by Lora Edwards
Ovidia and Delphine walked to the center of the practice room and Ovidia called out, “Old west saloon.” The room shimmered all around them. Delphine blinked and she was in an old wooden building. A catchy tune was being played on a piano in the corner with men sitting at low round tables, drinks at their elbows, cards in their hands, and cigars clamped between their teeth. Scantily clad women bounced on the knees of some of the gentleman, giggling, their corsets and short satin skirts scandalizing Delphine.
Looking down at her own outfit, she saw she no longer wore her navy blue workout gear but an outfit rather similar to those of the ladies passing out drinks and sitting in laps.
“Ovidia, what is this,” Delphine asked, her eyes round with shock.
“When in Rome, fish girl,” she said before they heard a slow Texan drawl behind them.
“Well, well, I haven’t seen you ladies around these parts before. You come in on the noon stagecoach?”
Delphine and Ovidia turned around to see a man standing in front of them. He was well muscled, dressed in tan pants and a chambray shirt. A black Stetson was pulled low over one eye, and a gun belt was slung across his hips. His lecherous stare gave away his intentions.
“We are ladies, sir, not one of the soiled doves of this tavern,” Ovidia said disdainfully, looking the man up and down.
“Could have fooled me missy.” He slowly let his gaze travel slowly over Ovidia then Delphine. “I am thinking you come into the local saloon dressed like a dance hall girl then you are asking for what’s coming for ya,” he said, grinning at them, his teeth yellowed from tobacco.
“This is all quite realistic,” Delphine whispered to Ovidia.
“That’s the point,” Ovidia whispered back before grinning at the gunslinger. “Neither of us is that type of girl, but I am willing to show you what type we are,” she said as she bared her teeth, making an aggressive move toward him. He instinctively reached for the gun at his side. Ovidia kicked out with her left foot, sending his weapon skittering across the dirty wooden floor. The gunslinger howled in rage, cradling his fingers, which were bent at strange angles.
Delphine felt someone grab her around the waist. Turning her head, she could see another gunslinger very much like the one Ovidia had just disarmed. “Round here, we like our women with a bit of spirit,” he whispered in her ear. His offensive breath stank of whiskey and tobacco, and she found herself grinning at the imaginative talent of the mage.
In the past few weeks, Ovidia had been training her in hand-to-hand combat, and Delphine took to the fighting form like a Siren to water. She jabbed him in the stomach, causing him to curse and break his hold. She whirled and kicked out hard. The man flew into a nearby table, crashing down on top of it, the table splintering under his weight as cards, money, and glasses flew into the air, scattering all over the floor.
The sound of women screaming echoed in Delphine’s ears as the cowboys sitting at the table joined the fight. As if someone had rung the start bell, everyone joined in, and within minutes, a good old-fashioned bar brawl ensued.
Ovidia and Delphine stood triumphant, a heap of gunslingers at their feet. The other patrons had either run out the door or were huddled in the corner. Ovidia looked out over the saloon, a satisfied smile on her face as she called out, “End simulation.” She turned to Delphine, her eyes bright with the light of the berserker, and gave her a feral grin. “Now that was fun, fish girl,” Ovidia said, slinging her arm around Delphine’s neck as they walked out of the practice room. “You did good, held your own. Your training is starting to pay off.”
“I did enjoy our practice session, and what a simulation. It was hard to not laugh at the swagger of that gunslinger. His accent was fabulous.” Delphine giggled as she took the water Ovidia offered her.
She enjoyed their training sessions. Like Ovidia, people looked at her beauty and underestimated her. They saw a beautiful curvy woman with long hair the color of the sea, along with a face and figure that belonged on a cover model. They did not remember that Sirens were warriors in their own right, using their voices and their charms to lure ships in for centuries to protect what was theirs. Delphine had found the inner warrior in herself since coming to the institute. She was proud of her fighting skills, confident that when she went out on a mission, she wouldn’t be a liability but an equal partner to her corresponding institute operative.
“All right fish girl, let’s have a shower and meet in the hallway in, say, an hour,” Ovidia said, a grin spreading across her face.
“Sounds good. What are we going to be learning about,” Delphine asked.
“We are going to teach you the fine art of shopping.” Ovidia pointed to the door. “You go get cleaned up and I will meet you in the hall. Wear comfortable shoes—there will be a lot of walking.”
Delphine nodded quickly, heading for her own apartment. It would be a fun afternoon with a friend. She would get to see more of London and add to her wardrobe.
“Ovidia, seriously, I am not even sure how we accumulated all of these things,” Delphine said as she sat in the booth of a trendy bistro, sipping the sparkling lemon water she had taken a liking to since coming to London. The past few hours were a whirlwind she could hardly remember. It was all a blur of colors and fabric, smiling people and the swish of her new credit card through a machine. She looked at the bags piled up beside her. There were even more in the car they had taken from the institute. She had bought so many things she didn’t even remember what they were. She had bought two bags of underthings at a store named La Perla; Ovidia had insisted on only the best. She had bought shoes, bags, work clothes, casual wear, workout clothes, and jewelry—so many things.
She had finally begged Ovidia for a lunch stop and had pounced on the server as soon as she stopped at their table, ordering the sea bass and a salad. She felt as if she could eat an entire school of fish.
“Have you heard a word I’ve said?” Ovidia reprimanded, calling her back from her thoughts.
“I’m sorry, I’m just trying to recover from the past few hours. I don’t even think I will be able to wear all the things we bought in a year,” Delphine said.
Ovidia rolled her eyes. “Of course you’ll be able to. There is always some function or another that we are being dragged to at the institute, so those more formal choices will suit you well. As for the rest, a girl can never have too many pairs of shoes.” Ovidia sipped from her own glass of sparkling water.
Their entrees soon came and Delphine fell on hers like a rabid shark. Ovidia smiled, amused as she ate her own meal at a more sedate pace.
As lunch wrapped up, Delphine was more than ready to go back home and sort through her purchases, take stock of what she had actually bought.
“Okay, you ready for round two?” Ovidia asked, smiling mischievously.
“Round two,” Delphine said faintly.
“You didn’t think we were already done did you?”
Delphine just looked shocked as Ovidia paid the tab then dragged her out of the booth and back out onto the busy London street.
Her feet hurt, she couldn’t think, and she believed she may have seen every shop in London, but she had to admit the end was worth it. She had a fabulous new wardrobe and she was now being pampered. At the end of their shopping extravaganza, Ovidia had booked them in at her favorite day spa for the works. Delphine relaxed while a pleasant young woman massaged her head as she washed her hair with soap that smelled of roses, followed by a warm conditioning treatment. Next she moved on to a massage complete with fragrant oils. She and Ovidia sat side by side at their last stop as they enjoyed a manicure and pedicure.
Delphine looked down at her toes, which were painted a bright pink. She wondered if the polish would hold after the change. No matter; it was pretty for now. The cosmetologist at the spa had helped her choose a few new cosmetics to enhance her natural good looks, and she’d found some lovely new scents along with a lush shampoo for her hair. She reveled in the new smells and found there was something satisfying
in using the paints, powders, and brushes.
“Fish girl, you have always been gorgeous, but now you look just—wow,” Ovidia said from beside her as they relaxed in deep cushioned chairs in the spa’s sumptuous lounge.
“Right back at you. You are going to knock Erik’s socks off.” Delphine looked over at her friend. Ovidia had chosen a bright lethal red for her manicure and pedicure, and the color suited her icy blonde coloring.
“What about Flynn? His jaw is bound to drop to the floor when he gets a look at you.” Ovidia studied Delphine out of the corner of her eye.
“Flynn? There is nothing there, Ovidia. He’s just a friend.”
“Whatever you say. I have seen how you two look at each other when you think no one is looking.”
Delphine sat up in her chair and turned to stare at Ovidia. “What is that supposed to mean? Look at each other how?”
“Like you want to gobble each other up.”
Delphine leaned back with a huff, crossing her arms over her chest. “I have never looked at someone as if I wanted to gobble them up,” she grumbled under her breath.
Ovidia let the conversation drop. From the look on Delphine’s face and the irritated way she’d responded to the question, there would be fireworks from that corner yet.
“What do you say we give Teag a call and wrap this day up with some great Italian food,” Ovidia asked, looking over at Delphine.
“That is a fantastic idea.” Delphine relaxed back into her chair and closed her eyes for a moment, taking a drink of the champagne and listening to the low sound of flutes and violins the spa had playing in the background. She let herself drift off, the hum of Ovidia’s voice and her laughter as she talked to Teagan making her smile.
“Okay, she’s in. Let’s go back to our apartments to drop off our purchases, and we can swing by Teagan’s to pick her up.” Ovidia quickly gathered her things and walked toward the exit.
Delphine picked up the bags of goodies she had bought at the spa. Not only was she going to look great, she was going to smell great as well. Finishing off the last of her glass of champagne, she followed Ovidia out of the salon and into the waiting car.
Chapter 7
“You two look amazing. I can’t possibly go out with you—look at me,” Teagan said when she answered the door, smiling at Ovidia and Delphine. She stood to the side, inviting her two friends into her home.
Delphine looked Teagan over with a critical eye. Her friend was looking much better than she had at the dinner party. Teagan practically glowed; her skin was dewy and fresh looking, the dark circles under her eyes had disappeared, and she looked happy.
“I think it is us that should be jealous, Teag—you are positively glowing. Married life seems to agree with you,” Ovidia pointed out, echoing Delphine’s thoughts.
“Let me get my purse then we can go—oh, and Delphine, I have a little gift for you. I know Ovidia dragged you to every place in London today, but I have something special for you that can’t be bought in any London shops,” Teagan said, turning back toward her study before Delphine could utter a word.
She came back with her purse in one hand and a small paper bag with handles in the other. “I spotted these while I was shopping and thought of you. A girl needs to have a few pair, despite what Vid thinks.”
Peeking inside, Delphine pulled out two rolls of fabric. As she did, they unwound and appeared to be tights or some kind of pants. In the bottom of the bag was another large piece of fabric.
“Oh Teag, you didn’t—butter-soft leggings and a hoodie?” Ovidia groaned, looking at the garments in Delphine’s hand.
“Teagan, this is so kind of you. This fabric feels fantastic, but I think they are a bit small?” Delphine frowned at Teagan’s laughter.
“Delphine, they are leggings—they’ll stretch when you put them on, and they are the most comfortable things in the world. I thought you could wear them while you are relaxing at home,” Teagan said as she watched Delphine rub the soft fabric against her cheek.
“I love the little mermaids in the pattern, how clever,” Delphine exclaimed before hugging Teagan. “Thank you, I just love them. They will be welcome additions to my wardrobe, no matter what Ovidia thinks.”
“Ovidia thinks it is time for drinks and Italian food. If you ladies are done mooning over those ridiculous leggings, can we go eat?” Ovidia gestured toward the door.
“All right Vid, let’s go.” Teagan giggled. They stopped at Delphine’s apartment for her to drop off the gift then the three friends walked arm in arm down the hallway, chattering and laughing as they made their way out to a waiting car.
“I could eat this whole menu—how am I supposed to decide?” Teagan groaned as she looked over the options at their favorite Italian restaurant.
“The old standby not doing it for you today,” Ovidia asked, eyeing her strangely.
“The ravioli looks good, it’s just that I am so hungry and everything looks so good.” Teagan looked up at her friends, noting the surprised looks they were giving her. “My increased appetite must be a result of being ill. Now that I am feeling better, everything sounds good.” She smiled and changed the subject before they started to question her. “How are things with you, Delphine? Are you still settling in okay?”
“Yes, I love it at the institute. I have this feeling of homecoming that I have never experienced before. I just wish we could figure out where the society is hiding so we can end this threat.”
“I agree. You would think a group of humans wouldn’t be able to hide from us given all the resources at our command,” Teagan murmured, her head still stuck in the menu.
“Maybe that is part of the problem—maybe we are overlooking the simple answers because we are too busy looking at the complex ones,” Ovidia said.
“What is that supposed to mean,” Delphine asked, setting down her menu. She had decided on the seafood linguine—it looked divine.
“I am just saying we are scouring the countryside of England in 1718 along with all the neighboring countries using all the talents the institute has to offer and we still can’t find them. Maybe they are hiding in plain sight. We are probably staring right at them but are too obtuse to notice,” Ovidia said as she laid her menu aside.
“That is a very real possibility. Are you going to talk with Armand about going back and helping with the search,” Teagan asked, finally putting the menu down. She would order the Italian sampler, getting a bit of everything. If her friends commented on her increased appetite again, she would just shrug it off. Teagan placed a hand over her flat belly and imagined the lives growing there. She would have to tell Vid and her other close friends soon, she just wanted to be sure everything was going to turn out okay. Interspecies pregnancies could sometimes be perilous, and she couldn’t bear the looks of pity she would get if others knew of the babies and she lost them. If it was just Bran and her grandfather then they could grieve in peace. She hadn’t even told her parents yet.
“Earth to Teag,” Ovidia said sharply, bringing her back to the present.
“Sorry. You know me, Vid—sometimes I get lost in my own thoughts.”
Ovidia narrowed her eyes at her friend. She was hiding something, Teagan had admitted as much when she told her she had a secret; Ovidia could sense the wall Tegan had built around her mind in the past few days, making it hard to even get a sense of her real mood. She would give her friend a bit longer to have her privacy and then she would pry whatever was going on out of her.
“What were we talking about,” Teagan asked.
“The society. Ovidia seems to believe they are right under our noses and we are overlooking them.” Delphine smiled gently. She, too, was aware of the block Teagan had around herself, although unlike Ovidia, Delphine was perfectly okay with Teagan having her privacy. Whatever she was keeping to herself, she would tell them when she was ready.
The black-clad server came over to take their orders. Ovidia’s eyebrows rose when Teagan ordered sparkling water inste
ad of her usual wine, but Teagan demurred, saying she was taking some medication and did not want to drink at the same time.
“If you think the society is right under our noses, why haven’t you gone to Armand and asked to go back to look for them,”Teagan asked.
“First, you already asked me that and I answered, but you were lost in your own thoughts, so I will tell you again. I did ask him and he told me this part of the investigation is being handled by the local institute. He said I just need to be patient and let them do their work, said there would be a time and a place for our help.” Ovidia huffed into her wine glass.
“That’s strange. I wonder why Armand doesn’t want Ovidia and Erik to go there to suss out where the society is…” Delphine murmured.
Teagan smiled behind her water glass but remained silent.
“What is the smile all about, Teag,” Ovidia asked crossly.
“Did you ever think maybe stealth isn’t one of your best qualities,” Teagan asked lightly.
“What do you mean? I am good at my job. I have completed several successful missions,” Ovidia said as she sat back in her chair, crossing her arms in displeasure.
“I’m not saying you are not a good operative, but subtlety is not your strongest suit. For example, how would you figure out where the society might be if you went back there?” Teagan looked at her friend pointedly.
“I would interrogate the villagers, go to the local taverns to see if I couldn’t scare up information from the dockworkers—someone has to be getting them supplies.” Ovidia sat forward to emphasize her point.
“If some of them are making a handsome living off of providing those supplies, what would happen if someone came sniffing around,” Teagan asked.
Ovidia opened her mouth only to close it. She re-crossed her arms, sending a glare Teagan’s direction.
“Do you think that may be why Armand sent a team that is a bit more subtle to work with the locals and why he is waiting for them to give us an exact location before he lets you go in there guns—or rather swords blazing?” Teagan asked with a raised eyebrow
