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

by W. J. May

  Molly nodded, her eyes as big as the “oh” shape of her mouth.

  Devon spun around and headed for the door. “I'll be downstairs,” he said to Rae and walked out the door.

  “Sorry,” Molly said softly. “What the heck just happened?”

  Rae felt bad for her friend but also understood Devon's reaction. “Maybe you should sometimes keep comments like the ones you just said inside your head.”

  “I guess so. I never thought of him as sensitive. What's going on with you guys?”

  “Nothing,” Rae answered quickly, probably too quickly. She changed the subject. “What have you picked out for me to wear today?”

  Molly grinned and slipped off the couch. “Let me show you. At least fashion is something I can't screw up.” She opened the tall wooden dresser by the change screen and pulled out a white dress bag. Inside hung a short soft white dress with cranberry colours swirled throughout. It had just over the shoulder-length sleeves. It was classy and also sporty at the same time. “It's short so you aren't tied up in a long skirt, which will limit your movement. I know you prefer longer, but it won't go with the jacket.” She pulled a hanger out of the clothes rack by her. On it hung a light beige stylish jacket with three-quarter rolled up sleeves and large buttons.

  Rae took the clothes Molly handed to her and slipped behind the change screen. She stepped out a moment later to see how the dress looked in the mirror. She loved the jacket over the dress.

  “Here's a matching purse and heeled sandals. The shoes are perfect. No pokey heel, just a raised filled in heel so you can walk on the grass without getting stuck.” She dashed over to a table with millions of things laid out on it. “Here's a scarf to tie loosely.” She hung it around Rae's neck and stepped back to view her handiwork.

  Rae sat on the edge of a chair to slip on the shoes.

  “You can run in those if you have to. Or karate chop people. Those suckers will stay on your feet if you went to war.”

  Rae laughed. “I might keep these to wear after this mission is finished.”

  “You can. Otherwise, the Privy Council donates it all to charity shops.”

  “Seriously?” Rae wanted to keep it all.

  “That's what they told me to do when we finish here.” Molly sat down across from Rae. “Can you tell Devon I'm sorry? I should have kept my mouth shut. That was kind of stupid of me.”

  Rae patted her friend's knee. “I'll tell him. It'll be fine.”

  “I hope so.” Molly straightened. “Let's get your make up done and your hair. You're leaving in about fifteen minutes.”

  “Fifteen? Shoot!”

  “I can't do it. You'll have to wear your hair in a pony today. I won't have time to make it super glam. Next time come up here an extra hour earlier. For the Masquerade, I'm going to need you the entire afternoon. Pretty takes time, you know.”

  Rae sat on bleachers beside Sarah in a covered tent. Prince Philip and a guy with a matching top had grabbed Devon the moment they arrived. Since Rae had never watched a match before, Sarah excitedly explained the game as it went on.

  From what Rae could gather, Devon was a decent player. Very good in fact, according to Sarah.

  When a horn sounded, Sarah stood and grabbed two champagne glasses off the table near the tent entrance. “You coming?” she asked Rae.

  Rae stood and followed Sarah. “Where are we going?”

  Sarah handed Rae one of the champagne flutes. “Divot stomping!”

  “Pardon?” Rae held her glass as the players from the field stood by the roped fence holding bottles of champagne.

  Prince Philip waved a small shiny metal thing in the air. “Great start to the match,” he called with a grin on his face. “Though I don't like losing so much. Let's make the second half ours, mates!”

  Rae squinted trying to figure out what he held. Her body switched its tatù to one with enhanced vision. “Is he holding a miniature sabre?”

  Sarah giggled beside her. “We call it sabrage. It's the art of opening a bottle of champagne by using a small traditional sword called a sabre.”

  Philip shouted, “Sabre a Champagne!” He popped the top of the bottle off with the sabre and the bubbly liquid spilled over. He quickly tipped the bottle to the ladies crowded around him and Devon.

  The captain of England's polo team stood by Sarah and Rae. He popped his bottle and poured Sarah the first glass.

  “Cheers.” She smiled and waited for Rae. “Off to the field we go!”

  They were the first to walk onto the field. Rae watched Sarah stomp down on a torn up piece of turn.

  “Divot stomping,” Sarah repeated, laughing as she cheered her glass against Rae's. “Stomp away!” She greeted another lady beside them and chatted about the game.

  Rae found a turned up chunk of grass and flipped it over with her foot before kicking it back into its spot. She owed Molly a thank you for the smart thinking shoes. Some of the ladies on the field wore welly boots and a few were struggling to walk on the grass in skinny heels. It made Rae smile.

  “How's it going?” Devon came up beside her and offered her a refill of champagne.

  Rae shook her head. “Still haven't finished the first one.”

  “It's better than the wine from yesterday, I promise.” He chuckled. “Guessing from the face you pulled when you tried the red... Did it suck every ounce of sweetness out of your mouth?”

  She raised her eyebrows and gave him an oh-you-didn't look. “Did everyone see me?”

  Devon shook his head. “No. I think you're safe. Philip and Sarah were too busy ogling each other to notice.” He leaned over and rubbed her shoulder with his. “Your secret's safe with me.” He stretched his arms. “What do you think of the match so far?”

  “Interesting. It's—”

  A girl not far from Rae and Devon let out a shriek.

  “She probably stepped in horse-oh shit!” Devon took a step forward and froze.

  Rae followed his gaze. “You have got to be kidding me!” People were scattering from a spot just a few yards away from Devon and Rae. The shrieking woman stood, pointing at another woman who held a bloody sabre. A polo player stood clutching his shoulder. His blue shirt seeped red, and the blood ran between his fingers. He was trying to talk the miniature sword-wielding lady down. Rae's tatù switched to Devon's ability, and she took a few steps closer.

  Devon held his arm across her chest to stop her. “Don't, Rae. Not in public.”

  “Put the knife down, Lily. There are people watching us,” the injured polo player said.

  The shrieking woman tried to move around them; she was caught between them and the back of a shed that housed the horses. Lily jabbed the knife in her direction. “Don't even try moving, you… You whore! Sleeping with my boyfriend!”

  “I'm not your boyfriend anymore! We broke up months ago.”

  “That's not what you said last night.”

  The injured polo player had the decency to look embarrassed. “Can you please lower your voice? Put the knife down and let's talk.”

  “Talk about what? You sleeping with her?” Lily looked around at everyone watching. Her nostrils flared, and her heart rate quickened. She spun back to the polo player, her arm swinging wide.

  There was no way Rae was going to let her stab her ex-lover-boyfriend - whatever he was. Tatù or not, she had a responsibility to protect people. She raced forward, keeping her speed slow enough to appear normally human and kicked her leg out. Her foot connected with Lily's wrist and the knife went flying on the roof of the horse shed.

  Devon was right behind her and grabbed Lily. The other girl ran over to the polo player and hugged him, crying and asking if he was all right.

  “Rae!” Devon hissed, loud enough so only she would hear. “What the hell were you thinking?”

  Everyone around stood quiet and stared at them, Rae in particular. She shrugged and grinned sheepishly. “Guess I got lucky.” She rolled her eyes to Devon and lightly tapped his arm. “I told you thos
e self-defence classes would come in handy one day.”

  Someone in the crowd began clapping.

  “That's some leg you got there,” a security man said as he and another guard came by to escort Lily off the field. A medic jogged behind them, ready to help the polo player.

  “Oh boy, was my adrenaline pumping! They say a woman can lift a car. Boy, were they right!” She lifted a shaky hand, playing the crowd. “Guess I could use another glass of that champagne.” She had tossed her previous glass on the ground when she had decided to stop crazy-girl.

  Devon slipped his arm through hers. It was meant to be playful but by the tight grip of his fingers, Rae knew he was ticked. “I can help you there, sweetie. Let's get you another glass.” They walked through the crowd, and someone handed her a glass and someone else filled it.

  “Where's Sarah and Philip?” she whispered behind her glass before she took a sip. The champagne was bubbly and sweet. Devon had called it when he said she would like it. She took another sip and then another.

  “Alfie and some other under covers took them away. They should be back shortly, once the field's cleared.”

  “They okay?”

  “Fine.” Devon's eyes darted everywhere across the field. “You almost blew our cover.”

  She lowered the champagne flute. “No, I didn't.”

  “Nearly.”

  “I did not.” Rae crossed her arms over her chest and snuck another sip of champagne. It seemed to be taking the edge off. She knew she had been extremely careful. “I made sure I didn't move fast and just kicked the knife away. Completely normal.”

  “It was close.” Devon's shoulders dropped a small degree. “Did you see how the sabre knife landed?”

  Rae arched her neck to see the top of the horse shed. The handle's glass jewels sparkled and shimmered in the sun. It stood straight up, a good inch or two embedded in between two slate shingles.

  “Completely normal, ‘eh?” Devon chuckled.

  “That's just beginner's luck. I couldn't get it to land like that again if I tried.”

  “I'm surprised you didn't break the girl's wrist.”

  “There you two are!” Philip slapped Devon on the back. “I heard you saved the day, Karen.” He nodded at Rae. “Shame about being in line for the throne, you miss all the action.”

  “It was nothing.” Rae couldn't look him in the eye. “Devon's the hero. He's the one that taught me self-defence.” She grinned, happy to pull him into the conversation. “I'm surprised he didn't react faster than me.” She pretended to punch Devon in the arm. “He's the one that works for the big super-company.”

  Philip let out a loud laugh. “She's got one on you there, mate. Maybe you need to get her filling out an application.” A man in a suit came by and spoke quietly to the prince. “If you two will excuse me, I'm going to check on our player with the hurt shoulder. We might be playing one man down.” His eyebrows shot up as he gave Rae a once over. “You don't play, by chance?”

  “No!” Devon answered before Rae had a chance.

  Philip laughed again. “I think I was wrong before when I told Karen she had a keeper, it appears it's the other way around.” He winked at Rae before jogging off to the ambulance parked near the large tent. The man in the suit had to race to keep up with him.

  Devon put his arm around Rae and pulled her tight. “Does everything you touch turn to gold?” He kissed the top of her head. “I don't know how anyone ever thought you were like your father. You wear your heart on your sleeve. I'm not sure that man even had one.” He kicked a divot into place and picked up her discarded champagne flute from earlier. “Shall we go find Sarah?”

  The compliment made her day. “That's the nicest thing you have ever said to me.” She finished the bubbly liquid in her glass. “I'll head over to Sarah. Let's not make the little kick thing any bigger.”

  “The adrenalin edge wearing off?” Devon teased. “Now getting a little paranoid, are we?”

  She pushed him back toward the field. “Go warm up for the second half, silly, or do whatever you have to do. Pet your horse, feed it some sugar cubes or something.”

  “Sugar cubes?” His dimple appeared, reminding Rae of her first year at Guilder.

  “Go!” She forced her eyes and body to turn its attention to the large tent to find Sarah. The Masquerade would be here before they knew it. Hopefully, they would catch this tatù-hunter before then and move on to another assignment, with different partners.

  Or she could focus on finding her mother. Anything to distract her from… Enough! Her inner voice shouted.

  Chapter 15

  The next few days passed without incident. No one went after Sarah, and Rae put all her concentration into the task at hand. She squeezed in some training, called and left a message with Luke and hung out with Molly upstairs during the little free time she had. She and Devon managed to squeeze in two ballroom dancing lessons. They were formal and awkward, but at least they got through them. Devon knew how to dance, Rae didn't have a clue.

  The day leading up to the Royal Tea Masquerade Ball was spent at the spa in the early morning with Sarah, and then Rae rushed back to the house after lunch to meet with Molly. Her hair and make up had been done at the spa. She felt silly in jeans and t-shirt with all the fancy on top.

  Devon was getting into his car when the chauffeur dropped Rae off. “Everything go okay?” He too had been on friendly terms and seemed to be keeping Rae at arm's length. It made things easier for Rae.

  “Great. Have you been up to see Molly already?”

  Devon stared at her and then slipped his sunglasses on. “Yup. I'm all set to go. She's waiting for you.” He grinned. “I wouldn't keep her waiting too long.”

  “I'm on my way up now.” She paused in the doorway. “Where are you going?”

  “Quick trip to Boots.” He rubbed his face. “I need razors.”

  “Okay. See yah soon.” She hurried up the stairs to Molly's place. Rae knocked on the door. “Molls, you in there?”

  “Come in.” Molly's voice rang out loud and clear.

  Rae opened the door and stepped into the room. “I'm dying to see what I'm wearing tonight. Hook me up girl!” She moved to the middle of the room, trying to find the dress.

  “Cover your eyes,” Molly commanded. “AND close them.”

  Rae placed her hand over her eyes knowing that arguing with Molly would be futile. She peered through the small gaps between her fingers.

  “No peeking!”

  “I'm not!”

  “Liar!”

  “Okay. Now I'm ready.”

  “I know you, Rae Kerrigan!” Molly moved out of Rae's line of vision.

  Rae didn't move her head to follow, or Molly would know right away she could see. She lurched backwards when a fingernail jabbed at her fingers. “I know you can see me.”

  Rae dropped her hand. “I'm not good with surprises.”

  “Ha! I knew you were watching!” Molly tapped Rae's wrist and shocked her.

  “Hey!” Rae shook her wrist.

  “That didn't hurt. I barely added any zing.” Molly went behind the change screen she had set up in the room. “I should have known better.” She appeared again with a massive puffy, black dress bag. “I found this dress yesterday. I had another design picked out in emerald green, but when I saw this, I knew it would be perfect on you. I found it online and then had to drive Devon's car to downtown London to pick it up. At a bridal boutique of all places! Who'd have thought?” She hung the hanger on the top of the change screen and began to unzip it. The stand creaked and shifted, as if shuddering because of the bag.

  Rae craned her neck to see around Molly, who had positioned herself perfectly so Rae couldn't really get a look. Rae anxiously watched Molly wrestle with the bag for a minute.

  Molly grunted and huffed in frustration. “A little help here?”

  Rae jumped to lend a hand. She gasped as she lifted the long bottom of the dress out of the bag, and Molly held the hanger. “T
his thing weighs a ton!”

  “Not when it's on. It just feels heavy now because all the material is bunched together.” The stunning dark garnet red colour enhanced the silver and black detail. It was long, strapless and princess worthy.

  “It's beautiful,” Rae whispered, touching the silver thread on the top of the dress.

  “Do you know the magazine Allure? They made the dress.” Molly fixed some of the bunched material. “It's a Quinceanera Dress. Strapless sweetheart ball gown.” She gestured to the top. “Embroidered bodice with silver. It almost looks like platinum. The overskirt has pickups and a fabric flower on the side. You can store lipstick or even a weapon or whatever you need by the flower.” She flipped the flower over to show the hidden pocket before turning the entire dress over. “There's a lace-up back and the overskirt continues around here. It's long, but I found you these killer four inch heels that you are going to love.”

  “I can't wear that high of a heel!”

  “They are extremely comfortable.” Molly was dead serious.

  “How am I going to dance in them? Or what if I'm chasing someone? I'll break my neck.”

  “No, you won't. You'll be fine.” Molly pouted before smirking. “Be glad I didn't buy the six inch heels.”

  Rae's mouth fell open.

  “There's a mask here somewhere as well.” She reached inside the dress bag. “Aha! Here it is.” A shiny black feather mask with silver detail and a shining stone reflected in the room sending a million sparkles dancing against the walls and ceilings.

  “Is that a diamond?” The thing was huge.

  “I wish! And don't say I didn't try for one. It's a Swarovski crystal. Next best thing in a pinch for time.”

  Rae gently reached for the mask and ran her fingers lightly over the black feathers. The embroidered detail was done in the same pattern as the dress. “It's beautiful.”

  “And matches Devon's outfit and mask.”

  “He's wearing a mask, too?”