you and you continue to make my job harder.”
You don’t know what you’re doing.
“Enough!” If Ray had been trying to get a rise out of his lieutenant he succeeded. From the bare earth below them vines grew tall above their heads, braiding themselves and weaving into something akin to a cocoon as Des spoke. “I don’t know what I’m doing??” Outside the there was the illusion of a dark, closed tent -- the last thing Des needed was for any of this discourse to make its way outside. “I have lived and will live the span of your lifetime multiple times over. I have served, diligently, this city for hundreds of years. And the rightful court of this land for hundreds more.” They were so close now Des could smell Ray’s scent -- cigarette smoke and leather -- and surely Ray could smell Des -- earthy and almost delicate. And there was no where for the werewolf to go; one step backwards and he’d hit the thick wall of foliage.Des was angry, and attempting to do one too many things at once. Keeping up his glamour was the least of his concerns. So his skin flaked like gold leaf down his neck and over the back of his hands, and though Des wasn’t crying, his eyes dry, liquid gold tears streamed over his cheeks and towards his jaw, “I watched my kingdom fall once, I will not see it fall again!” He paused only when he saw his reflection in Ray’s badge. Des gritted his teeth and stepped back the vines retreating with him. He managed to keep the illusion in front of the tent though he struggled to keep the filigree from swirling across his forehead.
A butterfly fluttered in through the tent’s opening. “This conversation is not over...” It landed on Des’ brow, followed closely by another that rested on his cheek bone, and then a third that found his jaw. “-- Ladies, please.”
Des exhaled stiffly through his nose, fae markings slowly receding. He straightened his back.
The urge to roll his eyes was strong but they were right after all.
“I apologize Officer Goldstein.” He spoke through semi-gritted teeth, “Such an outburst was highly inappropriate of me.” Satisfied two of the butterflies flew away, leaving one to find Des’ badge and stay there, resting over his heart. Des either didn’t notice or had accepted that she was going to stay whether he wanted her to or not.
