Chaz met me outside in a light metallic blue Lotus Elise. He looked funny in the front seat of the convertible, almost appearing too big to fit. This vehicle was technically mine. I bought it, had it tagged and insured, with everything in my name and up to date,but rarely will you see me behind the wheel. I’ll take it to the mountains if Jeriel and I decide on a day-trip, but normally it’s more relaxing to just fly, especially when you feel the skin of your lover pressed against your scales.
“Narcavis says he needs you to work tomorrow night. He has to be on a flight to Chicago by 8,” He said, dumping the clutch and spinning both rear tires. The rear end of the car shifted to the right slightly, before it gained traction and sped out of the parking lot.
“Take it easy on the car, handle-head!’ I barked, hitting him on the arm as he shifted into second, chirping the tires again. I sighed loudly. “You. Are. Hopeless.”
“You have to blow the carbon out the motor or she’s gonna run like shit.” He commented, as he started behaving himself after reaching highway speed.
“You always say that,” I snapped, as thoughts filled my mind. “Where we headed off to, anyways?”
“Angel’s,” he said, as he reached down, touching the briefcase beside my leg. “They said they need to get some parts, and, well, money is helpful. Besides, it’s just down the road.”
“Then why have me ride with you?”
“Alec and I’ve been talking…” he said as we pulled into the freshly-tarred parking lot of Angel’s Auto Repair. He paused, pulling my phone from his pocket, then tossing it at me. “Call April.”
“Why?” I asked, confused.
“You forget. I saw how you reacted to her at the police station. Besides, we’re tired of smelling horny dragon. Take care of it. What about…?” As if the fates heard my thoughts, my phone rang, surprising the daylights out of me. I dropped the phone, which sent me scrambling to the floorboards to grab it. Chaz laughed loudly as I finally got it and answered it. It routed through the van’s radio as he walked towards the garage with the briefcase. Gotsta love modern tech.
“Jackie, you there?” I heard through the speakers and melted. It was my Jeriel!
“I’m here baby… why aren’t you home? I was just thinking of you…” I purred, a yearning filling my voice.
“I know. Things have been hell here at LMC…”
I interrupted. “I thought your class was in Myrtle Beach. What are you doing in Columbia and not playing in the surf?”
“Dr. Chie asked me to come up here and help. They had another COVID flare up that they wanted me to help with. They’ve been pulling in doctors from across the state. It’s that bad.”
“Shit, and the news had all but stopped talking about it too. I thought it had faded out.” I sighed, looking out the window a sec. “So any clue as to when you’ll be home?”
“First of next week at the earliest.” I really didn’t want to hear that. I had needs dammit! “Look, babe, I know you’re hungry. I can feel it gnawing at you from here. Get you some take out, and I’ll cook for you when I get home, kay?”
“Are you sure? What about your needs?”
“Look, my love. You go have some fun. I found this African-American entree that I’ll be sampling tonight. I’ll tell you all about her when I get home.”
“You better, my Sylvan Mistress.” Alec rolled his eyes at our typical banter.
“But of course, my Draconic Queen…” she replied. “Gotsta go.. love you…” and she hung up.
I sighed, handing my phone back to Chaz as he got back in the car. I do hate carrying a phone. I’d leave it at the bar if it wasn’t in Chaz’ or Alec’s pocket. I’m afraid I’d break it, and I do make it a point not to carry a purse.
“So… April in particular?” I asked, as he ended a call of his own.
“Tito will be coming by today, and we thought it would be a good opportunity to invite April over for a date.”
“But.. I hadn’t even mentioned her to anyone yet…” I said, defensive.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
“You didn’t have to. Alec’s noticed your pheromones flaring up every time you pulled out her card to look at it. So bad that even he could smell it.”
“Shit. I didn’t…” I watched the scenery pass by for a moment. “It shows that bad… damn.”
I felt myself relax into the seat, as some of the worry and concern melted away. I started patting my pockets, trying to remember where I put April's business card when Chaz, at a stop light, showed me my phone again..
“I thought this would happen, lizard-breath, “ he grumbled, dialing the number and handing it back. It started ringing through the speakers, and before I could wonder if I wanted the call to be private, April picked up.
“Madison,” she said, sounding like a cop. Well she was one.. but it was that typical greeting you always hear. Why would it be any different?
“April, it’s Jacqueline.” I gave my voice a softer tone, hoping that it would lessen things on her end.
“Oh… hello!” she replied, as you could hear the smile spread across her face. “How are you? I was wondering if you were ever going to call.”
“I am getting better by the minute,” I replied, adding a sultry tone to my words. “I am well. I know this is short notice, but are you free tonight?”
“I can be. What you need?” I heard a chair squeak in the background.
“Well, I’m trying out a new cook for the bar, and was wondering if you wanted to come over for dinner?” My voice was shaky. Why in the hell am I nervous? Hopefully April wouldn’t notice.
“Hell yeah,” she shot back, apparently without thinking, “Um.. what I meant was, I would love to. It beats leftovers and Netflix. What time?”
I looked over to Chaz, who was holding up an index finger, a thumb and an open hand. “How’s seven sound?”
“Dreamy. I hate to cut this short, but Chief just dropped off a stack of paperwork. I’ll see you at seven.” and a click ended the call
. “There, handle-head, happy now?” I said, glaring at him.
“At least Alec isn’t here can you picture that? Him singing ‘Jackie’s gonna get lucky… Jackie’s gonna get lucky…’ Actually that does sound comical.”
“Yeah,” I said, looking out the window. “Ya know, for someone who just celebrated their fourteen-hundredth birthday, Alec can be so childish… “
Before I could follow up, my phone rang again. Chaz shrugged. “Hello?” I said.
“Madrecita? It’s me, Emily. Alec isn’t here and there’s someone here asking for you.”
“Do you recognize them?” I asked.
“Of course, it’s the man who runs our church, Padre’ Jerome!”
I ended the call, and drug Chaz to the car uttering one word… “Shit!”
~v~
Jerome was leaning against his black Lincoln as we pulled up. He almost looked ridiculous. He was wearing a light blue polo shirt with the loudest pair of multicolored plaid slacks I had ever seen.
“So how do you know the Padre’?” Emily asked, as Chaz and I got out of the car. She then whispered, “Is he non-human too?”
I nodded to her. “His family were taken by the Arabs from north Africa in the early 700s. One of their ships got caught in some weird currents and sunk just off the coast of what now is Brazil. Most of the adults were killed, but Jerome was just a little child. He was raised by the Mayans to be a Shaman. He grew up without having to kill anyone, but since he was of African descent, they wouldn’t let him take a wife. Now here’s where things get messed up. My mother was currently being worshiped as one of their patron deities, and she decreed that the outlander was to be a sacrifice to her. She and I fought over it. She was playing the typical goddess of war and I was and still is against us being worshiped like that. He was recruited by the Legion right after the battle… which pissed us both off… and I came up this way after that. She and I have only talked once since then. Jerome has kept up with the humans, but he has helped me out as much as they’ll let him.”
“Oh how I’ve missed your stories, Cihuacoatl…” Jerome said, smiling sheepishly.
“So… when’s tee time?” I joked, pointing to his pants. He stood straight and faced me, surprised at my comment. Emily was leaning on the car beside him, giggling.
“Um.. four. One of the Arch-Diocese is an avid golfer. I was instructed to show him mercy on the course,” he replied.
“Well I seriously doubt you’re here to discuss your short game, considering that you’re short already.” I spat. Dammit I need to get ready for my date!
“You’re correct.” He reached into his car through an opened window and retrieved a manila envelope, which he handed to me. “This is from Mr. Serra. He has been strongly advised to use a liaison when dealing with you.”
“What, the Vatican trying to keep him on a tight leash?” Alec asked, walking up..
“They’re afraid that your influence will corrupt one of their faithful. Ever the cautious ones…”
“That’s Roman bullshit, Jerome and I know you can smell it too,” I fired off.
He merely raised his hands in the air. “Don’t shoot the messenger…” he said, almost pleadingly.
“Oh I don’t shoot messengers,” I refuted. “They make too tasty a morsel to ruin with lead and gunpowder.”