Dragon's Eye (Avery Rome Book 2)

by P. S. Power

  It felt and tasted as if she simply wanted to be a good person, not anything else.

  Micha came in with Kait and Eve. Interestingly, they were all dressed like cartoon characters. Leaving her the only one that seemed all that exposed.

  “I know, but it’s a holiday, so there are special treats for people. Discounts and that kind of thing. Even a few gifts.” That sounded right, though Eve, who was dressed like a Squirrel, with a furry costume that covered everything and a big head that hid her own totally, shook that hugely.

  “Christmas is the one you give people presents at. This one is all about extorting candy. Not that having Maggie along is evil. She’s one of my top five favorite Vampires. She’d be number three right now, but she burned my arms and legs off once.”

  There was no laughter then, just a wince.

  “Sorry.”

  Eve exaggerated a sigh, putting her whole body into it, so it could be seen past the Squirrel.

  “I know. I did say you made the top five, right? I know about eighty Vampires, so that isn’t too bad, considering. Plus, there’s that part where you’re married to my secret crush. That has to knock you down a few places.”

  Avery could see Eve being fond of Bey. She was herself, after all. He was most polite and charming in many ways.

  That reminded her that she needed to go and retrieve the others. Dashing to the back, she moved into the node, which was a shining gem that floated in mid-air to her now, and stepped through the void, instantly passing to the Vampire’s Council House. It was a strange thing to call a castle, but that, she understood, was probably the point. They were doing their best as a group to be humble. They just weren’t very good at it.

  Bey smiled at her, as did Marissa. She was in a lovely ball gown, done in ivory silk and lace with gloves to match, holding a small mask that would cover her eyes on a stick.

  The man was dressed up as a scarecrow. Complete with burlap sack for a shirt, old blue jeans and straw protruding out in strategic places. The woman moved forward, her hand out.

  “You look lovely, Miss Rome. I should have dressed similarly to you, but my condition might make that awkward for some.” She didn’t explain, but the words were helpful, since it brought up a lot about her. For instance, while she thought of herself as a woman and dressed as one, she was technically both male and female. She had a penis and a vagina. As well, it turned out, as a very healthy sex drive.

  The small man simply bowed, not staring at Avery’s near naked form at all.

  “You do look fetching. Is it permitted for us to leave now? Oh, I nearly forgot, the spirits for the festivities. Fine wines as well as harder things, taken from the cellars here. Marissa thought that a variety might go over better with those in attendance this evening? Hence the three cases, instead of a mere one, as was sent before. The value is about equal. We wouldn’t stint you that way.” He seemed mildly worried on that score. As if someone might think that of them.

  “That sounds like a good idea. I’ll take you both through, then come back for this? We’re going to Yoghurt World first, if that’s all right? There are other people coming along, so everyone is meeting there.”

  Bey clapped then.

  “That sounds marvelous. Thank you again, Miss Rome. We had not thought to make our obligations this night. That would leave us looking weak, I fear. Much is going on behind the scenes at the moment. Could I, perhaps, call on you in a few days to discuss such matters? I hate to ruin the festivities now, speaking of business…” He trailed off, his voice becoming softer at the end.

  Avery smiled though.

  “Sure? Um, call me Avery? We should probably go.” She hurried, but by the time she had the Vampires and the alcohol to the shop, it was nearly seven. It really did take her about a minute per trip, she realized.

  Zack was much faster that way, being able to take one about every ten seconds without working hard. Though, he also kind of threw people out of the way when he walked the nodes, sometimes literally, if they were going to be in place too long. Then he grabbed the next a bit violently, compared to her. She always stopped to speak first and explain things, which was her major flaw that way.

  This time she waved at all the people waiting.

  “I’ll be moving fast, for me. Line up please? One person at a time. As soon as we get through the node, walk toward the house and wait for us. Don’t freeze and gawk, even though it is a nice palace. Eve, can you go first, so that you can shove people out of the way, if they fail to move?”

  That got a huge nod.

  “Got it! Okay everyone, you heard her. Line up. We’re moving fast tonight! Party!” The last word was stretched out and sounded excited, though Avery kind of assumed that they and the band were all that would be there really. Possibly one or two others.

  Eve went first, with the important Vampires right after that. Then the Alede, though Kait took herself, she had Micha go with Avery, since that was the deal in place. After that was Vince, Alan, Terra, Debbie, Mark and just before the very last moment, Leslie and Link managed to come in.

  Leslie at least had a Cheerleading costume on. Link was just in regular school clothing.

  Both of them stared at her chest, but Leslie smiled about it and shook her head a bit ruefully. There was a sense of it being familiar, until she spoke. Then it didn’t sound like Avery’s mother at all.

  “Okay, that’s totally hot. See Link, everyone is going to be in costume except you. Now you’ll stand out and seem too cool to care.”

  Barbara was standing in the doorway, having waved them to the back, getting they were there for the party somehow.

  “Go on now. Don’t keep everyone waiting. You’re already insulting a dozen people, I bet, being late like this.”

  Leslie made a face, which seemed a bit sulky, but Link laughed.

  “I hope not. I’m counting on the fact that no one knows who I am. I had a whole thing set up, but I made the mistake of washing it first. A clown costume. I wore it last year, but it disintegrated on me. Which is why Les is late, since she didn’t just abandon me when that happened.”

  That got Barb to nod, then wave again.

  “Walk that way. Avery will get you through the node. The Squirrel on the other side will probably toss you out of the way, if you don’t walk fast enough. You get about ten seconds. Go!”

  They went, which worked nicely for Avery. No one had gone inside yet, waiting for the whole crew to get there first. Finally, getting a real chance to look around, it was clear from the number of cars there, some just parked on the lawn there were so many, that it was going to be more than one or two extra people. The vehicles looked expensive as well, several of the larger ones seemed to have drivers still inside of them.

  Eve took her arm gently, getting the Squirrel glared at, by Leslie the cheerleader. That wasn’t much of a costume really, since Les really was one of those and even wore the short skirt and strange top to school at times, in order to promote the various sports games and matches that were taking place that week. It was still better than what poor Link had on.

  They, apparently, were supposed to go to the door first. She knew that because Eve dragged her into place, pushing her to the front in order to knock. In this case she rang the bell, since it was a bit crowded and loud inside.

  Behind her, standing there holding cases were Bey, Vince and Mark. Maggie was right beside her husband, and Marissa was very close to Vince for some reason. She recalled him saying that he liked both men and women, so that might actually work out for him.

  The person who opened the door wasn’t anyone she knew, being a man with curly short hair, and a pierced ear, dressed in a white suit. He was obviously a Hsreth, but they hadn’t met, that she could recall.

  “Welcome! The party is this way. I see you brought something for it? How splendid. This way, everyone, please.”

  On her way past the fellow at the door, Squirrel Eve reached out and gave him a quick hug.

  “Glen! It’s me, Eve, clever
ly disguised as Rebekah. She’ll get it, I think.”

  Almost as if she’d heard her name, the bone white lady herself came around the corner of the front hall, smiling. It was a vast thing which got several of the school kids to seem scared for a moment. Mark, who was dressed up in bandages from head to toe, except his face, nodded then. After all, while you could see it was Rebekah, her face also exposed, she was dressed up in a rather nice red outfit, which had tall boots along with it. Like Marissa she had a mask on a stick.

  “I… Wait… You came dressed up as the Secret Vampire of Coretechs?”

  Eve laughed then.

  “Don’t think it was easy finding the same costume, either. I nearly roped Fram into playing the role of Carl, but he begged off at the last minute. Apparently he’s getting to go to the party with the big Greater Demons this year. Anyway, you know Bey, Marissa and Maggie, right? Avery is your BFF, so that one is kind of clear… The rest here then. First we have Vincent Riddenhour, who’s ambassadorial staff for the Mage Embassy in Vancouver. Alan Carter is an Erdtha, one of the Rubber Men, but is on as staff for the Alede. Terra Billingworth is working with Riley, the Trickster. Floor staff and world rescue at need. Don’t be fooled by the looks, she saved my butt the other day, bringing me an extra shirt. It was a huge disaster… Strawberry sauce everywhere.” She sounded giddy, but sobered a bit as she glanced at the big chested Human girl.

  Then, after a moment, Eve, still seeming like a squirrel, made an interesting sound.

  “Thanks again, by the way Terra. That really did help.”

  The girl, who was in a hooded velvet cloak and a simple black dress made of the same fabric, looked at the ground for a bit.

  “No problem. Riley said someone would need one.”

  Then the Vampire went on, speaking to the other one.

  “The rest of these dopes are the new version of the old gang. Darla and Ann’s friends. Clearly, Leslie here is obviously the new me. Notice there are two guys to replace Gary, though? That just about fits. He’s a hard act to follow. I don’t know about Debbie and we’re missing one. Probably being held back in case this lot gets killed here tonight. Anyway, it sounds like things are just getting started? Are we into mingling yet, or just standing around trading business cards still?”

  That got the Manthori Vamp to waggle her hand in the air.

  “That crucial cusp time where it can go either way? This will help. Several crates of spirits? Perfect timing. Not that we don’t have plenty, but trust me, you want the Hollywood types to get smashed, first thing. Then they tell better stories about their friends.”

  Eve moved in, as Rebekah made certain to shake hands or at least greet everyone else there. Especially Bey and Marissa, though she was nice to Maggie as well. That, and strangely enough, Mark. That could have been his strange looking costume however. It was very tight. Probably uncomfortable as well.

  That was one thing about her outfit. It wasn’t that hard for her to get used to, after a bit. The staring was a little, but she simply smiled as a lot of people turned their way. One of them, Scotty, nearly ran at her.

  “There you are Avery! Dressed for success, too. Great, we should go find one of the bedrooms first thing?” While it was clear the brown haired, very pale, Bat Shifter Vampire was interested in her, he didn’t really insist they do anything of the sort for real.

  That was important, since she kind of needed to watch the others there, having brought them. Terra moved in then, and put her arms out toward Scotty, which got her held, rather closely. A few of the others seemed baffled by the move, with a couple actually chuckling a little.

  The girl spoke giddily.

  “The drummer and lead singer from my second favorite band? I’m dreaming, right? Well, um, I guess we should go and do that bedroom part now? Before I wake up.”

  Scotty seemed pleased enough by that idea, which showed as the front of his purple trousers got tighter. Avery would have judged him on that, but it was kind of his way in the world. Without saying anything else, people scattered in different directions.

  All the ones with her, anyway. Except the Vampires, who stayed near the front of the room, waiting as other people saw them, coming over from their own clutches of conversation. It was distracting, which was why Avery didn’t jump or anything when a rather plump hand reached around her from the back, grabbing her right breast. Squeezing several times, gently. That seemed a bit friendly, but it was a party. For all she knew that was a normal greeting. She turned, expecting it to be someone she knew, or to find that it was a person who she at least knew. Instead it was a man who appeared to be an out of shape Human in a rather boring, if well made suit, standing next to a rather fashionable Mermaid. She had a lovely tail that stuck out to the side, with only her Human feet below her giving her away. For a top she had two foam sea-shells on, tied behind the neck and back.

  Also green hair, which seemed to be a wig.

  “Hello. I’m Avery, pleased to meet you?” She spoke to both of the people, including the man who was still holding her chest. It was awkward looking. He started to rub a bit more, which got him glared at by his companion.

  The lady of the sea started to speak, only to be cut off by the man with her.

  “Donald Holmstrum. Producer. Red Rain. You’ve heard of it? You don’t seem too shy. Let me see you without the outfit on, maybe suck me off a few times and I can get you a speaking role on the show.”

  His hand was still on her front, but was clean enough that the lace wasn’t getting greasy or anything. The mer-woman rolled her eyes then.

  “Hey, Don? Remember how this is the twenty-first century and you don’t have hiring power on my new show? Also, this really isn’t the place to do things like this. You don’t know who, or what, you might be dealing with. That’s why we came, remember? To meet people that aren’t normal?”

  She seemed eager for him to get that, but before she could finish the thought, she was half tackled from the rear herself. With less direct grabbing of the sea shells.

  “Krista!” It was a squirrel, which got the woman to turn in place.

  “Um… Eve?”

  “Right! Saw through my clever disguise instantly. Hey, not to be rude, but who’s the man warming Avery’s tit for her? Does he know that she’s both a Dragon Shifter and a line walker?” She stopped then and shook her head a little. “Okay, that isn’t fair. He probably doesn’t get what either of those would mean. He should at least pull his hand back and try chatting her up a bit first though.”

  Donald Holmstrum did that, his face a bit flushed. Not from embarrassment, but given his words, probably either tiredness or drink. It was strange though, since he was also moving fast, for a plump Human man. Almost twitchy seeming, like a Bat Shifter.

  The needed information came up then, filling her in rather nicely. The man was a producer, but that didn’t mean he had much power on a show like Red Rain, which was a spin off from Krista Hall’s rather famous Vampire show. That woman was the one talking to Eve at the moment, though she looked different with green hair. Don promising her a part in the program in exchange for sexual favors was supposed to be something that didn’t happen, but actually was fairly common. The casting couch. The real issue there was what Krista had mentioned. He couldn’t hire for the show. She could, or at least had some sway that way.

  Which was why she stuck a dry and pale hand out.

  “Krista Hall. A Dragon Shifter? What does that mean, exactly? I mean, I get the Shifter part, but, like, an alligator or… Something small?” She held a hand toward the floor, to show what she meant. Probably because a lot of Shifters held to some form of conservation of mass when they changed.

  Not all, however.

  “Oh, no. I have two forms. One is about twelve feet tall and has wings, black scales and all that. The other is much larger and looks like a Dragon. Really large.”

  Donald, having moved in beside her, put his hand directly on her behind, squeezing it occasionally. It was a bit uncomfortab
le for her, since he’d managed to pull lace into the crack of her butt. There was no graceful way of removing it in public either, she bet.

  Krista stared at his hand for a moment, then shook her head.

  “We really could use someone like that. Can you act at all?”

  She shook her head then, meaning it.

  “Not that I know of. I can change shape though. I… I’m the first Shifter to attend high school, Human school, as one of us. I mean, others have been there, a lot, actually, but I’m the first one who’s out. So, if someone has to show a change like that to set people at ease, I should, I guess.” Plus, the stress of things made her kind of want to go and do that right then. She’d been putting it off, but there was a nice large back yard behind the place. She could change and then stay there for six hours, until she was ready to shift back. Using that to hide from the confusing party and Don.

  The mermaid put her hand out, and instead of taking her arm, removed Don’s hand from her bottom.

  “Oh? That sounds incredible, really. I think we can work with that, even if you don’t get lines. You don’t mind playing a mute character, do you? We could dress you up in a cute school-girl outfit and then have you kick bad guy ass. That kind of thing. You might need to take martial arts lessons first. It isn’t that hard, though.”

  Eve spoke, her voice a bit muffled by the fake head on her shoulders.

  “Avery has three years of military training. High level stuff. That includes unarmed combat for the Shifters, since most of them can actually make it work. To top that one by a good bit, she can dead lift a truck, in the shape she’s in right now. The form. You know, the cute one that you keep trying to finger in a public place without asking permission first?” She couldn’t look over at Donald, but Krista did, gesturing toward the man’s hand, which was still exploring more of her body than anyone had ever tried before.

  She nodded then.

  “I always imagined that getting this kind of attention would take place in private the first time. Well, I don’t know. Do I get the job if I don’t do those things with Donald? Should I do them? How does this work for Humans. I don’t want to be rude, but…” Honestly, she didn’t feel like doing the dishes right then, either. She’d live, if the rules said she had to do that kind of sex thing, she supposed.