Living Proof (Tyler G Book 2)

by P. S. Power

  She shrugged.

  "You have some things going for you that most don't. Like me on your side. Also, you'll get a fair hearing if Rebekah and Scotty sign on. That's a given. Plus, if it doesn't work, then in a few years you can go back to the bookstore. Really, if you keep the Coalition going you should be able to move into that eventually. That you haven't been making money off of it makes you look pretty good, so far, but I doubt anyone would begrudge you a sensible salary for the work. You have Kait and Vivian working for you already?"

  Those words had been said, but he hadn't really done anything that way yet.

  "That's the plan."

  "So, you have a staff. That's a good start. You should leave Kaitlyn at the bookstore. Zack is too valuable to not use as a resource, and even if he won't admit it, she has him wrapped around her little finger. That just leaves your girlfriends. Normally I'd just tell you that there were plenty of other fish in the sea and that you should cut them loose. You know that one, I mean, you've only been dating for a few weeks. Normally that wouldn't be too big of a loss in time investment. Calley and Ginger are, however, both rather special. You should see if you can have them moved to Sparks, too. Calley should be in charge of a region by now. Yes, she basically runs Washington for her people, but she isn't getting the credit for it. Ginger is a Master Vampire, and we only have one of those so far in Sparks. I wager she could get in as second in command there."

  Tyler looked at her and then rolled his eyes.

  "Wait, is this whole thing about getting me to set that up for you? Like a bribe?"

  She smiled, and then shook her head firmly.

  "No. I just have multiple plans, ones that tie together. The truth is that I need good people. Ones that I can count on to do their jobs. Slaves are certain, but if anything ever happens to me, say death, then they all fall by the wayside. Even if I survive. That kind of thing isn't always permanent. It's happened before, so there's actual risk to it. I need people that can get things done, regardless of what happens with me, personally. Besides, I own a record label, and don't have a starring act right now to get sales going. It makes sense to recycle Rebekah and Scotty, but they need something fresh to showcase their talents. So, are you in?" She didn't put a time limit on the whole thing, but then, it wasn't really a hard choice.

  "You know, I think I am. I'm not just bailing on my current job, so I need at least two weeks. That way they can replace me. I also want, you know, room and board on the ground there. I can't promise anyone else will come. I guess I can run the idea past their people though? The Shifters and Vampires. That won't mean they want to come. We're dating, but... You know, that hasn't been a big thing yet and it's still new, like you said. I wouldn't ask them to move for me or anything."

  She shrugged.

  "I truly do hear that one. Still, even if they don't want you, which they both do, setting them up with promotions is a good thing. Look, I can do it. I could just go and order it done, for that matter. The part where you go and see about it is what will make it real. On the good side, you know all the right people already for this. Jahn Samson, and Lenore. Well, you could ask Bey, but Ginger is still pretty young, and her mother putting her in someplace will make a lot more sense to everyone than the Killer of the Council doing it. He would, since he actually is very impressed with Ginger, but it will be easier to explain to my people there this way. I'm glad to hear that you're in. I should probably talk to the others too. Rebekah first. It will be harder to put together if she doesn't want to do it."

  That was probably just true. She was famous enough that he'd heard of her, even if he didn't follow popular culture that closely.

  Eve walked out of the back office, alone, as Keeley dialed her cell phone. It was a pretty thing, done in pink, with shiny blue sparkles on it. Really, it looked too young for her, and like a toy phone, not something to do the business of a Greater Demon on. That was probably the point.

  The Vampire woman, The Snowflake, glared at Keeley, and then smiled at him.

  "That's... Not a horrible idea. Ginger is ready. Nearly. You can work with her on fighting? She's gotten better, but should be practicing each day. She'll need to run up on Monday's for the training sessions, but she can do that. Sparks isn't that far. Enough so we can time her, and make sure she's keeping up with her speed work. Use it or lose it." Looking at him, she reached out and touched his arm. "She helps to train the Humans that want to cross over. It will be a few years before the new batch is ready, but like I said, it won't be that big of a deal. More work for her, but making sure she runs someplace at least twice a week is just good for her."

  In the background Keeley, The Mistress of Souls, was setting up a new band the hard way. By just suggesting it. When you could just make people into slaves with a word, if it even took that for her, it was a lot for her to go through.

  "Hey Rebekah. I know that you're between projects, music wise. I have some people that I'd like you to meet. You and Scotty. Steve York, you've met him. Hally's little brother? Right, with the red hair. Also Ty Gartner. Keyboards and vocals. I can go into that part later. Essentially Human. We can get you together... Next week? Wonderful. Now I just have to get Scott on board. Oh? He's there? Smart of him!"

  It took her about ten minutes to get everyone ready to meet, which would, it seemed, be happening at the place they were supposed to share, if they like each other. Why they weren't getting their own places, he didn't know, to be honest. Probably to save on costs.

  Then, because it was late, Keeley took off to get more food, and he ended up carefully sanding and wiping down the underside of the front counter. It wouldn't help to have splinters in it. There wasn't a lot to do, until the next morning, when the machines got there. To his surprise, even though Keeley didn't show back up, all the Human workers did, before eleven. Even if they hadn't been told to. Even the man that didn't buy that Vampires were real.

  He wasn't being asked to make Vampires though, just frosty frozen yogurt dishes. It was a full day's work, but by the time night came around, they were able to start getting food based supplies in. Eve would have to work with them on that part, and teach them how to make everything correctly. Because, at two-thirty, on the nose, Zack came to take him back to the bookstore.

  He had to grab his little bag, but as soon as they were though the line, Zack taking his arm this time, even though it was clear he didn't need to, except for the whole soul reading thing, the Greater Demon shook his head.

  "Damn. You're my best worker too. I can't match that really. A chance at being a music star? That's pretty big. Even if it doesn't really work out. I can call you in though, part time? On order nights?" He seemed hopeful about that. Since those were mainly on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, he nodded. After all, no one held concerts then, did they?

  "Probably. I'll need to be picked up though, and taken back, I bet. I can still count on you for Coalition stuff? I was kind of worried that you'd be mad at me. I just started here."

  "Eh, well, the bookstore is mainly a hobby of mine. A way of making me seem more Human than I really am. If you have something better to be off doing, I can't stop you. I mean, I could, but I won't. Be careful. Keeley isn't the worst Greater Demon ever, but she'll use you without thinking about it."

  "Won't everyone?" He managed not to sound sarcastic when he said that part. Ty was pretty proud of that.

  "Yeah. They really will. Most of them won't even know when they're doing it. Even your friends and loved ones, in the end. It doesn't make them bad, all the time, but keep your eyes open. Especially with my people. Remember, you always have a right to set the conditions on things, but no one will tell you that. Sit down with Keeley and hammer out exactly what you and the others working with you want first. She'll hold to it then."

  Without looking back at him, he walked out, using the owl door.

  Leaving Ty all alone.

  Chapter twelve

  It was, he realized as soon as he got home, a much bigger deal than Keeley had p
ainted the whole thing. When you got down to it, there was nearly no way for it to all work out. He was supposed to call up Ginger's Vampire mom and get her to let her little daughter go off to a different state with him.

  Then call the President of all the Shifters and suggest that they needed a new embassy in a place where they didn't already have one.

  "Oh, also, don't forget to put my girlfriend in that position so I can keep fucking her, sir." That would go over well.

  Calley stumbled out of her room, squinting and without her glasses on, which made her look very different. Younger and more vulnerable. She smiled at him.

  "Did you want to have sex? It's early, but if you let me brush my teeth first, maybe catch a shower..."

  He nearly said no, then realized that would be insane.

  "We can shower together? I've never done that, but I've been working for two days straight. To answer the question though, yes. Sex would be good. Very much so. I missed you." That was only sort of true, but sounded like the right thing to say.

  She got a dreamy look then.

  "My favorite way to wake up. Come on."

  The whole thing started in the shower and ended in his bed, which got a little damp from their clean bodies. His Bat friend was solid, energetic and had good endurance. He didn't get tired, and probably met the other criteria as well, though he didn't move around as much. Plus he was shower water temperature, more or less. Calley didn't seem to mind that part. After they finished, she rolled over and held him with one arm.

  "So, what's up for today? You work, right?"

  That was true. He was on the schedule to start at ten that morning, but planned to go in earlier than that.

  "Yep. I have some calls to make first, if I can. I..." He sighed, and then nearly blurted out the plan. Part of it, anyway. "I was offered a place, in a band. Keyboards and singing? It will mean moving. Um, you know the All Vampire Band?" He didn't know if she would, but got a nod.

  "They're good. I heard they broke up."

  "Kind of like that. Anyway, their lead singer and drummer, and this other guy wanted to start something. It's kind of Keeley putting it all together. So I'd have to move to her territory, in Nevada?"

  Calley pouted a little bit and seemed upset.

  "Oh. I can see you wanting to take that. I know you play. You're that good?" She looked away then, hiding her eyes from him.

  "I should be humble and claim that I'm not, but yeah. I guess so. I used to practice a lot. Sometimes ten hours a day. I get that my mom encouraged me now. You know the whole slave to a Greater Demon thing? At the time it just seemed like the best thing ever. I learned to fight the same way."

  "You have to take it then, don't you?" She was so sorrowful that it kind of hurt for a second, until he remembered the rest of it.

  "Soooo, Keeley suggested that I put in a word that she was looking to set up an embassy there. I was going to call Jahn Samson later today. She asked for you, specifically. Actually, she wants you for it even if you dump me. Ginger has been offered a place as the second in command there, so I don't have to call the leader of the Vampires for that part. Just her cute and scary mom. I... It's all right if you don't want to go. Or if you do, but don't want me to be part of it." Tyler would be fine after all, if that was the case. Hurt, and probably lonely, but that was all. He'd live.

  After a fashion.

  Calley seemed to relax a lot then and snuggled into him.

  "Really? That's nice of her. I wonder if it will happen? Well, you can do that for me, right? I know that Jahn always takes my calls, personally." There was enough sarcasm to her voice on that point that he knew it wasn't real. It probably didn't come up that often.

  Ty shrugged.

  "Like he's the one I'm worried about? He's a great man. If it can be done, he'll make it happen, I bet. Even if it's just to not piss off The Mistress of Souls. I need to get with Ginger though, too. And then make it all happen. I..." He stopped, then just stood up, got some pants and a shirt and pulled them on.

  Putting that part off wasn't going to help and it was still before sunrise strictly speaking. If he wanted to sweet talk Lenore Hawthorn, there was literally no better time than the present. Before the sun got hot enough to rip at her soul all day.

  Her number wasn't that hard to find, being right there in his cell phone, put there by the lady herself. Dialing with a few deft taps, he stopped breathing, not knowing what to say in particular.

  "Hello? This is Lenore Hawthorn, how may I help you?" She sounded sweetly polite and very youthful.

  He tried for the same.

  "Hi Lenore. Tyler Gartner here. I was hoping to talk to you? Is this a good time?"

  "It is! Is it about marrying Ginger? There have been a few Vampire weddings now, so I think that would be safe, but you're both very young, given the age we live in. Perhaps you should wait a bit?" She was playing with him. Teasing.

  "Our love can't be denied. You understand. I was thinking of taking her to Nevada, and eloping."

  That got the woman to stop. It was a sudden thing, one that nearly made a click, the quiet slapping his ear.

  "Wait. You aren't serious, are you? That wouldn't work for me. I'm too young to be a grandmother. I hate to be that kind of parent, but you know, I'll have to put my foot down."

  Tyler took a deep breath then, his stomach a knot he bet. Even if he couldn't feel it.

  "How about a compromise then? I take her off to Nevada, but there won't be a wedding, just a job as second in command there? She's a Master Vampire, and probably too new to it for a full time gig where she's in charge, but I have to move, and it would be a good one for her." He didn't mention the rest of it, but worked out lots on her own after a few minutes.

  "So, you wish her to be put in place in Sparks? That has the Mistress of Souls written all over it. I suppose it could be worse, all things considered. Let me make some calls. Have you mentioned this to her yet?" Meaning Ginger, it was obvious.

  "Nope. I didn't want to get her hopes up. I think that we're also setting up an embassy there. No node, if I have that right, but with different groups? I'm making the suggestion to the shifters today, if that means anything to you?"

  There was silence for a bit, then a soft sound that seemed pleasant. Like a half purr.

  "So, you want to set my daughter up as the Assistant Ambassador? I suppose that means placing Felicia in the prime spot. That... Well, I think she can handle it. Let me see to this? I need to speak to some people."

  It was still a bit early to call Jahn Samson yet.

  Calley, still without her glasses, called him back to bed.

  "So half of its done now? Or at least looking good. This is kind of exciting! Even if it doesn't work for me, at least my buds are getting things set up. That's enough." As sad as she'd been about it before, she seemed better then. Either thinking that it would work out in the end, or trying to put on a brave face so as to not spoil a good thing for Ginger and him.

  Either was good for him, in the moment. He spent some time just kissing her, and cuddling in his slightly damp bed, until it was time for him to get off to work. Well, hours early, but that was part of his plan for the day. Before he went she got dressed, and walked over with him.

  "I have to be there anyway. Sixteen hour days for the time being, in case another attack comes up. Not all the feminists were arrested after all."

  "Which reminds me. I need to talk to them, and see what the hell they were thinking. How angry are they at the Alede anyway? I get it, I guess. I mean they're kind of the ultimate pretty girls, and boys, but why go after them? They pretty much just sit back and have sex, otherwise minding their own business. Feminists are supposed to be about equal rights, or at least special rights for women and girls. I don't see the overlap there, do you?"

  His girlfriend moved along side of him, shaking her head.

  "Nope. Shifters are different that way. We've had real equality for a long time. Everyone works, fights and raises the kids together. I can't u
nderstand that part of the Human world, you know? I mean, we have males and females, and we're just as different as you that way, but no one gets up in a twist over it. I mean, it varies, but if some construction workers cat called me, I'd just offer them hand jobs. If they did that to Catherine, she'd be in their faces, yelling at them to shut the fuck up. I can't think of anyone I grew up with just feeling afraid of positive attention and walking off, cowering."

  "I don't get that one either. Clearly they do, which means it's probably real from their perspective, regardless. Then, I guess I don't have to. I just need to work out how to get them not to go after the Alede. I mean, that's my actual job. The one that no one pays me for?"

  They walked along holding hands, until they got to the mall itself, since that might not be professional. At the bookstore she left him, looking a bit wistful, but not explaining why. As she walked away, her skirt shifting a bit as she did, he felt a bit scared. He couldn't control what Jahn Samson did, after all. What if he lost Calley? Before it hadn't seemed like that big of a deal, since they hadn't dated long. Now it really felt hard. Like it would hurt a lot to go away without her.

  That meant cleaning up solidly, and straightening the store until nine-thirty, when he went to the back room and dialed the Shifter leader's personal line.

  "Samson here." It was a bit abrupt. Nearly terse feeling for the normally friendly guy.

  "Ty Gartner. Is everything okay there?" It was a bit of a strange thing to ask, but the man let out a long breath of air.

  "Are you calling about the Locution problem in Canada? I wouldn't have figured the Coalition would be involved in that, since it isn't strictly going to affect any Humans. Did they call you in to pressure me? I suppose we can share the territory with them, but we won't just give it to them. We've held it for nearly six centuries as a people. For them to move in now and try to drive us out is unconscionable." He seemed pretty firm on that one.

  "This is the first I'm hearing about it. I could make a call or two, if you want? It might not help, but if you're willing to share, that seems fair to me. I was getting in touch on a totally different matter." One that might not be welcome at the moment, if he had other things to deal with like that.