Just like last time, Evenson was pulled back through the Summoning Stone.
The ritual had been performed by Tyler and Dorman. The moment Evenson stepped out of the swirling green light, Dorman looked at him and said flatly,
"I came from the Void."
Evenson blinked twice, then slowly turned to Tyler.
Translation, please.
Seriously, the guy knew telepathic links existed. Was sending one really that much effort?
"Someone’s here," Tyler explained. "Sarah’s keeping them occupied."
Evenson’s expression sharpened.
That didn’t mean a customer.
If someone had wandered into the shop to browse, Sarah could handle it. Her charm alone could probably convince them to pay extra. Besides...
Who voluntarily shops here?
Evenson had long since accepted that his storefront possessed all the commercial appeal of an abandoned crypt.
He hurried upstairs, changed clothes, washed his hair, and casually wiped the Umbrella Corporation decal off his computer tower before heading out.
"I’m surprised," Evenson said as he entered the front room. "Welcome back, Agent Melinda."
It wasn’t Coulson.
It was Melinda May.
She’d traded her usual tactical attire for a white blouse with lace trim and a beige skirt. Beside her sat Habus, wagging his tail.
"I came to return your dog," May replied, as expressionless as ever. "Why? Were you expecting someone else?"
"Honestly? Yes." Evenson smiled. "I figured Coulson would come. Our last meeting wasn’t exactly... pleasant."
"It wasn’t much better for Coulson," she replied. "He’s tied up with another assignment."
Evenson crouched to scratch Habus behind the ears.
"Hey, buddy. You’ve put on some weight."
The dog certainly looked healthier.
"Looks like S.H.I.E.L.D. feeds its people well." He looked back at May with exaggerated seriousness. "You sure you don’t hire part-time? Those benefits seem fantastic."
A faint smile flickered across her face before disappearing.
"We stay busy."
While they talked, Habus wandered past them toward the back of the shop.
Evenson’s eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.
"Coulson’s busy?" he asked casually. "He must’ve only recently gotten back from Afghanistan. S.H.I.E.L.D. really doesn’t slow down."
"We’re always busy."
Then a heartbreaking howl erupted from the rear of the building.
It was the unmistakable cry of a soul discovering that happiness had been stolen.
May looked toward the noise.
Evenson coughed awkwardly.
"We... cleaned his dog bed while he was gone. Dogs get attached to familiar smells."
That explanation sounded much better than the truth.
There was no chance he was admitting he’d discovered Habus’s secret emergency stash of dog food... and sold it.
A moment later, Habus shuffled back into the room.
His ears drooped.
His tail hung limp.
He stared into the distance with the thousand-yard gaze of someone who had learned that treasure could, in fact, disappear forever.
Then he collapsed dramatically onto the floor.
Evenson avoided meeting the dog’s accusing eyes.
Changing the subject as quickly as humanly possible, he looked back at May.
"So... you said S.H.I.E.L.D. stays busy."
"What keeps you occupied?"
She leaned comfortably against her chair.
"Protecting world peace."
"A noble mission."
There went any hope of extracting classified information from one of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s top agents.
He shrugged.
"Still, I’d say you aren’t that busy."
One eyebrow lifted.
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing complicated." He smiled pleasantly. "Just that you apparently had enough spare personnel to assign eight agents to watch me."
Silence.
Nick Fury had personally classified Evenson Richter as a Level Ten priority.
Assigning surveillance teams around the clock had been the obvious response.
The agents themselves had no idea why they were watching him. Their orders were simple.
Observe.
Record.
Report everything.
At any given moment, eight S.H.I.E.L.D. agents watched the shop from four separate positions, leaving virtually no blind spots.
That was also why Evenson never left through ordinary means whenever he intended to do something... unconventional.
Teleportation wasn’t just convenient.
It was an excellent way to avoid surveillance.
"You knew," May said, sounding unsurprised. "Two of the surveillance teams are already showing signs of... stress."
Before coming here, she’d personally inspected each observation post.
Even Fury had never expected the surveillance operation to remain hidden for long.
What she hadn’t expected was finding half the agents looking like they’d spent a week in a haunted house.
Evenson shrugged.
"When people sneak into a warlock’s home in the middle of the night to install hidden cameras..."
"They’re bound to get startled."
He had never been surprised that S.H.I.E.L.D. was watching him.
Frankly, it would’ve been stranger if they weren’t.
That didn’t mean he enjoyed it.
Nobody appreciated living under constant observation.
If the intruders hadn’t belonged to S.H.I.E.L.D., and if he hadn’t sensed they meant no real harm, several of them would already have become Soul Shards.
Instead, when a handful of agents had broken into his house under cover of darkness to install miniature cameras, he’d settled for something less permanent.
A low-level Fear spell.
One each.
Just enough to make the point.
"They weren’t acting with hostile intent," May said firmly. "Monitoring someone as... unique as you is part of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s responsibility. It’s also for your protection."
"And all they suffered was a scare."
Evenson’s tone cooled.
"But if anyone enters my house again without permission..."
"...you may have to start preparing condolence payments."
May’s eyes narrowed.
"Should I consider that a threat?"
"No."
He met her gaze evenly.
"It’s a statement of fact."
"I understand your job. That’s why I’ve tolerated remote surveillance."
"But my home is private."
"No cameras."
"No bugs."
"No unauthorized entry."
"As for protection..." He let out a quiet, humorless laugh.
"If something is dangerous enough to threaten me..."
"...your agents would only be arriving to die."
The words weren’t arrogance.
They were simple arithmetic.
In truth, hidden cameras wouldn’t have accomplished much anyway.
One Shadow Ward was enough to blind every lens in the building twenty-four hours a day.
But this conversation wasn’t really about surveillance.
It was about boundaries.
He wanted S.H.I.E.L.D. to understand something now, before either side pushed too far.
They were partners.
Not master and subordinate.
Mutual respect would keep everyone alive.
May remained silent for several seconds.
Finally, she nodded.
"I’ll relay your position to Director Fury."
"Good."
The tension eased immediately.
Then Evenson tilted his head, looking her up and down.
"One question."
"...What?"
"What’s with the outfit?"
He gestured toward the elegant blouse and skirt.
"It doesn’t fit your whole intimidating-super-spy aesthetic."
May stared at him.
The conversation had just gone from diplomatic negotiations...
...to fashion criticism in under three seconds.
She wasn’t sure whether to be annoyed or impressed.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter