The Chronicles of Kerrigan Box Set Books # 1 - 6: Paranormal Fantasy Young Adult/New Adult Romance

by W. J. May

  She ran through her tatùs and went for Riley's cheetah, thinking the hyped up caffeine feeling might get her body going.

  “Rae?” Devon rapped his knuckles softly on the bedroom door. “You decent?”

  She had changed into a black pair of jogging pants and black fitted top she had found in one of the dresser drawers. She pulled the door open. “I'm ready.” She pulled her curly hair into a messy bun. “We're just going upstairs, right?”

  Devon nodded and walked beside her down the hall to the living room. Expensive cologne wafted to Rae's nostrils. It wasn't his typical smell, but it carried something deliciously tempting. She liked it and moved a little closer to smell it again, cracking her knuckles to try and distract herself.

  “Why are you so jumpy?” Devon's eyebrows went up. “Hard to sleep in a strange bed?”

  She shook her head a little too hard. The room vibrated with the movement. “Shoot! Forgot my phone! Be right back.” She raced back to her room and returned a second later with her phone. “Got it!”

  Devon watched her from the door to their flat. “Are you using Riley's tatù?”

  The proud look on his face teased Rae. She quickly switched her tatù to Jennifer's leopard ink. Similar ability, without the over-caffeinated rush. Her body relaxed, and she inhaled, enjoying the loss of the jitters. “You're too smart for your own good sometimes.”

  He grinned and held the door open for her. “You would know.”

  She stopped suddenly in front of the antique staircase at the end of the hall. Devon managed to catch himself just before crashing into her. She laughed and raced up the stairs, leaving Devon to try to catch her.

  They sobered at the top of the stairs and slowed their pace. “Which flat?” Rae pointed to both doors slightly across from each other.

  Devon nodded to the one that wasn't above them. “In there. The one above us is supposed to have any equipment we might need.”

  “Equipment? Like gadgets and tazors and double-oh-seven stuff?”

  “And guns, tranquilizer darts, superman capes…”

  “Good. I got gum on my cape the other night. Do they have a Wonder Woman one? I refuse to wear Superman's.”

  “Your humor is bad, Rae. That's one thing I thought would get better.”

  She opened her mouth to throw a comment back at him and realized he was teasing her. “Yours has gotten worse.”

  The door that stood in front of them swung open. “RAE! DEVON!”

  Rae jumped back. Devon reached his arm around her so she wouldn't fall. It was a mechanical reaction, but it still felt nice against her lower back. Rae barely had time to register the reaction. She was too busy staring at the person standing in front of them. “Molly?”

  Molly beamed and posed with one hand in the air, the other on her hip. “In the flesh! The Privy Council needed a fashion coordinator and who better to hire than yours truly? I've been shopping and organizing like mad the past two days. I wanted to tell you the other night but then you were so tired and then you had that crazy dream.”

  “What crazy dream?” Devon asked.

  Molly continued like she hadn't heard him. “I left way before you did yesterday. Jennifer filled me in on the mission a few days before you two even knew. I had to sneak into Devon's room and check his sizes. I already knew them, but I wanted to make sure.” She moved into the room and left the door open so they could follow her. “So I put a few things in both your rooms downstairs for you yesterday. Do you like the black dress?” She turned to Devon. “Did you see her in it yet? She's going to be so sexy, no one is going to even notice you in a room. They'll all be staring at luscious-Lana here.” She eyed Rae. “You tried it on first didn't you? I knew you would. I bet you put it on and quickly took it off. You are so wearing that dress! Not to the luncheon thing today but tonight for dinner.”

  “Does her mouth ever stop?” Devon leaned over and whispered to Rae.

  The room had racks with clothes on them, models and fitted mannequins with fancy dresses and tuxedos. All the classy furniture had been shoved against the walls.

  “Crazy, I know ‘eh?” Molly did a full circle and jumped up and down in delight. “I'm going to be here the whole time you guys are here! I get to dress you every day for every occasion.” She clapped her hands. “It's like playing Barbie but with real live people!”

  Devon cleared his throat. “Does Carter know you are here?”

  “Headmaster Carter?” Molly waved her wrist dismissively. “Of course. He had to sign off on me skipping classes.” She cupped her fingers close to her mouth. “You do know he's the president of the Privy Council, right?”

  Rae laughed.

  Devon nodded. “I heard that.”

  “Good. I wasn't sure what you knew. I know Rae knows, but wasn't sure how much you knew. You never know, some people get told everything, others… Well they don't know too much. The less they know, the better.”

  “I can't argue with you on that, Molls.” Devon walked over to a rack of clothing meant for him. “So what are we supposed to do? Pick some things out and take them down to our flat?”

  Molly grabbed Rae's hand and squeezed it before pulling her toward a tall round rack of dresses. A small electric shock zapped against their skin. “Sure. You can do that if you want. You need regular day clothes that are classy.” She frowned at Devon. “You won't find any torn jeans or cargo pants where you are going, Dev.” She let go of Rae's hand. “Rae, go through these and pick out a few you think you would wear to the luncheon. I have to help your man here.” She tsked and moved over to Devon. “Let's turn you into a man, Mr. Wardell. A handsome one.”

  Rae winked at Devon when Molly wasn't looking. She quickly pretended to check out the clothes in front of her when Molly gave her a stern look. It reminded Rae of Madame Elpis.

  She pulled out several dresses and went behind a screen Molly had set up to try things out. She found a dark navy blue sleeveless dress with a matching short cardigan. The fitted top gave Rae free movement of her arms and felt like a second skin. It came down in a classy V-cut in the front without showing too much skin. The skirt part of the dress hung just at knee length and was loose with a sewn in belt. Rae liked the dress. It looked the part but also gave her the ability to run if she needed to or to move about in whatever way might be required of her. The cardigan fit perfectly as well.

  “Let me see,” Molly said.

  Rae stepped around the screen and stared at the floor. She refused to look up, even when a low whistle escaped Devon's lips. It wasn't meant to be heard by them, but Rae picked it up while Molly didn't even notice.

  “It's perfect!” Molly moved around her fixing the hem at the back and pulling Rae's hair out of the bun. “What do you think, Devon?”

  Rae held her breath as she looked up at him. He wore a dark gray suit with a blue shirt that matched his eyes perfectly. Classically handsome. She couldn't stop staring.

  Molly laughed. “Seriously, you two. You guys need to get out more. It's like you've never seen each other. You both look perfect.” She checked her watch. “All thanks to me, of course. Now get going. The limo is going to be here in about ten minutes.” She ran to a couch full of name brand gift bags and pulled out a pair of black heeled shoes with a matching clutch bag for Rae. “You need some eyeliner, mascara, and eye shadow. And lipstick!” She ran to the table and dumped the contents of a bag out. “Here! Quick, sit down.” She pulled a stool over and set Rae down. “Close your eyes.”

  Five magic minutes later, Molly stepped back and handed Rae a mirror. “Perfect.”

  “Limo's pulling up,” Devon said and moved to the window to double-check his hearing.

  “Get going!” Molly ran to the door. “Have fun!” She grabbed her phone and snapped some pictures of the two of them. “For the scrapbook.”

  Devon and Rae raced down the stairs and stopped just outside the front doors where a chauffeur was getting out of the limo.

  “Shoot. Molls has my hair in a pony.”


  “You look gorgeous. You don't need it.” Devon opened the door and put a bright smile on his face as he spoke to the chauffeur. “Hello! Beautiful day, isn't it?”

  The chauffeur helped them in the limo as Devon made small talk with him. He put his arm around the back of the seat where Rae sat. He played the couple part perfectly as they drove. He would wink or squeeze her shoulder or ask an easy question at her to just engage her enough in the conversation. It gave Rae time to collect her courage and focus on where they were going.

  “You okay?” Devon asked quietly when the limo parked in the parking lot of a beautiful, old building.

  “I assumed the luncheon was at Buckingham Palace.” She let him take her hand to help her out of the limousine. This place looked big enough to be a palace.

  “It's the same location where the Masquerade is going to be held.”

  More limo's pulled in to drop other people off. “I thought it was just going to be you and me with the prince and Sarah.”

  “Surprise!” A low laugh escaped Devon. “I'm still trying to get over Molly being here. She's going to blow our cover if they let her out of the room.”

  “She'll be fine.”

  Rae?

  Rae nearly stumbled at the sound of Maria's voice inside her head. Yes?

  Just wanted to make sure you could hear me. Curtis and I parked around the corner. We followed you guys. Let me know if you need anything.

  Okay.

  You look gorgeous, by the way.

  Thanks.

  Inside the building, Devon gave their names before they stepped through metal detectors and were ushered into a large hall. Name cards were set up on the longest table Rae had ever seen. It had to seat at least a hundred, maybe more. A pair of throne-like chairs sat in the middle with origami crowns made out of gold paper sitting on the plates in front of them.

  A man dressed in a white tuxedo stepped onto the small stage behind where the prince and soon-to-be princess would be sitting. He rang a bright, shiny, brass bell. “Please find your seats.” He stepped off the stage and rigidly walked over to a closed door. He stood straight and tall beside it.

  “Queen's Guard,” Devon murmured close to her ear. He began looking at the names on the table, trying to find theirs.

  Rae followed him, her arm loosely slipped into his. She smiled at people as they passed, trying to remember their faces, and see if anyone acted odd. The only person out of place was her.

  Devon straightened when they came around the end of the long table. Rae could tell he was using his tatù to read the names down the row. She smiled. Sometimes being normal was too slow.

  “Found us.” Devon grabbed her hand and walked down to the middle of the table, slowing as they passed the origami crowns. Rae realized they were sitting beside the prince and Sarah, on the prince's side.

  Devon pulled her chair out and sat down beside her.

  She smiled. Really? She said to Devon, using Maria's tatù to talk to him inside his head. He couldn't respond back to her but he could hear her. I have to sit beside the Prince of Wales?

  Devon grinned and reached for her knee under the table, giving it a squeeze. “You'll be fine.”

  When everyone was seated, the Queen's Guard introduced the prince and his fiancé. Everyone stood and clapped, and then sat down again once the royal couple was seated. The prince barely glanced at Rae.

  Sarah rose to her feet and moved to the podium “Welcome everyone. We are so glad you could come.” She smiled. “Philip and I hope you enjoy the meal. We are grateful for all of your help with the Royal Tea Masquerade, whether it be financially, volunteer…”

  As she continued to talk, Prince Philip turned and looked Rae straight in the eye. His face grew hard and irate. “I have no idea who you are. Sarah says you were in her classes. I don't know why she is lying, but you have five seconds to tell me what the hell is going on before I signal my guards to come and drag you out of here.”

  Rae swallowed hard, her mouth as dry as a tumbleweed blowing in the desert.

  Chapter 10

  How was she supposed to respond? Rae ran a million ideas through her head. Nothing seemed like the right answer or the perfect lie. She heard Devon suck in his breath beside her and knew she was taking too long to answer. She stared wide-eyed at the prince, the future King of England, while his fiancé continued to address everyone sitting at the table.

  Philip grabbed her wrist and leaned forward. “Answer me!” he hissed in a low voice so only Rae could her.

  She seized the opportunity. She let her tatù decide the best course of action. Leaning close to him and smiling sweetly, she said, “We did take a couple of classes together. You might not remember me, but it was hard to not miss you.” She thought of a language class the prince might have taken. “I think it was Spanish. Do you remember that day it was pouring rain?” She hesitated, hoping Philip had taken a course or two in Spanish.

  Philip continued to hold her wrist. What had Curtis said about his ability? Skin to skin contact? Rae mimicked the tatù and waited for the prince to pull a memory from his head. She figured a rainy day wasn't too farfetched for England.

  A memory began to surface. Philip and Sarah racing into class, his hair dripping from the rain and her umbrella soaked. She shook it out before stepping in the door. They were laughing as they raced to sit down. Rae watched them settle into a row and positioned herself behind them. When Sarah bent down to grab her notebook, Rae tapped Philip on the shoulder and asked if she could borrow a pen.

  Philip released her wrist. They were immediately back in the present.

  Rae tucked a chunk of hair behind her ear. “I'm not sure if you remember… I borrowed a pen from you.” She giggled, hoping it sounded girlish. “You probably don't remember. It wasn't as a significant moment for you as it was for me.” She smiled confidently, knowing he would remember the moment.

  “Funny you should say that. I do remember you borrowing a pen. It was the first thing that came to mind when you mentioned the rainy day.” He shook his head. “I hated Spanish. Could never figure out the verb conjugations.”

  Rae's smiled broadened. “Language is like math to some people. You either get it or it never clicks.”

  “I'll stick with mathematics then. Language, I just never got it. Still don't.” Philip's eyes flitted over to his fiancé. “That's why I'm lucky to have such a gifted, talented fiancé.” He straightened in his seat. “My apologies for sounding harsh a moment ago. I feel the need to be over-protective of Sarah these days.”

  “I don't blame you.” Devon put his arm around Rae.

  “And you are?” Prince Philip glanced at Devon, back to Rae and then at Devon again.

  “I'm Rae's boyfriend.”

  “Who's Rae?”

  Oh shit. She froze and felt Devon stiffen beside her.

  “Karen. She's my ray of sunshine. It's a nickname I gave her.” Devon leaned over Rae and held his hand out. “I'm Devon. Devon Wardell. I work for the Privy Council. The only way I would let Karen come here was if I stayed right at her side.”

  Philip obviously liked it that Devon worked for the PCs. It irked Rae she couldn't admit to working with them as well. “The Privy Council?” He nodded. “I'm impressed. And you're not here undercover?”

  Devon shook his head. “My Rae's more important than work.”

  Stop calling me Rae. She warned him using Maria's tatù.

  Devon grinned and shrugged. “I had a few weeks holidays owed, so I figured this would be an interesting break.”

  “Interesting indeed.” Philip shifted and glanced toward his fiancé. “I'm not sure what you all know…”

  Devon's face grew serious. “I've been informed. I'm here to be of assistance if needed.”

  “I may take you up on that.” Philip smiled at Rae. “You sure landed yourself a jackpot. You've got a keeper.”

  Rae smiled brightly. “Your fiancé is about to finish her speech.” She wondered if the Queen had told him she
had sought out the Privy Council's help. Had Sarah suggested it to the Queen? When Rae had some time with Sarah on her own, she needed to ask.

  As if on cue, everyone around them began clapping. The three of them joined in as well. The prince leaned behind Rae when the noise started to die down. “Devon, make sure I get your number before you leave today.”

  Devon nodded. He turned his attention back to Rae as Sarah returned to her seat. He acted the perfect undercover guy. Rae couldn't help but be impressed with his James Bond kind of appeal. She needed to learn how he did it so she could copy it herself. He was good at his job. Lanford may have followed her father, but he had seen a good reason to set Devon up as her mentor. Had she not let her personal desire interfere with their relationship, she could have learned so much more from Devon. She planned on making up for that on this mission.

  “Where is Sarah going?” Devon murmured quietly as the first plates of salad were brought out to the table.

  Rae glanced up to see the soon-to-be princess head toward the hall. “I don't know.”

  Devon nudged her. “Ask Philip.” He passed her the bowl of rolls just handed to him. “I need you to be all eyes and ears from now on.”

  She turned to hand Philip the rolls and realized he had his own. “Sorry. You have some already.” She set the bowl down.

  Philip glanced up.

  She couldn't just ask him a direct question. She smiled and wiped her mouth with her napkin. “Excuse me.”

  Devon stood and pulled out her chair. “Everything all right?”

  “Just nipping to the loo. Be back in a moment.”