The Bureau's shadow fell across the street like it was swallowing the block whole. Twenty floors of black glass and knife-edge corners, the kind of place that made you straighten your tie whether you had business there or not. The gold letters above the revolving doors read:
BUREAU FOR CONTRACTS
It almost sounded respectable, until you remembered what they actually dealt in.
Renny stood at the curb, hands in his pockets, the same polished shoes from last night catching the morning light. Kev was beside him, eyes tracing the tower from street to roof.
"So… this is it," Kev said.
"Mhm." Renny's gaze didn't drop.
Kev let out a low whistle. "Man… that's a long way up."
Renny smirked. "Every great climb starts with the first floor, Kev."
Kev shook his head, almost laughing. "Fool, you've never climbed a step till you got here."
Renny chuckled.
They took the steps in stride, both dressed to kill. Black suits razor-sharp, ties perfect, not a wrinkle out of place. The revolving doors hissed open, spilling them into a lobby of marble floors and cold air that smelled faintly of brimstone.
Security tracked them until they reached the checkpoint. A guard scanned their IDs, nodded once, and waved them through.
Behind a long obsidian desk, the receptionist looked up with a professional smile. "Purpose of visit?"
Renny leaned an elbow on the counter. "We're here to get contracts."
"Name and grade?"
"Ezraphor. Grade 1."
Her fingers froze over the keyboard. "Ezraphor?" She looked up again, interest flickering in her eyes with a trace of caution. "Is that… correct?"
"Yeah." Renny's tone was almost amused.
She hesitated. "One moment… please wait here."
Kev stepped up when she gestured. "Korav. Grade 1."
"Sixth floor," she said without taking her eyes off Renny.
The receptionist turned back to Renny. "Mr…?"
"Renayo Ezraphor," he replied.
Her brows lifted. "Mr. Renayo… we haven't had an Ezraphor walk through here in decades. You're the only one bearing that name in our system, so there aren't any active agents assigned to your family." Her tone dipped. "But don't worry, I can contact someone who might be able to assist you. You'll have to wait a bit."
"How long?" Renny asked.
"Just a couple minutes," she said, already reaching for the phone. "I need to call and confirm."
"Alright."
"Please, take a seat at the waiting bench. If the agent agrees to meet, I'll let you know right away."
"Fair enough," Renny said, stepping aside.
He found a spot on the bench and sat down.
Ten minutes passed. Then twenty. Then forty.
By the time an hour ticked over, the marble walls were starting to feel like they were leaning in.
He finally stood and approached the desk. "Any luck?"
The receptionist glanced up from her monitor. "The first agent refused. I've been reaching out to others, but… they're not willing to contract you."
Renny exhaled, slow but loud enough for her to hear.
"Don't worry," she said quickly. "I'm sure someone will pick you. Just be patient a little while longer, alright?"
He gave a curt nod and returned to his seat. More minutes bled away.
Many different demons came and went, though Renny couldn't tell which grades they were from. Some he recognized from the initiation ceremony, but the rest he guessed were higher grades
The elevator doors slid open and Kev stepped out, a folder tucked under his arm, grin wide enough to sell sunshine.
"Got my first contract," Kev said, tapping the folder like it was a winning lottery ticket. "You been sitting here waiting for me?"
Renny leaned back. "Haven't even gone upstairs since you left."
Kev froze mid-step. "What? For real? Man, that's messed up."
"Seems it's a… delicate matter," Renny said, flicking his eyes toward the receptionist.
Kev gave a low whistle. "So how long you gonna wait here?"
"As usual," Renny said, "I have no clue."
"That's messed up, homie." Kev sighed, flipping the folder in his hand. "Don't mean to ditch you, but I gotta bounce. Got research to do," he leaned in, smirking "and a little cash to burn."
Renny gave him a flat look. "Don't do anything stupid, Kev. This is hell, remember?"
"I hear you, homie," Kev said, hands raised in mock innocence.
They clasped hands in their quick snap-and-grip handshake.
"Call me if you get anything," Kev called over his shoulder as he headed for the door.
"Will do," Renny replied.
And then he was alone again, the bench and ticking clock his only company.