chapter 4

    -Thursday-

[Madison]

    The day came and went in a tedious manner. The interviews were fine, but nothing I was really excited about. Getting a good job was difficult. I still had hope for the stagehand job, but would gladly take the teller position. Mr. Martin had been impressed and half in love with me since I met him and he revered me after the robbery.

    That night I got a text from Ford telling me to meet him after seven on Friday at a bar called The Hunting Ground. It sounded like a pick up bar that reveled in the tackiness of being a pick up bar. I rolled my eyes.

    He didn’t call me and I missed his voice. Could he be mad at me for getting in a fight with Moran? Maybe he was just excited and wanted to let me rest.

    I had only one interview on Friday. It was in the late morning. The local library was trying to hire for story time. This wasn’t one that relied on books. It was using the oral tradition. The person who did the job would have to have stories memorized and be able to act out bits of them and engage the kids. It was designed for kids who didn’t have the focus to sit and watch someone read to them.

    Before bed, I texted Ford, telling him I loved him and hoped he had a good day. He responded with the same and apologized for not calling, but he was exhausted from building the porch. I told him I couldn’t wait to see it and to sleep well.

*** 

            -Friday-

    Friday morning was uneventful. I brushed my hair into a high pony and picked khaki slacks, a light blue t-shirt, a thin white cotton cover, and semi-formal flats. I added a white gold necklace, bracelet, and earrings to finish the look. The day was supposed to be cooler than the previous two days so I was planning to walk and bus to the interview.

    When I arrived, I was directed to the librarian for children’s services. Her office was in the children’s book area, in a corner. I knocked on the woman’s door and entered when called in.

    The librarian, Miss Stone, looked like the type of prudish, straight-laced human that really went for my innocent, sweet girl appearance. I was glad I’d picked this outfit when I saw her look of appreciation as she sized me up.  

    My interview ended up taking over an hour because we kept getting sidetracked. Miss Stone asked me to give her a brief summary of a story I would be able to have prepared, if I were asked back for the functional interviews in the next week. I was happy to get this question. It meant she was considering it.

    I was basing my story on an old tale my mother had told me from before ogres had gone extinct. It had been one of my favorites as a child. I’d always wanted to save the ogre prince, so I made up Pixie Rose. Pixie Daffodil was based on Indie. Used to tell my Pixie Rose stories to the other kids in the superhuman ward at the hospital. They loved them.

    “The story I’ll be telling is the story of Pixie Rose and the Hag Dragon. Pixie Rose is a ground pixie and one of the greatest warriors of her people. She and her friend Pixie Daffodil, a sky pixie, are hired by the ogre kingdom to save the ogre prince from the hag dragon who intends to marry him and sit on the throne of the ogre kingdom. Their adventure is full of action, friendship, and thoughtful deduction.” I smiled.

    Sadly, the real ogre prince hadn’t been saved. The hag dragon poisoned him in the course of their mating. She bore an heir and did sit on the throne. It was one of the things that heralded the death of the ogres. In my story, Pixie Rose saved him and he married an ogre princess.

    “That sounds like it will be interesting. Why is the warrior female and saving a male character, though? It’s usually the other way around.” Miss Stone asked.

    “Some really cool warriors in ancient history were female. Not all princes are tough enough to save themselves. They might not know how to fight because they were raised to lead, not to engage. We mainly see princes saving princesses as proof of true love. This story has nothing to do with love aside from platonic love of friends. I don’t believe in romance in children’s stories.” I explained.

    Miss Stone nodded. “I like that.”

    “Love is something that should be respected and cherished. Not just a reverence for the physical acts, like kissing, but an honest treasuring of the cooperation and elevation of self that comes with real true love.” I grinned. I had spent enough time pretending to be a prudish human to know how to placate them.

    “Very insightful. Thank you for coming in today.” Miss Stone stood up and walked me to the door of her office. “We’ll be making contact with those selected before five on Monday.”

    “I appreciate your time and I hope to come tell one of my stories to the children. Have a great weekend.” I smiled.

    We shook hands and said goodbye. Miss Stone liked me. I could only hope it was more than the other people who’d come in to interview. I really wanted this call back. It didn’t pay great, but it would be a fun job.

*** 

    I enjoyed my walk after I got off the bus, and stopped at the produce stand near the house for apples. I liked to buy local and the stands around town were stocked by nearby farms. Apples were one of Serena’s favorite fruits and I like having a variety on hand. Maybe I’d make tarts when I got home. Serena loved them.

    I was looking at each fruit before adding it to my bag. I wanted to get a few of each type. I turned to move to the other side of the stand when I bumped into Patrick Devere. He was looking down at me with a brilliant smile.

    He was almost a foot taller than me with a swimmer’s build, brown hair and eyes, and a natural looking tan. His teeth were white and perfectly straight. Everything about him looked like a friendly neighbor, but I could feel something predatory behind his congenial expression. There was something ‘other’ in his scent, but I couldn’t place it because of how many other supernatural creatures were at the stand. I just wanted to get away.

    “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear anyone come up behind me.” I nodded and turned to go the other way, to find it blocked by a couple who were taking up the entire aisle by standing on either side and debating things loudly.

    “You’re Indie’s sister, right?” He said.

    I turned back to him. “Yes. I am. How can I help you?”

    “I knew your sister. What happened to her was a tragedy. How are you doing? You must be nervous living in her old place.” His smile turned a little more sinister.

    I didn’t like the threat that seemed to exist under his comment. I decided I would treat it as if this were a normal interaction with someone who knew my sister, until he revealed what he wanted. He had to want something.

    “I’m doing well. I have a few potential jobs in the works and two of them actually use my degree. Serena’s my roommate so I’m not worried about where I live. She’s a perfect shot and takes good care of her weapons.” I stated amiably.

    “That’s good. Too bad you don’t have superpowers like your sister.” He sighed.

    “Superpowers don’t make you any safer. If anything, Indie’s death showed they’re useless in some situations.” I said in a clipped tone.

    “You don’t seem to be happy to be talking to a friend of your sister’s.”

    “You weren’t friends with Indie. Her friends came to her funeral. I didn’t see you there. The ones who couldn’t make it sent condolence cards or flowers. I recognized all of the names as people I’d met before. You came up to me at a produce stand months after the fact and blocked me from my shopping without caring whether or not I was on a schedule.” I sneered.

    He’d pissed me off. Devere wasn’t a friend of Indie’s. He was our enemy. A pawn of the camps. An anti-supernatural supporter. And I wasn’t in the mood for some jackass to take up my time.

    “Do you know who I am?” He growled.

    “Did you check your identification? It would be in your wallet.” I scoffed.

    The couple had moved on and I turned to escape the obnoxious man. I paid for my apples while Devere followed me around sputtering and trying to get my attention. He continued to follow me as I headed home. His whining was making my anger spike. I stopped and turned.

    “What the hell do you want?” I snarled.

    “What did your sister tell you about me?” He asked.

    “I have no fucking clue who you are! If she had something worth saying, she probably said it. Until I know who you actually are, I can’t help you.” I insisted.

    I had to keep up the guise of not knowing who he was. I knew now, that he wasn’t the superhuman he pretended to be. Indie had taken a picture of him, without his mask on, in order to warn me and Serena to look out for him. Indie didn’t trust anyone who would work for the camps, neither would I.

    “Patrick Devere. What did she tell you?” Devere pressed.

    “I don’t recall her ever saying your name. Can I go home without the escort? My neighborhood isn’t safe for you and it becomes less safe for me with you following.” I groaned.

    “What did she tell you about Solar Flare?” He hissed.

    I raised an eyebrow at him. “That he works for the camps. And she refused to date him.”

    “Nothing else?”

    “What are you angling for here? I really have to go, I burn in the sun and I haven’t applied sunblock for a few hours.” I insisted.

    “Did she tell you the identity of Solar Flare?” He inquired.

    “Of course not! Do you honestly think Indie would do that? You must not have known her if you’d think that.” I cocked my head.

    “Someone sent me a note saying they know who I am and no one else would know. If Indie told you, then you’re the one risking my life and my family’s lives by giving out that information.” He snarled.

    “She never told me anything. You just did though…” I said slowly.

    I could see he was about to deny it, but thought and realized it was true. He pinched the bridge of his nose.

    “Did you tell anyone my identity?” He asked.

    “Since you told me here? No. Can I go home or do I need to call my friends on the police force? I won’t tell anyone what you said. I just want to go, please.” I pled.

    He waved me off and turned back to head to his car. I rushed home. This was not good. I needed to find out how he knew I knew his identity. I’d only told Ford.

 ***

    When I got home, I made extra certain the doors were locked before going upstairs. I secured the roof garden door as well and went to sit in my living room. Someone had fucked up. It was unsafe now. More than before. We might have to go into hiding. I couldn’t have someone who worked with the camps poking around.

    I pulled my phone out of my pocket and dialed Ford. While the line rang I stood again and started pacing. My nerves were on fire. I started stripping my clothes off so I could go natural. It would help calm me.

    “Hello?” Ford mumbled.

    “Did someone slip a letter to Patrick Devere? He followed me most of the way home and told me I was endangering his family if I’d told anyone. I told you on Sunday. The note had to have come to him either today or yesterday. What’s going on, Ford?” I asked in a panic.

    “I don’t know, baby. Are you okay?” He asked, suddenly alert and concerned.

    “He basically told me he’s Solar Flare, so he either has no idea about the official process or he wants to avoid it. Those are both dangerous.” I told him

    “I’ll go talk to Rao. I’ll call you back in a second.” He hung up.

    I set my phone down and started pulling out empty suitcases, duffle bags, and totes. I could go back home. We still owned the house in our hometown. No one there knew what we were. It was far enough he wouldn’t know where we were, but close enough I could get back when my goddess commanded it. I’d hate leaving Ford, but I had to think of more than just my happiness. I had to think of Serena and all supernaturals.