Kingdom of Mirrors and Roses

by A. W. Cross

  Naturally, I peeked at who was calling him. Carly. Ew.

  He smirked when he took the phone from me, and I realized that my distaste for his friend must have shown on my face. I focused on picking up all the objects on the floor that looked more like weapons than tools.

  I made my way over to Carson, trying to avoid slipping in the puddles of oil. “I don’t think he needs to know,” I whispered. Carson pinched his brow as he met my gaze, briefly darting a glance at Ben. “What if it’s bad?” I pointed to my chest.

  Carson narrowed his eyes as he thought about it, then nodded. He twisted his body away from Ben. “I don’t know that it would be a violation, however, there is no reason to risk it. When we’ve given our ten minutes, we leave,” he whispered back to me.

  I nodded and then dropped the tools into a drawer from the large rolling cart that Carson had turned upright.

  Ben let out a curse and threw a tool extra hard onto the bench near the far wall. Carson and I both spun to face him, searching for the new threat.

  “What is it?” Carson asked. His hand had come up under my elbow.

  Ben rolled his eyes as he worked on getting under control before he spoke. “I needed to take Pete’s medicine to him last night, but after Carly left, I wasn’t in the mood to face my family. I jumped online and played a game with him to see if he was really out or if it was just a ploy to get me over there. He said he was sure he had another day and I could wait. He kept me up late, playing several more rounds than we should have.” Ben ran his fingers through his hair and turned to the bench. He gripped the edge, and the muscles in his arms bulged.

  I snuck a glance at Carson. He watched, too, concern creasing his brow.

  “He does that when he wants to avoid the arguments.” Ben’s voice was lower, and the anger had been replaced by sorrow when he faced us again. “I guess he was out of medicine but didn’t want to tell me so I didn’t have to go over there while my dad was all riled up. Now I’ve made everything worse. Some of my dad’s guys are there waiting for me.”

  “Is that who was here?” I asked. If they were, then how did Ben not know about the Otherworld? Those guys were definitely part of it.

  Ben snorted. “No, those guys were different, to say the least. My dad’s the leader of the MOD motorcycle club.” He stared at me as if I should know what that meant.

  I leaned into my heels as I thought about that. A club didn’t sound so bad, but the tone that he used said otherwise. “I don’t understand why that’s a bad thing.”

  “It means a criminal gang,” Carson answered.

  Oh. My father had just spent a night in jail for dealing with similar elements, too.

  “It’s nothing like your father’s situation,” Carson said as he must have read my expression.

  When I met Ben’s gaze again, he had an arched brow. “No, of course not. I’m sure the criminals in your neighborhood are much more polite.”

  I snapped my eyes to the floor. A sick feeling churned in my stomach. What was the difference between Daddy’s clients and Ben’s dad?

  “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure it is different, actually. I grew up with these guys. They’re rougher than anyone you’d ever associate with, but they know me, so they’ll take it a little easier.”

  What did that mean? “What if I took the medicine?”

  “NO!” Carson yelled. I’d never heard him yell like that before, and it made me jump.

  It took a second to catch my breath as I stared at him. “I just mean they wouldn’t know me. I could drop off the medicine and say I worked for the pharmacy making a delivery.”

  Carson rolled his eyes. Ben turned his back, but I still heard the chuckle under his breath. “Miss Stella, pharmacies don’t deliver.”

  “They don’t?”

  “No. Only someone allowed to sign for the medication can pick it up.”

  “How did Carly have it yesterday then?” I cringed when I heard the derision in my voice.

  “She lives down the way from my family and picked it up from the house,” Ben answered.

  She’d taken it away from Pete? Who does that?

  “Well, maybe I just go over to say hi to your mom.” I rested a hand on my hip. “I drop off the meds, and none of the guys outside will think anything about it.”

  “No one would believe you know my mom . . .” Ben trailed off and sucked in a deep breath. “Besides, what would you drive? Neither your little restored classic nor the nice Jag you showed up in this morning will fit in with where you’d be going.”

  “Is there a different car then? Something they wouldn’t recognize?”

  “It’s kind of you, Stella, but it won’t work. Besides, look at you. How would you make a good impression on my mom with all that oil and dirt on your clothes?” He had a smile on his face, and I suspected he was joking, but I was a mess.

  Then I had an idea. “There is a barn on the property. I saw it last night when—” I stopped myself. I’d seen the barn when I’d been running in my beast form. “When I went on my run. Do we have a truck?” I figured a truck would make more sense. Ben drove one.

  Carson tightened his lips, and I grinned. I spun to Ben. He had a pinched expression, too.

  Geesh. They needed to relax. “I can change and go over. No one will know who I am. It’ll work.” I smiled at both of the silent men in turn.

  “What kind of truck is it?” Ben asked. I shrugged and looked to Carson for an answer.

  “F250. We used to have horses when Stella’s father spent more time there.”

  “Leather seats, built in GPS, that sort of thing?”

  What was Ben getting at? He drove a truck, so why would he care if we had one?

  Carson nodded with a tight grin. I darted a look between them.

  “What’s wrong with that?”

  “It’s a nice offer, Stella, but it’s not going to work.”

  “Why?”

  “Because everything you own is too nice. Even the way you’re dressed, grease and all, still says money. You can’t show up where I live and just bounce your way up to the door, expecting that no one will be suspicious.”

  “Then let me take your truck. I’m just doing you a favor while you work on my car.”

  They both went back to their brooding silence. I was proud of myself. I’d managed to make a plan and explain myself logically, or so it seemed to me.

  Picking up another handful of tools, I dropped them into an open drawer with a satisfied grin.

  “Come on. Let’s get this done so I can be on my way.”

  Ben’s brother needed his medicine, and I needed to do something nice for someone. This would be good for both of us.

  17

  Ben

  It was a stupid idea. The fact that Stella’s bodyguard—or whoever he was—would let her take Pete’s medicine to him baffled me. There was something else going on. I’d caught the look between them that suggested they had ulterior motives, but if it got Pete the meds, it was worth it. Maybe.

  “Do you know how to drive a stick?” I asked as Stella slid onto the bench seat. The sunlight caught the highlights in her hair. Damn, this girl was beautiful, but she was also spoiled and privileged. Yeah, I needed to keep telling myself that, especially since she was about to drive herself into a hornets’ nest to help Pete. She confused me.

  “My bug is a stick,” she said and rolled her eyes.

  There was the attitude. I smirked. “Reverse is the opposite here than you’re used to. Also, there are going to be few motorcycles parked around, and the space will be tight. Whatever you do, don’t hit any of them.”

  She rolled her eyes and stuck the keys in the ignition. “I’m a good driver, Ben.” She tried to close the door and force me to move, but I lingered for a moment. I reached down and cranked the window open, then shut the door.

  “Give the medicine to them and go. Don’t even go inside, understand?”

  The engine started as she huffed. “Move, so I can get this over wit
h.”

  Carson stepped closer to me, and I slid out of the way. Dude was way too protective. He was definitely a bodyguard, but I didn’t think Stella could see that.

  “Do what he said. Don’t go inside. Where’s your phone?”

  Stella’s eyes popped open as she searched around where she sat. “I left it in the car.”

  Carson shook his head and smirked, though he went to retrieve the phone without comment. Did she even realize what a princess she was? She took the phone Carson held out without a thank you. I guess she didn’t.

  “It will take five minutes to drive there, five minutes to deliver, and five more back. If you’re not back in fifteen, twenty accounting for traffic, we’re coming after you,” I said. She stared at me with a bored expression. Fine, it was better than some snarky commentary. I put my hands up and stepped back from the truck.

  Stella fiddled with the gearshift for a few moments before she realized it was up not down for reverse. I stared at the ground for a second, unable to hide my grin. If she actually managed to get that thing turned around without hitting any of the bikes when she left, I’d be impressed. I had a feeling I was going to have to give a lot of free repairs.

  When she’d gone, I turned to Carson. “I’m going to get online to let Pete know she’s coming. Do you want to come up and wait with me?”

  Dude looked like I’d asked him to eat garbage. “I’d like to keep track of her if that’s what you mean.”

  “Yeah, it’s this way.” I nodded to the stairs and strode for them. He hesitated and then followed. I’d finish cleaning up later. The front doors were still locked, not that I could work on anything if any customers showed up, anyway.

  I left the door open behind me and went straight over to the couch. Carson came in and had the same surprised expression Stella had made last night.

  “Hey, Pete, you ready for some fun this morning?” I asked when he joined me online.

  “What’s up?” I could hear how tired he sounded. Damn, I should have just taken the meds over and dealt with my dad. Now Pete and Stella were in danger. Why did I agree to let her go in my place again? My gut churned.

  “Who’s there this morning?”

  “More than usual. Is it because of our time last night?”

  Pete and I had learned how to use the game to communicate a long time ago. He was a smart kid. I hated how his epilepsy held him back, but it also kept our father from forcing him into the family business like he’d done to me. So, silver linings I guessed.

  “Yeah, is Iron there?”

  “No, he was, but then he left.”

  “Who’d he leave in charge, Buster or Johnny?”

  “Both.”

  Shit. This was worse than I thought. “Listen, there’s a girl about to show up with your meds. She’s supposed to drop them off and leave. Not even come inside.”

  “I’ll try to see if she’ll play a game.”

  “Is she there?”

  “Yep. Inside. Give me a minute.”

  Pete paused the game, and I stared at the frozen screen.

  “What’s happening? Did she make it already?” Carson asked over my shoulder.

  “Yeah, she’s there, but they made her go inside.”

  “I’m heading over there,” Carson said and stomped toward the door.

  I slid the headphones down around my neck. “If you do that, you’ll just prove to them that they need to keep her, if for no other reason than ransom. Let me see if I can talk to her and get her out of there before you make things worse.”

  The guy looked about ready to blow a gasket, but I couldn’t blame him.

  “I’m back, and I have a guest.” I heard Pete mumble something else while I waited.

  “Hello?”

  I sighed when I heard Stella’s voice, but then almost immediately felt sick that she was there. I disconnected the headphones and waved Carson over so he could hear. This wasn’t going to end well.

  18

  Stella

  The directions Ben gave me led me to the entrance of a trailer park. It was off a side street, and no cars were behind me as I idled for a couple of minutes. Indecision washed over me as I debated my plan.

  The street was short, and I could see to the end. Even if Ben hadn’t told me which one was his mother’s, I’d have known. The number of motorcycles and large, burly men with sleeveless vests gave it away.

  I steeled my resolve. Pete needed his medicine, and I needed a good deed.

  I worked the gearshift into first and drove slowly into the park. Single-wide mobile homes lined each side. Some appeared well cared for, and others did not. Ben’s mother’s was somewhere in between.

  Because of the bikes, I had to park in front of the neighbor’s. I saw in the rearview mirror that everyone had stood and were watching me. I’m sure they were confused and wondering who I was. I took a few cleansing breaths and opened the door.

  Hopping to the ground, I grabbed my cell and the clear bag Ben had shoved all the pill bottles into. I put a smile on my face, and strode for the door like I’d done it a million times.

  “Hello,” I said cheerfully as I passed the first two guys with very confused looks on their faces.

  As I maneuvered around another man with a large belly, he snaked out his hand to grab my arm. “Who are you?”

  “A friend of Ben’s.” We’d practiced before I left and decided that I needed to pretend that I was more than a customer of his.

  “Since when?” a different guy asked as he sauntered closer.

  I swallowed and hoped the quivers starting to climb through my body didn’t reach the hand on my arm.

  “Not long. We’ve gone on a couple dates, and he’s working on my car for me.” I tilted my head and gave a coy smile. It turned out the airhead part came more naturally to me than I’d like. I swallowed my disgust. I’d throw that up later while running around as a monster. “He said his brother needed these, so I offered to deliver them. That way he didn’t have to stop working. I need my car to get to work later.”

  I held up the bag, and the second guy who’d spoken ripped it from my hands.

  “Hey!” The hand on my arm tightened, and I snapped my mouth shut. Ben said this might happen, and I stood my ground. My phone was pulled from my back pocket, too, but I didn’t give them another reaction.

  “They’re Pete’s. I guess Ben got his back warmer to come instead.” I bristled at the term even though I didn’t know what it meant. I could guess it wasn’t good. The bag was shoved back into my hands, and my arm was freed. Without waiting, I hurried to the wooden steps that would take me to the front door.

  From behind, I heard the man who’d held me ask if they should go to the shop. The second man agreed, and I peeked over my shoulder as I knocked on the door.

  Four men climbed onto their bikes, and the door opened in front of me as all the engines fired up. It was impossible to speak over the noise, so I just smiled and shoved my way through the door.

  “You must be Pete,” I said, trying to keep the wobble out of my voice as I hurried to the sofa where the only child in the room sat. The man who’d opened the door watched me but said nothing.

  A woman who I guess was Ben’s mom leaned against a yellow counter in the kitchen, smoking a cigarette. She was thin with short brown hair and appeared much older than she should be.

  “I brought these for you,” I held out the bag.

  Pete gave me a wide smile. He had a set of headphones on with a game controller in his hands.

  “I’ll take that,” the woman said, coming closer. “He’ll need to take the right ones.” I turned and handed her the bag instead.

  “I’m Stella, a friend of Ben’s.”

  She snatched the bag from me and eyed the stains on my t-shirt. I had a couple scratches on my legs, and I could feel places where I’d have a few bruises, too. I stood my ground and didn’t waver as she assessed me.

  “Mm-hm.” She curled a corner of her lip and returned to the kitchen. G
rabbing a glass from a brown cupboard she started filling it with tap water. The house was definitely dilapidated. I turned to face Pete again.

  “Are you playing a game?”

  He nodded. “Wanna join? I have another set of headphones that Ben uses when he’s here.” Pete pointed to the coffee table, and I used the excuse to hurry to his side. I sat on the edge of the black vinyl sofa and adjusted the headset. Pete grabbed a controller for me and gave me a quick tutorial.

  “I’ve never played, so I’m not going to be very good, just so you know,” I said with a smile.

  “That’s the best way to increase my wins,” he said. He chuckled and spoke into the headset. “I’m back, and I have a guest.” Pete took the controller from me and helped me join in the game. “Say something to make sure we can hear you.”

  “Hello?” I had no idea what I was doing, and the stares and mumbles behind me were making me too nervous.

  “Hey, Prettygirl007,” Ben’s voice said into my ears.

  “What?” Confused, I glanced at Pete.

  “It’s the name my brother gave you for your avatar. He’s an observant kid, though he probably hasn’t had much time to talk to you yet.”

  “Is that right?” I quirked my mouth playfully at Pete and shook my head. “I have no idea what I’m doing.”

  “We’re going to pretend to play, and you’re going to have to try. Some of the guys standing around you do know how it works and will know if the game isn’t moving forward.”

  “Alright.”

  “Push these buttons with your thumbs and pull the triggers here. We’ll go easy on you at first to let you get the hang of it,” Pete explained. “Newbie on the line, so let’s give her a chance.”

  I wasn’t sure when Pete was speaking to me or those in the game.

  “It’s only the three of us playing. Who else is in the room, Pete?” Ben asked. Then I understood. The game was a cover, though I would have preferred to leave instead.

  “Just the usual. Hey, watch out over there. I think I heard something.”

  I tried to follow the movements on the screen.