(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 257

Chapter 257: A small, enclosed space is perfect for interrogations

It looked like Casper was going to run. Kellen could see it in his eyes, and honestly, because he was still confused, he couldn’t blame him. Rhys was behaving strangely. Even if it appeared as if Rhys knew what was bothering Casper, it appeared as if Casper didn’t want Rhys to know.

Or anyone, it appeared.

"You can leave those there." Kellen told the Espers. They were frozen in place, unsure what to do prior to him speaking. What could they do? Espers had big ears, like Guides, and it was clear that this? This was juicy gossip.

Kellen wanted as few people as possible to speak of this. First step? Get rid of witnesses.

The Espers were clearly hesitant to go, but with a firm look from Kellen, they put the bags down and ran out of there. Kellen then turned to the two men who were still in a stare off. He shuffled forward until he was touching Casper by bumping into him, but hadn’t put a hand on him.

Because his hands were full. He was slightly regretting getting a latte now.

"How about we have this discussion in my office, hmm? Captain, grab the bags please." Kellen smiled at them, the perfect smile, and Casper flinched.

"Y-Yes." He squeaked out, rushing for the research department door while Rhys stared after him. Casper fumbled with the door until Kellen stepped forward and scanned his card. Casper gave him a relieved look before scurrying inside, hiding himself from Rhys’ gaze. Rhys sighed, closing his eyes and covering his face with his hands. He then dragged his hands down his face, drawing lines with his fingers across his skin.

"Holy shit." Rhys muttered and Kellen stayed where he was.

"What’s going on?" He asked. He didn’t like not being in the know, and this? This was Kellen not being in the know and no one hiding it.

"I...fuck. I just found out." Rhys said and Kellen realised that he was still reeling from the news. If he was, the man who hadn’t seemed phased several times when scouting gates had taken a turn, including this most recent one, it made Kellen worry about what news he was about to find out about.

"How bad?" Kellen asked and Rhys shook his head.

"Bad. So unimaginably bad. I can’t-let’s make sure Casper doesn’t escape." His thoughts appeared scattered, confused and that only worried Kellen more. The only other times Rhys had been like this was when Kellen had his hands on him. Kellen’s hands were currently full of everything but Rhys.

He didn’t like the feeling that filled his chest when he realised this.

"Alright. You grab the bags, and I’ll make sure I corner Casper in my office." Kellen told him and Rhys nodded. His expression didn’t look good, and before Kellen could scan his card again Rhys did a quick check of the hallway before he reached out and wrapped his arms around Kellen, giving him a hug.

"Fuck. I fucked up. Just give me a sec." Kellen held his arms out, letting Rhys squeeze and hold him, but wasn’t able to do the same in return.

"You have me really worried here, Captain." Kellen told him and Rhys gave a dry chuckle.

"Honestly, you should be. We’re...dear lord, I don’t know if the poison gate is worse than what I’ve just found out." Kellen’s body tensed.

"Are you sure?" Rhys swallowed.

"My Guild...god, I just...fuck." Rhys was tongue-tied and that alone worried the hell out of Kellen. The man was never tongue-tied. Ever. Clearly, this was something that was close to him, involved at the very least, Casper, probably Gunther given his reaction. Kellen knew that if it was something so serious, it probably had to involve the two of them.

They were, after all, the original trio that was the beginning of the Saturn Guild. Most people knew that the Captain and Gunther had been together for a long time since there was a long record of them being together in the D.E.C. It was only when Kellen joined the Guild that he remembered that Casper had been there too.

The magazines that he’d flipped through for two whole weeks while the Captain had been too busy to see him had also helped jog his memory, but that was something he was going to take to his grave at this point.

Rhys released him, stepping back and nodding.

"Alright. Let’s do this." He muttered. It was clearly more to himself then it was to Kellen, but Kellen nodded anyway.

"It’ll be okay." Kellen told him and Rhys gave him a tight smile.

"I don’t think you should try to comfort me until after you hear what this disaster is." Rhys told him and Kellen nodded.

"Okay, but I want you to know that I’m here." Kellen told him and he swore Rhys’ eyes began to water.

"Get in there and make sure he doesn’t run away. I’m sure he knows some way to get out of here without passing us." Kellen nodded at his words, scanning his card before stepping into the room.