Rolling for Love

by Kate Messick

  Sandy Yuhi

  It wasn’t a threesome, but it was pretty close. Still not sure about having jizz all over my chest, but everything else was quite hot. I can’t say it enough, I’m happy. Happier than I’ve ever been. Nothing can stop me!

  “I’ve died,” I announce cheerfully. “I’m in heaven.”

  “Your heaven sucks,” Devon hisses.

  Ok, it’s raining, real grey drizzling rain – like it should be snowing but is one degree too warm. The construction site is honestly cold, wet, extra muddy, and miserable. All of us are decked out in heavy rain gear; we’re on day three of 12-hour days to get this basement finished. The cameras had come in and out. Half of it had not collapsed when they, I’m assuming, blew up the site. And now we have to dig back out to lay a new foundation. I can’t wait to see what is left down there.

  I can’t stop my arms as they reach up into the rain and I turn circles, despite the dreary world. I need to smoke some pot or something to calm me down, because I haven’t been this hyper since I was a little girl. I wobble again and feel strong hands grab my elbows.

  “Why are you turning circles in the mud on a hazardous construction site?” Amorino demands as he releases my elbows.

  “She’s questing for her sanity,” Devon laughs.

  I grin. Maybe I am.

  “I see,” he says. I can tell Amorino doesn’t like being left out of the joke, but I don’t care. “We’re almost at the bottom.”

  “Yay,” I say joyfully.

  “But we have to slow down to not collapse what’s left,” Amorino continues. “Especially with all this rain.”

  “Boo,” I say, still joyful.

  “Wow, what has gotten into you?”

  Dillon and Joe, I say in my head. But my lips just grin so widely, it hurts.

  “Just go do paperwork or something,” Amorino finally commands. “I’ll call you when we’re closer. But you know you’re not going down there, right?”

  “Yes sir.” I make a mock salute and move off. Oh, I’m going down there. Even if I have to come back after hours. I was excited about this when it was a possibility; I even made an entire D&D campaign based on exploring it. And now that I know Amorino doesn’t want me to do it, I want to do it all the more. It’s the remains of a secret military base! Who wouldn’t want to see it?

  If there is paperwork to do, I can’t find it and I go over Joe’s interview prep questions again. I feel a little panic cut through my good mood, but I force it down. I can do this, I can commit to a future. I will not self-sabotage.

  I hear the door bounce open and shut some amount of time later. Boots walk over to my desk and I peel my attention away from my studies. “Can I help you with something?” I ask as I look up.

  No one is in front of me and I jump as Amorino’s head is suddenly by my shoulder. He dodges out of the way before my surprised reaction collides with his face.

  “Are you prepping for an interview?” he asks.

  “I am,” I confirm sheepishly. “I couldn’t find any more paperwork.”

  “You won’t get the job. I have been telling you for years that you can do better, but you need connections. You need me.”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I say dryly. “It seems that your Mafia ties are not the only people hiring at the moment.”

  “What’s your interview for?” He ignores my sarcasm completely.

  “Government contracting.” I feel my confidence leave me. I don’t really know what the job is; hence, Joe’s general interview prep questions.

  “Did they find you through the blueprints?” he asks casually.

  I can see his beady little brain attempting to take credit and get me back under his thumb. I won’t let him, although his words have already done more damage than I want to admit. I don’t remember anyone from the formal dance other than Paul. I’m a networking nightmare. What if they recognize me? What if I have already offended them?

  “No, Joe hooked me up.” I force myself to cut off the spiral of negative thoughts.

  Amorino blinks.

  “My driver,” I elaborate and wrinkle my nose at the nickname Amorino has for him.

  “I didn’t think he had that kind of pull,” he states, appearing honestly disappointed.

  “I didn’t either. He surprised me with it at Thanksgiving.” The happy memory grounds me and I feel the corners of my mouth twitch. “Mom was thrilled.”

  “You took him home for Thanksgiving?” Is that jealousy in his voice?

  “What’s going on?” I ask.

  Amorino grabs Devon’s chair and slides up next to me. “It’s just all the same shit. I’m under a lot of stress about this super house we’re now building. Aurora is still really upset that we’re not pregnant and the more upset she gets, the more controlling she gets, and the less I’m able to, well, you know.”

  “Maybe you two should see a marriage counselor,” I suggest.

  “We never needed to talk to anyone other than each other,” he responds, the “we” obviously referring to me and him. He looks deep into my eyes as if he were the lead in a romantic comedy.

  If I had been drinking milk, it would have all come out of my nose. The idea that “we” were a better couple is that funny. It takes me a solid minute to control myself. Amorino is looking at me hurt, but I can’t hide my amusement at his melodramatic statement. “Are you really implying that we were a good couple?”

  “We were,” he replies flatly. “Way better than you and your driver.”

  “You wouldn’t even know,” I say hotly.

  “I would, because I know you. Better than you know yourself.”

  “Just fuck off,” I all but shout.

  Amorino stands, his phone buzzing. “You’re happy now, but just wait. What goes up, must come down. You are special, Sandy, and only I can truly appreciate it.”

  I can’t stop the chill that runs down my spine at his words.

  Chapter Seventy-Eight

  Reality, Buckley Air Force Base

  The buildings on a military base are not that different from your typical office. Colorful badges are clearly displayed on every person. Worker safety posters and sexual harassment warnings from different generations dot the bland rooms creating a sense of timelessness.

  Joe Smartin

  After getting Sandy a visitor’s badge from the front gate, we arrive at the building her interview is being held in. I escort her to a waiting area; a few old dirty chairs and a water cooler fill the small alcove. She looks sharp: black dress pants and shining blue shirt, hair loose and slightly curled. The glass butterflies I gave her decorate her person and low heels click as we walk. I was going to leave her in the waiting room to mentally prepare, but her resume is shaking in her hands.

  “Sandy, hey.” I take her resume and put in on the seat next to her, and fold her small hands into mine. “I think this is the first time I have ever seen you nervous.”

  “Joe, what if this isn’t right?” she asks quietly. “I don’t know the right people. What if I have already offended someone? I don’t even know the job. I shouldn’t be here.”

  “Did someone say something to you?” I demand. I know Sandy; these are not her words. Fucking Amorino, I would bet my paycheck that he said something.

  “No,” Sandy says quickly and then looks down. “Maybe. Yes, Joe … fine, yes.”

  “You can be honest with me. I know I’m not as good at this stuff as Dillon, but you don’t need to hide things from me.”

  “Every time I talk about Amorino, you get really upset.”

  “Because he hurts you,” I say. I pull her close. “Whatever he said, it’s not true.”

  “I know,” Sandy says softly. “It’s just also not false.”

  I take a deep breath and force my anger to the side. I hate Amorino like I have never hated anyone before, but I can’t do anything. Amorino is her past, her fight. All I can do is support her now, so that’s what I’m going to do.

  I talk Sandy throug
h a breathing exercise until her shaking is lessened. I also take the time to remind her of the people she met at the dance and what they talked about. She seems to calm.

  “I’m not sure I can do this. Joe, this is real. This is committing to a future – I didn’t even make Nozomi do that.”

  “Look, this is a job just like any other,” I say evenly. “You can quit anytime. Look at me Sandy.” I pull her head up. “You’re in control. You’re going to be amazing.”

  “What if they don’t like me? What if I don’t even get a job offer?”

  “They don’t need to like you, they just need to see how smart you are,” I respond. I decide it’s pep-talk time and take a deep, soothing breath. “You’re ideal for the contracting world. You digest information like a computer. You always sweat the details. Your dry sense of humor will keep your coworkers on their toes and your straightforward nature will keep your employer honest. Every person in technical fields is bad at interviewing and your interviewers know it. If they don’t want you for who you are, I know three other contracting companies that I bet would.”

  A smile breaks across Sandy’s face and she throws her arms around my neck.

  I give her a quick kiss. “Now, email me when you’re out so I can come get you. I need to get back to work, but we will celebrate either way this evening.”

  Chapter Seventy-Nine

  Campaign, Estes Park

  Demon transportation – portals. Portals are made of large metallic rings, covered in carvings and a few choice gems. They are usually set in the floor but can be on a wall. The concept is that you step in one location and pop out in another. Most portals only go to one place, though a very few gifted portal makers have discovered how to create ones that can change to many different locations.

  Trixy (Steven’s character)

  Although we destroyed the trebuchet, we did not destroy the portal. Not only that, but we have come to discover there are two more of them. The Giirdse family is outnumbered and surrounded. Damion came back to Estes Park with us; the Poogse vampire, a complete unknown, did save my life. And we officially hate the Kaatses. Not that we needed it to be official, but it always helps.

  Raphael has brought us to meet his brothers. And this conference room is too human, too mundane for these four incredibly handsome angels. They are all built like Greek gods and dressed in various suits. Their hair and horns match in each case. Where Raphael’s is white and silver, Michael’s is yellow and gold, his gold eyes just as pale as his brothers. Gabriel nods to us, his brown hair and spiky frosted tips easy to recognize from the craziness that was our meeting yesterday. Uriel is the only one a little different. His dress pants are crisp, but instead of a suit top, he has a big hoodie that’s patterned to look like a suit top. His hair is Christmas forest-green with bright red tips and his pale eyes seem to shimmer as they transition from green to red, and back to green. He gives us a lopsided grin.

  “So, these are the beings you speak so highly of?” he asks Raphael.

  If anyone answers, I don’t hear it as Michael turns to me. When our eyes meet, I feel a pull from my very center. The rooms slows down and I let my eyes slowly wander over his fit form. My powers call to me to take him in my arms and Michael leans toward me, presumably feeling the same.

  I put my foot down. “I said this last week, I’m not flirting with Joe.”

  “Trixy, not Steven, has an instant connection to Michael, not Joe,” Joe explains evenly. “I didn’t know you flirted with your powers. I thought you ate people with them.”

  “Right,” I say a little sheepishly. “Carry on.”

  “They are the beings,” Raphael confirms to Michael, unaware of a brief exchange between beings in another world. Raphael’s voice seems to break our connection and I avert my eyes. Better not kill an angel; I bet they taste delicious though.

  Damion bows from the back of our party. Smart vampire, keeping us between him and angels. Much smarter than us for sure.

  “I have been told you are here to help us,” Michael says and turns to Strider.

  “We’re here by accident,” I answer the question before Goody Two Shoes can make us out to be good people. “But we hate the Kaatse family and what they have done. We would like to be of service to begin our revenge.”

  “Revenge is not a worthy goal,” Michael says blandly.

  “It’s what drives me,” I think but don’t say out loud.

  “Our motivations are individualistic,” Strider adds. “But our goals are all the same. The Kaatses are as close to truly evil as I have found.”

  “They are a nine,” Uriel nods. “Nine, nine.”

  The three other angels pause to see if he has more to say, but when he doesn’t continue, Michael speaks again as if Uriel hadn’t spoken. “Do you know why the Kaatses have escalated?”

  We all shake our heads.

  “Damion knows,” Michael points out coldly. He pauses and then his voice beings to lilt, like he’s reciting a story. “There are three ruling families of earth’s underworld and they all live in a system of checks and balances. Each family controls one aspect of the magic that keeps the supernatural world alive. The Poogses control portals, instantaneous travel. The Kaatses control fire, their minor demons spawn from the fires of hell. They are the only true blooded demon family still alive. And they hunger for more power.”

  “Power they can’t have,” Damion adds.

  “Power your family took and destroyed the balance,” Gabriel says angrily. “Portals weren’t enough for you. You greedy bastards. And now you reach for even more.”

  “Peace! We can do nothing about the Poogses today.” Michael holds up his hands and Gabriel deflates. “The Poogses play the long game; their time will come. Today, we must secure our home and crush the Kaatse.”

  “Nine, nine, nine.” Uriel’s voice floats over Michael’s words. Once again the brothers lean in as if waiting for more and when none comes, they speak as if Uriel had once again not said anything.

  “Strider, Ruby, and Goliath, please join us for tea.” Michael’s request seems more like a command. “Nozomi, please keep your vampire counterpart busy. Trixy, you may join her. We will return your friends soon.”

  Strider (Dillon’s character)

  Goliath, Ruby, and I settle in amongst about ten others. My ears perk up as a human introduces himself and shows us a detailed map of the Kaatse family’s troops. I’m blown away by the sheer amount of information collected. And disappointed at how easily the Kaatses were able to trick the Giirdses into weakening their troops and borders by sending them on witch hunts. Witch hunts we had gotten involved in.

  “They are regrouping already.” Goliath speaks up next to me after studying the map and images. They are regrouping fast. And with no portals inside Estes Park, the Giirdse family will have no way to bring their own reinforcements. It surprises me that they do not have at least one portal.

  “Dark and light, yin and yang, power in threes protected by these, these, these,” Uriel sings. His head moves oddly back and forth on his neck and then he repeats his little song two more times, the exact same each time.

  Uriel’s brothers turn to regard Raphael and then return to their maps.

  “It’s a prophecy,” Michael affirms. “Power in threes, protected by these.”

  “Uriel is a seer?” Goliath asks.

  “Uriel is special; he’s many things,” Gabriel says tenderly. “We need time to unravel this. I would guess we have three, maybe four days before the Kaatses strike again.” Gabriel begins to outline a plan of defense, it’s full of holes, and fractures his armed forces again.

  “That isn’t a good plan,” Goliath advises when he finishes.

  The angel bristles.

  “May I make a suggestion?” I ask before he can respond. “If those portals are destroyed, their only way to get up here will be through the canyon, which is easily defensible. The best defense is a good offense, as they say.”

  “Portals are only destroyable b
y gods,” Raphael states.

  “Then we need to figure out how to harness the power of a god,” I say simply.

  “Dark and light, yin and yang, power in threes protected by these, these, these,” I repeat to the rest of our party when we return to the room.

  Damion, Nozomi, and Trixy are playing cards and all three stop when I recite it.

  “Who prophesized that?” Damion asks.

  “A human seer. The Giilans work a lot with the humans in this area,” I lie easily. The best lies are told with enough truth that they can’t be sniffed out. I don’t want to give the Poogse vampire more information than necessary.

  “I would assume ‘these’ refer to people present when the seer spoke?” Trixy starts to try and unravel its meaning.

  “Zack, are you googling my riddle?” Joe asks accusingly.

  “No-o,” he replies slowly and turns off his phone, putting it on the table.

  “Yin and yang refer to opposite things,” Ruby adds.

  “As do dark and light,” Goliath comments. “Is there a way to harness moonlight and sunlight at the same time?”

  “That’s too literal,” Nozomi disagrees. “I feel like prophecies are usually not so literal.”

  “What about dark energy and light energy?” Goliath insists. “There are three sane angels, at least. ‘These’ might not have been about us at all.”

  “Some of the angels are not sane?” Damion asks.

  I shoot Goliath a look. No one told us to be careful of what we say around Damion, but the vampire is obviously fishing for information. And if we caught on correctly, although the Kaatse are the problem now, the Poogse family, Damion’s home, are the real cause of it.

  “Angels shouldn’t exist at all,” I try to cover for Goliath. “Who’s to say what sane is? Raphael is definitely off his rocker.”