by J G Jerome
“Goddess, you three,” Geri murmurs. “Get a room! I won’t be able to eat if you get me all hot and bothered.”
Daphne is just watching Trina, Myra, and myself with huge eyes and rapid breathing. She says, “Excuse me,” and bolts toward the restroom.
We order drinks and appetizers from the waitress while we make menu choices. Geri orders for Daphne. I notice that everyone orders an alcoholic drink and water. I’m surprised, and Geri picks up on it. Checking to ensure we have no evesdroppers, she quietly says, “It helps blend in. The uniforms are a tell, but if we’re drinking and singing in the streets people will think we’re just a singing group out socializing together.”
I chuckle, “So that performance walking up the street was rehearsed?”
Corrina shakes her head, “No. It was completely impromptu, but once Charli and Geri started picking it up, we all knew it was good cover. Especially with you dragging the gear along.”
Geri blushes slightly as she adds, “As you noted in the hallway, our looks do tend to gather attention by themselves; so, we have learned to take advantage of unconventional opportunities to blend in.
Daphne returns looking slightly flushed and much more relaxed. She sits and says to Corrina, “Sorry, Captain. I couldn’t handle it. I had to go rub one out, or I would have been useless.”
I about choke on my beer, but manage to get it all down the right tube.
Corrina nods, “Geri, do you need a turn?”
She responds, “I think I have myself under control, Captain. I’ll let you know if that changes.”
The waitress returns, and we all order meals. Despite my advice to Myra, we all order pretty hearty meals. The appetizers start arriving as we finish ordering.
The ladies share stories of their observations from the afternoon and cutely try to bring Trina up to speed with euphemisms for all things fae. As they chat, I lean over to Myra and ask in her ear, “How far can we trust any of these folks? The Ravens or the underwear models?”
She turns to whisper in my ear, “The Ravens that are here you can trust with anything. There are two more in Sedona. One you can trust, Marisol, and one you cannot, Selene. Marisol just got back today, which is a blessing. Otherwise, Corrina couldn’t have left Selene in Sedona. Jason and Trevor are Shadows, the queen’s elite knights. They also do bodyguard duty for the queen and her family. They are both good men for our kind, but they will report everything they observe to their commander at the Sith. I was surprised to find them in Sedona when we arrived.”
I hold back on the Star Wars joke and the clarification between Sith and Sithen, which I had read before was a mound dwelling for the Sidhe. Actually, I think Sithen came from the Princess Merry stories. I can’t assume everything I read in fantasy fiction is true.
I hear Daphne gasp! She’s looking at me, and then whispers in Geri’s ear. Geri looks at her appalled. They both look at me, and then Daphne says, “Captain, a word please,” as she gets up. She has her game face on.
I look at Geri and ask, “Is everything okay, Geri?” as Corrina follows Daphne out.
Geri shakes her head, “I’m sorry, Jack. We made a mistake. I hope it doesn’t have terrible consequences for you. You’ve been so good to us all.” She looks remorseful, but she also looks like she’s ready for battle.
Corrina and Daphne return. Daphne takes her seat but won’t look at me. Corrina looks at me for a long moment. I just return her gaze. Corrina says, “Trina, may I borrow your man for a moment?” as she gestures for me to follow.
Trina says, “Wait a minute. What’s going on?”
“It’s okay, my Pet. I think I know what the issue is. I inadvertently did something to upset Daphne. Corrina and I will work it out, and then I’ll make my apologies.”
Trina lets me out.
We walk to the left of the entrance, and Corrina pulls out another one of those generic elven tech controllers. She pushes the button, and when it flashes blue she twists it. All the street noise disappears.
“I assume no one can hear us now. Is that correct, Corrina?”
Her eyes narrow at me and she nods.
“Is this about Daphne mentioning the Sidhe to me?”
“It was,” she nods. She holds up the elven cone of silence device, “Do you know what this is?”
“I think it’s elf-tech that creates a cone of silence. Based on how you activated it, the button keeps others from hearing us, and the twist eliminates outside noise. I guess that part is a failsafe too as it won’t activate unless the first one works. It’s less conspicuous than how Trina did it with shadows last night.”
She’s aghast. I continue, “I also know that Myra is the Winter Lady and what that means. I know all of you are Sidhe. I know the Ravens are the queen’s elite guard. I’m guessing your team’s mission is the protection detail for the Princess. I know that Myra’s mom is pimping her out like a street whore. I know why most of the Ravens are selected as potential candidates. I know that Myra trusts you with her secrets, and that Trina thinks the world of you, too. I know the douchebag I killed roadside yesterday was a prince of the other court, and that I apparently killed or helped to kill both the Summer Knight and the Green Knight. I know that I should not have fallen for Myra in a day, nor Trina, but I’ve managed to fall for them both. I know that I consider you and your team my people and will fight to the death to defend you. I know that I am favorably disposed towards the two Shadows, but only give them limited trust based on Myra’s recommendation. How much more do you want to know about?”
Corrina “Ivy and ash! I hope to all that is good and right that you can keep a secret.”
I offer her my hand. “Corrina, my ability to keep secrets should be the least of your concerns. If I were you, knowing that I love your Lady and your friend, I’d be worried about what I will do when I discover how much shit they really go through on a daily basis trying to help all the peoples of the Faerie realms.”
She grips my hand firmly. I add, “Nice job not trying do the mind-meld on me. I appreciate it.”
“Jack, I thought you were human. I no longer think that, but you’re not one of us. What are you?”
I shake my head, “Hell, I don’t know, Corrina. Until yesterday, I would have said I am just human. Apparently I have some other things running in my veins as well. I’ll tell you more when I can.”
“Why would you do that?”
I look around for observers and then I snag her hand in mine and will my eyes to glow. “Because you’re one of mine.”
Her eyes bug out. “I guess that works,” I say. “That’s the first time I’ve tried to do it consciously.”
She smiles at me weakly, “Well if you meant for your eyes to glow with green flames, you were successful.”
“Green fire is new. Trina says they glow green.”
She shakes her head, “No. You had the glow going when you talked about your love for Myra and Trina, and how my team are now yours. So I’m guessing when you focused on it, that’s when the green flames licked the air around your eyes.”
I shake my head as I ponder the ground. “What the fuck is happening to me?” Looking up I add, “I’m going to need to make that appointment to chat to my new friends sooner rather than later. We good?” I open my arms for a hug.
She stares at me and doesn’t move. I shrug and drop my arms.
She looks at me accusingly, saying softly, “Why do you want to hug me? I am known as the ugliest of all Sidhe because of this muscle tick, deformity, whatever, that leaves me with this constant little smirk. Nobody wants to touch me. Why do you?”
“That’s complete and utter bullshit, Corrina. You are a beautiful woman. Symmetric and perfectly proportioned facial structure. Clear skin. Beautiful hair. Beautiful golden brown eyes. Strong, athletic female figure with just the perfect amount of curve to make you desirable for cuddling. And you have that sexy, mysterious smile on your face. It’s like you know something that the rest of us don’t. It gives you that special
‘je ne sais quoi’ quality that Ellen Barkin had when she was a cinema queen in the 80s & 90s - she had a similar permanent smirk on her face. Add to that how we care about the same people, your fierce sense of duty, and that what I’ve seen of your character is impeccable. The question isn’t why I would want to hug you. It should be ‘what defect do your people have that they don’t hug you?’ Why don’t they see your beauty and value? Give me a hug, beautiful.” I open my arms to her again, and she throws herself onto me. I pull her close and caress her back.
She pulls away slowly. I tell her, “Corrina, if you ever need to feel special or need someone to hold you for a moment, you come find me. You are worthy of being loved. Same applies to all your wounded birds, okay?”
She nods. “I get it. I know what you’ve done to Myra and Trina.”
“Great. Explain it to me. They keep asking me, and I have no idea what to tell them.”
She shrugs and shakes her head gently as she deactivates the cone of silence. “It’s simple, really. You love them. You open your heart and you love them unconditionally.”
I look down and scratch the back of my neck. “Hmm. That was never in my skill set before.”
“Not true,” comes from the door. We look to see Trina, apparently just inside the cone of silence. She walks up between us and wraps us both in her hug. She says to me, “I’ve learned too much about your history in the last two days to believe that. Either you were born with it, or you lost it for awhile when you lost your brother and parents. I’ve watched you with some of your acquaintances. KC. Kristina. The way you talk about your friends and employees. You’ve been getting it back for some time, Jack. Maybe it just required a flock of wounded birds to bring it all the way home.” She kisses me as she pulls Corrina into our embrace. She kisses Corrina gently, too. To Corrina she says, “You’re going to realize how much I witnessed any second now. The elf-tech worked great. I’m just awesome at lip reading, and I’ve spent as much time as possible watching his lips move.” Trina winks at her. “Appetizers are gone, and the food is supposedly on it’s way. Let’s feed the beasts!”
Corrina touches Trina’s marks with a grin. “Hmm, whaddya think, Jack? Would those look good on me?”
Trina and I bust out laughing as the three of us walk to the door arm in arm. “Well Corrina Darling, I am happy to help you find out if you’re really curious.”
Trina takes the lead, but looks over her shoulder to Corrina. “Tell him you want them installed the same way I got ‘em. The whole experience was mind blowing!”
As we return to the table, Daphne gets out of Corrina’s seat and looks shyly at me before jumping back into her own. I kneel down next to her and wrap her in a hug and then reach for Geri too. Quietly I say, “Look at me, dear ones.” They both do, their eyes big and wary. I close my mind for a second for a calming breath; so, hopefully I don’t over-do this. “I already knew more than I should before your little slip. No harm was done. I will protect your secrets as if though they were my own.” Then I will it to happen. “You are mine. Do you understand?” Both are nodding as tears run down their faces. Daphne kisses me, quickly darting her tongue inside to meet mine. She looks at me, and I just nod at her. I cup Geri’s face and pull her in for a kiss, too. I look at them both again. “Mine.” They nod.
I get up and whisper to Corrina before sliding back to my seat. “I’ll give you yours when your troops aren’t around.” She nods with a hopeful smile.
I look to Myra. She grins at me, “You’re supposed to be Trina’s new boyfriend, but I think we would all fuck you right here on the table if you asked.”
I tell her, “Myra, you are a bad influence on me.” I look around and see there is no one watching other than the Ravens; so, I slide my left hand inside the neckline of her dress to palm her breast. I pinch the nipple gently and catch her gasp in my mouth. Withdrawing my hand as I hear the server approach, I kiss her again and sit back in my seat with my hands on the table. I lean in her direction and order her just loud enough for the table to hear, “Make sure I can get access to the treasures inside your skirt while we are eating.”
An “oh my” comes from the waitress, an attractive 20-something brunette ‘girl-next-door’ in a tight t-shirt and tight jeans. Her name tag identifies her as ‘Katrina.’ Fortunately, she had just set her tray on a set of legs. She bites her knuckle. At the same time, Myra answers “Yes, Lord” as she splits her skirt to bare her legs just short of heaven.
I wink at the waitress, and say to Trina, “You too, my Pet.” Trina gives me an immediate breathless “Yes, Master!” and arranges her skirts like Myra. I think Trina wins by a quarter inch, but it’s a close call.
The waitress turns away and leans on Charli’s booth, waving a hand at her face. She looks over her shoulder, and then slowly turns around.
Trina says, “I’m sorry, Katrina. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. By the way, my name is Katrina, too. All my friends and lovers call me Trina. I hope you will too.”
Katrina turns bright red.
“Trina, if you keep teasing her, I will spank you in the hotel room. With an audience if I can arrange it.”
Daphne and Geri pick up the game. They raise their hands. Daphne says, “We’re available!”
“Please ladies,” I say “give her a break,” pointing at the waitress with my chin and dropping a hand to a naked thigh on either side of me.
Katrina lays out the plates and chuckles, “Karma’s a bitch, ain’t it? I’m usually flirting with all the middle-aged and older guys, jiggling my goodies, and posing to get better tips. You guys just one-upped my game - about five times.”
We all laugh together. I tell her, “Not to worry, Katrina. If anyone asks, we’ll tell ‘em you brought your A-game.”
She laughs and takes her tray to the back, fanning her face the whole way.
We demolish our food quickly. Conversation dwindles, but still continues between bites. We keep it light and focused on the time at the Burning Tree. Katrina comes back to check pretty quickly, but we are well on our way to being finished. “Goodness! Y’all eat like a bunch of soldiers!” as she refills waters.
“Guilty,” I say. “You can bring the check when you’re ready.” She nods and heads off again.
Corrina finishes and excuses herself. Daphne knocks on Charli’s booth, and then sticks a hand around the corner. She circles her finger and then holds her index and thumb about an inch apart. I hear another quiet knock from Charli’s side.
In another ten minutes we are paid and trooping slowly back towards the hotel. Liesl and Trevor join us before we get to the door. We all go up to the room. It’s a little tight, but Corrina wants everyone in the room for a sitrep and orders.
I ask her, “Do you want me to step out, Corrina? I’m assuming you don’t want an outsider listening to your briefing of your protection detail.”
Corrina started nodding as I finished the first question and continued as I spoke. When I finish she says, “Please, Jack. It would be great if you could hang out on the patio for a few minutes.”
“Sure. I’ll take my iPad and catch up on my email.”
As I reach for the door, Trevor asks, “Hey Jack, how do you know what a protection detail looks like?”
I stop with one foot on the balcony, and I turn to look him in the eye. “Trevor, I have done things in the service of this country that would blow your mind. I’ve been on protection details a couple of times. Those were some of the more relaxed assignments I was on.” I give him an empty smile, and then step out and close the door.
I sit in one of the two chairs and pull up my email. There are no new emails from clients, but the promised email with details from Laura is waiting on me. She sent some pictures of a lovely home in the Forest Trails development. The views from the lot are fantastic and the models are beautiful. I’m tempted to go take a look, but the lot sizes are much smaller than what I’m looking for. I respond to her email declining the offer to show the properties tomorrow morning
and explain why.
I see an email from KC, too. He just got a listing on a property in the same area we looked yesterday. It sounds much more promising than anything I’ve seen so far. He has a couple of photos, but I won’t have a clue unless I see it. The list price is 25% more than my total budget, just for the land. Plus I’ll have to carry the bulk of the fees, too. Something tells me it’s going to be worth it. It’s 7:45 pm; so, I take a chance calling KC.
He answers, “KC here. How you doing, Jack?”
“Hey KC. I’m living large, buddy.”
He chuckles, “Yeah, me too. I’m working on it though. What did you think about that property I emailed to you?”
“Well KC, it sounds pretty promising. It’s also a budget stretch, but I’m intrigued enough to take a look. Can you show it to me tomorrow morning?”
“Sure Jack, but not too early. I’d like to tell you I’m going to church, but honestly I’m heading out to a party in a couple minutes. I suspect I’ll have a slow start tomorrow morning. You want to meet at the office at 10:00?”
“That should work, KC. We’ll see you then.”
“Oh, we? Trina’s coming with you?”
I laugh, “KC, are you stoned? Would you leave her behind if she was with you?”
He’s laughing, too. “I was hoping she dropped you, so I could chase her down.”
Chuckling, “Afraid not, buddy. She’s a keeper. If I were stupid enough to let her go, I would hope I could count on you to bitch-slap me!”
“Oh no, no, no, no, Jack! Something tells me trying to bitch-slap you would be short road to the grave. No thank you!”
“Shit, KC. I’m a teddy bear. You have nothing to worry about from me. I’ll let you get to your party. Be safe, buddy. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Bye, Jack.”
“Bye.” I close the connection with a chuckle.
I ensure the iPad is off, sit back, and do some deep breathing to relax and focus my mind. I’ve got some weighty matters to consider. A possible million-dollar-plus real estate deal, a couple of business deals in the works, a married employee whose primary objective in life seems to be fucking me, some growing supernatural abilities, and all I can manage to focus on is the room full of beautiful women that all crave someone to love them. I can’t conceive how I can possibly help them, either personally or introducing them to decent potential mates. Yet that is exactly what I feel compelled to do. I tell myself, ‘Don’t get ahead of yourself, Jack.’