He stood at her front door gathering the nerve to knock, go inside and have “the talk” that was long overdue. He did not feel as he had before; he was genuinely sorry for the pain he caused and wanted to make things right. But knowing what he ought to do generally and knowing what or how to make something right were entirely different items.
He knocked gently on the door, tentatively, as if no answer was the response he wished to get so he could flee the scene.
The door opened. Beata stood there, crying. “I suppose you came over to gloat, to enjoy your final victory. I guess I deserve the comeuppance for the lies. I’m sorry. I don’t belong here. I can only be disruptive in your life; I’ll always try to have my way, bully those around me. You don’t have to ask me to leave. It’s out in the open now how I behaved with my own partners, my best friends. And all these years I knew it wasn’t you. I was just angry. I was … stupid.”
“I came over to apologize and to ask you to forgive me. When I left, I didn’t think about anyone or anybody except me. We were friends, more than friends. We were intimate, and I don’t mean, you know …”
“Sex? You can say the word, Adam. You won’t get a spanking. Unless you want one.”
She laughed.
“We were close and you were our leader. I was whatever I was, but you were the strong one, Beata. We all followed your lead. And when I left, everything we had, all of us, was just gone. I never considered how that would feel. For you and JoJo, Cia and Cori. Just never thought. You were so tough, so strong. I thought, if I thought at all, that you would just go on as if I was never there. I was wrong and I want to make things right now. I want you to stay. I want you to be a part of my life again. If you’ll have me.”
“Well, don’t just stand there. Come in and give me a big hug and a giant wet kiss. Lots of tongue. Tell me we’re all going to be OK and that some part of who we were once will always be with us; we won’t lose that spark we had.”
“I promise I will do better than I ever have, try harder than I’ve ever tried and will be better just a little bit more every day. But I need you here with me to get me back on that path. My girls are amazing and I am so happy but we all need more and I know you can be happy here too. A family. Like before but even better. You know what an ass I am. So, half the battle is already won. Come stay the night at the residence. Please.”
“Don’t make me cry; then I’m weak and useless. I wish I didn’t love you. It would be so much easier; but I do. I’ve missed you and don’t know what to say or how to act. I have to face my friends; can you help me do that? I have always been strong but I have always felt strongest when we were all together; a team. We could do anything, be anything because whatever my failings were, or yours, we had others who could prop us up and push us forward. I was so happy. I don’t always like being in charge, with the pressure and disappointment. Not knowing what comes next. But that’s not you. You always have a plan, and another and another. I used to love that about you. You were unshakable and unstoppable. Then it was gone. I guess I thought that I could be you; be like you. But I could not.
She held on to Adam as he embraced her. “Then the Kalindra thing was an unspeakable and cruel act. I thought if I couldn’t have you and be happy, I would make her suffer too. It doesn’t even make sense, but I was horrid. I want to say to her how sorry I am that I was that cruel and perverse. I want to be happy again. Can we get past this?”
“Of course we can. We’re different people now. We’ll make this right. For all of us.”
***
Eene said to everyone, now having drinks in the living room, “That must be some amazing discussion or great makeup sex. We voting on this one?”
The vote was unanimous for makeup sex. Seconds later, in they came together, ‘cat with the canary in its mouth’ looks in their faces, smiling and holding hands.
“Well, we settled all the details; we begin tomorrow. Briefing is at breakfast. Beata is moving in to the residence with Cia, JoJo and Cori and, well, that’s that. Tonight is debauchery, minus the wine, at least for me, but other than that when in Rome …”
“Start the orgy early?”
***
The next morning the various ladies straggled in for breakfast after a late night in the big bed followed by pairing off for other intimate encounters. The ladies all seemed to get on well with each other, old and new. But Eene and the new girls seemed to not want to go anywhere other than wherever Adam was. Eene wasn’t jealous but not exactly willing to concede anything to anyone just yet. People change, she thought. Was Adam the same guy they remembered; what was their sexual history between then and now? She would stay close, just in case.
Hecate had not been asked to disclose to the women that she was an Immortal, but decided that until there was full disclosure, she would remain a mystery. She would just park herself inside Adam’s mind; the others could get cozy elsewhere. She was curious about the JoJo/Misti dynamic; they seemed to not only be friendly now, but there had to have been a history before they hooked up that evening.
Hecate knew from Adam that when he went down to Cal Tech for school that Misti would often visit; in fact, they lived together for a time during summers and vacations before Adam left for New York. Adam was close enough for school, but far enough away to live the life he wanted. It was unusual for Misti to set Adam up, he had all the female company he could handle or want, and Misti hit the jackpot with all the women that Adam knew at his school. When Adam was finishing his last two years of his graduate studies in residence, he met four freshman women sharing a big house; they became instant BFFs. Adam was protective of Misti, though his worries were unfounded, so most nights he was at home, either his or Beata’s. Eventually Misti just made the drive to the “house” and hung out with Adam and the Cal Techies. She was welcome day or night, either solely for company or intimacy, but it was JoJo who took the greatest interest in Misti and her particular brand of fetish. Misti was insatiable, as was JoJo, and their tastes were a new exploration every time they got together.
JoJo also enjoyed men, and Adam was amazingly adept at fulfilling her desires and keeping her proclivities, and his, private. Not that the women weren’t open with each other; they were. It was just that each had their own set of desires and tastes and Adam knew that discretion was essential to keep peace in the ranks. JoJo and Misti particularly enjoyed having Adam present and watching; both were voyeurs and exhibitionists and they occasionally invited him to join in. Weekend free-for-alls were common from morning until evening and included some or all writhing around in beds, sofas and floors.
Their return didn’t trouble Hecate but she decided to explore their minds during and after sex to make sure they were genuine in their attentions to both Misti and Adam. She studied their emotions and moods; their sense of pain and loss and decided that all four had been genuinely hurt by Adam’s sudden departure and by Misti’s too. When Adam left, it seemed like also Misti stopped playing. Three out of four eventually adapted; Beata was less forgiving. But her affection was honest and sincere; she was happy to be back where she always thought she belonged.
“Ladies,” Adam said after breakfast and cleanup. “We have things to discuss and since some might be difficult to assess, and even less able to believe, I think we should get started.”
They were in the Study, comfortably seated and reclined, Misti and JoJo nestled together on a loveseat, JoJo in front, Misti behind gently stroking her hair. JoJo didn’t seem to mind the fondling at all, so Adam and the other ladies simply carried on.
“Attention everyone. That includes you too, Misti luv.”
“Sorry. Distracted, but now you have at least twenty percent of my full attention.”
Everyone chuckled. Same old Misti. Perpetually horny and honest. Mind to mouth, good or bad, in a microsecond.
Adam was just about to begin, when a shimmering glow appeared at the door to the Study. It was Hana.
“Husband, may I have a word?”
�
��Excuse me ladies.”
“Hecate, Eene, Misti if you wouldn’t mind coming too. Excuse my rudeness for just dropping in. Four new recruits?”
Adam said, “No. Four old friends. Friendship renewed.”
“I shall return Adam momentarily.”
Beata reacted first, “Who, or what, is she, or whatever it was we just saw?”
Misti said, somewhat matter of factly, “That’s Adam’s wife. She’s an Immortal.”
Chapter 50
Eene, Misti, Hecate and Adam gathered outside the Study, and closed the door behind them. Hana seemed upset and as she transformed to mortal form, wrapped her arms around Adam crying.
“Hey what’s this all about. You’re back.”
Hecate knew instantly what was wrong. There would be no reason for upset if all had gone according to plan. She was certain something was terribly, terribly wrong. The mercurial Almighty could be cold at the oddest times and take out his anger on all the wrong people.
“I am not permitted to change and I am commanded to return at once after speaking to you. I should never have gone back to ask permission and we should never have let the other three go back either. We should have sent them on their way somewhere else, without saying a word to anyone. Now we are all in trouble and he has canceled all our deals except for Hecate. Kendra is assigned to do as Fionna once did; enforcer to our Lord. Niona and Fionna have had their minds cleansed; they have no memory of you and have been sent away on new missions. They will not return. Ever.”
“What of you? Can I not see our Lord and change his mind? Surely, the Almighty would not deny me this one request?”
“He is upset that I choose you over Immortality, the greatest of all gifts in his opinion. He threatens to cleanse my mind too. I do not wish it.”
“Then I shall return with you and we shall talk to him. If you are to be taken away, then I shall be taken away too. Our Lord is powerful, but he is not given infinite power over all things.”
Hecate and Eene listened. Eene said nothing although she was bursting to speak up against any rash action. The decisions that were made had been made; if undoing them caused harm to those involved, then the rest of the family should not suffer. Adam had responsibilities here on Earth. He should not be meddling in Immortal matters. It was not his place.
Hecate said, “Adam, you and Hana need to think this through. Our Lord is not known for indecision and our Lord’s patience is razor thin. Just your appearance before the Almighty could have serious consequence. Permanent eternal consequences.”
“You’re right.”
Hecate and Eene breathed a sigh of relief. The volcano was not going to erupt.
“But it changes nothing. This is manifestly unfair, and I want Hana back in whatever form is required of her. She is my wife and I will not abandon her.”
Hana said, “No, husband. Hecate is right. Our Lord will make this worse, not better.”
“How much worse can it get? You are still my wife and an Immortal assigned to me. As your Master, I command you take me before our Lord.”
“The covenant is broken. I no longer serve you.”
“Take me anyway.”
“I cannot.”
“Then Hecate, I command you to take me.”
“Unwise, Adam.”
“Will you obey me or not?”
“I must. But this is against my wishes.”
“Eene, you, Noki and Misti stay here. Explain to the ladies. I shall be back. If not, carry on. You know where everything is. I’ve left everything I own to you ladiesi. Be wise and brave.”
They departed.
***
An hour later, Adam and Hecate were back in the study; Hana was noticeably absent. Adam did not look unhappy, though Hecate was visibly shaken.”
Noki asked, “How did it go?”
Adam said, “Fine. All is resolved, though I have lost favor and will likely be punished. But Hana will return soon, then we will be complete again.”
“Speak for yourself, you fucking idiot,” said Hecate. “Damn near got us all incinerated and it is not a likelihood that Adam will be punished; it is a certainty. Hana will be granted her wish, but our Lord has cut his ties with this planet except for Hana and me. And I’m pretty sure Adam knows what that means.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Liar. You fucking moron why did you have to push this? No thought for the rest of us. For eternity.”
“You assume too much.”
“You are not fully Immortal; you don’t know how this works.”
Adam flashed anger. “I’m Immortal enough, so no lectures please. And may I remind you, you serve me, not the other way around. Hana will be back. That’s all I care about. Mission accomplished. If there are consequence, I will bear them, not you. Remember that, Immortal.”
Adam left to join his friends in the Study. They had been patiently waiting for his explanation of who or what were these Immortals.
Eene asked, “What the fuck was that? I’ve never seen him talk to you like that before. What happened?”
“They met, they exchanged pleasantries, they discussed Hana, then they shouted and, in the end, Adam got his way. But our Lord was pulsating colors; not good colors. And he warned Adam there would now be consequences; eternal consequences. Hana had work to finish up then she would be granted her wish. I wish I could say I think that Adam will make another lifetime, but I doubt it.”
Beata asked, “What is going on?”
Hecate gave her and her partners a quick update on everything. “When he’s settled down, we will talk, and if you decide to remain, I will do something amazing for you. Something we all possess except Eene, who does not view these powers as a blessing.”
“What are you talking about?”
Eene said, “Let’s not wait. Let me explain. There are two big main situations and one small one. The small one does not concern us at present but may later.”
Misti said, “Adam’s parents are trying to kill us. Mostly Adam, but all of us here too. It’s been going on for some time.”
Noki continued, “The other main project is what you see here. Paraiso and the City of Light. This is what we all wish to devote our time and energy to. But an obstacle is Adam’s parents. Either Adam will kill his parents and two others, or they will kill us. We don’t know where they are but do know where they were. We think they will return there and, if they do, they’re finished. By contrast, no one knows where we are. You four do but that’s a testament to how much Adam trusts you. No offense but bringing you here would not have been my first choice.”
Cia asked, “And the small one?”
“We think we have finally found proof that Marco Polo went to China, lived there, married and never left. The man who returned to Italy was an impostor. Proof seems to be that Marco Polo, who came back to Italy after twenty-four years, didn’t know much about China, at least not for someone who supposedly spent more than twenty years there. He did not write his famous book; that was a well-known ghost writer of the times. But what has been discovered, we think, is what we call the Marco Polo Cache. It consists of journals, artifacts, golden tablets, letters, documents and artwork. It proves, if true, that he did go there, was a favorite of the Great Khan of Khans, and that the mysteries of his life and the details are now finally revealed. We got involved. Long story how.”
Cori asked, “Who cares? I mean compared to this killing thing and this amazing place, why not let it go? This City is what matters, not some dusty old shit. Right?”
“His Mom and Dad are involved and think he knows where the Cache is. That in itself is a long story, with others involved. But mainly, Adam is trying to kill his parents and they are trying to kill him over the existence of the Cache, and to settle old scores. Long complicated story. To be blunt, if you stay, you’ll be in some danger from them unless Adam succeeds.”
There was silence.
Beata asked, “Misti are you involved in this killing thing too?”
; “Adam wants us all, me included, to stay out of it, and work on Paraiso and the City. He almost had them; then there was a problem. As a result, all of us, except Hecate, are confined to quarters. But, that’s why he needs your help. He thinks you can help find his parents and help even more with the job here. He’s not interested in the Marco Polo stuff, except to the extent that it attracts his parents and their unwanted attention in finding us.”
“I see no problem here,” said Beata. “I’ll help with anything. I mean, I just got here, had hours of glorious sex, and … well, I can’t leave now.
“Us too,” assured Cia. “We’ll stay no matter what.”
***
Hecate said, “I can bestow great knowledge and unleash the powers of your mind to do incredible things. This is either a gift or a curse. It changes you in no meaningful way, just re-routes your senses, brain and mind a little.”
“So, Adam’s hypothesis about mind/body is correct?”
“It is for us. You can make up your own mind, no pun intended. There could be other explanations, of course.”
Beata said, “I’m in. I’ll always bet on Adam. Don’t know his folks but Adam can be scary as shit. The OT list is a prime example. Half the men who were abusive are dead. If he says he’s going to do something, he thinks it through. If he needs our help, or even just mine if that’s how it works out, then he has it. Blow my mind. You may begin the procedure when ready.”
Hecate said, “On the positive side of this, the sex is unbelievable. Mind and body as one. Perfect recall; no limits. It’s very tasty. Has a new sex trick you’ll love.
Cia and Cori jumped in immediately after Beata stopped talking. JoJo looked at Misti.
“If you had it to do all over again, I mean all of this, would you?”
“I would. Greatest adventure of a lifetime. And Adam is the eye of the storm. I wouldn’t change a thing. Maybe be even crazier when I was younger and more confident, fucked Adam sooner and had even more women to boot. But in the real world, it doesn’t get any better. I don’t mind the danger, but you may.”
Crissy Chance Page 37