by Kimbra Swain
We all sat and chatted about the party and the food. I got the distinct impression that you didn’t talk about work at these kinds of functions. Ichiro asked Ashley to dance, and we moved out of the booth that way they could get out.
“Where’s Jay?” I asked, and Abby elbowed me in the ribs. “I was just asking.”
Vincent spoke up, “He told me he would be a little late. You can call me Vince by the way.” He reached across the table to shake my hand.
“We call Vince the mad Russian because he’s crazy as hell,” Abby said grinning at him.
“Mad scientist,” he added.
“Yeah, you got a monster in your basement?” I asked.
He lifted his eyebrows and tried to look sinister, “Maybe I do.”
I laughed. He had a good sense of humor. Tony and Tommy, the brute twins, sat and drank their beers. I believed they were of Polynesian descent. They had little to say, but joined the conversation occasionally. I assumed this sort of event would not be good for Matthew, and I did not see him anywhere. Aiden, the Arabic Alchemist as Abby called him, was a wielder and a chemist. He sat next to a very lovely Nubian beauty. Aiden introduced her as Fayola, his wife.
“She’s an honorary member of the team,” Abby smiled at her.
“I am only considered as such, because Aiden cannot function unless I tell him what to do,” she said.
“Oh, you have a deal,” I said.
Abby smirked at me, “Yea, it’s called marriage, doofus.”
“Oh,” I said and they all laughed. I laughed too.
Ashley and Ichiro returned. Tony and Tommy excused themselves, and I saw them approach a couple of women on the other side of the dance floor. I liked all of them. Well, that was until Jeremy Stafford showed up. He lumbered up to all of us with his arm around a woman wearing a completely see through dress and no underwear. I turned my head away. I felt stupid, because she wasn’t the only woman in this place with little or nothing to hide.
“Dear God, he’s drunk.”
I looked up at her. “Would you like to go with me to get a drink?” She smiled because I found a way to phrase it.
“Well, looky here. Damn Tadeas. This afternoon she wasn’t marked and now she is. Good for you ol’ chap. Fuck her good for me.”
I stood up from the table and started across to him. He put his hands up, and Abby got in between us. “No. He’s doing it on purpose. Let him talk. We can go. Please let’s just go.” I looked at her. I could see the pleading in her eyes.
“I didn’t know cats marked their territory. I thought that only dogs did that,” he laughed at it himself. No one else did.
And then she turned on him, “Jeremy Stafford, you need to shut the fuck up before I…” People were turning to see the commotion.
“Come away,” I whispered and I felt a chill run up her arm. I had given a command. Crap. But she complied and we walked over to the bar closest to us. The bartender poured us two glasses of champagne. “I’m sorry.”
“Look. Don’t apologize for speaking as we normally do or if it’s something that needs to be said. It’s hard to understand the bond. I’m seriously not going to hold anything against you,” she said as she took a sip. I saw her eyes moving across the crowd. She froze. I followed her gaze to a woman dressed in a long purple gown. She wrapped herself on the arm of an older man who looked as well-dressed as Theodoard. It was Meredith. They stood with several other people and talked. One of them was Lianne. “What in the hell?”
“Did you know she would be here?”
“No.”
“She’s with Cyrus MacCormack. He’s Lianne’s brother. He’s one of the six.”
She meant the six board members of Kenward, Blake and Shanahan. Each one was a direct descendant of one of Hyperion’s children. “I didn’t even know she knew any of the board members.”
“This whole night is going to be a disaster,” she muttered and finished off the glass of champagne, and picked up another. I just looked at her. “Last one, I promise.”
I finished off mine and declined another. The music came to an end. The dancers and the crowd clapped and a spotlight turned on toward the front of the room. Out of the floor rose a stage with seven chairs. Once the stage reached full height, seven people positioned themselves, one in front of each chair and they all sat down in unison.
“Showtime,” Abby said and slammed down the last of the champagne. She turned to me and checked my suit and looked down at her dress. “I look okay?”
I touched her face. Her anxiety grew. The heartbeat raced again. I felt it keenly. “I told you, you look beautiful. You always look beautiful.” She was mine tonight. I could say it. Skip.
Gregory began to speak. “Ladies and Gentlemen, honored guests, I hope each and every one of you will take full advantage of our hospitality tonight in celebrating this great occasion. For many, many years Kenward, Blake and Shanahan has directed the movements of the world. In recent years, we took a step back and re-evaluated our interests in the world and the goals we set forth for ourselves. Life is our greatest treasure. All life. Whether Celestial, Permutation, Fae or Human, we value them all. Our goals have always been to preserve it, and this world to which all planes are tethered. Many years ago, my granddaughter, Miss Abigail Davenport crossed this globe with her partner. She controlled the face of our esteemed agency. She was the force that moved us into the current era. Times are changing as they often do, and the world’s perceptions are changing. Technology has advanced far more and far faster than we have adapted. I am pleased to announce that Miss Davenport will once again become the face of our agency in the field with her new partner. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my granddaughter Miss Abigail Sophia Davenport and her new partner, Mr. Tadeas Nahuel Duarte.”
The room erupted in applause.
“Escort me to the center of the room right in front of the stage.”
“You are more nervous than I am.”
“I never know what he is going to do. Hopefully, he plays nice.”
Already arm in arm, we walked toward the stage and the crowd parted for us as we approached the seven sets of watchful eyes on the stage. When we got there, she made a long deep curtsy, and I bowed. The crowd’s applause faded out.
“I would like to formally welcome you, Mr. Duarte to the inner circle of our agency. Miss Davenport will now introduce you formally to the six board members.
“Bow to each one as I introduce them,” she looked up to her grandfather on the stage. I watched her steel herself. “Thank you, Grandfather, for your kind words.” She took my hand and led me down to the end where her Aunt Lianne sat in the first chair.
“Lianne Theodoard, descendent of Helios, son of Hyperion, I would like to introduce to you and present for the inner circle, my chosen partner, Tadeas Nahuel Duarte.” We both bowed. Lianne nodded her head and winked at me. Crazy Fae woman.
“Cyrus MacCormack, descendant of Helios, son of Hyperion, I would like to introduce to you and present for the inner circle, my chosen partner, Tadeas Nahuel Duarte.” We repeated the bows. This went on for each of the board members. Joyceline Shinar and Muraco Philyra, descendants of Selene, and Zoran Maruti and Li-Mei Xing, descendants of Eos, all nodded at our bows and smiled. I then led us both back to the center and we stood once again before the whole group.
Gregory spoke again, “Thank you for your formal presentation. I would like to personally welcome you Mr. Duarte, and give you fair warning, Miss Davenport is the light of my life, tread lightly, Son.” I nodded and bowed again. Abby squeezed my hand.
“Before you are allowed into the inner circle, you must complete a rite of passage.”
I gulped, and she smiled. “Unless he changes something, it’s not a big deal.”
“You must prove yourself a worthy partner not only for my granddaughter, but for the agency itself. Are you up to the task?”
I spoke as clearly and strong as I could, “I am up to the task, sir.”
“Very well. Plea
se clear the floor.” The dance floor opened up behind us as people moved to the edges of the room. “If you can fight, you can dance. If you can dance, then you are worthy. Please show us your worth.”
I took a deep breath, and tried to remember the lessons I took forty years ago. One of my martial arts instructors said learning to dance would help my finesse and grace in my movements. That class was the extent of my dancing. I stepped slightly away from Abby and put my hand up. She took it, and we walked to the middle of the floor.
“I can use a spell, if you want, decide now.”
“You have a dance spell.”
“I have a spell for everything.” I laughed out loud. I’m sure I looked crazy, but she giggled, too.
“No, I’ve got this.” I stepped away from her again and bowed to her. She curtsied low to me and held it. I put my left arm behind my back and walked toward her. I offered her my right hand, as she took it, the orchestra started. She raised to her feet, and I placed her right hand on my forearm and wrapped my right hand around her waist. She grinned at me. I thought she enjoyed it too much. She said that it was show time. I made a show. We joined left hands, and I pressed my right hand into her back and gently forced her body to mine. Yes, I remembered how to do this. I lead a simple waltz. As we started to circle the room, there was a little applause in approval of our start.
“You do know how to dance.”
I leaned close to her ear, “Yes, I do.” She laughed as we turned around the floor. I didn’t even think. I spent six months in that dance class for this moment. And as if no one else was in the room, I focused on her. I could physically feel the bond between us. I started to remember the last few days. I remembered in class as I watched her. I remembered struggling with how to confront her. The thought of her helpless on the streets plagued me. Coming to know that she was a formidable wielder, turned out to be a relief more than anything.
“Hey where you at?”
“I’m dancing with the most beautiful woman in the room.”
“Since when do you become such a flirt?”
“Since you kissed me,” I said.
She laughed. “That’s not how I remember it.”
I pulled her close and said, “I could remind you.” Her eyes widened with surprise at my answer. The heart skipped again. I planted a foot and spun her away from and back to me, and then continued the normal steps to the waltz. The crowd clapped.
“You have got to be kidding me,” she said.
“Nope,” and I planted and spun her again. I was having a blast.
“Ok enough, Mr. Astaire, I had two glasses of champagne before this rite of passage,” she scolded.
“No, I’ve got to make a good show of it.” I turned her around and we took several steps in an open position. She just shook her head. “Now just shut up, and finish this.” I felt the tingle run down her arm. I took my eyes off her. I had commanded her, and my steps waivered with the command. She took the hand on my shoulder and moved my face until I met her eyes again.
“As you wish.” And we continued to dance until the music ended. We stood there locked together, face to face and the crowd roared. “Well done. Don’t get used to this.”
“You know how to ruin a moment.” We bowed again to each other, and turned to bow to the stage. All seven were standing and clapping. I could hear Ashley and the team back there whooping and whistling. Once the crowd ceased, Gregory spoke again.
“Well done, Mr. Duarte. You have passed, and are welcomed into the inner circle.”
I placed my right hand on my heart and bowed to him in thanks. He could have tortured me, but he did not. I have to assume that he didn’t because he would not torture Abigail.
The music started again and the crowd filled the dance floor. We moved back to the table with the team. Ashley squealed and hugged Abby, “Oh my god, I had no idea he knew how to waltz. That was fantastic, Tadeas.”
“Thanks,” I said.
“He surprises me every day,” Abby said. We all sat and talked. As the night went on the music became more and more modern. I enjoyed every moment. After a couple of hours, I got up, and she looked at me. I offered her my hand and she took it. I pulled her away to a quieter corner.
“How long does the deal last?”
“Until dawn, when the night ends. If you want me to wash your clothes or clean your apartment, now’s the time to get that order in before it becomes daylight,” she said.
“No, don’t be silly. I just didn’t know. We’ve had a good night, and I didn’t know if the deal pushes all the other stuff out of the way or if, I don’t know how to explain it.”
“You want to know if I’m still going to be mad at you in the morning?”
“Yes.”
“No. I won’t be. I can’t stay mad at you. It does me no good. And that’s not the deal talking. It’s just me. Thank you for deciding to come tonight. Even if grandfather threatened you.”
“He didn’t. Ashley convinced me to come.” She looked over to Ashley all snuggled up next to Ichiro. I had the feeling all of them were about done with the party. Jeremy had long gone off with a pretty redhead.
“She’s a good friend,” she said.
About that time the man she pointed out as Lukas Castille approached us. I had watched him on and off during the night. This was the first moment I saw him without a woman hanging on his arm.
“Good evening,” he greeted us both and looked at Abby.
“Tadeas Duarte, this is Lukas Castille, regent of the United States West Coast and Pacific Islands.”
“Nice to finally meet you, Duarte. I’ve heard a lot of great things about you. It’s about time Abby got back to work,” he said in a jovial manner. He seemed pleasant enough. I felt Abby wrap her arm into mine.
“Nice to meet you as well. Hopefully we are making moves to make the crews and the whole agency more modern and effective,” I responded.
“Very nice dance earlier, too,” he said.
“I had a beautiful partner,” I said and looked at her.
“You did, indeed. I wondered if I might have a word with her in private. If you don’t mind, I am well aware of your mark on her. I promise that I will not compromise that bond in any way, on my honor.” I looked back to her.
“It’s up to her, Mr. Castille.”
He looked to her and pleaded, “Abby, please give me a moment. That’s all I ask.”
“Excuse me for just a moment, Tadeas,” she said. She looked pained. I did not like this at all. I watched her walk to the other side of the room with him. I kept my eyes on them both. I didn’t know if it was the bond, or just my instincts. I did not want her anywhere near Lukas Castille.
“One word and I’m there,” I heard him say in my head. I could tell he didn’t like me walking off with Lukas. I didn’t want to talk to him either, but I felt obligated. My history with Lukas was long and sordid. We had ended badly.
“Alright. It’s fine, though. He’s got to get his annual word in edgewise.” I assured him. I looked back across the room, and he never took his eyes off us. I suppose the deal had a lot to do with his behavior tonight. It was fun. I was afraid it would all end by dawn, though. That’s how these things work. The bond was supernatural. It’s magical, and when you participated in one like this it could cause you to act differently.
“When you are done speaking to him across the room let me know,” Lukas said flatly.
“What do you want, Lukas?”
“Forgive me if I am concerned with this new partner. I’ve never seen you marked other than Theodoard’s claim on you. Lincoln never marked you, neither did I. I never thought you would ever allow yourself to be in such a deal, therefore I have to assume that he forced you into it. I want you to stay in sight until dawn, and then I’ll get you out of here,” Lukas, the white knight said.
“You have lost your mind, Lukas Castille,” I said. “I went into this willingly. We are not together.”
“You could have fooled me. You are all ov
er him,” he said.
“I am not. How can you see anything with five different women hanging on you?”
“Abby, you know all of that is a show. Just like your little dance with him. It was a show. The crowd clapped and hooray, Abby is back to save us all,” I unleashed my hand and struck him across the cheek.
“Get away from me,” I said through gritted teeth. In an instant, Tadeas pulled me away from him. I struggled a little. I knew Tadeas didn’t want to order me in front of Lukas.
“Hey, Duarte,” Lukas called after us, “you take care of her, or you will hear from me.”
“Get in line,” Tadeas said. I choked back a laugh. He continued to take me out the doors into the hallway.
“He’s an ass,” I said.
“You still love him?” Tadeas asked.
“No. I don’t. It was a long time ago. I mean, I believe that if you truly love someone that no matter how life goes and if you split up, a piece of that love always stays with you. However, that thing in there is an incubus, not my Lukas Castille. It’s complicated. There is love there, but not for that,” I said pointing my finger back in the room.
“Will you tell me the story sometime?” he asked.
“It’s not a good story,” I said.
He brushed a piece of hair out of my face, “I want to hear all your stories. Good and bad.”
“I’m tired. I’m going to break the communication spell. I think we are out of danger,” she said and muttered, “Adimo.”
Ashley and Ichiro came through the doors.
“I think we are both done for the evening,” Ichiro said. Ashley looked exhausted.
“You take care of her Ichiro,” I said to him.
“I will. I promise,” he said and let her lean on him as them went to the elevator.
“You ready to go?” Tadeas asked me.
“Yes, but I need to say goodnight to grandfather. Did you want to speak to Meredith?” I asked.
“Absolutely not,” he said. That answer pleased me greatly. More and more I felt like she was not who she claimed to be. She had been in the agency for years, but something seemed very off with Miss Meredith Spence. Seeing her here tonight on the arm of one of the Six confirmed it in my mind.
