June

by Erik Schubach

  She looked at me for a moment, searching my eyes then smiled, “So when do we get to meet your girlfriend?”

  I blushed again and sputtered out, “She's not my girlfriend. Or, I don't think... she... maybe.”

  There was evil mischief twinkling around in her eyes as she chuckled. “Whatever you say dear.”

  The girls pulled us into their debate over bands. That somehow devolved into us singing our favorite songs. At one point, I almost had to check Frannie when the three women Harris-West sang one of Mother's old songs. The color had drained from her face that looked stuck in shock and awe. I grinned, I get the same way whenever Mother sings. Fran croaked out, “Holy crap! That was inspiring... the three of you... wow.”

  I winked. “What happened to your big words Small Fry?” She stuck her tongue out at me and we all shared a laugh. I sighed, I really love the feel of family.

  My little sis never ceases to amaze me. We had spent the night at home, before we had to fly back to New York to say goodbye to my Nessie. Liz gave Fran one of Mother's old tour shirts to keep as a nightshirt. It was the exact same one Mother gave me when I was about her age and the one I in turn gave to Lizzie when she was around the same age. It was one of her favorite possessions.

  There were hugs all around at the airport. Fran was quiet on the flight back, but at one point she looked up at me and smiled wistfully. “I really like your family.”

  I smiled warmly back and said, “Me too.” She grabbed my hand, and it was shaking, I knew she was getting just as nervous as me and scared. We both were about to undertake a new chapter in our lives, uproot ourselves and move away half a world away from everything we knew. Then we just sat in comfortable silence for most of the trip.

  ***

  Though Vanessa told us not to visit before we left, because she didn't think she could take it, we showed up anyway later that afternoon. I sat outside Vanessa's room as the girls hugged and cried and said their I love yous.

  Then I went in and Vanessa glared at me for a long time. Then finally smiled meekly and cupped my cheek in a hand. She looked deeply into my eyes and whispered, “It's still there in your eyes, the music deep down in your soul. I was afraid the meds would take it away.” Then she looked at her little sister then said to me, “I hate you for bringing her today.” Then she smiled softly, “Thank you for doing it.”

  I tried to fight off tears. “No problem.” Then I brightened up and said in a normal voice, “Besides, we'll be seeing you soon right?”

  She stroked my cheek with her thumb then removed it and nodded in determination. Then she placed her forehead on mine and said, “See you soon?”

  I blinked away tears and nodded. “See you soon.” Then I took a deep breath and assured her, “I got this shit.”

  Then Fran and I made a hasty retreat before we turned into sobbing messes there at Bellevue.

  ***

  A day and a half later we found ourselves in London at the condo at One Hyde Park. Just two words can describe it, “Holy crap!” Fran nodded her agreement as we just stared at the city from the veranda of the penthouse condo in the early morning light.

  She whispered, “We did it. We're really in London.” I just nodded and hugged my pseudo-sister. We had, we were here. My confidence came rushing back into me like a freight train. Damn right we did it! I hadn't felt this feeling in a long time, but here it was again, like a long lost friend, I felt like I could do anything!

  I looked at the excited girl next to me. “Let's get you situated at your new school and I'll hit London Harmony to catch up on the progress with Zil.” She smiled and clutched her old book bag to her chest, nodding.

  The school was only three blocks from the condo so we walked. After squaring things with the headmistress I caught a cab that brought me into the heart of the city, it reminded me so much of New York. The three story brick building just off of Aldgate, just a stone throw away from the Tower Bridge, looked unassuming. I didn't know the local name for the area it was in and made a mental note to find out.

  There were multiple tenants in the building, with signs all vying to get your attention. I smiled at a small portion of the building, on the corner, with no garish signage. There was simply a circular blue silhouette of the familiar blue music school back home painted on a black wooden door with “London Harmony” written in bold, gold letters across it. There was a work truck parked at the curb in front of it.

  I walked up to the door and ran my fingers across the sign. I grinned at the smaller letters below the studio name. “Meetings by appointment only.” I pulled the handle and it was locked. I nodded, that would be its default state, I wanted every little thing about my label to let the artists know how exclusive it is to be chosen by LH.

  I pulled my keys out of my purse and used the shiny brass key that Zilrita had sent me weeks ago, took a deep breath and unlocked the door and stepped into the place. I heard the door lock behind me as I looked around and gasped.

  I had seen all the photos of the space before I had purchased it. I think it was an old book store before. It was unimpressive and cramped feeling, but now it was an open and inviting space that was a fusion of the original old timbers and modern lobby. The black marble front desk beside the stairs and new glass elevator I had put in to make the spacer more accessible had the studio logo emblazoned on it. Then cut out of polished brass, in 3D relief was the studio's name.

  There were some men painting the small hall by the stairs that led to the back storage room and restrooms. Everything on this level looked good to go. We opened our doors, metaphorically, in less than a week and I still had to track down Velvet Fire. Zil had three interviews with local news and entertainment reporters for me in the same week. I was going to be busy. That made me smile.

  I headed up the stairs, looking at the new oak railing, with it's wrought iron banister and newels. Everything was carefully designed to give a sense of elegance and welcome. This level was where all the magic happened. There were two small conference rooms and two recording booths. One full sized and one with isolation booths for vocals. There was also a well-stocked green room for the talent complete with its own restroom.

  I poked my head into each room. All were state of the art and you could feel their need to help create the magic that they would assist in producing. I ran my fingers across the mixing panel in one room. Damn, Nick would be so jealous.

  Then I spun in place, hugging myself at the realization, this was all mine, my dream coming to fruition. I was thousands of miles from home, but this was my home now. I had really done it.

  I suddenly made a “Blork!” sound as someone knocked me out of me realization with a tight hug that felt like there were eight or more arms helping out.

  I grinned at my squealing goth friend, I was stuck in one of her patented squid hugs! After she released me and I could catch my breath again I held up a fist. “Hey girl.”

  Zilrita bumped fists with me. “Hey, right back at ya JW. You weren't supposed to be here until tomorrow.”

  I smiled at her grinning enthusiasm, it still struck me as a contradiction to how a goth is supposed to behave. I shrugged. “I'm all about the surprises.”

  This garnered a snort from her. “Duh.” Then she looked around and motioned her hand. “So, what do you think? This is your baby.”

  I looked around again then at her. “It's perfect. You did good Zil.”

  She rolled her eyes. “They were your plans, I just played babysitter.” Then she brightened. “You see your office yet?”

  I shook my head, then my arm was almost pulled out of its socket as she dragged me to the stairs again and we went up to the third floor. There was another main desk there and an open office area with five desks, at the back was a glass-enclosed conference room with an office on either end.

  I smiled, the corner office on the left would be mine, with the windows on two sides. The other, which was a little larger, would be shared by Zilrita and whoever became my lead scout. I still held
out hope for Vanessa. I admit I haven't even looked for any other scouts yet. It would be up to me until I get a straight answer from that honey-haired vixen.

  I poked my head into the offices and was quite pleased. Everything was good to go as soon as the painters finished.

  I stood there with my friend at my side. Looking over the impossibility of my own business. It felt right, with the exception of a hole in my heart, for the first time in a long time, I felt right. I was home.

  Epilogue

  I was so busy scouting and getting the new label rolling that the next few months flew by like a whirlwind. Both Fran and I texted or chatted with Vanessa daily. Fran had acclimated to life in London readily and was actually making friends and bringing them home to study and the like. I guess she took my words to heart. This revelation made Vanessa choke up on the phone when I told her.

  We flew home for Lizzie's wedding in December. I couldn't stop crying at the wedding, I was so happy for her. I was the Maid of honor and Liz made Small Fry a bridesmaid. Then we jetted off to New York to have Christmas with Vanessa.

  God it was like something was trying to tear my heart out of my chest when we had to leave her again. She had made me a one-word promise. “Soon.”

  ***

  My eyes snapped open as the sun peeked through my bedroom window in the condo, warming my face. I grinned in excitement. It was June, the month of renewal for me! I stretched and hopped out of bed. I stepped to the window and looked out over my city, London. I couldn't imagine a time when I didn't feel like that, I have come to love this city so much.

  London Harmony has already become an urban legend in its own right in these eight short months. We signed Velvet Fire. They made such a commotion in the underground scene when they freaked out over receiving a J-Card. I covertly trolled the London music scene looking for potential artists to sign. I heard that people would search their things every night to see if they got a J-Card.

  I had slipped a card into another girl's bag after hearing her singing acapella at a rave. Her lyrical timing was spot on and the syncopation she could pull off was smooth as silk. She reminded me so much of Amber LaLanie. Her name was Terri Blue, and when music could spark emotion so easily, I just had to have her with my label. Rumor is that people could hear her squeal of excitement for blocks when she discovered the card. Her stuff went platinum twice as fast as Velvet Fire's did.

  Nobody can figure out who our third artist is, there aren't any pictures of her and she won't ever consent to an interview. She sings emotional rock with a hard edge. She only goes by the name of J8 and everyone compares her sound to Mandy Fay Harris. Only Zilrita and I are aware of my secret, though Small Fry gives me the evil eye every time a single is released. J8 only releases a single every other month and the international community goes ape over it.

  I took a cleansing breath and got ready for the day. I walked out to an empty condo. Where had Fran gone? She didn't have school, it was Saturday. I looked around and there was no note so I texted her just a question mark. I got back “Over at LH. I know you wanted to go over some new recordings of possible talents. Get your butt here quick, there's something here you really need to see.”

  I smiled. She loved to listen to the new prospects, I swear that the girl loves music as much as Vanessa does. I feel like I should be paying the girl, she is always helping out and she is invaluable at helping sort through the prospects. I think I'll offer her a part time job so I don't feel so guilty. Plus, what teenager couldn't use a little extra spending money?

  I texted Vanessa a good morning. I didn't expect a response. She went dark almost a week ago and I can't get her to respond. It made my heart ache as I realized she had finally made her decision, and I wasn't it.

  I grabbed my things and headed down to the car. I suddenly wasn't in the mood for breakfast so I may as well go meet up with Fran. She always made me feel better, like my second baby sister.

  So there I was, walking from the parking structure to London Harmony. I could do this, let the music free. I silently thanked Vanessa in my head though my heart was heavy over her loss. Without her, I really don't know if I could have done this.

  There is always going to be a part of me that... I was knocked out of my thoughts as I saw a figure in the lights at the doors of London Harmony, leaning against the wall with a suitcase and a purple backpack at her feet. She was swaying to some imagined music. She looked up and saw me approaching. She just smiled ear to ear and closed her eyes and raised her hands over her head and swayed them in counterpoint to her hips as she swiveled around in a blatant tease to the music only she could hear. She opened her eyes, stopped dancing, and just shrugged coyly at me.

  My heart beat with each footstep, it sped up in time with each stride. Driving me forward. I could feel the melody of the music inside of me quicken as I ran to her, redefining me. My soul was soaring as we came together, it was pulsating with the music as I lifted her and spun her around in a bear hug. The music drown out the rest of the world as she giggled out cutely, "It's about time J-Dub." I grinned at her and whispered as our lips came together, "I got this shit."

  Books in the Music of the Soul universe...

  (All books are standalone and can be read in any order)

  Music of the Soul

  A Deafening Whisper

  Dating Game

  Karaoke Queen

  Silent Bob

  Five Feet or Less

  Broken Song

  Syncopated Rhythm

  Progeny

  Girl Next Door

  Lightning Strikes Twice

  June

  Short Stories in the Music of the Soul universe...

  Misadventures of Victoria Davenport: Operation Matchmaker

  Books in the Valkyrie Chronicles series...

  Return of the Asgard

  Bloodlines

  Folkvangr

  Seventy Two Hours

  Books in the Fracture series...

  Divergence

  Books in the Drakon series...

  Awakening

  Dragonfall

  Books in the Bridge series...

  The Bridge: Trolls

  Sample Chapter from The Valkyrie Chronicles: Titans

  Prologue

  We scouted the ancient ruins of the old Ragnarok capital city of New Ishatak for more of the hybrid sentinels. The Frost Giants of Jotunheim left them behind to prevent recolonization of the Ragnarok homeworld. I still couldn't fathom that the Jotunn had wiped out every single living Ragnarok and animal on the planet with their culling devices so very long ago.

  It was almost surreal, the jungles had overtaken the cities over the eons since the planet was taken. The half crumbled plasticrete towers that jutted up toward the sky reminded me of the bones of some immense, long dead dinosaur from a bygone era, thrusting up through the jungle.

  I shook my head at this. The second most technologically advanced civilization in the galaxy and our once sworn enemies had thrived here only to be annihilated by a single Jotunn vessel with ten men aboard. Well, third most advanced now that our new allies, the Olympians, had come to stand by us after eons of hiding.

  I still marveled at what the people of Olympus had accomplished. Their tech, though inferior in many ways, almost matched Asgard technology, and in some areas eclipsed our own in its brute force implementation. I could understand brute force, that is the one thing that I, Kara the Wild One, First Valkyrie of Asgard excel in. Artemis has become a steadfast friend to us in the eons since revealing herself to us.

  I stopped as a chill went down my spine and my nanites, my Verr, snapped up various overlays in my eyes. Thermal scans and motion and vector tracking all confirmed what the shiver had indicated. There were four hybrids charging through the ruins toward our location. No, make that six, two more were converging from another grid. Anticipating my order, the Verr set our scout team's coms to voice activated.

  I turned to my small scout team. My mate, Kate the Raging Storm, First V
alkyrie of Earth. My sister in law, Inatra the Singing Rain, First Valkyrie of Ragnarok. Artemis from Olympus. And finally Intark. I suppressed a grin, the rugged, middle-aged Ragnarok commander who helped me bring down the Jotunn Star Killer vessel that was threatening to destroy the planet Folkvangr all those centuries ago. My daughter Essa wound up laying claim to him and he reciprocated, so it is with great humor that I sometimes call the man who looks twice my age, my son.

  I scanned the skies, somewhere up there is the fifth of my team. You never know with her.

  I told everyone, “Heads up. Four hybrids coming in at our ten o'clock, two at our three.” They all nodded and the vegetation around us took on a bluish glow as all of us Valkyrie activated our nano-lattice. The blue net pattern of compressed magnetic force covered our bodies and hardened us against damage. Intark just smiled a predatory smile and took the huge chain gun off his back as easily as if it were a toy. The seven foot tall Ragnarok warrior felt at home on the high gravity planet of his ancestors. I shook my head at the man. He had no nano-lattice like us women of Valhalla and it is impossible to make the man stay behind while we secure his homeworld. That chain gun he had named Buttercup was his favorite toy, he says it is the one thing the humans of Earth did right.

  I know it has been eons, but I still couldn't get used to him with two eyes, since he wore an eye-patch the first time we met. But after he, and other Ragnarok, were injected with Asgard nanites, his missing eye had regenerated.

  Kate caught my attention and smiled, she always knew what I was thinking, apparently my emotions are too strong and bleed over the nanite link that us daughters of Odin and our children share.

  Artemis grunted, I glanced over and she looked nervous. Hiding was the best defense the people of Olympus had perfected over the countless eons, so this operation didn't sit well with her. I could understand, it was instinct for her to fade away. I would never call that woman a coward though. If pushed, she is one of the most deadly long range fighters I have ever known.