Alterations

by Lucretia Stanhope

  Gwen put the papers from Beverly and a few others in her briefcase that she pulled from beside the desk, and waved a hand to the chair. “Have a seat.”

  Gina sunk into the plush suede chair, and watched as Gwen shuffled a few more things, clearing her desk.

  “We all love Brac,” Gina said, and rubbed her finger on the arm of the chair. “He's been with me since he started practicing. I don't know how to tell you this other than to say it. Trust it embarrasses me.”

  Gwen furrowed her brows. She didn't know if embarrassed sounded better than worried, which she often heard in reference to Brac and his behavior.

  “Go on. You know we are all family here.” Gwen picked at the corner of her notepad, rolling the page up and down between two fingers.

  “One of the teachers. I was working late last night. It's just not appropriate. I know we like to think it is different with boys, but really, a teacher. She should know better.”

  Gwen's eyes grew wide and her throat went dry. She put her hand to her mouth.

  Gina looked down. “I of all witches understand age means nothing to you and your husband, but teachers and students. Even if they are the same age. It's a slippery slope of immorality.”

  “Of course you understand. Don't tell me who. I'll talk to Brac. I wouldn't want the teacher to be made to feel uncomfortable. I, maybe I should talk to Timofei before we… A teacher? With my baby?” Gwen closed her eyes. This week continued to assault her in unexpected ways.

  After a little more awkward talk, Gina left to attend to her students. Gwen sat at her desk trying to prioritize. Demons, they came first. She stood and started out of her office. She pulled the door closed and locked it, testing the handle with a twist.

  Her eyes stayed down as she walked. She didn't want to look at everyone she passed, and wonder if they spent the last night with her little boy. A teacher?

  “Mom,” Kyna said, drawing her attention. “Did you talk to dad?”

  Gwen stopped walking. “No, sweetheart, he was in a foul mood. He had to go back to Odeen. I will. I promise.”

  Kyna rolled her eyes. “I have class.”

  Gwen massaged her forehead a minute, before she started toward the exit. Whatever gods rule this realm please, just… her thoughts were interrupted by another person calling her name.

  She tapped her fingers on her wrist and turned to see Zachary, a spell writer she worked with on knitting spells in the past.

  “I'm glad I caught you. You've been off realm so much lately,” he said, and tucked a blond curl behind his ear.

  Gwen forced a smile. The day seemed to want to slip between her fingers. “I've been very divided between realms. I'm sorry. How did the healing blanket work?”

  “Perfect, thank you. Tamara says they give such a healing peace that her patients feel better before she even starts a potion. She's asked for more, since they seem to walk off.” His wide smile fit well with his round face.

  “I wish we had more time. I would just make everyone on realm something peaceful to wrap in.”

  “Not even I have that much time, and frankly I have a lot of time. Can I get some advice on a spell? It's for a special gift. I want it for tranquility, and I just can't get the rhythm of the words right.”

  Gwen held a quick argument with her own thoughts. She wanted to go to council, but she didn't want to blow off her family here. The witches at colony gave her more sense of family and belonging than council witches ever did.

  “Let's have lunch, and see what we can come up with,” Gwen offered. She figured she needed to eat anyway.

  They walked together to the cafeteria, where they both ordered sandwiches. Gwen asked for a piece of cake as well and then they went outside to the tables, where they could be alone to concentrate. A few hours later, Zachary thanked her for the perfect spell and rushed off to start dying yarn.

  She sat at the table a bit longer to finish her sandwich. Afternoon approached. As she chewed, she considered if it was worth going until after her meeting here. At which point she would only have a few hours without Matvei. She could make the most of them, if she focused.

  Two more people who needed her attention made her mind up for her. One wanted to talk about the making of a separate collective for this realm's familiars now that Timofei found them a suitable world. The second needed to know about the details for the catering of the festival lunch. With just enough time remaining to grab her briefcase and head for the meeting room, Gwen felt the weight of her responsibilities. They needed her. If she didn't have time for important things like demons, how could she even consider leaving these people to the vampires? If she wasn't there to temper both Timofei and Matvei, what would they be like? Not benevolent rulers, she guessed.

  She entered the wide door and pulled it closed behind her. Already sat at the large table, Henry and Shirley both looked up at her and gave a greeting.

  “Is Yvette coming?” Gwen asked.

  Since their arrival in the first group on the first day, the three witches easily fell into the roles of colony leaders. They proved time and again invaluable to Gwen.

  Shirley cast her slate blue eyes down.

  “She's taken a head teaching position in the earth school,” Henry said, and reached a hand over to give Shirley moral support.

  Gwen closed her eyes. “What happened to the witch we were training for that opening?”

  They all knew that a head teacher bonded after training. The meeting when they first discussed that change was gloomy. Timofei decided recently that head teachers would grow more in their own knowledge and ability to help the kids with the extra years. The argument, although intense, ended in his favor. They usually did.

  “Another disappearance,” Shirley said.

  Gwen frowned. The disappearance rate when witches got up in years was high. Especially if they were elemental. Those whose elements stayed latent seemed to stay. Timofei and Gwen both agreed they shouldn't be tracked down. If they wanted to go back to the home realm they should let them.

  It was clear by their moods and auras that Henry and Shirley felt sad at the change. Not all of the witches approved of bonding. The older generation, of who Gwen felt more in touch with especially.

  They muddled through the meeting, pinning down times, menus, and handling all new business. They talked briefly about replacing Yvette. The power of three was honored and the leaders valued the extra potential in the sacred number. Gwen made a shortlist of possible candidates.

  She also added talking to Timofei about Yvette to her ever growing list of things to do. That kind of change should at least warrant him pretending to ask her. She tried to hold down her anger at him leaving her out of the breaking up of her leaders. He must have known how she valued them, she talked about them often.

  Equals, please, she thought. What a joke. Count to ten, Gwen, she told herself. The mutilated body in her office stirred her fires and made all of his maneuverings that she ignored with ease, seem more menacing. More deceptive. More.

  “Infuriating?” Matvei said, appearing beside her.

  “Oh, this day just gets worse and worse.”

  “You sure are a spit-fire this visit. I like it.”

  “I can mellow, if you'll go. Don't you have a realm to run? Something to kill?”

  “Where are you off to, mother?”

  “Council.”

  “I understood you were not to be alone.”

  “I am not going to be alone. He didn't specify monsters were the only beings that counted as company.”

  “Well played. I'll agree to that.” He smirked. “I'll see you in a few hours. Stay spunky.”

  Chapter Four

  “I expected a handful of suspects, Gwen. This is bad. You need to go home. Don't come back until Mikhail is awake,” Kenneth said. He paced the meeting room and kept his eyes down, focused on anything but Gwen.

  “Well, how many are there? I can't have that many enemies.” She stood behind a chair with her fingers held tight to the bac
k of the seat.

  “It's closer to eighty percent of the people I talk to. My list is so extensive I don't even know where to begin.” He paused to look up at her. “I'm sorry.”

  She pushed the chair hard against the table. “Why?”

  “Why? They have a deep sense of betrayal, especially those who have been here a while.”

  “Especially them? They should be the ones who really notice the good I've done.” The air in the room filled with static energy.

  “No, they are the ones who never saw Greta with Dmitry. She kept her allegiances behind closed doors. You however, they see hand in hand with Timofei. They know you are his lover. They know you took every last elemental witch away. The only witches with even a remote chance to free this realm. You took them away. That is what they know.”

  Gwen blew out as his words punched her in the stomach. “I, those witches were hated like me. I gave them a better life too.”

  “Did you? Did you, or were you complicit in both the damnation of this realm and the slavery of a whole new realm?” His voice rose with each question.

  “You, you are accusing me? You think I took those witches to give vampires more power?” Gwen started to pace as well, each footstep popped against the static she generated.

  “I didn't. Not until in my interviews I heard it laid out clearly. It rings true.” His posture slumped as he spoke.

  “Look at you, don't cower from me. Rings true? Stay out of my way, Kenneth. I'll figure this out myself.” She stopped pacing and looked at him. “You should know better. You know me.”

  “They don't want you here. It's dangerous for you. Go to your realm. Be with your witches and monsters. This will sort itself out once you go.”

  Gwen felt the energy drain from her and she held on to the closest chair. “If I go, you realize vampires still stay. I won't be here to temper them. A new Greta will emerge and things will be just as abysmal as before.”

  He blew out through his nose and shrugged. “It will be out of sight. That sits better with people.”

  “Yes that makes sense, better to be ignorant of the abuse and let it fester, than to watch it and keep it at bay.”

  Gwen walked out of the meeting room and ignored everyone she passed on her way to Gregor. She found him in his office, a cup of coffee in hand, a plate of cookies perched on a stack of papers.

  “Gwen, you are early. I expected you after dark. Come in.” His voice sounded as relaxed as he looked, lounged with his feet on a stack of books.

  “Why didn't you tell me how people really saw me?” The air in the room vibrated as she spoke.

  His aura wavered a little. “What does it matter? You do more good here than anyone will ever realize.”

  “Gregor, they hate me.” She took a cookie off the plate he held out to her.

  “The monsters need to fade away again. It might be time for you to move on. Find that happiness you have earned.”

  Defeat peeked out from the edges of her features. “You too? I thought you knew my heart, my history, and my intentions.”

  “I do, and I love your big open heart. You don't belong here anymore, Gwen. Let the fates have this world.”

  “Demons, Gregor, someone called a demon to this world.”

  “It happens. It always has.” He dipped a cookie in his drink, before taking a bite.

  “It must be so easy to sit there like nothing is falling apart, when you already know where the pieces fit. You already know exactly what happens, don't you?”

  He took another bite of his cookie and chased it down with a sip of coffee. “I do. Eat, these really are delicious.”

  “Then you also know I don't just walk away; I need to know who. Who let their misguided hate get that far?”

  “It wasn't misguided, dear. It was directed straight at you. Misfired, perhaps.”

  “You think they shouldn't be punished?”

  “I never said that. I see to hearings on such matters. Whoever it was will be stripped and washed, if not banished to another realm. I promise. David will get his justice.”

  “Will you give me your shortlist? I need to help.” She paused and took a small bite of her cookie, and let it dissolve while she thought. “Do you think I damned this world by helping take away elemental witches?”

  “No, vampires knew about them. They would be gone if you helped or not. I would guess those witches are lucky to have you as a buffer.”

  “I love this world.” Her shoulders slumped and she held her hands in her lap.

  “No one is asking you to leave it. Leave council. Advise Timofei to replace Mikhail. New faces are needed to heal this place.”

  “I will, as always, take your advice into deep consideration. Will you tell me who you suspect?”

  “Start with those who should have answers, dear.” He held the cookie plate to her again.

  “Do you know if I ever do find happiness or freedom?”

  He sipped his coffee. “Blessed be, Gwen.”

  She shook her head and stood. Before she walked out she added, “I hope you believe I did what I thought was the best for everyone, not for the vampires, not even for me.”

  A wave of regret threatened to make her stand in the hall and cry. She pushed it back, held her head high, and made her way to the cafeteria. Along the way, she mentally questioned every tender greeting or smile. If eighty percent of Kenneth's interviews thought she betrayed them, that meant most of the people she liked only wore fake smiles. It meant she had few true friends there.

  Today Gwen wore her own fake smile, and tried not to imagine the witches she felt close to, made up any of that percentage.

  In the cafeteria she found the evening rush in full swing and all the tables full. Some glances she caught in her direction looked less than friendly.

  Gwen walked as if she didn't notice. She gave everyone her best smile as she maneuvered toward the back. She opened the door to the kitchen and went inside, both to talk to Wendy and to hide from the eyes of everyone.

  “Hiya, Gwen,” Wendy said, and wiped her hands on her dirty apron. “I hope you are better today. Did you want some cake? I can sort you a to-go plate.”

  “Thanks Wendy, I'd rather talk. If you can work and talk, I don't want to get in your way.”

  Wendy took the apron off and walked over to Gwen. “Nah, it's cool. All the meals are out now. Clean up isn't my job. I did talk to that Kenneth guy.”

  Gwen frowned. “Do you have any idea why David was here after hours, or at the offices?”

  “Sure, that's easy. His girlfriend stays on site. They've been getting pretty intense. Some shifts he leaves, well left, early and I covered for him. Young love, what can you do?” Wendy chewed her bottom lip. “You know, I don't believe what they say.”

  Gwen pursed her lips and put her hands in her pockets. “Thanks, Wendy, who was he seeing?”

  “Laura,” Wendy said, and looked down and back up really fast. “He didn't hate you either.”

  Gwen shifted her weight. The idea that anyone hated her, made her anger and sadness mix in a volatile way. “Sara and Laura have never been fans of mine, I guess. Thanks again, I'll have a chat with Laura.”

  Wendy gave a nervous nod before she put her apron back on and started back on the prep work for the night cook.

  The room was still full, and Gwen tried again to keep from making eye contact with anyone.

  “Gwen,” Kelly said, and ran up to her holding her hands. “I'm so glad to see you. I was worried. Are you okay?”

  “No, I'm not. Do you want to go outside?” Gwen asked once they were out of the cafeteria.

  “Always,” Kelly said, and they walked out together.

  Once they were far enough away from the building and prying ears, Gwen turned to her. Since she felt such peace and friendship with Kelly she let the hurt she held at bay fill her. She didn't have to pretend with Kelly. “Did you know they hate me?”

  “Screw them. They have no idea what goes on behind shut doors. I know. I've
been with you and Mikhail so long now, working. I see how you fight for every little thing for them.”

  Gwen chuckled. “You are biased. I did promote you to ambassador to my realm. I, I might pick another Elemental ambassador to work with you and Mikhail. I need to be away. I should.”

  Kelly let her mouth fall open and pulled Gwen into a hug. “No, don't you let those vile witches push you out. You belong here more than they do.”

  “I don't. I have nothing here. Nothing but demons in my office.”

  “Mikhail will be crushed.” Kelly teased, hoping to see a small smile from Gwen. All three of them used a long standing joke between them about Gwen and Mikhail, and their late night meetings to dissolve the tension that came with being at council.

  “Ha. Mikhail will likely be replaced and trust he will be just fine. Vampires don't feel like that.” After just a few minutes with Kelly she already felt better. “Have you heard anything? Any reason David would be at the offices? Did you know he was seeing Laura?”

  Kelly stopped and looked at Gwen. “Laura and Sara would be the first people I held by the toes.”

  “I agree. I was going there next, but I am losing daylight and that means Matvei.”

  Kelly wrinkled her nose. “Sorry. I know how he grates on you.”

  Gwen shrugged. “After what I heard today, I kind of like that I know exactly where I stand with him. He hates me, I hate him, we are honest. Hell, there aren't many creatures I can say that about.”

  “I detest seeing you hurt like this. Will you still make sure,” Kelly started and paused when Gwen shook her head.

  “I'll do my best to keep Timofei tempered, that is the best I can promise.” Gwen sighed. She didn't want to unload on Kelly any more. “I better make a start, the sun is gone and the monster will be here soon.”

  “I'll try to distract Mikhail for you as long as I can.” Kelly gave her a wink.

  Gwen walked away in time to spare Kelly seeing her tears. She needed to talk to Sebastian, she could rant, rave, and cry, and he would remain a gentle shoulder. She expected him back from his re-connection with the collective soon.