Justice

Xyra limped hastily across the patchy vermilion carpet of her studio. She was two hours away from opening, but an insistent banging had pulled her from her sleep. It was just as well. She'd grown weary of the gruesome imagery that haunted her dreams. Living it once was torture enough.

She hadn't the time to properly grease the rusting gears of her leg, but the rapid fire knocking on her door suggested she put a hold on her morning ritual. The smell of sweat and cheap cologne pierced her nostrils. Humans. They can be so demanding. That's what made them her best customers.

'Shit. My gloves. Where are my gloves?' Xyra mused. No time. She swung open the door to see two suited men standing expectantly in the early morning sun. The taller, broader of the two began to speak with a booming, but gentle voice.

"Xyra Heddingbone?"

"Yes?"

"I'm Captain Leon Hale. Head of the Special Populations Division. This is Lieutenant Randy Ellis. Is this your business card?

Captain Hale unfurled a clear plastic bag and thrust it in Xyra's direction. Xyra recognized the contents of the bag immediately. Gilded lettering glinted in the sun, shining her name back at her.

XYRA'S FATES AND FORTUNE: WHERE DARKNESS MEETS THE LIGHT

She stared at it for a moment, tucked a loose dreadlock behind her pointed ear, and stepped back from the doorway, silently offering the men a pathway indoors. As the officers crossed the steps into the psychic's studio, Xyra scanned the room for her gloves.

"May I ask what this is about?"

The captain's piercing voice broke Xyra's concentration. "Well, Miss Heddingbone-"

"Xyra."

"...Xyra. A human male was found beaten to death in one of the executive suites at The High Life Hotel and Casino. Twenty six years old, name was Davey Simms. He's from a small town in the countryside, one of the few all-human communities left. Here's a picture of him in happier days. My guess is that he wanted to come to the big city, take a walk on the wild side. We found cards for various...alternative interests in his wallet. One for you, the Succuclub and one that only reads 'Demonatrix'. Apparently he never made it to the club, and we can’t get a lead on the Demonatrix. So as far as we’re concerned, you’re the last person to have seen him alive. And given the nature of the evidence, that makes it our case."

Xyra let out a hesitant exhale as her golden irises scanned the picture. "I remember him. Squirrelly. His reading told of money and mistakes. "

"Money and mistakes? That's it?"

"I keep it vague. Especially with humans. Humans don't want the full truth. The truth is scary. Less profitable. I tell them they’ll come into money in Vegas. I don’t tell them about the sticky-fingered hooker that’s going to rob them blind later that night. I'd rather not know about the sticky-fingered hooker to begin to with. So I've found ways to block the information. I end up in interrogation rooms otherwise."

From the corner of her eye, Xyra spotted a set of spindly fingers reaching for the deck of cards sitting on the table nearby. She jumped to swat them away, making contact with the Lieutenant's bony hand. Xyra gasped, clutched her chest, caught herself on a bookshelf and began to mumble under her breath.

"Randy...Human Homicide...they've filled the spot...Disher..."

"Disher?! God, that guy is such a tool-"

"Human Homicide...Randy? You're trying to leave Special Pops? Do you not realize how short-staffed we ar.." Captain Hale peered at Xyra curiously. "Xyra. How did you know that?"

Xyra responded cooly. "It's a gift. Of sorts."

"Say, are you of any relation to the Heddingbones of the Third Circle?" Ellis inquired intrusively.

"Unfortunately."

"I knew it! You look human but I knew there was something off about you...you know what it is? Fingernails and cheekbones. You just look like, FIERCE, you know what I mean? Man, those Heddingbones were some real nasty motherfu-"

"Lieutenant. That's enough. Xyra. Seeing as you are the last person to see Mr. Simms alive, I'd say you're the best lead we have. We could use your assistance."

"Oh and hey, we won't tell anyone about the whole part-demon thing." Ellis added unhelpfully.

"Anyone who needs to know already does. I can show you my papers if you'd like."

"That won't be necessary, Xyra. Lieutenant, I suggest you'd step outside. You've said enough for today. " Lieutenant Ellis shot the Captain a defeated look, grimaced and stepped outside.

"Will you be needing anything more from me, Captain?"

"Well. If you're feeling up to it...I'd like for you to join us at the crime scene."

"I'd have to close the shop for the day."

"I can chat with the higher-ups. See what we can do to make it worth your while. Maybe even keep you out of the interrogation room."

"I need time to prepare. You've interrupted my routine."

"Take all the time you need. And Xyra, I have a request. Feel free to say no." The captain extended a meaty hand. "It's about my daughter."

Xyra momentarily scanned the captain's hand. Finally, she took a deep breath, braced herself and placed her slender hand on top of the captain's.

"The boy is of no harm. Your daughter has...other interests."

"Other interests. Care to elaborate?"

"No. It's best if she does that on her own. Captain...I have a request from you as well."

"Anything you need."

"Help me find my gloves. They were a gift from my mother."