Cubicle Wars and Spiders

Kit Morris, a psychic "warper" and new MPD analyst, wages a daily prank war with his cubicle mate Vincent, a by-the-book mage. Their banter is interrupted by Lienna Shen, a talented abjuration sorceress and Kit's friend, who brings news of Kit's upcoming field exam retake. The office dynamic is playful but tense, with Kit's illusions (or "warps") often blurring the line between reality and mischief. Captain Blythe, their intimidating boss, keeps a stern eye on them, especially as Lienna is summoned to her office for a career-defining conversation. The chapter establishes Kit's outsider status, his clever but sometimes reckless use of magic, and the camaraderie and friction that define his workplace.

Lienna's Ultimatum

In Captain Blythe's office, Lienna learns she's being pressured to return to LA, her home precinct, unless she can crack a case against the Grand Grimoire, a Demonica guild. The assignment is vague and high-stakes: find evidence for the guild's disbandment or lose her place in Vancouver. Kit, secretly eavesdropping, is moved by Lienna's vulnerability and determination. The emotional weight of her predicament is clear—her career, identity, and autonomy are on the line. Kit resolves to help, motivated by loyalty and a growing sense of partnership. The chapter sets up the central investigation and the personal stakes for both Kit and Lienna.

Field Exam Fiasco

Kit's second attempt at the MPD field exam is a disaster. Despite his creative warping abilities, he's outmaneuvered by a team of seasoned agents, including a telepath who neutralizes his illusions. Kit's frustration and self-doubt mount as he realizes his powers, reliant on deception, are easily countered by those who know his tricks. The failure is a blow to his confidence and his hopes of becoming a field agent. Meanwhile, Lienna's encouragement and belief in his potential offer a glimmer of hope, but Kit is left questioning his place in the MPD and his own worth.

Sleeper Guilds and Demons

Kit and Lienna dig into the Grand Grimoire's records, uncovering a pattern: sleeper mythics—those who avoid magical life—are suddenly acquiring expensive demon contracts, all through Rocco Thorn, the guild's master summoner. The contracts are suspiciously frequent and seem financially impossible for the clients. Their investigation leads them to Harold, a deli owner and one such contractor, whose evasiveness and financial records suggest something illicit. The emotional tone is one of mounting intrigue and camaraderie, as Kit and Lienna's partnership deepens through shared research and fieldwork.

The Grand Grimoire's Secrets

Late-night research uncovers irregularities in the Grand Grimoire's paperwork: forms approved by distant analysts, possible forgeries, and a pattern of outside interference. Kit and Lienna's teamwork is tested as they sift through mountains of data, piecing together a web of deception. Their efforts are interrupted by Captain Blythe, who, despite her gruffness, tacitly approves their collaboration. The chapter highlights the grind of investigative work, the satisfaction of small breakthroughs, and the growing trust and affection between Kit and Lienna.

Car Bombs and Close Calls

While investigating Harold's gym-based sleeper guild, Kit's instincts save him and Lienna from a car bomb. The attack is a chilling escalation, signaling that their investigation has rattled powerful enemies. The aftermath is tense and sobering, as they realize the threat is real and personal. Lienna's gratitude and Kit's protective instincts bring them closer, but the danger also sharpens their resolve. The emotional arc is one of fear, anger, and renewed determination to uncover the truth.

Demon in the Alley

Confronting Harold again, Kit and Lienna are ambushed by a rogue contractor and her demon. In a chaotic battle, Kit's warps distract the attackers, but Harold is killed, his soul claimed by his demon contract. The encounter reveals that Harold's infernus was a fake, and that real demons are being weaponized in new, terrifying ways. The emotional impact is heavy—Kit is haunted by guilt, Lienna by frustration at their inability to save Harold. The stakes of the case are now life and death, and the enemy is more ruthless than they imagined.

Interrogations and Dead Ends

The captured contractor refuses to speak, even under telepathic scrutiny. Kit and Lienna are left with more questions than answers: why are sleeper mythics being targeted, how are demons being shared, and what is Rocco's true role? Lienna's determination is tested, and Kit's self-doubt deepens. Their partnership is strained but unbroken, as they vow to keep pushing despite bureaucratic obstacles and personal risk. The emotional tone is one of frustration, exhaustion, and stubborn hope.

Rocco Thorn's Web

Kit and Lienna confront Rocco Thorn, who stonewalls with legalistic evasions and veiled threats. Their investigation is stymied by guild politics and the limits of MPD authority. A visit to the Crow and Hammer guild and its enigmatic master, Darius King, yields cryptic hints: Rocco is selling something dangerous to Red Rum, a notorious rogue guild. The emotional arc is one of mounting tension, as Kit and Lienna realize they're up against a conspiracy that spans guilds and criminal networks.

Red Rum Connections

With the help of Vera, a smuggler, Kit and Lienna infiltrate a Red Rum ship, discovering that Rocco has created shareable infernuses—demon vessels that can be used by anyone, not just the original contractor. These weapons are being sold to Red Rum, who plan to build a demon army. The mission nearly ends in disaster, with Kit and Lienna barely escaping a sinking ship and a vengeful electramage contractor. The emotional tone is one of adrenaline, fear, and the exhilaration of survival against impossible odds.

Portal Rescue Mission

After Kit is kidnapped by Red Rum as leverage, Lienna launches a solo rescue using forbidden portal magic and Vera's arsenal. In a high-stakes battle aboard the sinking ship, Kit and Lienna fight off demons, outwit the electramage, and destroy the infernuses. Their teamwork and trust are pushed to the limit, culminating in a desperate escape and a long-awaited, emotionally charged kiss. The chapter is a crescendo of action, sacrifice, and the affirmation of their bond.

Sinking Ship Showdown

As the ship sinks, Kit and Lienna face Ortega, the electramage, who seeks revenge for his daughter's death at the hands of Lienna's father. In a brutal confrontation, Kit uses his last reserves of magic and wit to defeat Ortega and his demon, saving Lienna from drowning. The emotional aftermath is raw—trauma, relief, and the realization that their partnership is forged in fire. The case is closed, but the scars remain.

The Aftermath and Truths

In the hospital, Lienna confides the truth about her father's corruption and the burden of her own silence. Kit grapples with the limits of his magic and the cost of reality warping. The MPD recognizes their heroism, and Blythe offers them a chance to be official partners. The emotional arc is one of vulnerability, forgiveness, and the tentative hope of something more than friendship. Kit's powers return, and the future, though uncertain, is theirs to shape together.

Field Exam Redemption

Kit's final field exam is a triumph—not of magic, but of deception and psychology. By making his opponents believe he's using warps when he's not, he turns their expectations against them and wins. The victory is sweet, not just for the badge, but for the validation of his unique strengths. Lienna's pride and joy in his success are palpable, and their partnership is cemented. The emotional tone is one of relief, pride, and the promise of new adventures.

Partners in Crime (Fighting)

With the case closed, their partnership official, and their feelings for each other undeniable, Kit and Lienna face the future as equals—both in the field and, perhaps, in life. The story ends with hope, humor, and the knowledge that, together, they can face whatever misdirections the world throws at them.

Characters

Kit Morris

Kit is a former con artist turned MPD analyst, whose psychic "warping" magic allows him to create illusions in others' minds. His humor and irreverence mask deep insecurities about his worth and the limitations of his powers, especially when compared to more traditional, "flashy" magic users. Kit's journey is one of self-acceptance—learning that his unique skills, creativity, and empathy are not just valid but essential. His loyalty to Lienna and his willingness to risk himself for others reveal a core of courage and integrity. Kit's relationship with Lienna is both a source of strength and vulnerability, pushing him to grow beyond his past and embrace a future as a true partner and agent.

Lienna Shen

Lienna is a young sorceress with a gift for abjuration (protective magic) and a fierce sense of justice. Her career is shadowed by her father's reputation and, as she reveals, his hidden corruption. Lienna's struggle is both external—proving herself in a male-dominated, political system—and internal, as she grapples with guilt, loyalty, and the fear of repeating her father's mistakes. Her partnership with Kit is transformative, allowing her to trust, to accept help, and to confront her own vulnerabilities. Lienna's courage, intelligence, and compassion make her both a formidable agent and a deeply human character.

Vincent Park

Vincent is Kit's cubicle mate and friendly nemesis, embodying the rule-following, detail-oriented side of the MPD. His rivalry with Kit is both comic and revealing, highlighting Kit's outsider status and the value of unconventional thinking. Vincent's own competence and unexpected heroism (saving Lienna's life) show that beneath the snark and cargo shorts is a reliable ally. His presence grounds the story in the everyday realities of MPD life.

Captain Blythe

Blythe is the archetypal hard-nosed boss, setting high standards and rarely showing approval. Yet her decisions—assigning Kit and Lienna as partners, pushing them to their limits—reveal a belief in their potential and a willingness to challenge the system for the greater good. Blythe's tough love is a crucible in which Kit and Lienna are forged into true agents.

Rocco Thorn

Rocco is the central antagonist, a master summoner whose charm and legal savvy mask a ruthless ambition. His creation of shareable infernuses and willingness to exploit desperate mythics for profit make him a symbol of systemic corruption. Rocco's duplicity and manipulation force Kit and Lienna to confront the limits of law, justice, and their own power.

Leroy

Leroy is a contractor and one of the Grand Grimoire's founders, whose initial faith in the guild is shattered by Rocco's betrayal. His decision to side with Kit and Lienna, risking everything to expose the truth, embodies the theme of personal responsibility and the cost of integrity. Leroy's arc is one of loss, but also of redemption.

Tae-min Lee

Tae-min is the Grand Grimoire's first officer, caught between loyalty to his guild and the evidence of Rocco's crimes. His eventual decision to help Kit and Lienna is a turning point, enabling the exposure of the infernus scheme. Tae-min's struggle reflects the difficulty of confronting corruption within one's own community.

Vera

Vera is an old contact of Kit's, whose skills and magical foresight are crucial to the Red Rum infiltration and rescue mission. Her pragmatic, no-nonsense attitude and complicated relationship with Kit add depth and humor to the story. Vera's willingness to help, despite her anti-MPD stance, highlights the blurred lines between law and outlaw in the mythic world.

Luis Ortega

Ortega is the story's most dangerous antagonist, driven by grief and a thirst for revenge against Lienna's father. His illegal demon contract and relentless pursuit of Lienna bring the story's themes of justice, legacy, and the cycle of violence to a head. Ortega's actions force Lienna to confront her past and Kit to push his magic to its limits.

Darius King

Darius is a master of subtlety and power, offering cryptic guidance that helps Kit and Lienna unravel the case. His loyalty to his guild and his nuanced morality challenge the black-and-white thinking of the MPD. Darius's presence is a reminder that leadership can be both protective and subversive.

Plot Devices

Warping Magic and Illusion

The central device is Kit's psychic warping—his ability to create illusions in others' minds. This power is both a literal tool for investigation and combat, and a metaphor for the story's themes: the difference between appearance and reality, the power of deception, and the necessity of seeing beyond the obvious. The limitations of Kit's magic—its reliance on others' expectations, its vulnerability to telepaths—mirror his own insecurities and the challenges of working within a rigid system.

Bureaucratic and Legal Obstacles

The story is structured around the procedural realities of the MPD: paperwork, jurisdiction, guild politics, and the need for evidence. These constraints create tension and force Kit and Lienna to be creative, but also highlight the ways in which systems can be manipulated by those in power (Rocco, Red Rum). The tension between justice and procedure is a recurring motif.

Foreshadowing and Red Herrings

The title's promise of "misdirections" is fulfilled through a series of false leads, dead ends, and shifting alliances. The investigation is a maze, with each clue leading to new questions. Foreshadowing is used to build suspense (the car bomb, the electramage's vendetta), while red herrings (sleeper guilds, paperwork anomalies) keep the reader—and the protagonists—off balance.

Emotional and Romantic Subplots

The evolving relationship between Kit and Lienna is both a source of tension and a catalyst for character development. Their mutual trust, vulnerability, and eventual romantic connection are woven through the plot, providing emotional stakes that parallel the external dangers. The romance is slow-burn, marked by miscommunication, self-doubt, and moments of genuine connection.

Reality Warping and Power Limits

Kit's rare ability to warp reality, not just perception, is a Chekhov's gun that goes off in the climax. The cost—temporary loss of his powers—serves as both a plot obstacle and a meditation on the dangers of unchecked power. The device underscores the story's message: true strength lies not in raw magic, but in creativity, resilience, and partnership.

Analysis

Hellbound Guilds & Other Misdirections is a witty, fast-paced urban fantasy that uses the conventions of detective fiction and buddy-cop drama to explore deeper questions of power, justice, and identity. At its heart, the novel is about outsiders—those who don't fit the mold—finding their place in a system that often values conformity over creativity. Kit's journey from self-doubt to self-acceptance, and Lienna's struggle to reconcile her ideals with the messy realities of family and law, mirror the reader's own search for meaning in a world of misdirections. The book critiques bureaucratic inertia and the dangers of unchecked authority, while celebrating the power of partnership, empathy, and unconventional thinking. Its humor, heart, and high-stakes action make it both an entertaining adventure and a thoughtful meditation on what it means to do the right thing when the rules aren't enough. The lesson is clear: true heroism isn't about flashy magic or perfect records, but about the courage to see through illusions—both others' and our own—and to fight for what matters, together.

Last updated: February 1, 2026