Three hours later, I determined that Martin needed to read this as well. I’m fairly good with numbers but I wanted someone else to tell Ev he was off his rocker if he thought this was a good investment.
Essentially, it was an idea to determine what in non-human species’ DNA gave them the longer lifespan, then, after perfecting whatever formula, sell that to humans. Their “market research” said the vast majority of humans were jealous and would pay just about anything to live longer.
As a former human (I came into my magical powers relatively late in life), I knew there were some people who craved immortality, but I certainly wasn’t one of them. Before learning I’d live two or three (or more) hundred years longer than the normal life expectancy of about eighty, I was perfectly content to live a comfortable life, grow old (hopefully with a special someone), and die. I doubted the veracity of their research. But Ev wouldn’t believe me.
The next day, after looking at the calendar to determine it was only a quarter-moon, I arranged to meet Martin for a drink after work to give him the prospectus. Over a glass of my favorite merlot, I gave him a synopsis.
“Not another one,” he sighed.
“Another?”
“These schemes surface every fifty years or so. Do you think this is the first time someone has wanted to delve into our DNA to find out the whys and wherefores of our existence? They have. From what I’ve read, every scientist who’s tried can find anomalies between the rest of us and humans, but no one’s had an ‘aha’ moment.”
I thought. “But they’ve made such strides in identifying all sorts of markers. Perhaps this guy has the right scientist on board.”
“I’ll read it, do some research and let you – and Ev – know. But I’m doubtful there’s anything new under that particular sun. In the meantime, keep Ev’s checkbook close to you and I’ll try to delay anything else.”
The following afternoon I heard Sally exclaim, “Oh, my” after the outer door had opened. Curious, I got up from my desk to investigate and found Perchaladon standing at her desk in all his elfin glory.
Swallowing hard to stop myself from slavering, I asked what I could help him with. Sally sat at her desk slack-jawed.
“I would like to see Evander if he’s available. Time is of the essence.”
“I’m sorry but he hasn’t yet returned from a lunch meeting. Is there a message for him?”
I heard Sally audibly gulp as she tried to get control of herself. If I hadn’t had the same experience, I may have been taken somewhat aback. Sally looks like a chic Valkyrie and generally has the cool to match.
“I’m sorry but this is a private matter. May I wait?”
I wanted to tell him that Ev and I had very few secrets but not only wasn’t it my place to do so, it wouldn’t have been entirely truthful. Ev kept as much as possible from me. Even stuff I really should know.
“Of course. Please have a seat. Sally, I know Perchaladon likes our coffee and you know I’ll always drink some. Perhaps you’d make a fresh pot?”
That should give her enough time to come to terms with an example of manly perfection sitting in her office. As the elf sat, I went back into my office and tried to go back to my work. Unsuccessfully. I assumed he was here to badger Ev about giving him money and I hadn’t yet heard back from either Martin or Gregory. I started fidgeting in my seat, wondering how I’d get Ev to say, “not yet” or preferably, “no”.
“Who is that?” Sally whispered as she refilled my cup for me.
“He can probably hear you with those ears,” I whispered back. “Later.”
Shortly, the outer door banged open and Ev’s odor announced his return from lunch. “What are you doing here?” I heard.
The dulcet baritone replied, “I was in the area and thought to see if you’d come to a decision regarding the investment in my company.”
“I’m sorry but I’ve been terribly busy. I’m still reading your proposal and speaking with my advisors. I said I’d let you know and I will.”
“I understand but please do not take long. The subscriptions are going quickly.” I heard the door close once again.
“You told a bald-faced lie,” I said from my office. “You haven’t read the prospectus because you gave it to me.”
Ev peeked around the door. “Yes, and I’m waiting for you to tell me what you think. It sounds wonderful, doesn’t it?”
“Actually no, it doesn’t. I’m not an expert but I don’t believe it would be successful for one minute. Martin has it now. He’s better with that sort of stuff than I am. He said he’d call you once he’d read it and had a chance to look a little further.”
Ev sighed. “You both are going to tell me no, aren’t you?”
“In all likelihood, you’re right. We will. But wait for Martin’s call. And Gregory’s. He’s looking into Perchaladon’s background, if there’s anything to find.”
Ev shrugged his shoulders, left, and Sally replaced him in my office door. “An elf going outside their race for an investment? That’s weird. But oh god, what a specimen!”
“Yeah to both. I take it you’ve never seen an elf before, either.”
“No. In a way, I wish I hadn’t. I think Jack is handsome, but he can’t hold a candle to that guy. It’ll take a while to get that image out of my brain.”
I laughed. “Jack is more than a pretty face or you wouldn’t have married him. Looks aren’t everything.”
“No, but they certainly don’t hurt!” she shot over her shoulder as she headed back to her desk.
That night I put all thoughts of elves and investments aside. I had a lesson with Gregory the next day and hadn’t done a lick of my assigned reading. We were still working with liquid stuff and I opened The Big Book of Potions and Philtres, copyright 1856, to the section on philtres.
“Philtre, originally a word used to describe a love potion (from the Greek philein, to love), now means any drink imbued with magic, generally herbs brewed in hot water.” My eyes started glazing. I was going to spend the night reading about tea.
“Tea is a kind of plant. Continue reading.”
I could never slack off. Not with a damned cat supervising, listening to everything I thought. It wasn’t fair. I read, jotting salient bits of information in my big notebook.
Chapter Four
Saturday saw me once again at Gregory’s, this time making all sorts of tea for health, attitude, and love issues. As with everything else, I had to learn how to brew what herbs for which issues and to inject appropriate energy into each one. I snorted when we got to the love philtres.
“You have the right attitude.” Gregory told me. “Although most people say ‘love’, they really mean ‘lust’. You can’t make someone go against their own nature but if there’s even a hint of interest in the other party, you can amp it up. It generally doesn’t last long-term, though.”
“Why would you want to use magic to influence someone’s love life?” I mused.
“Believe it or not, love is the second-most requested spell from most humans. I believe it was Gilbert who said, ‘Love makes the world go ‘round.’ People want that, you know?”
I snorted again. “If, for some stupid reason, someone came to me for a love spell, I’d just laugh them off. Since long-term spells have to be maintained somehow, that sounds like a lot of work to hold interest.”
“It is. And if the maintenance is slackened, the affected party will come to their senses quickly. It can make for some ugly scenes. But it’s still something you need to know.”
“Okay, I know it. Can we move onto something else?”
“As the wizard said, philtres or charms can enhance a feeling that is already there. I have seen them work. It may someday suit your purpose to have someone highly interested in you for a while. Do not discount short term effects.”
Someday. Someday. Everyone kept telling me I might need to know all this stuff for someday. But grousing wouldn’t get me anywhere, so I sucked it up and went back to my Labs.
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Mid-afternoon, I was in the middle of putting together what would become an herb-infused wine for someone’s tension headaches when Gregory stopped in the middle of a sentence and listened.
“The morning weather person was mistaken about timing. The storm front is arriving more quickly than anticipated,” he told me. “We will have to either leave now to get you home safely or you will be stuck here tonight and possibly tomorrow.”
The prediction was for the blizzard to arrive during the early evening, so I thought I’d be safe in coming to Gregory’s for my weekly lesson. His Air ability just told me that assumption was in error.
“Will you be able to make it back from my place okay if you take me home?” I asked.
“It will be tricky.”
“Then if it’s okay with you, we’ll stay here. I’d hate for you to get stuck in a whiteout.”
“Thank you. In that case, please continue with your infusion. That’s the last we have to do today and then I think it’s time for a game of Chinese checkers.” Gregory grinned. I still hadn’t beaten him in that game and I knew he loved winning.
“If you would let me suggest moves, you could easily beat him at that game.”
“I want to learn strategy on my own, thank you very much. I get better each week, don’t I?”
Fudge didn’t reply but curled up in a chair by the fireplace. I think he was a little peeved that I wouldn’t let him play.
True to Gregory’s prediction, the wind starting howling and snow started swirling within the hour. He paused in moving a stone from one indentation on the board to another to listen again. Without making his move, he stood.
“Bundle up. I need to capture some of this snow,” Gregory said as he handed me my coat.
“Huh?”
“If I’m not mistaken, this is going to be thundersnow. The energy in the melted snow will be excellent to use in preparations to rile someone up. So, I need to put out collection vessels and you’re going to help.”
I bundled myself in my coat, swaddled my head and neck with my scarf and pulled on my gloves. Gregory did the same and handed me two small cast-iron pots.
“These should be heavy enough to stay put. While I place a couple farther away, I want you to put yours on the west side of the garage, ensuring they don’t actually touch the garage wall.”
Why you’d want to get someone mad was beyond me, but I duly leaned into the wind, made my way to the garage and put the two pots down a few inches from the wall. As small as I am, I nearly flew back to the cottage with the wind at my back. Gregory grabbed me before I could slam into the still-closed door.
“Excellent. Thundersnow is rare so this will be some potent water,” he said as we unbundled. Even just a few minutes into the storm, enough snow had collected on our clothing that it dripped a bit as we hung everything up.
We returned to our game but before Gregory could make the move he’d interrupted, his phone rang. He listened for a moment after answering then grimaced as he said, “Are you crazy?”
A clap of thunder punctuated his statement.
“Ev, I know the Hummer will go in heavy snowfall. It doesn’t help me see in whiteout conditions. Look out your damned window. Can you see the cottage? No? I didn’t think so. You will just have to entertain yourself tonight.”
Another boom sounded as Gregory hit the off button on his phone. Based on the expression on his face, I wasn’t sure if the rumbling was him or the natural storm. “That boy will be the literal death of me, yet. He wanted to go clubbing in this weather!”
Somehow that didn’t surprise me. Ev was notorious for making impromptu bad decisions. It took all his friends and acquaintances to save him from himself at times. I was laughing as I gestured at the board, indicating Gregory should make his move.
One advantage to staying over is I didn’t have to come up with anything for dinner that night. Gregory, in addition to being a fantastic coffee barista, was a better chef than I. He thawed some fish and grilled it in the fireplace, cooking enough not only for us but Fudge, as well. For that, he got quite a bit of affection from the cat.
The sky’s rumbling finally quit but the howling of the wind didn’t. The power went out and there was another pause in our game while we went around the room, lighting candles. A few minutes later, there was a thumping at the door. Gregory opened it just a crack to prevent the snow from swirling into the house.
“Power’s out and I’m bored. What are you guys doing?” Ev asked as he pushed his way in past Gregory, the wind blowing snow in with him. Fudge lifted his head, sniffed the air and retreated from my lap to a far corner of the house.
“Well, come in, then,” Gregory said as he picked Ev’s coat off the floor where the ogre had dropped it and hung it on the rack with the others.
“Hi, Amy. Hope you don’t mind me barging in on your love fest.”
I made a face. “Love fest? With someone two hundred years older than I? Honestly, Ev. I swear you have a one-track mind. We were playing a board game.”
Ev grinned. “Oh, I know there’s nothing between you two. I just like to get your goat. What game? Can I join in?”
“We were playing Chinese checkers, Ev. Amy, reset the board for three players. Since it appears we’re going to have a party, what does everyone want to drink?” Gregory moved toward the kitchen.
Surprisingly, Ev not only knew how to play the game, he wasn’t bad at it. Board games, much less something involving, you know, thinking, weren’t something I’d have associated with Ev but then again, he also knew which utensil to use at the table. Wonders never ceased.
There was a slightly uncomfortable moment at the beginning of our first game. I was so accustomed to moving the stones with my mind when playing with Gregory that I forgot how Ev felt about witches. When I made my first move, Ev choked on the swig of beer he’d just taken.
Gregory slapped his back and then punched him on the shoulder. “Get over it, man. You should know by now she’s not going to turn you into a toad, although at times I wouldn’t blame her.”
Ev coughed some more then cleared his throat. “Sorry. Habit, I guess. I’ll try harder not to let it bother me.”
I punched him on the other shoulder. “Good. Because there’s not a damned thing I can do about it. Your move.”
A few hours and a couple of glasses of wine later, I was trying to hide the fact that I was yawning. Ev may be able to stay up until all hours of the night and Gregory with him but due to my getting to work at such an early hour, I had no choice but to be a morning person. I felt like a real night owl if I made it to midnight.
“Sorry,” I said through another yawn. “I’m not used to staying up very late.”
“My fault,” Ev replied. “I’ll go home after this game, okay?”
I almost fell off my chair. Ev was being nice. To the final game, I nodded. Both men had won one game each and this would be the rubber. I stifled another yawn and tried to concentrate so I wouldn’t lose by too many stones.
Thirty minutes later, Gregory had won (by just two stones) and Ev was pulling on his coat.
“That was fun,” he said. “We should do this more often. Good night you two, and thanks.” He let himself out, the snow blowing past him into the room before he could get the door shut. Or actually, slammed shut. Ev didn’t know how to be quiet.
“I’m shocked,” I said as I helped Gregory clean up our mess. “Ev was not only sociable, he didn’t even mention business.”
“As I’ve said before, he’s really not a bad guy. We’ve done this in the past when the power went out, so I’m used to seeing this side of him,” Gregory told me.
“I have a question.”
“And I’m not teaching? Okay, what do you want to know?” Gregory had a quizzical look on his face.
“I just sat next to Ev for about four hours and didn’t want to vomit from his body odor once. What did you do?”
A chuckle escaped him. “It’s another advantage to being aligned with Air.
If you noticed, I ensured Ev was sitting between me and the fireplace. I just created a small air current that blew away from me. It took his aroma up the chimney. Because of where you were sitting, you got the benefit, too.”
“You need to teach me that. It would help so much in the office.”
He made a face. “As an Earth affinity, I’m not sure you could do it. It’s a rather gentle touch so he doesn’t feel like a fan is blowing on him. It won’t work in the office, anyways; the same way it won’t work in the car with the windows rolled up. You need a direct conduit outside, like the chimney. If you can convince Ev to open the office windows all the time, you could try it.”
I knew that wasn’t going to happen. Ev disdained fresh air and if the heat wasn’t on, the air conditioning was. I sighed. It was a thought, just not a good one.
A small argument ensued. Gregory wanted me to take his bed and I insisted on the couch. I fit easily on his two-seater where he’d either slop over the ends or wake up unable to walk from being in a cramped position. I, naturally, won and he finally handed me a pillow and a lovely, handmade down-filled quilt. When I commented on the workmanship, he told me it was one of the few things he had left from his mother. Way more than two hundred years old and it was still completely intact! I only nodded – if I’d said anything, it would have been sappy (oh, the loving care) and would probably have embarrassed him.
As Fudge and I snuggled under the quilt, I stared into the banked fire and listened to the sounds of pages turning in the other room. Gregory was obviously reading by candelight. His mother, apparently, had never told him reading in low light was bad for your eyes. I snickered to myself, closed my eyes and fell asleep.
Only to be awakened a few minutes later by a paw batting my face.
“Sorry, but you need to wake up,” Fudge sounded apologetic.
“What? Is something wrong?”
“I need to relieve myself but there is no litter box here. I cannot wait until we get home, whenever that may be.”
Transformation! Page 3