Having her back turned at that very moment, Kara didn’t see her boyfriend’s ground car pull up to her only parking space on the east side of the house—laying on the horn a couple of times to get her undivided attention.
Twisting around, the woman broke out into a happy smile as Jake emerged from his rental with a small bouquet of long stemmed roses and a box of chocolates in hand.
“You fucking bastard!” She laughed out loud. “You said—you—” then she bounded down the small flight of stairs to meet him by the car—first by taking in the sweet scent of the violet colored roses and then kissing Jake on the mouth for all it was worth.
Jake was still trying not to laugh much while she was making out with him, but the two ended up trading spit and saliva and minty fresh breath to boot.
“Breath-Savers?” Kara queried with some puzzlement of her own.
“Lifesavers mints.” Her boyfriend said, showing her the small travel tin he carried with him.
“Sorry, didn’t have time to brush my teeth before leaving the hotel this morning.”
Kara licked her lips experimentally in passing. “I wouldn’t have minded.”
“Then I wouldn’t have been able to stop by the florist’s on the way down and get you these.” He said—waving the bouquet around just a bit on the still warm hood of the ground car.
Kara looked at him strangely for a second. “I don’t need flowers and chocolate to know that you love me, Jake. Having you in my life is more than enough for me as is. I couldn’t ask for anything more than that.”
Jake wore a momentary look of defeat—tinged with surprise.
“Well, if I don’t get you the chocolates at least…you’ll go all draggo on me and tear out my liver—as you’ve threatened nonchalantly in the past.”
“That was neutering, buster. Not fishing out your sexy liver.”
Jake’s eyebrows went up. “My liver is sexy?”
Kara nodded, eyeing him with both a predatory and calculating look.
“I think every part of you is sexy, lover boy. All the way down to your strong lack of body hair.”
“It’s the Irish in me,” he professed. “My dad didn’t have any hint of hair either. Had the baby face to make up for it though.”
Kara kissed him on the cheek. “I know. That’s what I liked about you from the start: You had a lot of that youthful energy and drive that’s kept me up at nights.”
“I’m only twenty-six.” Her boyfriend thought to point out. “And you’re almost—”
“Don’t say it.” Kara warned blithely—tapping him on the nose lightly.
Jake drew back in surprise. “I wasn’t going to say you were old, baby. But you’re a half-ling by far. That would make you—let’s see…going by dog years…?”
“Dog years?!?” She charged forth abruptly while pouting. “Are you comparing me to a mangy canine…?”
“Just the age thing, honey. Don’t worry. You won’t be reaching that apex for a long while yet.”
“As a half-ling or a dog?” The woman said, mock hurt by his suggestion.
“Well, the way the story goes is that for every year a dog ages, it’s seven years in reality. So since you are—”
“Say it and die.” Kara promised thinly.
Jake laughed. “You never hear me complain about my age being an issue as much as you do with yours…?”
“I have my reasons, mister. Now please…continue.”
“Roughly you would be about two hundred years old—plus or minus ten years.”
“Half-lings age roughly a quarter of years as their genetic counterpart.” The woman informed him. “And since dragons are notoriously long lived—?”
Jake grinned. “You’ll outlive countless guys and boyfriends.”
“Maybe in my dragon form, I would. But not while I’m in human form—with this damned amulet around my neck.”
Jake studied it for a second. “Couldn’t you just—I don’t know…take it off?”
“I can’t remove it. It’s got this magical incantation that my mother used to stay locked on this chain around my neck. The only good thing about it is that it’s waterproof.”
“Have you…been any more successful at removing it the old-fashioned way?”
“My mother’s spell books haven’t given me too many leads. But I think I might have hit on something useful. Not sure if it’s going to work or not.”
“So if the amulet grounds you in your human form…why do you want to remove it?”
Kara snorted softly. “It’s an abomination. Do you remember the times I told you when I was in my dragon form and fighting both my parents tooth and claw?”
“Yeah, you mentioned it to me once or twice—that I can recall?”
“Well, I had a real taste of what freedom was like in my dragon form and that’s what I want again. I want to feel the wind in my face and along my body and be able to finally take flight.”
“If that day comes, can I come with you?” Jake asked with those puppy dog eyes of his.
Kara stared at him for a second, at a loss for words. Then she reached up and touched his face endearingly.
“Baby…when I become a dragon, I will lose all sense of what it means to be a human—except that one overpowering urge to be free.” She said softly. “It may not even be safe around me.”
“Because you’ll eat me?”
The woman laughed lightly.
“For you are crunchy and will taste good in ketchup.” She joked for his personal benefit.
“Seriously?” Jake wondered.
“Have you ever paid attention to me when I’m in my dragon humanoid form—while we were making love together?”
“Not really. You were kinda blowing my mind in more ways than one.”
Kara eyed him with some concern. “You don’t remember me playfully biting you or licking you?”
“Maybe a little. Why?”
“Because I was getting a taste for you, lover boy. I was committing that to memory. That’s why I worry about you. I don’t want to see you harmed in any way.”
“But you just said—”
“I know what I said. What I am saying now is based on my human experiences. When that amulet breaks, I don’t you to be around me. I want you to get away from me as fast as possible. Don’t be a hero for my sake. It won’t end pleasantly for you. Can you promise me that?”
“I’ll try…” he murmured quietly.
Kara looked him in the eye.
“Don’t just try. Do it.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
A Slice of Heaven
“Now remember, honey—don’t eat more than you can handle. Especially with your food allergies.” Alicia sought to caution.
“I took my suppressants before I left home,” the girl said—ready to attack her first full plate of New York style pizza. There were two pies in front of them—the absolute limit to what they can get a work credit for between three people.
Sarah eyed the receipt slip with concern.
“Still don’t know how this counts towards a work credit. All I see are a bunch of block numbers arranged out of sequence.” She said, tapping the slip with a slightly bent fingernail.
“I think when you put it up to the SAO scanner, it will tell you how many credits each of us will receive.”
“I think more will go towards myself and Sarah here.” Alicia confirmed in that moment. “Seeing how we are adults more than you.”
Tillie frowned for a moment, her fork in the air. “I think it may be evenly distributed. But that’s my guess.”
Her mother chuckled. “It’s okay. We’ll figure out how this system works when we see the new job coordinator in the morning—after we all get settled in.”
“Not sure how I’m going to like spending one night in a women’s mission. I’ve seen a few more antiquated examples at the local museum a couple years ago that showcased the Third Great Depression of the 2070s—which hit the nation particularly hard. 72 million people were left in p
overty.”
“After the last devastating war in the Middle East—which ended up costing the entire country of Israel in the process—along with a few other nations. The region became a melting pot of refugees looking for a new home in parts of the Syrian country which wasn’t ruined by a series of Class IV orbital bombardments.” Alicia recalled from her history studies—before she caught her daughter’s unhappy eye.
Her expression softened. “Sorry, sweetie. Mommy got carried away again.”
The other girl shrugged indifferently. “It’s not your fault. You were a history teacher at the Academy for six years before my powers awakened.”
“Yes. I was.” Her mother confirmed with pride.
Tillie stabbed a thick piece of pepperoni with cheese onto her fork, held up the utensil in lavish fashion and then stuffed it into her mouth—before pulling out a somewhat clean fork.
Then she started chewing thoughtfully for a few moments before swallowing.
Her face betrayed the open amount of pleasure, wonder, and surprise of the experience.
“This is so much better than I ever dreamed or imagined!” She blurted out—dropping her fork onto the table and picking up the unfinished slice and putting the tapered end into her mouth.
Alicia laughed softly. “Well, I did promise you a good dining experience—didn’t I?”
Tillie nodded while she had her mouth full—then grabbed a napkin off the side to wipe off the excess sauce and grease off the front of her face—after she put down half of the pizza slice that she had consumed in one sitting.
A waiter came up to them asked them if they would like any refills on their water or drinks since they sat down at the table less than twenty minutes before.
Tillie looked at her empty water glass and then her second glass of half diet soda—half full.
“More water please,” she asked shyly in front of the gorgeous young man.
Alicia noticed the look her daughter was given him as he took the water glass from her hand and refilled with expert precision and then gave it back to her.
Then he turned his attention to the other two women who handed him their empty soda glasses and he gave them two fresh diet sodas in exchange.
“Table six—right?” He confirmed for the three of them.
“That’s right,” Alicia said.
He pulled out a couple customer survey cards from his apron pocket for them to fill out later on.
“Before you leave.” He hinted pleasantly, before taking tray and placing it on the serving cart along with the glasses. Minus her mother and her friend, Tillie watched him go with casual interest.
“He’s a dreamboat,” she whispered mostly to herself. “How come I could never get a guy like that?”
Alicia heard her comment as clear as day. “What about Charlie?” She openly teased her daughter.
Tillie jerked her head up in embarrassment—not even realizing she had said it in plain view of her mother—whom had been sitting right next to her.
“Huh?”
“Charlie? That boy you claimed to like so much early on?” Her mother pressed knowingly—sensing this was going to be an ongoing battle of self-control than anything else her age.
“Mom…I can look—can’t I?” She said in full defense of herself. “Besides…I haven’t quite committed to him yet.”
“That’s mighty strange. I could have sworn you had your heart set on him early on by the way you were buttering him up to me as your one and only.”
Tillie sighed miserably. “Maybe…as a friend first.” She finally admitted—her head spinning from the overall rush of excitement of being in her first pizza parlor in ages and her own hormone levels.
Alicia grinned.
“Are you sure? Because I can remember the last few times—quite clearly in fact—when you had more than a few passing boys on your mind.”
Tillie groaned out of personal embarrassment.
“Was I that out of control?” She said, blowing her breath out in silent frustration.
“No. Just not sure which way you wanted to go in relationships—as few as they were.”
The girl sighed heavily. “I just didn’t have as much experience with having a boyfriend, mom. Friends yes. Boyfriends no.”
Her mother chuckled softly in response.
“Because you just don’t know how to consummate a normal relationship with a boy your age, honey. You’ve had no experience or much…knowledge.”
Tillie picked off a slice of burnt pepperoni off her next slice of pizza. Then she promptly ate it.
“I suppose skill comes next?”
“Maybe I should tell you how I first met your father those many years ago. Boy, was it an eye-opening experience. And a rewarding one towards the end to boot.” Alicia consoled back.
Tillie’s eyes screwed shut as she grimaced. “I…don’t think I’m quite ready for that kind of talk yet, mom. Sounds gross.”
Her mother giggled. “I swear on the Holy Onicron that I will not make it personal.” She vowed, making the sign for both Order and Obedience.
Tillie looked at Sarah Winters, whom was shaking her head silently.
“Don’t look at me,” she deflected. “I don’t want any part of this conversation.”
“I wasn’t suggesting otherwise,” the girl said in defense of them both. “I’m just not…ready.”
Alicia reached over to draw her daughter into a hug.
“You seldom were, sweetie. You were always so quick to jump into things—without thinking for the most part—but you didn’t care. You wanted to seize the moment—however you could. Just so you could feel like you belonged to something special.”
Tillie giggled despite herself. “That explains why I have always been single. Please don’t tell me that I scared off every boy I met, or guy for that matter with my behavior…?”
Alicia gave that some thought. “Well, they certainly were intimidated by your level of brash impulsiveness.”
Tillie’s shoulders slumped in response. “Was I that bad?”
“There was no good or bad, honey. You just…wanted to experience everything all at once. You were very difficult to control back in those days. More so after you hit puberty. And that was more than I could handle at any rate. As a mother I mean. That’s why you went on the pill early on.”
“Mom…” Tillie pleaded with a sense of urgency. “No reminders please—remember?”
Alicia kissed her daughter on the top of the head.
“I’m only looking out for your best interest, honey.” She said quietly.
“By broadcasting it all over the pizzeria?” The girl hissed—horrified.
“Sweetie, the noise level in this place is more than even I can handle. And we are in the far corner—with an open window view of the world outside. I doubt anyone is even listening to us—since I count at least…six, seven, eight, maybe twelve people in the parlor alone?”
“And the cute bus boys.” Sarah added with a bob of her eyebrows. “Don’t forget about them.” She had almost finished what was on her plate at this point in time and was now reaching for her glass of diet soda.
Tillie blushed at the mere mention of their presence. She definitely didn’t want to be meeting up with any guy right now. She had been thoroughly embarrassed enough by her mother as is.
“No sense in crawling back into your shell, Tillamook.” Sarah pointed out with a knowing smile of her own. “You can still face the world on your own terms though.”
Tillie curled up into a ball. “I don’t feel like it.” She announced unhappily. “I just want to go home. This place is horrible.”
Alicia looked at her friend for a second, silently wondering if she had chosen the wrong time to bring up such a tender subject between herself and her only daughter?
“We won’t be here forever, honey. It’s only temporary.” She tried to compromise then.
The other girl groaned. “I should of stayed put.” She said.
“But you said it was
dangerous…?” Her mother reminded her at that point.
Tillie was quiet.
“I lied,” she said emphatically. “The armies of the Third Watch hadn’t reached our area yet despite some early shelling. I just didn’t feel like staying put.”
“So you took a giant risk by exposing yourself to any possible hostile party that would be gunning for a magical familiar?”
“People were dying…mom. I could hear the commotion outside the apartment as I left. As I took the flight of emergency stairs down to ground level. And out to the main lobby where one side of it was already blown open to the elements by a missile attack. Probably from a passing drone carrier or a couple of airborne Chaser units.”
Her mother nodded. “Okay. So what happened next, sweetie?”
Tillie took a deep breath and released it slowly. “I got out of there as quickly as possible. Started running down the street. The place was deserted already. I could hear some people screaming or shouting in the distance. Wasn’t too sure of the direction though. Then the sound of repulsion and rocket fire hitting another part of the city in the distance. I could see smoke rising as well. But I did my best not to draw attention to myself.
“So I took the back road that you showed me awhile back. It was safer and less traveled. But it dumped me out into the main arterial forty minutes later and that’s where I ran into my first Third Watch patrol.”
Sarah paused in what she was doing with her last slice of pizza and listened to the girl’s story.
“Did you engage, sweetie?” Her mother asked.
“Not at first. Not at first. I was too busy getting out of their way to even notice that I had a fucking target painted on my back by another recon drone unit. Then a support craft opened fire on me from short range and I had to use my incantation spells to make short work of my assailant. That is what drew the patrols back to my neck of the woods. And that is what started a long and difficult fight all the way to back alley where I eventually met up with Charlie.”
“You’re fortunate you weren’t killed, Tillamook.” Sarah said in quiet amazement of my harrowing ordeal.
“There wasn’t any real body that I could see in my last minute of action. Just chunks of burnt flesh and charred bone.”
Generation Witch Year One Page 10