“Dining room table?” Jake wondered aloud.
“Hell no. I don’t need to make another mess again like we did last night.” Kara countered with open amusement. “The island will suffice for now. I can already see you have a really fat lip and it look like a cut, so I’ll need the portable cell regenerator and wet wipes to fix you right up.”
“Will it lead to sex?” Her boyfriend questioned hopefully.
The woman giggled. “Maybe. But for right now, you need some personal TLC from yours truly. So let’s focus on that for a spell and see what happens.” She said, after opening the kit and pulling out what she needed. The cell regenerator hit the counter with a heavy thumping noise while the portable box of wet wipes did not.
Pulling the zipper seal across, she pulled a few out and laid them on top of the place mat in front of her and watched as her boyfriend take his seat at the island counter across from her.
“This shouldn’t take long.” She told him. “A few minutes at most.”
“Will it hurt?” He asked with a small amount of concern.
“It’ll feel warm and tingly. Don’t worry. These things are perfectly harmless.” She said—going over to him and looking him square in the eye.
“Hold still while I wipe you off.”
“I don’t know if I can. My face feels like hell right now.” Jake murmured with obvious distress.
Kara smiled at him sweetly. “I’ll be gentle, baby. I always am. Now try not to move.” She said, gently applying the first wet wipe to the affected part of his face where the greatest amount of blood splatters were concentrated.
Jake winced a bit even though the pressure was barely noticeable and Kara was lovingly attending to his wounds.
“Baby.” She giggled then. “What ever am I going to do with you, Jake Harper?”
“Myuh me ah moo.” He tried to respond while his mouth was covered with a blood stained wet wipe.
Kara paused at that moment and grinned. “What was that again?”
Jake gave her a slightly annoyed look. “I said, ‘You could always kiss me.’”
“Not yet. Your fat lip has overtaken that possibility by far.”
“Feels like a balloon for some reason.” He said, reaching up to touch his face. But his girlfriend stopped him before he could do anything.
“Not yet,” she scolded lightly—holding up the cell regenerator device. “I still need to apply this to your face. Now hold very still.”
Jake nodded while she clicked the thing on and a slight humming noise was heard in the space between them.
Kara gently pressed the flat applicator tip to the affected area and let the thing do its work before she moved onto the next bit which needed her undivided attention as well.
But in a few minutes time, the regenerator magically healed his wounds—even his slightly lacerated gum line—before she switched it off and set it down on the counter behind her.
Then she leaned forward to collect a tender kiss from him in passing.
“How’s that?” She wanted to know.
Jake opened his eyes in wonder and nodded breathlessly. “It feels…different somehow. Like nothing’s ever happened. No pain either.”
“That’s good to know.” Kara murmured appreciatively, before looping her arms around his neck. “Now to the best part of the deal.”
“You always want something out of everything I do.” Jake chuckled dismissively. “That’s what I loved about you from the beginning.”
Kara looked at him for a second in surprise.
“Am I always that pushy, baby?”
“Not pushy, per se. Just driven and determined.” He relented a bit.
Kara hung back for a moment. “Is that a bad thing?”
Jake paused on his next comment and then nodded a little in blunt honesty.
“Sometimes. But I don’t mind.”
Kara studied her boyfriend some more.
“Are you sure? Because I could always give you your personal space so you can play with your baseball card collection and that 20th century classic movie pak you try to keep hidden from me.” She said with a devilish air.
Jake hesitated for a moment. “How do you know about that?”
“I found one of the disc cover sleeves peek out of a box and it said White Christmas and had a picture of Bing Crosby on it.”
Jake sighed. “I would like it if you didn’t mention that to anyone. I could get in serious trouble for having media contraband on me.”
“Maybe here in the New Republic, but not for foreigners overseas on a state “visit“ or other important functions.” Kara reminded him. “Says so in the Hamilton Charter of 2105.”
Her boyfriend let out a small sigh of relief. “Thanks for covering for me on that one.”
“If I didn’t know about your love affair for movies, I wouldn’t have let something like that slide, lover. I may be military, but even I know the rules of the road. So you’re fine.”
Jake nodded as an afterthought. “So what would you like to do next?”
“Fix a nice meal, have some quality time with the guy I love—maybe fuck your brains out again like I did yesterday?” She threw out to him in passing.
“Wasn’t once enough?” He said in all seriousness.
Kara gave him a look. “Once? Are you fucking kidding me? I haven’t had a good round of sex in the four months we’ve been apart!”
“But I was here the month before last…” He calmly pointed out.
“We didn’t get a chance to do anything. I was so busy with the Birmingham Incident last year before Thanksgiving. And you were on a special furlough from your job—if I wasn’t mistaken. Sorry. We just didn’t have any time.”
“But now we have a little bit of time I suppose,” her boyfriend reminded her. “Between what’s going down in the city proper and last night at the last possible second.”
Kara nodded distractedly. “Yeah, sorry about that. But I couldn’t ignore that emergency recall order on a whim. Not when my reputation is on the line.”
“So…things went badly for you then?”
The woman shrugged indifferently. “Not badly. Just a minor cluster fuck.”
“Over that witch.” Jake said neutrally.
Karen nodded again. “Damned girl is slippery than a rattle snake in a den of vipers. I thought if we set out some bait, she would fall into our trap. But she pulled a last minute surprise on me that had me thinking about how we should treat our next encounter.”
“But I thought the armies of the Third Watch had some anti-magic technology at their disposal?”
“It doesn’t work on High Witches and their familiars. We found that out thirty years ago by accident. Doesn’t even dampen their powers or abilities. It just annoys and pisses them off.”
“And the rumors about some newer tech down the line?”
“Virtually untested and locked in the weapons’ vaults. Not sure if they would work against this newest High Witch in training.”
“So she’s in line to become one of them?”
Kara nodded. “Looks to be that way, yes—which just gives me more of a headache to deal with than I would have liked. Thankfully, we were able to neutralize many of other High Witches across the country through less than judicial means. Even a few nights ago I was able to take one down myself in the aftermath of Old New York.”
“How’d you do it?” Jake wanted to know then.
“The bitch was trying to hide herself, but I mortally wounded her with a shot from my rifle. She died screaming my name.”
“And this girl? What’s her story?”
Kara stewed for a couple moments—thinking that one over.
“She’s apparently in possession of an ancient and powerful artifact which caught the attention of the Regency Council years ago—but were unable to obtain from its previous owner.” The woman explained contritely.
“Why not?”
“The Dragon Tear’s owner was corrupted and drunk from its power. She used
it to wage a vendetta on all mankind. Not even the Regency Council or the armies of the Third Watch could even stop her. It took a High Witch and her yearling daughter to put an end to her killing spree. And that was pushing things. After which, the Dragon’s Tear vanished again—presumed lost. We didn’t know what happened after that—until now.”
“So the girl is in possession of one of the most powerful things in the universe? And you can’t just take it from her?”
Kara nodded. “Once the artifact is bonded to the wearer—it becomes a part of their physical self. Even their soul. It can only be taken by another magical familiar or a High Witch themselves.”
“Which leaves you out—if I’m not mistaken.” Jake surmised.
“What makes you say that?”
“You’re a dragon shifter. Not a magical familiar. Not a true one anyways.”
His girlfriend sighed. “That’s true enough. I’m not a true magical familiar. I’m not technically anything at the moment. I’m a bridge between two worlds. A half-ling each. But not powerful enough to be considered a true soul of either.”
“So you wouldn’t be able to take the Dragon’s Tear from her anyways.”
Kara sighed miserably.
“No. I wouldn’t. Which only leaves me the element of surprise. And that’s going to take some doing.”
“So you’re only hope is to capture her alive then?”
The woman nodded. “That’s our hope. But we have to do it on our terms and not hers. That’s what this new operation is geared for. And then afterwards—who knows? We should have her in custody.”
“But what if she decides to fight back? What then?”
Kara smiled thinly. “Oh, I expect nothing less from her. If she’s anything like her traveling companions—whom left her with the others—she’ll stay and fight.”
Jake blinked. “Wait. What? She’s alone?”
Kara nodded. “Yep. Her mother and her friend left her at the apartment complex and gave us the slip. We’re assuming they are out of the city by now—going to wherever there.”
“You don’t know?”
His girlfriend laughed. “Lover…High Witches don’t exactly announce their comings and goings in this world. When they leave, they leave. They don’t come back to the same place twice.”
“Maybe in ancient times that was true, but what about now?”
“Same rules still apply, baby. If a High Witch’s place of residence has been compromised, they don’t come back. That’s why the apartment high rise down at the plaza had been deserted. There’s nobody there now. It’s just empty and desolate.”
“And the girl?”
“She’ll stay with the others in that loathsome Resistance. But I suspect she’ll be moving on before too long. And that’s when we’ll grab her.”
Jake took a deep breath and sighed. “I hope your right about that. We’ve had too many problems with magical kinsfolk and magical familiars over the years. It would be nice if humanity reclaimed what was once theirs through proxy before the First Beings made a giant mess of things.”
Kara chuckled. “Even the gods can get things wrong from time to time. Even they aren’t infallible.”
“True. But what about the half-lings that live here? What about them?”
“They aren’t much of a threat. The Regency Council elected to leave them out of the purge that’s been conducted across the country.”
“On whose recommendation?”
Kara looked at him coolly.
“Who do you think executed Order 66? Hmm?”
Jake blinked. “Oh. That would be you.”
“Exactly. Magical kinsfolk and magical families are herby enemies of the New Republic—on April 13th, 2290. Humanity will prevail.” Kara said, before leaning forward to kiss her boyfriend on the head.
“Just remember: I am doing all of this for you, baby. You deserve a brighter future without having to be in constant competition with them—or do you want a reminder of the times you lost out because of the laws which were passed to grant them more rights over you while showing greater preference?”
Jake nodded humbly. “I remember. I was devastated by the news. It cost me more than you can imagine.”
“Which means humanity is on the path towards greatness once again—for a more secure republic and a better future for us all.”
Jake nodded—knowing that she was doing all of this for not only herself but him as well.
And that was something that he could live with easily with no regrets.
No regrets at all.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Dinner Options
Tillie Gunderson didn’t need to know that she was being put on the spot by the way Charlie was now looking at her with a patient look of his own.
But she decided that he could afford to wait a minute more while she finished what was on her first plate—before pushing it away from her; then readjusting her cloak a bit for comfort’s sake.
“I know what you’re going to say, man. The look on your face is a dead giveaway,” she said point blank—knowing that there would have to be some sort of “ground rule” in play between the two of them.
Just so Roz doesn’t go ballistic because she had been hitting on him from time to time when no one was looking.
“And what would that be?” The older boy returned evenly.
Tillie reached over for her glass of water and took a drink from it before setting it back down.
“That I have no business falling for you.”
Charlie’s eyes widened a bit with surprise.
“Well, that’s not exactly true.” He tried to deflect uneasily.
Tillie looked at him for a second.
“It isn’t? Look, either I jump the gun here and steal you away from her obsessive friend out there, or there’s going to be a dead body on this floor. And it won’t be mine.”
Charlie chuckled with half-concealed amusement. “You think you can fight Roz? She would…” he paused for a second to find the right words to say to her.
“She’s not the most easiest person to beat in a fight.”
“I’m taller than she is and more capable. You’ve seen me in action. I don’t fold easily in the heat of battle. If anything, I can hold my own.”
“Did your parents teach you that?” Charlie asked—getting a little bit sidetracked here.
Tillie nodded. “Of course.” She revealed.
“Well, she’s not the type you’d want to be tangling with anyways.” Charlie told her flat out. “Even if she’s not a magical familiar like you.”
“I wasn’t suggesting that she would be any less of a formidable opponent, man. But I’m telling you right now: She doesn’t scare me in the slightest.”
The other boy snorted harshly in response—shaking his head at the same time.
Tillie took that as a personal challenge to her.
“What?” She argued up front. “You think she does?”
“No.” Charlie waved off effortlessly. “I’m just thinking of the time when she and I got into a real argument over something and she…did a few things I least expected of her at that time and it really put things into perspective.”
Tillie’s eyes gleamed softly in the overhead light. “So she scares you—is that it?”
Charlie fidgeted a bit from her directed response. “Well…not exactly. I’m more used to her outbursts and passing arguments than anything else. We haven’t traded blows in awhile since our last sparring session together.”
“You…fight?” Tillie demurred softly.
The older boy nodded. “We all have to. It’s part of our required training here in the Underground and in the Resistance.”
“Oh.”
Charlie nodded with some erstwhile sympathy on her part.
“I think what you’re looking for here is a reason to challenge Roz for my hand because you see her as competition for my affections.”
Tillie blushed a little. “Well, the thought had crossed my mind bac
k at the women’s mission. I saw the way she hovers around you and latches onto you. The two of you are practically inseparable.”
“That’s true.” Charlie conceded. “But her affections are more complicated than normal. I…was one of her first human friends before you came along.”
“I’m not human, Charlie. I’m a witch.” The girl corrected then.
“That’s not what I was implying. I’m merely suggesting that Roz hasn’t had that much experience dealing with people like me before. But seeing you, she’s become even more possessive.”
“I see.” Tillie murmured. “So I’m the threat then?”
Charlie shrugged. “Depends on how you look at it.” He said evenly. “You are a girl by nature and most girls I’ve known can sometimes turn violent if certain conditions are met.”
Tillie laughed softly. “Isn’t that the truth.”
Charlie smiled briefly. “So you’ll understand why I’m a little hesitant in starting things.”
“With me.” The other girl stated unswervingly.
“Yep.” The other boy confirmed. “It’s not that I wouldn’t mind forging new relationships with other girls or other girls, it’s just that I’ve been involved with Roz far longer than I care to admit. And there are times when I think of her more than a close friend or sister. But usually those impulses die out pretty quick—out of respect for her.”
“But why does she continue to press the issue if you aren’t interested in her romantically? What gives?”
Charlie laughed. “I think it’s because along the line, she’s just infatuated with me. And I don’t mind that, so long as she doesn’t try to make all the wrong moves—like she did a week ago. Before you came.”
Tillie sat there in quiet amazement—thinking that her fortunes couldn’t have been this good or the fact that she found a boy she liked whom couldn’t return any interests in her.
“So you just don’t have any interest in forming a relationship with a girl beyond the friend zone stage—right?”
“For now.” Charlie easily admitted. “I mean, it’s okay to be flirtatious from time to time and maybe a tease, but usually the rules are in place for a reason.”
The girl’s eyebrows went up a bit at that.
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