Battle of Forces: Sera Toujours

by Ali Vali

  After the candle had melted enough of the wax to press the document closed, she called for Ming. “Yes, Lord Wallace?” Ming asked from the doorway.

  She held the parchment out to him. “Please have Winston deliver this for me and tell him not to linger in Egypt. I want him back in a couple of days, not because I want to ruin his fun, but because I want him out of harm’s way. Your son is getting good with the sword, but he’s no match for the henchmen the Elders have at their disposal.”

  “I shall make it so.”

  “The message is for Rolla, and for his hands alone.”

  Ming bowed, the parchment pressed against his chest. “I’ll make sure he leaves today.”

  Kendal stood and bowed to him in respect before he left the room, grateful for people like Ming in her life. Time was important, but now she had no choice but to wait.

  “Hopefully you choose wisely, Rolla, because you won’t like the consequences of going against me or Piper.”

  *

  At dinner that night, Mac and Molly announced their decision to stay, saying they were looking forward to spending time exploring the area and getting to know Kendal better. For the next week, Kendal continued her workouts with a variety of opponents, and Piper tried her best to sharpen her sight.

  Seven days after that Piper sat on the veranda outside their bedroom to watch Kendal’s usual morning workout when a man she’d never seen before entered the circle that she now knew had been planted in homage to Morgaine’s roots. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but the visitor handed Kendal what looked like a scroll.

  While Kendal read whatever it was, the man seemed to be focusing on her sword that she’d handed Morgaine to hold. He nodded at whatever Kendal said next, but before he left he tried to reach out and touch her sword, and Kendal grabbed his wrist. As soon as the man was out of sight, Kendal gazed up at her and started for the house.

  “Trouble?” she asked when she heard Kendal’s footsteps behind her.

  Kendal had told her to expect a response, but it might take time. If the man this morning was from Rolla, Piper was surprised it hadn’t been weeks, considering the archaic forms of communication the Elders preferred. In an age of cell phones and e-mail, they didn’t even use the mail, as if to retain some of the things they liked from their ancient pasts no matter what century they were in.

  “It’s another invitation, only this time,” Kendal sat next to her and cracked open a bottle of juice, “I’ve been given a warning not to turn it down.”

  “Was it from Rolla and the others?” She accepted the bottle and took a long sip. The strawberry-and-mango mix was one of Kendal’s favorites.

  “Rolla wants to meet me alone, but the old man never travels by himself. When he says a meeting with just the two of us, it usually means him and at least three guards, unless he’s locked away in that maze in Egypt.”

  “When do we go?” Piper ran her hand along Kendal’s forearm.

  “I’ve never thought I’d hear that phrase again, since the last person to say it to me was my father,” Kendal said wistfully. “I’ve always faced every fight I’ve had up to now alone. It’s nice to know I don’t have to anymore. We’re going to take him up on his offer since he’s coming to us.”

  “I’m not sure how useful I’ll be in a fight, but I’m glad I’m here with you.” She touched Kendal’s face. “I love you.”

  “I love you too, but if you want to stay behind that’s okay too.” Kendal pressed closer to her and wrapped her arms around her waist. With a gentleness she never showed on the practice field, Kendal kissed her until Piper felt the first stirrings of desire.

  “Did you get knocked in the head when I wasn’t looking? That’s the only way to explain you wanting to go anywhere without me.”

  “I’m not telling you that you have to stay behind, just giving you an option.” Kendal kissed her again and lifted her so she was lying on top of her on the chaise they shared.

  “I want all my options to include you.”

  “Will you make a deal with me?” Kendal asked with a smile.

  “Now there’s my charmer. I’ll make you any deal you want, as soon as you give me what I want.” Piper ran her finger along Kendal’s bottom lip. “Take me inside before we start talking about Rolla and his collection of misfits.”

  “Did you have a vision about Rolla’s little helpers, because that’s a good description for them.”

  “I had some visions while I watched you this morning, but they were of a more personal nature. Make love to me, baby.”

  No other words were needed for the moment.

  Chapter Twelve

  They lay in bed together a few hours later, under the canopy of the antique bed fitted with crisp sheets, and enjoyed the silence of the house. Other people were inside and on the grounds, but in this room, they were almost in a peaceful cocoon.

  “What’d you do with Hill? I haven’t seen her in a few days,” Piper said as she stretched before curling around Kendal again.

  “I sent her to London to meet some friends of mine who work for Scotland Yard. With their help and the picture she got of Leonardo, she may be able to find some leads.”

  “You think this guy might have something to do with all this?”

  Kendal scratched Piper’s back in a slow circle, enjoying how she shivered every so often. “I don’t know anything about him except that he wanted information about me. At first I thought we could put it off, but we can’t afford to leave anything undone, considering what we could be facing.”

  “Do you think we’ll ever be able to share our secrets with Hill?”

  “Not yet, but not because I think she’ll sell our story to the news or some rag.” She rolled them over and fit herself between Piper’s legs. “Hill deserves to stay innocent as long as she can, because once I tell her what she needs to know to be effective as our security chief, she’s going to have to make a huge commitment.”

  “Can I do something for you?” Piper asked when she rocked their hips together. “I’ve suddenly lost interest in where anyone is and who does or doesn’t work for us.”

  “Would you like to go on a date with me tonight?” The way Piper came up to meet her made her want more.

  “I may have to go into the city early if you want to do something like the opera, since I don’t have the clothes for that.” Piper moaned in her ear when she sucked on her nipple.

  Kendal let go and stared at how hard it’d gotten before she continued their conversation, as if they were enjoying afternoon tea together. “Not quite what I have in mind, but if you really want to go I’ll be happy to take you some other night.” She sucked in Piper’s other nipple and almost lost contact when Piper’s hips came up with more force.

  “Are we talking jeans and a sweater?” Piper asked, and she sounded a little stressed.

  Before Kendal came up she’d requested the staff to prepare the vehicle she wanted to use, and they’d promised to have it waxed and gassed. “Still a little off the mark, but don’t worry. I’ll help you dress appropriately for the evening.”

  “How about helping me right now?” Piper asked as she almost unbalanced her off the bed when she grabbed Kendal’s hand and put it between her legs. Piper was wet and she felt hot, making Kendal want more.

  She wet her fingers by sliding them up and down Piper’s sex before she pressed down hard on her clit. The pressure made Piper groan and move as if to get more stimulation. “I love making you crazy.”

  Piper opened her eyes and glanced between her legs before she met Kendal’s eyes. “I want you inside me.” After their experience with the sword, Piper had seemingly become more comfortable with telling her what she wanted. A few times she’d wondered if the sword itself had somehow placed a spell on Piper, but Lenore had told her not to worry about that.

  Now wasn’t the time to be concerned about it as her fingers filled Piper and made her hiss in what looked to be total satisfaction. Earlier they’d been frantic for each other,
so Kendal held herself up with one hand and slowly pumped her other hand in and out of Piper’s sex, wanting the buildup to be gradual.

  Piper must have wanted more than that because she encouraged her onto her back so she could straddle her hips and continued the slow movements, but with their mouths together. “Do you feel me?” Piper sat up enough to bring her breasts into view.

  “I feel every bit of you, and I love that you share this part of yourself with me.”

  “Do I belong to you, Asra?” Piper asked as she stopped her hips at the point that would keep her fingers buried deep.

  “I don’t want to own you.”

  “I asked if I belong to you, so answer me,” Piper said, then kissed her hard.

  “You belong to me and no other,” she said honestly, and hoped she didn’t sound offensive.

  “Remember that in the coming months.”

  There had been no other visions, but the one Piper had that morning with Lenore had stayed with Kendal. “I won’t forget, and I promise to kill any bastard stupid enough to touch what’s mine. No vision of the future will keep me from protecting you.”

  Piper sat up and moved her hips at a faster pace so it didn’t take long for her to come.

  Kendal was disappointed Piper got up immediately afterward, but she took her hand when Piper led her to the bathroom and sat her on the bench in the shower. “Tonight and whatever comes after, we’ll do together,” Piper said from her knees before she put her mouth on her. She used her tongue first and was as patient in getting her worked up as Kendal had been.

  When they were done, Ming brought up a small snack and the package she’d ordered for Piper. She laid it out when Piper was in the bathroom drying her hair, then went outside to see if the staff had finished preparing their ride.

  “She’s got to be kidding,” Piper said from inside, making Kendal laugh as she walked back into their room. The clothing she’d picked was out of the norm for Piper and, if she had to guess, something Piper never imagined herself wearing.

  “She isn’t kidding,” Kendal said in a low voice as she admired Piper in her underwear. “But if you don’t feel comfortable with my choice you can pick something else.”

  Piper was certain the elixir helped her hold her breath as long as she did when she looked at Kendal leaning against the door frame. Kendal wore a thick black leather belt to hold up the leather pants that fit nicely over her boots. The tight leather vest was far from Kendal’s usual crisp white shirt, but Piper loved how sexy it made her look. Kendal’s corporate persona had been stashed for the evening and replaced by this dangerous-looking replica who was making her heart pump faster.

  After seeing the way Kendal was dressed, the outfit she’d chosen for her made sense, if she wanted to look like they were together wherever they were going. “Why do my pants have laces on the sides?” When she put them on, a good portion of her skin was on display from her ankles to her thigh.

  “You have nicer legs than I do.” Kendal walked to the closet and came out with a leather jacket and two daggers she slid into the sides of her boots. “To me you’re the most important thing in the world, but if everyone else walks away with the impression you’re nothing but a piece of fluff, I think that’s best.”

  “Excuse me?” She put her hands on her hips and thought Kendal had lost her mind.

  “Tonight isn’t all about dress-up, love. We’re going into London to see Rolla, and since he can order a hundred warriors with fighting abilities that rival mine, I’ll be okay if the men with him think you’re nothing but a plaything to me. I know better, and so do you, but I don’t want them to consider you a threat.” Kendal came closer and put her arms around Piper, who relaxed her stance. “And if they don’t see you as a threat, you’ll be free to study Rolla and his misfits and see if you pick up on anything.”

  “This is going to cost you, Richoux.” She moved her hands around Kendal’s hips and slid her fingers into the top of her pants. When Kendal bent her head, she kissed the spot above her chin close to her lips.

  “What’s it going to cost me?”

  She glanced at the bed, then back at Kendal. “I’ll think of something.”

  “Come on, vixen.” Kendal kissed her one more time before going to the closet again and stepping out with a long black leather coat that resembled the one Piper had seen her hunt in.

  “Honey, you’ve already picked out a coat,” she said, and pointed to the short but thick waist-length coat Kendal had thrown on the bed.

  “This is for you, Lady Wallace.” Kendal held the coat up with a flourish for her to put on. “It’s chilly out, so you’ll need this for the ride in.”

  “Whatever you say,” she said as Kendal twitched the coat into place.

  They came down together holding hands. The only ones waiting were Lenore and Morgaine, who were dressed a little more conservatively. Kendal and Morgaine had argued earlier, and Morgaine had won that round when Piper had agreed they should join them in case Rolla had brought more men with him than Kendal planned for.

  “Remember, you stay in the office out of sight unless I call for you,” Kendal said as they walked outside.

  Piper was about to ask why Kendal had put on a clear pair of glasses, then noticed the big BMW motorcycle parked next to a black sports car. The amount of leather they were wearing meant they were taking the bike.

  “We remember,” Lenore said, and rolled her eyes at both Morgaine and Kendal, but only so Piper would notice.

  It took them an hour with traffic to make it into London, and Piper was surprised when they stopped next to what looked like a popular club. From what she’d heard of Rolla—or the old man, as Kendal and the others called him—meeting him somewhere full of partiers wasn’t what she had in mind.

  “Did you have a sudden urge to dance before we meet with this guy?” she asked as Kendal put the kickstand down. After a quick scan of the street she saw the Porsche Morgaine had driven in was already parked and vacant.

  “A wise woman told me the meeting I was going to have with Rolla was a trap, and even though this is a different meeting, I tailored it to give us the advantage.” Kendal kissed her forehead and took her hand. “If there are traps to set, why shouldn’t they be ours?”

  “Since I’m not a military strategist either, could you say that again so I’ll understand it?”

  “The club is one of the holdings in the Wallace portfolio. People think you put Lord in front of someone’s name and it equals stuffy. I may be many things…”

  “But stuffy is definitely not one of them.” Piper pinched Kendal’s side. She watched as Kendal slid a magnetic key card through the appropriate slot on the wall, making the embellished glass doors open.

  The pounding beat coming from the speakers was loud enough that Piper felt each note reverberating through her body. For once, she felt like the coolest kid in the place as she made her way in on Kendal’s arm. It was still early in terms of people starting their evening, but a lot of people were already crowding the crystal-lined bar and the dance floor. In an instant one of the waitresses came up and took both their coats, smiling up at Kendal in a way that made Piper want to punch her in the throat.

  “Welcome back, Lord Wallace,” the woman said loudly, and her smile was so wide it appeared freakish. She then turned to Piper and gave a slightly weaker courteous one. “And, Lady Wallace, welcome as well and congratulations.”

  “Thank you.” Piper raised her voice a little to be heard over the music. She smiled when the title the woman had addressed her by registered. Kendal kept her hand on her backside as she guided her toward the bar.

  “Dance with me?” Kendal asked.

  She shook her head and tried to take a seat at the bar. “I’m not really a good—” Kendal pulled her gently into the group of dancers already on the floor.

  Memories of the sword room came back when Kendal turned her around and pressed their bodies together front to back. When she felt how Kendal’s fingers skimmed along the laces
at the sides of her pants, and how she was grinding into her, she almost forgot why they were there. She snapped out of her stupor when Kendal whispered in her ear.

  “See the thick-bodied guy sitting on the banquette toward the back of the room?” She nodded and followed Kendal’s lead on the dance floor. “The great Rolla.”

  The old man was anything but. A thick strand of light-brown hair hung down his forehead, covering a little of the familiar blue eyes, and he fit in with his jeans and velvet jacket. He had a strong, handsome face, and if she’d had to guess, he was no older than thirty. His body was solid but he wasn’t overweight, and his hands were lying flat on the table on the sides of one of the club’s cobalt-blue glasses. He was watching them with the same interest she had in him, and every so often he picked up his drink and took a sip.

  “I thought you said he was old.”

  “Believe me, he’s not young, especially in dog years.” Kendal was joking with her. “Let’s get this over with. Keep an eye out for the idiot sitting about twenty feet from him.”

  “Which idiot?”

  “The guy in the suede shirt.” Kendal turned them slightly on the dance floor so she could get a good look at the blond eyeing them with his head cocked to one side. “We haven’t met yet, but I’m guessing that would be Travis. Morgaine had nothing nice to say about him.” The women walked off the dance floor.

  “It’s comforting that despite the passing of time, you don’t change much, do you?” Rolla said, staring at Piper. He didn’t raise his voice to force her closer. “Get rid of her since we’ve got a lot to talk about.”

  “She’s not a reporter, Rolla.” Kendal pulled a chair out for Piper. Without asking, she possessively put her hand on Piper’s shoulder and guided her down onto it. “Besides, you brought friends to the party, so I should be allowed at least one.”