by Robin Roseau
“Dress nicely. Put in an honest effort.”
“I can’t imagine anyone cares what we look like.”
“That isn’t remotely true,” she countered.
“He’s not going to be swayed by our feminine charms.”
“No, but he will be offended if you don’t make an effort.”
“Will he be making an effort?”
“Of course not. Teigan, you have spent time with multiple demons. Do you think I am offering poor advice?”
“No,” I said. “Are you capable of offering poor advice, Nifili?”
She cocked her head. “Do you know? I’ve never tried.” She gave a little laugh. “I’ve been enjoying the cookies. How long will they remain fresh?”
“I don’t know. Normal cookies stored like the ones we brought you are good for perhaps a week before they begin to grow stale. But your home is perhaps less humid than ours, and that may make a difference. I don’t know what the life essence does to them. Perhaps when this is all over, you can tell us.”
“Perhaps I will,” she replied. “Perhaps I will. Will there be anything else, Teigan?”
“Not at this time. Thank you, Nifili.”
“You’re welcome, Teigan. Do remember to clean up. Ta.” She waved her hand, and the smoky image dispersed.
“Et lux in finem!” Let the light end. The light of the pentagram flared for a moment and then faded away over the course of several seconds. I let out my breath, not even realizing I’d been half holding it, and then sat back, staring at the remnants of the pentagram. “Well.”
“Saturday,” Kate said. “I’ll take everyone shopping tomorrow evening.”
“I’m going as Poppy,” Marley said.
“I’m not going to put on airs,” I said.
“Yes,” Kate countered. “You are. We all are.”
“The guys look great in tuxedos,” Marley said. She grinned. “And I have them.”
“Where?”
“Downstairs.”
Preparations
The posse, as Nifili had put it, gathered at Our Lady of Divine Truth. Kate, Marley, and I took turns bringing everyone up to speed, and then Marley seemed to change, right in front of us. Sue Ellen handed her Poppy’s top hat. Marley set it in place, carefully adjusting it, then closed her eyes.
No one said a word as she stood, and although she wasn’t wearing the rest of Poppy’s clothing, we knew in that moment she was doing what it took to become Poppy.
Finally she opened her eyes and looked around. “I’ll be wearing my tails,” she said. She pointed to the guys. “I have your tuxedos. You’ll need black dress shoes, and I expect you to have polished them.”
“Of course, Poppy,” Griffen said immediately.
“I have all the clothing Evaline ever bought you, Lacey,” Poppy said to me. But she eyed me. “And I don’t think any of it will fit.”
“So it’s not just me?” Jebediah said. He gestured to his own chest. “There have been a few alterations.”
“Shut up, Jebediah,” I said.
“Uh, huh,” he said. “It’s not just my memory failing me.”
“No,” Poppy said. “The demon didn’t turn her into a 25-year-old version of herself.”
“I’m taking Teigan shopping,” Kate announced.
Poppy pointed to me. “You’ll let Kate buy whatever she wants.”
“Don’t tell her that! She’ll tart me up.”
“She’s not going to tart you up,” Poppy said. “She knows this is important, and perhaps you haven’t noticed, but Kate has impeccable taste.”
“Yeah,” I said. “I’ve noticed.”
“The challenge is that there’s no time for alterations,” Kate said.
“We can do simple things,” Helen said. “A little nip here, a little tuck there.”
“I have your old gowns,” Marley said. “But Kate has offered to take you tomorrow.”
“I think if you’re going as Poppy, I’ll be Hyacinth,” Helen said. She turned to Karen.
Karen looked at her friend, then she looked down at the floor for a minute. Finally she turned to Poppy. “I have a formal kimono. Well, semi-formal. Do you think that would be appropriate?”
“I think it’s perfect,” Poppy declared. She turned to Sue Ellen.
“You have more than one tux, Mom, and I think I’d rock that look.”
“You’d rock any look you wanted,” Poppy said. “But I don’t want you to copy me. I want you to be you.”
“Grubbies it is,” Sue Ellen offered with a grin. “Is Kate going to buy me a gown, too?”
“Actually,” Poppy said. Then she looked at me.
I stood and stepped to Poppy’s side. “Sue Ellen, could you stand up?” She offered a puzzled look, but she stood, facing her mother and me. I eyed her then turned to Poppy. “You do remember I was a cop. I notice everything.”
“I wondered if you would. Do you mind?”
“No.” I stepped away and walked out into the pews. Poppy had properly hung up most of the bags we’d brought with us from Club Vixen, but she’d left two on the pews. I collected them both, making sure they were what I thought they were. Then I walked back, one of them slung over my shoulder. Kate stood and pulled that one from me, and then we each unzipped the bags and withdrew the contents.
They were two of my old gowns, ones Evaline had bought for me. “If you like these,” I said, “They’re both yours now, Sue Ellen. They won’t fit me anymore.”
Sue Ellen stared, first at one, then the other. One was rose red, and I’d been stunning. The other was emerald green and deeply lovely. Both showed a lot of skin, but they were exceedingly tasteful.
“The fit might not be perfect,” I added.
“A little nip, a little tuck,” Helen offered. “Try one on, honey.”
“Which one?” Sue Ellen whispered.
“The red,” Griffen said at the same time Jake suggested, “The green one.”
There were smiles at that, but it was Kate who said, “Be daring, Sue Ellen. This one.” She had the red gown.
“You’re sure?”
“You heard your mother. I have exquisite taste. You would look divine in either, but be bold.”
“All right,” she said.
“Take it to my office and change,” Grace offered.
“I’ll help you,” Naomi added. “She needs…” And then she saw Poppy was holding a pair of low heels. “Perfect.”
She grabbed the dress from Kate then the heels from Poppy. We watched the two of them disappear in the direction of Grace’s office.
* * * *
We heard footsteps on the floor and all turned. Naomi appeared first, and we all stood. Then she turned and said something to Sue Ellen. There was a pause, and then Sue Ellen came into view, walking with her head high and her back straight. She strode with confidence, her heels clicking on the floor, then ascended the steps before coming to a stop before her mother. “How do I look?”
Poppy’s eyes watered, but she stepped forward and pulled her daughter into a hug. “Divine. You look divine.”
“All right,” Kate said. “Spa day Saturday. I’ve already made reservations for everyone.”
“Us, too?” Jake asked. “I love the spa.”
“Good,” Kate declared. “Jebediah, I included Jeri in the count. Grace, Beth and Rachel, too, of course.”
“You’re serious?” Jebediah asked.
“Yep. I told them we had to be out by 2:30. They’ll bring in sufficient staff. I think they might borrow from another spa. We meet here at 7:30. Grace, I know that’s typically prayer breakfast.”
“We’ll just have to do it early for us. 6:30 if you want breakfast.”
“I’ll be here at 6:30, then,” Kate declared. “But we need to leave at 7:30.” No one grumbled.
* * * *
I stared at my reflection in the mirror then turned to Kate. “White?”
“White,” she said. “Trust me.”
It was long and diaphan
ous. Was that the right word? I think it’s the right word. And instead of heels, they had me in a pair of strappy sandals. “I look like…”
“A Greek Goddess, Teigan,” Kate declared.
“You look quite divine, Madam,” said the sales clerk.
“You’re sure, Kate?”
“Positive. It’s perfect.”
“All right, then.”
* * * *
I was nervous. I think Grace was, too, but she and Marley were gently teasing each other. I sat on the bed, waiting, and when they entered together, I stood.
They came to a stop, looking at me. Grace smiled. “I love you, Teigan St. Claire.”
“I love you, too, Grace Ware. And I love you, Marley Mann.”
They both stepped forward, and I offered a hand to each. But I looked at them nervously.
“Darling,” Grace said.
“I don’t know what is going to happen.”
“I know,” she said gently.
“The best that happens is he gives Evaline to us. The worst is bad, very bad.”
“Let’s focus on the best,” Grace suggested.
“But after that, I don’t know what happens,” I said. “We come back here. After that, I only have guesses.”
“I know,” she said. She lifted her free hand to my cheek. “We have tonight. Perhaps there will be more nights; perhaps there will not. Teigan, you have given me such gifts. Do you have any idea?”
“The best-case scenario means I’ll be bringing a demon into your church, Grace.”
“She is welcome,” Grace said. “I know you, darling, and I know Marley. Neither of you would love her if she were evil, a tool of the dark one. I know Sue Ellen. And I see the loyalty of your other friends. Even the fae has thrown herself into this fight, and the part-angel. Your quest is to bring her to a church. Well, conveniently, we have a church, and you seemed quite comfortable here where you weren’t at any others. That means something, Teigan.”
“But then… after.”
“After,” she said, her tone remaining gentle. “We kiss goodbye, if that’s what it is.”
“That’s not what I want.”
“It’s not what I want, either.”
“I’m torn into pieces, Grace.”
“I know.” But then she stepped closer, and I closed my eyes as she brought our lips together.
It was a sweet, lingering kiss. When I opened my eyes, she was smiling at me. She caressed my cheek again, but then she turned to Marley. They didn’t speak, but they kissed as well.
But it was Marley that moved us to the bed, and Marley who began undressing me, and then Grace.
Our lovemaking began quite gently, but it turned frantic long before we were over, long before we found ourselves lying amongst a tangle of arms and legs and panting and professions of love.
And then there was a knock at the door. “Are you three done in there?” The door opened a crack. “I don’t really want to see my own mother naked.”
“Suzie,” Marley complained.
“Am I welcome tonight or not?”
“Of course you are,” Grace said. “Come back in five minutes.”
“I’m fairly sure five minutes isn’t long enough to do it again.”
“It’s long enough to get dressed,” Marley said. “Out.”
“Fine. Five minutes. I’m timing you.”
Once the door closed, we broke out in giggles. And then we spent three of those five minutes sorting out clothing.
Tienbellart
Poppy made the rounds, offering tiny adjustments. I stood nervously. We’d chased Beth away so my wings wouldn’t get in the way, although she’d be back as soon as we were ready.
The nine of us looked fabulous, or so I thought. The guys were every bit as sexy now as they’d been as dancers at Club Vixen. They wore their tuxedos, and I didn’t know how it worked, but they had some of Kate’s fae armor on underneath the white shirts. The bulk should have ruined the fit, but somehow it didn’t.
She hadn’t explained.
Naomi wore a kimono, and she was beyond stunning. She also had an undershirt of fae armor, and in her belt was tucked a long knife and a short sword. The guys wore swords. Jake had wanted to wear his over his shoulder, and so Kate had held it in place against his back and asked him to draw it.
He couldn’t. His arms weren’t long enough, and a foot of sword remained in the scabbard when he was at full extension.
“But… in the movies…”
“Are only movies,” Kate said. “You could wear Naomi’s sword that way, but I think you would prefer something longer with more heft.”
And so, rather than belting them about their waist, they simply each carried a scabbarded sword.
Kate wasn’t in a gown; she was in full, gleaming armor, with her own sword, and I was sure she had more weapons as well.
Helen was in a blue gown, but she asked to be called Hyacinth. And Sue Ellen looked absolutely amazing in the red gown.
Those of us in gowns also glinted, jewelry from Kate. I wore an elegant necklace with matching earrings. Poppy and Naomi had more earrings. Hyacinth and Sue Ellen also wore gleaming earrings and necklaces, but they each also had a bracelet around one wrist, and Sue Ellen had another around the opposite ankle.
She was truly lovely and looked quite grown up.
In spite of the way she was biting nervously at her lip.
I moved to her and set my hands on her shoulders. “You could stay here.”
“Go ahead,” she said. “Make that suggestion again. See how I respond. Just try it.” Then she paused. “Promise me, Teigan.”
“I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
“If the worst happens, promise I won’t become one of those souls.”
“You will go to Heaven, darling. I promise.” I lifted my nose to the ceiling and raised my voice. “Do you hear me up there? You better hear me up there.”
There wasn’t any response, but I lowered my gaze. Sue Ellen looked determined. “I’m going.”
I nodded. “Grace, I want you and Beth to take confession from us, and bless us as well.”
“We already planned for that,” Grace said. “Let’s head to the church.”
* * * *
Half the congregation was waiting, milling about. More would arrive over the next half hour. We gave each member of the party their choice of who they wished to talk to. Grace, Beth, and I all found ourselves with people who wished to talk, to ask us for what might be final forgiveness.
Who I talked to, and what they said I consider private, so I will not share it.
For myself, I decided I’d already apologized for everything that I could, and so I had simply kissed Beth’s cheek. “I never stopped loving you.”
“I know,” she said. “I never stopped loving you, either. We were good together, Teigan, most of the time.”
“Have you been happy?”
“Not always, but yes.”
Then, without another word, we hugged, and then, with arms around each other, Beth careful of the wings, we walked back to the sanctuary.
Beth and Grace together offered fresh baptisms, and they blessed each of us. I didn’t know if it would matter, but it couldn’t hurt, and it might offer additional confidence when we most needed it.
Grace and I turned to the waiting congregation. She spoke for a few minutes then led us all in a song.
And then everyone turned to me.
I paused then said, “Making speeches isn’t my style. I can only thank all of you. Again.”
“We’ll hold this end,” Grace declared. “If it’s going to drag on, find a way to let us know.”
“We’ll do our best,” I promised. “Thank you. All of you.”
We took hugs. Jebediah held his daughter for a long time, then kissed the top of her head.
I accepted hugs from anyone who wished to offer them. I found Beth and took one more hug, wondering if it was to be my last.
Grace and I hugged and k
issed, gently, with everyone watching.
And then I collected my posse. We gathered at the center of the large pentagram. Sue Ellen closed the entrance with salt, and then I wrapped arms and wings around everyone, the tips just touching behind Griffen’s back, opposite from me.
The world faded, and then we were back in Nifili’s territory. “Sound off. Kate?”
“I’m good.”
The nine of us had all made it. I turned to Nifili’s home, and as I did, the doors opened. I began moving in that direction, picking up my entourage as I did so, and in a V-formation, we strode through the doors.
Nifili was waiting. I walked straight to her and came to a stop. She looked me up and down and then looked left and right. She smiled. “Very nice.” Then she went up and down the line, making tiny adjustments to everyone. None of them were necessary, but I wasn’t going to criticize.
Finally she returned to stand in front of me. “Teigan St. Claire,” she said formally. “I will transport the ten of us to Tienbellart’s home. We will arrive outside his front gate. I will provide introductions. I wish to reiterate: I am a neutral third party. I am providing an introduction, and if invited, I will remain as an observer, and perhaps to facilitate negotiations. However, I will not take sides.”
“I understand.”
“Once I have done this, assuming I do not break the more durable clauses in our agreement, I will have completed my duty.”
“I agree. Thank you, Nifili.”
She inclined her head.
“I hope this works for you,” she said.
“Thank you,” I repeated.
“Are there any lingering questions?”
I looked left and right. No one spoke, so I said, “Probably, but not pressing at me.”
“All right then. We should hold hands in a circle. You will stand opposite me. I believe I want Sue Ellen to my left.” We formed the circle as she requested. “Here we go.”
The world faded again. There was a wrenching, quite different from when I brought us here, and then we were… elsewhere.
I wasn’t ill. If the travel put anyone else off, it wasn’t obvious.
I did a count. We were all present. And then we all looked around, some of us turning circles, some simply gaping.
Tienbellart’s home was similar to that of the other demons I’d visited, but dramatically different at the same time.