by Crystal Dawn
“I bet they do. Now we have to prepare for a visitor.”
“I’ll check on a room after supper and leave word that it needs to be held for a visitor. She certainly didn’t give us much information.” Stef observed.
“She was in a hurry. Information was coming in and she sets up all the trips leaving Olympus. If it’s an emergency run, she has to do that fast.” Lu pointed out.
“You’re right. Sometimes I wish we were at Olympus so we could go on some of those trips, but then I realize once everything is in place here, we can run teams out of here.”
“I’d never thought of us doing that. You really think we can?” Lu asked.
“Absolutely. We need training and then we can do anything. It’s a shame some of the demons were mutilated by having had their wings and tails removed, but maybe they can use that as an advantage. No one will know they are a demon. They can go anywhere and do anything. Once Risa has them ready to go, the sky is the limit.”
“You’re right. And this specialist coming may also be beneficial. He can train someone to work with those devices.”
“Now you’re talking.” Stef encouraged.
The others began filing in with Win first. Xap followed then Abe with Zepar bringing up the rear. “Nice to see all of you. Cherish called just moments ago. A specialist is on the way. Stef and I were just discussing the possibility of setting up a team or two to hunt lost gods. Any thoughts?” Lu asked.
“All of us are trained. We all went out with teams when we were at Olympus. The problems are that none of us are experts in the needed areas and that we have to hide parts of ourselves.” Win cut to the chase.
“True. But we can go to any of the colder places and not all of us have parts to hide. My wings are the only difficult part. The same is true of you, Win. Tails are hidden easily. A long leather coat or a back pack can hide our wings.” Lu observed.
“That’s true and those of us without wings who don’t have ridges are good to go.” Zepar added.
“A point well taken.” Lu admitted. “We could get together a team for tropical weather and a team where the temperature allows for coats or other coverings. Training is essential as well as leadership. Win and I will alternate in leading the cold weather team and you three can alternate heading the hot team.”
“So alpha cold and hot?” Abe asked.
“Why not?” Lu asked.
“Why not indeed. If needed, we can add beta and so on. Each team needs a third backup leader that isn’t involved with the band in case they are called out while we are in concert. Up to ten members total with six going out at a time. Any other points to make?” Lu asked.”
“Where will our missions come from?” Xap wondered.
“I have a feeling the first case will be related to Cirrus.” Lu guessed. “After that, maybe Zeus can throw us a mission a month per team? I know some of the gods were getting tired of going out so often. It would give them a break.”
“I plan to go out once in a while to.” Stef declared.
Lu wisely kept his mouth shut during the meeting, but they would be talking later. “Win and Abe will work together to pick personnel for both teams. Voluntary only. Zepar, I need to speak to you after the meeting briefly. Anyone else have something to say?”
“I think we’ve covered everything except Cirrus was hanging around outside Risa’s door last night. I believe he’s trying to push her into helping him. I ran him off.” Win explained.
“It would almost be worth it to see what he says to her.” Lu noted.
“No way in hell.” Win declared.
“I said almost.” Lu pointed out.
“If we’re done, I’m ready to eat.” Xap said.
“Fine. Everyone but Zepar.” Lu stated. Lu wanted to ask him alone in case he had to convince him.
“That works for me. Too bad for you, Zepar.” Abe said as he danced right out the door. Everyone left quickly even Stef and Lily.
“Very simply, I want you to help me on the building project.” Lu told him.
“No problem. I start tomorrow?” Zepar asked.
“Yes. Let’s go eat now.” Lu concluded. That had gone easier than expected.
He and Zepar hurried to catch up with the others. They saw them in line as soon as they entered the cafeteria. They were only a little bit behind them. The delightful scent of lasagna and garlic bread filled the air. It was a favorite of Lu’s. He didn’t have just one favorite, he had about a dozen probably because he’d grown up so poorly fed. A third of them were Italian dishes. German, French, Mexican, and American foods finished out his list.
Lu just loved to eat. He piled his plate full of lasagna, salad, corn, and he got a small side plate for his garlic bread so it would stay crisp. Yum! Dropping his plates off at his place on the table, he ran back for the blueberry cobbler. Someone loved him to send this marvelous meal his way. Everyone else looked happy too.
As much as he loved the caterers, someday he wanted them to have their own kitchen staff. It would be a moot point in a year when they had their own restaurant, he supposed. It would still be nice to have his demons train to cook. Many of the demons downstairs were bored and some had expressed the desire to work. Lu wanted things organized like Olympus, but he knew they had some unique difficulties to work around.
He still felt like it could be done. The restaurant, once it was open, would be themed based on the band. That meant anyone could work in there because their special parts, like tails or ridges, would look like part of a costume. Wings on waiters would probably get them extra tips.
Lu had not seen Risa today and it worried him especially since Cirrus was sniffing around. In the middle of his meal he looked up and saw a tired Risa rushing to the buffet line. He caught her eye and signaled her to sit near him. She filled her plate much like the demons did. That was more than she ever ate. His forehead wrinkled as he watched her.
“Sorry I missed the meeting. Was I supposed to come?” Risa’s voice dropped. “Troll’s parts came in. The arm and the leg anyway. All he needs now is the ear. They look fantastic and they’re hooked up now. The parts don’t work now the way they eventually will. I don’t want to finish things until the ear is here. It’s so amazing and Troll was so damn excited.”
“That sounds great. We can all understand you getting carried away.” Lu admitted.
“I also worked with Bellet. We’ll see if there are results soon.” She whispered low.
“You’ve been a busy little girl, haven’t you?” Lu asked.
“You have no idea. I haven’t eaten all day and I’m exhausted, but so glad to have gotten so much done.” Risa agreed.
Everyone was enjoying their food and Lu waited to discuss subjects they’d touched on more deeply. He noticed Stef was finally claiming her own dessert instead of stealing bites of his. Lu knew she’d been concerned about the weight she’d gained when she was pregnant that had stayed behind once the baby was born.
She finally realized that nursing and being as active as she had been before her pregnancy was continuing to cause a weight loss. Was he bad because he worried about getting his dessert? No, because he’d gotten two and Stef had been angry at him.
“I’m only taking a couple bites. You don’t need to get two desserts.” She’d complained.
He was happy things were back to normal. Lu sent a big smile her way. Since he was finished eating everything but his dessert, he took Lily from her so she could eat easier. Most of his demons were finishing up their dessert, but Risa was still in the middle of her meal. Taking a bite of dessert, he closed his eye and moaned in enjoyment as he hugged his baby girl. Life was good.
Lu finished his dessert and by that time, everyone was also done. “Risa, I’ll let you decide if we need to slip in a few practices before we leave for the concert.” Lu offered.
“You’re putting it on me?” Risa asked. “I’d rather you decide.”
“Stubborn people. I want to hear you practice before we leave. It sounds so muc
h clearer here than it does in the concert halls.” Stef admitted.
“Alright.” Lu smiled. “One time for you, my love.”
Everyone nodded in agreement. ‘When?” Risa asked.
“Tomorrow. I feel like resting tonight.” Lu admitted. What he really felt like was being alone with his mate. “Alrighty. We’re done here. I’ll see you guys tomorrow an hour before lunch time. Agreed?”
Everyone nodded and he took that as agreement. “Let’s get out of here.” Lu whispered to Stef.
Chapter 8
Drummer Boy
Zepar was glad to be done with supper and in his own quarters. He needed some time to himself, something he rarely needed or wanted. Stef had given the band members an assignment and now he understood how schoolchildren felt when they had homework. It was frustrating as he tried to accomplish it, but when he set it aside he felt guilty
Stef didn’t ask for much, but she seemed to consider this task an important one. Zepar wasn’t sure how it would help her. He needed five words to describe each member of their band. She hadn’t said five positive things, but of course they would have to be, wouldn’t they? If they were bad things, the other band members would get mad.
He’d start with Lu because that was where their band had started. Talented, leadership, unique, unmatchable and unbeatable, all described Lu! Ha! This wasn’t so bad after all. Exotic, spiritual, skillful, trailblazer, and faithful all described Win. Confident, intelligent, strong, funny, and a conqueror were words for Abe.
Xap muscular, strategic, proficient, cute (according to the ladies), and gifted. Now that just left him. How did you describe yourself without sounding either worthless or arrogant? He was helpful, courteous, and attractive because all gods were, strong, and proficient. It was a relief to have it done. He scanned it into his computer and emailed it to Stef. It occurred to him he was probably the last one to do it. Well, at least it was done.
He moved to his bed and fell on it. Noticing his shoes, he realized he should have taken them off. It was probably a good thing he didn’t have a mate because she would just be upset that he wore his shoes on the bed and made a mess. Females were just trouble unless you got one like Stef, her sisters, or Risa. Those females always got taken right away.
Zepar thought things out and decided he was better off alone. That way he could do whatever he wanted and no one told him what to do. He got up and stripped. His small tail looked like one a monkey might have. Without facial ridges, he did have ridges on his back, and no wings, he could go anywhere without drawing suspicion.
His back ridges weren’t heavy like some. From a distance they looked like a rash because they were a reddish purple color. They were hard and protected his backbone. Even a bullet couldn’t pierce it if it hit it directly. It could tunnel in if it hit on the side at an angle. His hands and feet had claws, but they weren’t noticeable if he kept them trimmed. Some demons had retractable claws and that was so cool. It was rare though.
Had humans not been so easily scared and if they didn’t fear anything different, demons could be out in public. Lu always said it could happen someday, but Zepar wasn’t so sure. All of the demons had something that had to be covered. Wings and facial ridges were the two hardest things to hide. One of them had a massive tail, he’d never be able to hide that. Zepar thought it was awesome, but humans would be terrified.
Zepar took a shower, dried off, and settled into bed. Tomorrow they would have the first practice in a week. That was because Devon and his crew were gone until the day before they left for the concert. They were doing some shoot out in the wilds of Australia filming devils or some such thing. Sleep came calling and he gave in quickly.
He woke with a start. Zepar had never liked to set alarms. The only time in his life he had was when they lived at Olympus. Zeus was growly when people were late. It was early still but he was hungry so he got up and got ready. When he hit the hall. Other demons were beginning to make their way to the buffet too.
This morning was special for some reason. Abe was running an omelet station. That demon could actually cook like a chef, when he wanted to. He had learned at Olympus, one of the few demons who had. It might be because Abe was like Zepar and passed as human easily. Many of the demons had hidden in the lower levels of Olympus because of the soldiers stationed there and other visitors that came and went regularly.
“Hey, I’m glad to see you cooking. I’ll take one of your supremo omelets.”
“Coming right up.” Abe replied. Supremo was an omelet Abe made with a little bit of everything in it. Not all the demons liked omelets and that was a good thing or Abe would be cooking them all day long.
“Here you go.” Abe said a few minutes later as he dumped the omelet on Zepar’s plate. He was busy since he had a large station and was fixing multiple omelets at a time. Abe was fast and he managed to do what looked impossible.
Eventually, he would fix his own and stop fixing any more. Zepar was glad he’d got around early. Now if Lu would show up and he could get started on his new duties with the resort. He ate slowly and looked around often. It didn’t look like Lu would get his ass in gear today. That was just his luck.
An hour later, after Abe had quit cooking and was sitting at the table eating his own omelet, Lu waltzed in with Stef and Lily, “I smell omelets.” Stef said and she looked around. “I missed them?”
“Sorry, Sweetheart. We’ll get them a lot while we’re on tour.” Lu promised. Zepar watched with interest and Abe looked up too.
“That’s not helping me now.” Stef pouted.
“I’d fix you one if I knew how.” Lu said.
“Last time you tried, you almost burned down the place.” Stef remembered.
“Don’t I get an A for effort?” Lu asked.
“It’s not hard to burn food.” Stef observed.
“Abe, won’t you help a demon out?” Lu asked.
“I’m eating my breakfast.” Abe pointed out.
“I’ll do you a favor sometime.” Lu promised.
Abe considered things. “Two favors.”
“Alright.” Lu conceded.
“I should have asked for three. You gave in so easily.” Abe took his last bite of omelet then got up and moved to his omelet station. “What do you want, Stef?”
“Ham, cheese, onion, mushrooms, and spinach.” Stef listed.
“Next time I’ll ask what you don’t want.” Abe said. He got to work fast.
“What about mine?” Lu asked.
“That wasn’t part of the agreement.” Abe pointed out.
“Come on man, you’re cooking anyway.” Lu pouted.
“Alright, what do you want?” Abe asked.
“Supremo.” Lu chuckled happily.
Abe got it started and finished up Stef’s. She breathed in deeply enjoying the aroma of her omelet. “I could kiss you!”
“Better not. Lu’s not feeling that generous.” Abe teased. “He might beat me up.”
“Thank you anyway.” Stef said.
“Hey, I’m the one that made a deal with him.” Lu whined.
“You’ll get yours later.” Stef promised with a wink.
Risa came in and got her tray and the items she needed. She filled her plate and sat down. Grabbing a piece of bacon. She munched on it. “What’s going on?” She asked nobody in particular.
“Abe was doing omelets this morning, but Stef missed it. Lu made a deal with him so they could have some.” Zepar explained.
Win and Xap came in and fixed their trays, got food, and sat down the same time Lu and Abe did. Finally everyone was present, but it was too late for him to start on his new duties before they practiced. Done eating, he just sat there and listened to the conversation that went around the table.
“How is Troll doing?” Lu asked.
“He’s doing well and Hob is getting an arm right after breakfast.” Risa noted.
“I was going to talk to you about moving the robotics work downstairs where the guys are.” Win mention
ed.
“Why?” Risa asked and her eyes narrowed. She seemed suspicious of Win.
“I’ve talked to the other guys that the robotics would help. They’re hesitant and they feel if they could see more of what’s happening they could make an informed decision. Troll tells them about things, but he’s out during some of the things and he can’t see what you’re doing the other times. I really think it will help them commit to the procedure.”
“How will they be able to see anything? Is there a big room?”
“There is actually an operating theater downstairs. It’s been unused since Origin left and the guys are going to clear it out so it can be useful.”
“Have they moved anything out yet?”
“Not that I know of. I think they planned to start today.”
“I’d like to look at the stuff that’s in there. It may be helpful in understanding some of the early work Origin did.”
“I know your scientific curiosity gets the better of you, but it’s a painful past for most of us.”
“I understand that, but medically it’s in your best interest that we understand where your genes came from and how to deal with any problems that might be a direct result of ancestry. If one of you develops an unknown condition, I’ll be starting from scratch.”
“Stef’s sister would help you out.”
“Are you telling me she already has all the answers?” Risa asked.
“Not all of them, but probably more than you have.”
“That’s nice to know.” Risa got up and dumped her tray and stomped out of the cafeteria.
“Good job, Win.” Zepar said as he shook his head.
“It’s not my call and you know it.” Win defended.
“You could have expressed yourself better.” Zepar insisted. He decided if Risa had time to attach a limb before practice, he had time to meet a few people he’d be dealing with. “Lu, come on. I need to talk to you.”’
He got up and dumped his tray and waited. Lu followed him and dumped his tray. “Okay. What did you want?”
“You want me to work with the resort crews? Introduce me to them and show me what I need to do.”
