by Debbie Behan
‘But I’m just fine, Rory.’
‘Cait let Woody in, that’s all I’m asking.’
‘All right!’
He rolled his eyes at her tone. ‘Just do as you’re told, short stuff, or else.’
Only he knew what she might have to divulge, things he knew his friend had long forgotten, and he hugged her before he darted off. The hug left Caitlin to ponder why he was so worried for her.
She dried off quickly and threw on some shorts and a top, not wanting to hold Woody up. She followed him around the other side of the house where it was quiet. They talked for a long time but every time Woody got to her childhood, she could only tell the stories she had told for years. These were experiences, fairy tales she told to friends, stories she grew to believe - but not Woody. He kept digging and she kept evading. ‘Honestly, I lived like a princess, waited on hand and foot and that is why I have no idea how to do even the basics.’ She pursed her lips, annoyed, but he persisted.
‘How did you meet Rory?’
She pulled her eyebrows together and blinked as her head cocked to the side. ‘Rory found me, can’t recall where. He educated me, gave me home schooling and so much more.’
‘Like?’
‘Well, how to cook for instance, although he didn’t do real well. I’m a nuisance in the kitchen, total klutz.’
‘What about housework? Can you clean?’
‘Rory got sick of patching me up and organised a house cleaner.’
‘You dress beautifully so you obviously knew about fashion.’
‘Rory.’ She sighed, and put her head down. ‘He has taught me everything I know. Yes, even fashion although his sister, Lisha, was a great help in that department too. Believe me, I couldn’t even boil water without burning myself or blowing up the kettle when I met them. Rory has even gone as far as paying for an instant hot water tap to be installed for me, every time we move.’
Woody’s frustration started to show. ‘Caitlin, with all that power just downloaded, you’re a walking time bomb, honey while you keep the door to your past so tightly shut. I need to know your time before Rory.’
‘Why is it so hard for you to believe that I was just spoilt?’
‘I know the hum of royal blood. Cait I’m sorry but I don’t believe your story. Yours is untainted, saintly. With your permission, I’d like to discuss this with Rory. Let’s have a break.’
She shrugged. ‘Go for it. I have nothing to hide.’
Woody watched her walk away, unable to help her until she was ready to trust him completely. She was lying and he knew it, but until she could remember what really happened to her, it was a waiting game. He watched the proud, squared shoulders, the bright red hair, the texture so soft and childlike. The wind whipped it wildly and even her walk showed a strong, perfect, most magnificent breed of woman. No, this person was destined for much more than he originally thought. It was then it dawned on him that her childhood might be even worse than Cassie’s. Maybe her secret was buried so deep even she knew nothing of it. Even Cassie worked out what she was destined for within the first year of her immortality. Cait had been immortal for a century, so why didn’t she know?
He got up off the tree trunk they had sat on, stretching his neck, realising this was far too deep to uncover in just one session, even for his magic. All he could do for now was to teach her to direct her powers using her mind instead of her body’s physical strength. Her other powers wouldn’t develop further until she was ready to face her past.
Caitlin hugged into Nathan. He and Jarvis were manning the BBQ.
‘What’s up Red? The other redhead giving you a hard time?’ Jarvis flipped the biggest steaks she had ever seen.
‘I don’t want to talk about it,’ she grumbled.
Nathan gave her a squeeze. ‘Want me to thump him for you?’
‘No, just want a cuddle.’
Nathan raised his eyebrows and gave Jarvis one of his looks, both men working it out once they glanced over at Rory who was now deep in conversation with Woody. They knew it was about her otherwise it would be Rory she would want support from.
****
Dinner was over by the time Ella and Sonia arrived home. They had gone to the city the day their men went on the mission. Both ended up at the Casino and stayed a couple of nights. They were excited when they pulled up to find so many cars parked over the lawns, showing that everyone was home, safe and sound. It made Caitlin relax to see Woody busy, as at last he looked more interested in his Ella than in her past. Caitlin still had no idea why it worried him; she felt the best she had ever felt after speaking to him, well until he said he wanted to discuss it further with Rory. A little cross at him still she huffed past them to join Rory now he was free.
Ethan joined them too, standing with his arm around a short woman, shorter than her, whom she learned was Pam, a recent flame. Caitlin observed the conversation and came to the understanding that only wives were privy to the secrets about the Riders. Often the subject changed quickly to cover slips made by the men. Luckily Pam seemed a bit of an airhead and didn’t even notice.
It was then she spotted a couple of newcomers.
‘Who are those two women with Nate and Jarvis? Did they come with you, Pam?’
‘Oh that’s Conor and my Ethan. They make sure their guests have company while they are busy.’ She winked and nudged her. ‘And I always keep my man very entertained when I get to see him.’
What about Conor? Caitlin asked looking for his girlfriend.
Pam giggled, ‘Conor is very content with your friend, Lisha. I was introduced to her earlier. ‘Gave me the evil eye until she saw I was with Ethan. Don’t think either of them needs company at the minute if you know what I mean.’ Her smile was secretive and she sniggered, obviously enjoying sharing the gossip.
Caitlin eyed the tall, elegant women and finally got what she was alluding to. They were escorts, way too over the top, dressed and attentive to be just gals hanging out.
‘Oh, they’re call girls,’ she whispered to Pam.
Pam giggled and placed an affectionate hand on her arm. ‘Hush now! They will hear us. They like to be called attending angels. The boys use them in between girlfriends, and I’m sure not going to give up my man to one of those gold diggers.’
Caitlin realised Pam was no dummy after all. She just chose to keep her thoughts to herself and stay all sweet and cute for Ethan’s sake. Caitlin looked forward to spending more time with Pam the gossiper. She had much to learn about her rivals, the Cloud Riders.
She made a mental note to remind Lisha he was only her equal and, when not in training, she should give him some space. It was while she watched that reality struck, that the attention they received pointed to only one conclusion; that they were still in training. The message was loud and clear, that just because they would be stuck at home most of the time, it didn’t mean they couldn’t enjoy it, have others over, take pleasure in what came natural. She smiled. They’re pulling out all stops to school us on all aspects of their operation.
As Caitlin searched the yard for other unusual events to support her theory, she spotted Jason and Woody who looked more like little boys at the minute while their wives fussed over them. Kayden sat with Cassie by the pergola. He had a contented slouch as he ran his hand up and down her back as they spoke. Both had taken full advantage of the time they had alone.
Her eyes finally settled on Axon who leaned against a pillar, his arms folded. A slight smile that touched the corner of his mouth drew her to him. His grin as she neared melted her every step.
‘What?’
‘There is nothing you’re not taking in is there, Caitlin.’
‘I’m learning,’ she said, still watching the others. ‘There is so much love between them that it kind of blows me away. It’s like they’re all so different, yet one really strong unit. Do you think our group is really going to be as solid as theirs?’ She was more saying her thoughts out loud than really expecting an answer.
‘Our group will be better! We have you!’
‘That’s if I can keep out of trouble for five minutes.’
His eyes swept across her lips, and Caitlin held her breath. Did he want to kiss her again? Oh god, she hoped so.
Her thoughts of them being together overwhelmed her and just as she was about to make a move on him, drag him from prying eyes so she could smooch him, Jason called out, ‘Are you all in for a card game?’
The moment was ruined as Axon held up his arm, his eyes diverted from her. ‘I’m in.’ He strode off.
Caitlin was beginning to have strong feelings for this man and yet he confused her. There was chemistry, she felt it, and yet he pushed it aside. With a deep breath, she pulled her emotions in check and spun on her heels. ‘Me too! Wait up,’ she called to him, but he had slipped through the doors, leaving her to chase after him.
Groups were chosen and every table was instructed to continue until there was only one winner. The winner of each group then played the winner of another until only one winner stood. House rules were given but all else was approved, which included practical jokes to put the winner off.
‘Let the battle begin.’ Jason filled his mouth with a savoury snack and swallowed it almost whole as he knocked on the table for the games to start. Mumblings of good luck erupted as the first hands were dealt. Caitlin had all eyes on Cassie. She let her consciousness capture her understanding of the game and how she played it. Cassie felt her and gave Caitlin a smile. She lifted a glass to her equal and winked.
Caitlin’s nightclub days had paid off. She could still hold her own and in the end it was Caitlin and Cassie who played each other. They were so evenly matched they ended up just calling it a night, much to the disappointment of the cheer squad that stood behind them. And, unknown to the supporters, the girls had made a secret pact to end it, so neither one of them looked bad in front of her team members. Arm in arm the two girls moved to the couch and collapsed, very pleased with the outcome. Kayden held out his arms to Cassie and laughed with her as he escorted her upstairs to bed.
Tired, Caitlin lay back on the couch.
****
Next morning when Caitlin woke, the sun was streaming in through window, and only birds’ chirping filled the quietness.
‘Where is everyone?’ she mumbled, rolling off the sofa. Her first thought was to go and find Axon and use some excuse that she hadn’t thought of yet, to wake him. To see his tousled hair and sleepy movement first thing in the morning she felt would give a lovely start to the day. The thought had her racing up the stairs.
Most of the doors were open so she stopped at each one. The bedrooms became a blur as she staggered up and around the twisted corridors. The last door was slightly ajar. With a slight push and a peek around the corner of it, she found him. Her shock at seeing him in bed with another woman had her feet stuck to the floor. Her first reaction was to feel bad she was spying on him, intruded in on his privacy, but the next was fury.
He had kissed her, twice now. Had she got it so wrong that he had flirted and felt something more for her than just a fling? That passionate kiss in the stars and now he lay with another – What a tease! The hair prickled the back of her neck as her anger grew.
‘Eeeerrrr,’ Caitlin growled through clenched teeth, waking him up. A pillow on the floor was her weapon of choice and she hurled it at him before sharply turning. ‘You big fat loser,’ she snapped and stomped out of the room.
Back down the hall, Rory and Bree’s voices carried and she followed the sound to their room.
‘What’s up Cait?’ Bree patted the bed for her sit join them. ‘You’re as white as a ghost, sweetie.’
‘I – I thought Axon liked me.’ Her voice shook.
Rory sighed, stretched and leaning on his elbow, ‘I knew this was going to happen, Cait. He is our boss; surely you didn’t think you had a chance with him.’
She sniffled. ‘I really liked him Rory, so don’t.’
‘Sorry but if I can’t be honest with you, then we have bigger problems than you and he.’
Bree pushed him and he rolled on his back, hands under his head and not impressed. ‘Rory stop this. She has come to us for sympathy, not a lecture. Sometimes I worry how you treat her. Is this how we will end up one day too?’
His head jerked to look at her so fast his neck cracked and Bree, being Bree, grinned. ‘Well that snapped you out of it. Now can we get back to Cait?’
He rolled towards her, took her hand and kissed it. ‘Forgive me sugar.’
She rolled her eyes at Cait. ‘He’s a pussy cat really. Now what happened? Start from the beginning because I didn’t even know you fancied him.’ Her eyes were alive with wanting to console her and yet to learn her friend had a crush was sudden news.
‘It doesn’t matter now because he was just teasing me. He is a flirt and I hate him.’
Rory put his hand on her shoulder. ‘He’s not good enough for you Cait. Mr Right is out there, but for now, let’s just get back to being a team again and forget about love for a while. We have much to learn and I need you. Please let it drop.’
Caitlin smiled weakly. ‘You’re right. Consider it dropped!’
Years of friendship had taught her that what Rory said, he meant. In her mind she was programmed to listen and obey their leader. There could be only one and he had always been it, but her heart tugged at her core. Could she forget that kiss?
****
Later that morning, after more sleep and a shower, Axon came downstairs and it only took one glance at Caitlin to see her mood had not improved. Impulsively, he called upon Rory to get his team together. It was time to leave.
A Home at Last
The air was thick between Caitlin and Axon, and yet, much to Rory’s surprise and joy, Axon still hired his whole team. They had a short two-hour drive to their base of operation. It was on acreage miles from nowhere, but close enough to Kayden’s team if they needed each other.
Caitlin was super quiet on the drive. She was embarrassed she had caused this quick departure and that the whole team would know it was her by now too.
‘You will make it through this experience stronger and better for it,’ Rory had said before they left the farm. She hoped he was right and that her mood didn’t prevent him from letting her go into action. Even now as the four wheel drive limousine vibrated over the corrugation, Rory’s eyes had not left her, and he looked worried.
The last thing she wanted was to give Rory a reason to prevent her going into action because her mind wasn’t in the game.
As for Axon, Caitlin didn’t want to hear any of his lies; she just wanted the team to be together and for him to go back to wherever the hell he came from.
****
The long dirt driveway seemed as if it would never end. The sparse landscape was dry, with the trees dead, just sticks poking out of the ground. The only bushland was far from them, heat from the ground distorting the road ahead. The chatter within the car became loud at the anticipation on what life would be like now, but the sound of the tyres that skidded to a halt stopped the racket, sentences silenced as they peered out at the house that they would now call home, a two storey mansion of their own out in the middle of nowhere.
‘Yahoo!’ Jarvis opened the door and sprang out first.
‘Holy moly.’ Nathan slapped at his hand.
‘Ohmygod.’ Lisha wiped her eyes. ‘I’m so in heaven.’
It was a dream comes true. They had always dreamed that one day they would have enough money saved to buy a property and live away from prying eyes.
Rory put an arm on Axon’s shoulder. ‘Man, you have no idea how I have longed for this for my guys.’ He wiped away a tear of joy, pretending he had something in his eye. He turned and lifted Bree, swinging her around. ‘I’m just so damned happy sweetie; it’s our very own home for as long as we want. No more moving.’ He laughed with her and gulped back emotions as Bree sobbed on his shoulder, overwhelmed.
Caitlin had other thin
gs on her mind as she glanced around the elegant home and her excited friends. How to bury the hatchet with Axon for their sake? Caitlin felt she had attended the school of hard knocks and learned a big lesson, not to fall for management. Axon and Rory had both let her down and even though there would never be anything more to their relationships, they were now her bosses and she would respect them as such.
Her thoughts were interrupted as Axon pulled her aside. ‘Cait we have to talk!’
She shrugged, barely making eye contact, but tried to keep her voice calm. ’You are my boss Axon and that’s it. Don’t kiss me again.’
Then she turned her back and with tension in her step, strode over to Jarvis and Nathan to keep well away from further interactions.
Early the next morning, Axon woke Rory and they spent hours on their own in the satellite room, locked away, before he grabbed a quick bite to eat and was on his way. His departure floored them all when he faded from their sight. At their reaction, Rory whistled and punched the air; ‘The rulers have transport abilities. Wasn’t sure if he would show you lot.’
‘How did you know that?’ Jarvis scratched his head.
‘I went on a secret trip with him this morning to meet Zoren.’ He was chuffed to tell them and get it off his chest.
‘Far-out! Do we get that too?’ Nate grinned, excited.
‘No.’ Rory shook his head. ‘Only the Gods and rulers. They have capabilities of moving an army if they want to.’
‘Freaky.’ Lisha shivered. ‘If that’s what we’re up against, Bro, we best start training now. This job just went up a whole other notch.’
Caitlin felt cross he didn’t even attempt to pull her aside and say goodbye. I probably would have just ignored him anyway. Still, she kicked the stones around outside as she sulked. He could have tried. But as if he would be interested in a girl from nowheresville. But that kiss, was there love in his kiss? There was in mine! She turned and wiped a tear.