Kissing with Fangs

Chapter 19

The party had gone well. Angie spent most of the evening on Tory’s lap, and everyone had fun teasing her about her “get it yourself” attitude. Anthony and Claudia had just said good night to the last of the partygoers when the bell over the door tinkled again.

In walked Ruxandra.

Anthony’s back stiffened.

“What’s she doing here?” Claudia asked telepathically.

Kurt followed her in and said, “Hi, Claudia. I’m glad you’re still here. Ruxandra has something she wants to tell you.”

Anthony stepped in front of Claudia, almost as if it were reflex.

“It’s okay, Anthony. I’m not going to hurt her. Ever.”

Was that too much to hope for? Anthony caught Kurt’s eye and he nodded.

Moving to Claudia’s side, Anthony wrapped his arm around her shoulder protectively and noted a tremor. Apparently Claudia needed to be convinced as much as he did.

“Well, Ruxandra. Go ahead. Say what you came to say.”

Ruxandra reached for Kurt’s hand, as if she needed confidence. A definite change was taking place in her, and Anthony just prayed it would continue.

“I’m sorry, Claudia,” she said. “I know I did some terrible things to you, and I don’t expect you to forgive me, but that doesn’t change how sorry I am.”

After a long pause, Claudia finally said, “I can understand how hard it is to realize you’ve hurt someone and apologize, especially when you don’t think you’ll be forgiven. I’ve been in that position too.”

Ruxandra’s eyes rounded. “You have?”

“Yes. I may not have meant to hurt anyone, but I did. Apologizing is the right thing to do. You may or may not help the other person forgive you, but the important thing is that you do it. It’s the first step in eventually forgiving yourself.”

Ruxandra hung her head. “I don’t know if I’ll ever forgive myself for some of the things I’ve done…especially to you.”

Claudia stepped away from Anthony. The spot where she had been curled into him cooled, or perhaps the chill that invaded him was dread. She stepped forward and extended her arms. If Anthony hadn’t just taken a breath a few moments ago, he’d have gasped.

Ruxandra looked up, surprised. As soon as she realized she was getting a hug instead of the slap she deserved, she relaxed and opened her arms.

The two women held each other and Anthony thought he heard sniffling, but he couldn’t be sure. Kurt pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and handed it to Ruxandra.

Oh, my gods. I never thought I’d see the day.

Ruxandra was crying.

Anthony and Claudia had finally locked up and made their way upstairs to Claudia’s apartment. He placed his hands on her shoulders and smiled like he had some kind of pleasant surprise in store.

“Would you like me to spend the night? Or longer?”

Surprise didn’t quite cover the emotion that Claudia felt. Shock was more like it. “Seriously? You want to sleep here?”

“I’ve always wanted to stay the night with you, honey. I couldn’t before Sly gave me his temporary cure for the death sleep and photosensitivity. Now I can—if you want me to.”

She grinned. “Of course I want you to.” She’d often thought about how wonderful it would be to fall asleep all curled up in his arms. “I’d love that. But what did you mean when you said, ‘or longer’?”

He glanced at the floor and scuffed his shoe as if he were nervous. “I was wondering if you’d like us to live together.”

She threw her arms around his neck. Instead of answering him verbally, she just planted her lips on his and kissed him for all she was worth.

“I take it that’s a yes?”

“Yes. That’s most definitely a yes.”

Anthony swept her up in his arms and carried her to their bedroom. He set her on the end of the bed and unbuttoned her blouse as she unzipped his trousers. She had always wanted to pleasantly surprise him in the bedroom. Tonight would be the night.

He was just reaching for her bra when she grasped his erection and sucked it into her mouth. He leaned back and groaned. Claudia went to work giving him the best blow job she knew how. It must have been pretty good because he was moaning and gently cupping the back of her head, allowing her to do whatever she wanted to him.

She’d never much cared for the act, but with Anthony it was different. She wanted to do this. And it wasn’t just that she wanted to give him the kind of intense pleasure he always gave her. She loved the intimacy it created between them. She loved him.

“Oh, baby…that’s so good,” he whispered.

She had always wondered if she could possibly measure up to his former lovers. They’d never discussed it, but she had the feeling there had been more than Ruxandra. A lot more. Considering his long life, that wasn’t much of a stretch.

She hadn’t realized she was projecting her thought until he answered her telepathically.

“You don’t have any competition, sweetheart. Not in the present or the past. And there won’t be any in the future, either.”

Claudia felt a momentary urge to cry. She held it back in favor of the warm feelings flooding her. She wasn’t the emotional mess she had once been, but she could still be swamped by strong feelings…this time, feelings of unmitigated love.

She broke the suction just long enough to tell him she loved him out loud and to swirl her tongue around his girth a few times.

“I love you too, darling. So much,” he murmured.

Whether he called her “baby” or “honey” or “darling,” she felt the sincerity of his words. It was almost too much. She sucked him harder, longing to bring him the same joy she felt.

He pushed gently against her shoulders until he popped out of her mouth. “I’ll have nothing left if you finish me now.”

“That’s not true,” she said.

He laughed. “You know me well. But I want to give you what you need too.”

“Right now, all I need is you,” she said and reached for him again.

He stepped aside, scooped her up, and tossed her onto the middle of the bed. She gasped, then giggled as she bounced. He leaped onto the bed and braced himself on either side of her. Gently lowering his weight, he captured her lips and kissed her thoroughly.

Claudia wrapped her arms around his waist and stroked his back. He was still wearing his shirt and shoes, and his pants were around his ankles, but she could stroke his buttocks and give them a good squeeze.

He sat up just long enough to pull his shirt off over his head and kick off his shoes and slacks. Then he assisted her with her skirt and bra. She was still wearing her red lace panties, but they proved no barrier at all.

He stroked her mons over the panties, then slipped his finger beneath them. He found the little bud of sensitive flesh and rubbed. She arched her back and moaned. The intense sensations at her epicenter grew white hot. Before she knew it, she exploded in an earth-shattering orgasm. Her moans turned to screams of ecstasy, and her thighs vibrated wildly.

When he had taken her to her last aftershock, she felt completely boneless. She was glad she’d given him his blow job first, because she doubted herself capable of it now.

Anthony easily slipped off her panties and positioned himself between her legs. She was about to raise her knees so she could lift her buttocks and meet his thrusts, but instead, he hoisted her legs over his shoulders.

“Is this the proverbial legs-behind-the-ears position?” she joked.

“Oh, gods. I didn’t think of that.” He began to slip her legs off, but she clasped her ankles around his neck. “No. I want to try this,” she said.

“Are you sure?”

“God’s, yeah,” she said, teasing.

He grinned. “I think you’ll like it.”

He cradled her bottom and then entered her inch by delicious inch. They gazed into each other’s eyes the whole time. Claudia felt so complete. She always did when she and Anthony made love, but this…

He began his rhythm and she cooed her pleasure. Her eyes closed of their own volition and she used the darkness to simply feel. His thrusts and parries were slow and sensuous. She let him pick the pace and was glad of that. She’d never have guessed he liked it slow.

“I love you so much, Claudia,” he whispered.

Her name rolled off his lips, sounding like a caress. She didn’t want to do anything to break the spell, so she answered him telepathically.

I love you too.

She continued to concentrate on the glorious sensations of his intimate strokes. She felt a flutter from deep within. She’d never had an orgasm without direct contact to that little exposed bundle of nerves, but she’d heard that the clitoris was much larger on the inside of the body. That must have been what he was stroking.

Before she knew it, she climaxed in a way she never had before. Subtler, deeper, more… She abandoned thought and let the new sensation wash over her. As her inner muscles fluttered, Anthony stiffened and jerked a few times. She opened her eyes and watched his face as he climaxed. Eyes closed, he let his head fall back and his mouth opened. He let out a long breath and stilled.

Then he looked down at her and his smile warmed her heart. She felt tears brimming in her eyes. Would he know she was crying from happiness?

He must have. He slid out slowly and gently lowered her bottom to the bed. Then he lay beside her and gathered her in his arms. He wrapped himself around her as if sheltering her from the world and all its storms.

She let out a long sigh and enveloped him with her free arm. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“The gift of yourself.”

Anthony woke to the sound of female voices. One was definitely Claudia’s, but he couldn’t quite place the other one. It sounded familiar.

He knew he could lie there and eavesdrop, but that wouldn’t be right.

What time is it? He rolled toward the bedside table on which Claudia kept her old-fashioned alarm clock. She said she didn’t trust digital clocks because when the power went out, the alarm wouldn’t get her up. More reason to love her. She wouldn’t let him down by being late to work.

The battery-operated analog clock said 10:30, but was that a.m. or p.m.? Either he’d slept a few minutes or several hours. When had he last had any Vampire Vintage? Its effects were temporary, and judging by his total lack of bloodlust, he was still enjoying its neutralizing effect. It must be the same evening. Besides, Claudia would be at work if it were morning.

Anthony got out of bed and dressed quickly.

When he rounded the corner, he was surprised to see one of his former waitresses from when the place was a bar. Bliss. Of course, he knew Claudia and Bliss were friends, but he hadn’t seen her since the fire.

He cleared his throat to let the women know he was there. They glanced his way at the same time.

“Anthony. So nice to see you.” Bliss rose.

“You too,” he said. “You look well, Bliss.”

She grinned. “I couldn’t be any better if I tried.”

He didn’t hug his waitstaff while they worked for him, but this was Claudia’s friend and no longer his employee. He strode to her and extended his arms. She looked surprised but took the cue and hugged him.

“Wow. Claudia, you’ve really loosened him up.”

Anthony’s browns rose. What did she mean by that?

Claudia answered him telepathically. “She remembers you as reserved and serious.”

Ah, yes. Back when he was worried about Ruxandra’s jealousy, he’d kept all his female employees at arm’s length…if not farther. He hardly smiled then.

He suddenly realized what a difference Claudia had made in his life. And now that Ruxandra was truly remorseful for her former behavior, he might be able to relax even more. “How’s Drake?”

“Good. Although he’s being more careful on the job now that he chose to give up his immortality for me.”

“He did that?” Anthony didn’t mean to sound so shocked. He’d certainly do it, if it meant not having to survive without Claudia. “How?”

Bliss worried her lip, then whispered, “I’m not allowed to tell. I shouldn’t have said anything.” Then in her normal voice she said, “Damn it. I’m such a blurter.”

Anthony realized who had to be behind it. There was no other explanation. “Gaia did that for him?”

“Shhh…” Bliss glanced around the room furtively as if expecting the goddess to show up.

“Sorry,” Anthony said. “I know we’re not supposed to tell anyone who doesn’t know, but we already do.”

Bliss’s brows rose. “Both of you know?”

Claudia chuckled. “Yes. At first I was told she was Anthony’s business partner, which was weird because he’d never mentioned having one. Later on, she told me the truth.”

Bliss’s mouth hung open.

“Tell me more about what she did for Drake,” Anthony said. Perhaps there’s a way I can convince her to do the same for me.

“I wouldn’t want you to. Not without a lot of thought.”

I don’t have to think about it. I don’t want to live without you.

“And what if you go first? I don’t want to live without you, either.”

Bliss looked from one to the other. “Are you two having a telepathic conversation?”

Both Claudia and Anthony must have looked shocked, because Bliss laughed. “Yes, I know some paranormal couples can do that.”

“Can you and Drake?” Claudia asked.

“No. It’s not part of dragon DNA. I know werewolves and vampires can talk to their true mates that way. Congratulations, by the way!”

“So you know about me?” Anthony asked.

“Yes. Drake told me everything. Not right away. I think he was worried that I might go running to Claudia and tell her she was working in Paranormal Central.”

“Why didn’t you?”

Bliss chuckled. “The lady we spoke of a moment ago can be pretty darn persuasive.”

“Ah, yes. That’s very true.” Anthony would have smiled, had the trip to the Alps not been so threateningly cold. Without warm blood in his veins, he’d have frozen like a Popsicle in minutes.

Suddenly, Gaia appeared. “You didn’t think that just by talking in code, I wouldn’t know you were referring to me, did you?”

Bliss jumped. “I’m sorry, Goddess. It’s just that they…well, they already knew—”

“Oh, relax.” Gaia plopped down onto the sofa next to Claudia. “I have to talk to them anyway.”

Uh-oh. “About what?” Anthony asked.

“A job offer.”

Claudia’s brows knit. “But we already have jobs.”

Mother Nature waved away the thought. “It’s not for both of you—just you, dear.” She patted Claudia’s hand. “Besides, it won’t take you away from your work all that much.”

Bliss fidgeted as if she knew what was coming. “Uh, maybe I should go.”

Claudia glanced back and forth at her friend and Mother Nature. “Are you sure? I mean, maybe you could—”

Before Claudia could finish her sentence, Bliss disappeared.

“What just happened?”

“Relax. She’s fine. I just sent her back to her beautiful home. She’s busy fixing up a nursery, so she has plenty to do to keep her occupied for a while.”

“Oh. Okaaaay.”

“I know what you’re thinking.”

“You do?” Claudia asked, wide eyed.

“You were wondering if she’s pregnant.”

“No. She told me she was the minute she walked in the door.”

“Oh. Of course, she would.” Mother Nature rolled her eyes.

“So, this job offer…” Anthony reminded her.

Mother Nature nodded. “Yes. Let’s get back on track. Anthony, sit. This doesn’t involve you, so be quiet.”

He didn’t like being commanded like a dog, but the all-powerful one was not someone to argue with. He lowered himself onto the adjacent armchair.

Mother Nature focused on Claudia. “I need a few new muses.”

“Muses? Like Brandee?” Claudia asked.

Mother Nature crossed her arms. “You know about her too?”

“She rescued me. Please don’t be mad. I might not be here if not for her.”

Gaia let out a sigh. “Actually, that makes my job easier, so I’ll let it slide. Yes. Just like Brandee. Technology has created the need for a whole new set of muses. Brandee is familiar with photography, so I made her the muse of still and moving images. Whatever she did to rescue you must not have had anything to do with her area of expertise, because it wasn’t in her report.”

“No. There were no cameras involved.”

“Okay. I’ll ask her about it later. Back to the job offer…”

“First…” Claudia raised a finger. “Did I just get Brandee in trouble by telling you that she rescued me?”

“No. Not at all. I trust my muses to do what’s best for the greater good. She must have rescued you for a reason. Perhaps my offer has something to do with that.”

“Yes,” Anthony interjected. “The offer. What is it, and does Claudia have the right to refuse, if it’s not something she wants to do?”

“I’m getting to that, Mr. Antsy-Pants.”

Anthony thought he’d better not get on her nerves any more than he already had and leaned back in his chair.

“As I said, I need a few new muses. And yes, you have the right to refuse. Bliss did. I tried to talk her into it, offering all kinds of incentives, but what can I say? The woman can be ridiculously stubborn. I even grew a money tree in the middle of her living room.”

“Wow. What job did you offer her?” Claudia asked.

“Muse of electronic written communication. Email and such.”

“Jeez! I can understand not wanting that responsibility. I hope that’s not the job you’re offering me. I’m not very tech savvy.”

“No. I’m aware it’s not your area of expertise.” Mother Nature shrugged. “I’ll find someone for that eventually.”

Claudia was chewing her lip, and it was all Anthony could do to wait for Gaia to get to the point.

“I need a muse of middle management. I thought you’d be good at that.”

Claudia’s eyes widened. “Seriously? That’s almost as bad as muse of the Internet. Do you know how many frustrated, angry managers have dumbass bosses who have no idea what’s going on, and…”

Anthony cleared his throat.

“Oh!” She looked at him sheepishly. “Sorry, hon. I didn’t mean you.”

He smirked. “I didn’t think you did.”

“You’d be able to alleviate some of that frustration,” Mother Nature said.

Claudia’s brow wrinkled. “How?”

“Just whisper in their ears whatever will help. Like, ‘Hey, it’s a paycheck’ or ‘It’s almost Friday…’ You know. Whatever you told yourself to get through another boring day.”

Claudia winced. “I didn’t cope that well. Actually, I stayed because I was secretly in love with Anthony. I drank the frustration away after I got home each night.”

“Oh. Well, in that case, forget it. You’d suck at that,” Mother Nature said.

Claudia laughed. “I’m afraid so. The last thing I want to do is create more alcoholics.”

Gaia turned her gaze on Anthony. “You knew all this?”

“I only found out after the bar burned. I had no idea prior to that. I was busy trying to keep my own feelings under wraps.”

“But now you know. And you don’t have a problem with an alcoholic girlfriend?”

“I don’t think of her that way. She’s Claudia. Not a disease. Besides, she’s working hard to change. All I can do is admire and support her.”

Mother Nature nodded. “You’re a good man, Anthony. I’m glad I didn’t leave you on that mountaintop.”

“Gee, thanks.”

Gaia sat up straighter and glanced from one to the other. “So, what should I do with the two of you? You’ve been a huge pain in the ass.”

Claudia’s jaw dropped. “We have?”

“Well, your boyfriend has. He was the one who created a paranormal meeting place with humans in and all around it and gave me more gray hairs than I already had. I’m amazed it didn’t blow up in your faces…much.”

“I had a dream of creating a safe environment for those of us who wanted to put aside the old prejudices,” Anthony said. “I knew I couldn’t be the only one who wanted to achieve that, and you have to admit, it was successful.”

“There’s one success I’m aware of that your little band of misfits were responsible for.”

He was about to take exception to the word “misfits” when Mother Nature held up one palm.

“Save it.”

Claudia looked from one to the other. “I’m confused.”

Anthony sat on the arm of the sofa and laid a hand on her shoulder. “The lab in Cambridge. I didn’t want to worry you by telling you we raided the place.”

Claudia’s eyes rounded. “You what? When?”

“Last night and this morning. That’s when we rescued Tory. We also freed the other paranormals they had in their cages.”

“Is everyone all right?”

He smiled. “Everyone’s fine.” He regarded Mother Nature and said, “I should probably fill you in on the details.”

“That won’t be necessary. I had a chat with the wizard.”

“Kurt knows about you?”

“He does now. I arrived shortly after you left. He and his girlfriend were helping the researchers to refocus their energies and intellect on a whole new project.”

“The sex dolls.”

“Yes. Apparently Kurt and Ruxandra are helping in the lab until the plans are firmly cemented in place.”

“Sex dolls?” Claudia asked.

Gaia snickered. “You don’t mind your boyfriend financing their new venture, do you?”

“They had to discontinue their funding from the pharmaceutical company, but somebody has to pay them,” Anthony volunteered.

“No. That’s not a problem as long as I don’t have to be involved in it.”

“Neither of us do, honey,” he said. “I’m just providing the financing and getting progress reports. Kurt and Ruxandra will keep an eye on the lab and staff.”

“And eventually you’ll make millions,” Gaia said.

Claudia scratched her head. “But how did you explain the change to the pharmaceutical company?”

“Kurt took care of that,” Anthony said.

“With my help,” Mother Nature added. “He’s great when it comes to magic, but not so hot on getting from point A to point B and back in a snap. He had to alter paperwork in more than one place. That’s where I came in.”

“So he was busy. That’s why he didn’t make it to the party until after it was over.”

“Correct.”

“How about the memories?” Claudia asked. “Won’t the people at the company who provided the grant know something funny is going on?”

“Nope. I took care of that too,” Gaia said, proudly.

“You can do that?”

The goddess rolled her eyes. “Just who do you think you’re talking to?”

“Oh.”

Mother Nature rose and paced. “But I do owe you and your friends a debt of gratitude. And perhaps a reward.” Gaia stopped pacing and faced Claudia. “You’re not a mother, but I gave you a maternal instinct. Maybe you’ll understand this. When you have a child that’s ‘special’ in any way, you tend to be more aware of that child.”

“Okay. I guess so.”

“Well, I know so. My paranormals are my special children. Most of them began as regular human beings, but through no fault of their own wound up coping with some pretty extraordinary circumstances. Like a child who’s been in an accident.”

Anthony crossed his arms. “If we’re so special, why do you threaten to send us to places we couldn’t survive, like icy mountaintops or active volcanoes?”

“I gather you’ve talked to Nick Wolfensen.” When he didn’t respond, she sighed. “Oh, come on… All parents make threats they don’t keep.”

“Hmmm. It sure felt like you meant it.”

She planted her hands on her hips. “I probably did at the time. But you’re still here, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Quit complaining. So, now I have a dilemma.”

“What’s that?” Claudia asked.

“I’d like to reward your boyfriend for saving some of my special children, but he disobeyed me in the first place.”

Anthony’s brows shot up. “I did? I don’t recall that.”

Mother Nature snorted. “No. You wouldn’t. I sent Balog to tell you not to open your bar. He was incompetent and didn’t accomplish his task. Needless to say, he won’t be rewarded any time soon.”

Anthony rubbed his chin. “Oh, yes. I remember now. He said he was afraid it would be a bad influence on Adolf Junior.”

“Yes, then he arranged a couple of thugs to start a bar fight. None of that deterred you.”

“Had you come to me yourself and explained your objections, I’d have been disappointed, but I’d have listened,” Anthony said.

“And that’s why I don’t run around telling everybody what to do.”

“Huh?”

“I like to see how my children handle circumstances on their own. None of you will learn anything if I keep saving you from yourselves.”

Anthony followed her logic but was still a bit confused.

“I underestimated your determination. When you set your mind to something, you make it happen,” Gaia said.

“I think that’s a compliment.”

“Don’t get all puffed up. Want to see what I thought of your idea when I first heard of it?”

“See?” Anthony asked.

Gaia sighed. She drew a circle in the air and a picture—more like a 3-D movie—came into focus.

The goddess paced with her hands behind her back. She whirled on Mr. Balog and narrowed her eyes.

“You’re sure he’s a vampire and he’s opened a bar for all paranormals?”

“That’s the intel I’ve gathered.”

“Hmph. I cannot think of a stupider idea. Can you, Balog?”

“No, ma’am.”

She balled her fists. “What have I told you about calling me ‘ma’am’?”

He bowed and stepped back. “My apologies, Gaia, er, Goddess.”

“That’s right. Gaia or Goddess. I may be older than dirt, but you don’t have to rub it in my face by calling me ‘ma’am.’”

“I’m sorry.”

Gaia folded her arms. “Apology accepted. Now what are we going to do about this bar? Before the werewolves and vampires have a pissing contest in front of the humans.”

“Pissing contest? Do you really think they’d—”

“Gaaah! It’s an expression, you Romanian dimwit. Get with the lingo of your adopted land. Do you think I brought you over here for nothing?”

“Yes, Goddess. I mean, no, Goddess. I mean…”

She waved away his confusion. “The paranormal beings must never reveal their supernatural status to humans. That’s the only thing I demand of them.” She threw her hands in the air. “Are you sure you’ve made that abundantly clear down there?”

“Yes, Goddess.”

She sighed. “Fine. Try to talk that vampire out of his ridiculous plan.”

“Yes, ma—I mean, Goddess.”

She narrowed her eyes at him again and he stood stiffly, trying not to do anything to anger the powerful Gaia.

At last she seemed satisfied. “All right. You have your orders. Now get out of my office building.”

Turning from the now-dark and disappearing screen to Claudia and Anthony, Mother Nature said, “Think it over and tell me what—other than your freakin’ paranormal meeting place—is your fondest wish.”

Anthony vacated the arm of the chair and sat next to Claudia. Taking her hand and gazing into her eyes, he said, “I’d like to be human again. To live a normal human life with my beloved.”

Mother Nature smiled. “I thought you might say that. There are some important details you should be aware of first.”

“Like?”

“You’ll lose all your heightened senses.”

“A mixed blessing at best.”

“You’ll have faults. Just like any other human.”

“I have faults now.”

“You won’t be allowed to know the paranormal world exists—just like any other human. That means you might lose some friends.”

“Why? Can’t they just keep their paranormal identities a secret?”

Gaia laughed. “Yeah. Like they’ve been doing that perfectly. Look. If you become human and accidentally discover some of your friends are paranormal, you’d freak out just like you were learning of it for the first time.”

A stab of sadness overwhelmed him. He thought about losing dear friends without whom his dream would never have been realized. Friends like Nick and Tory and Kurt.

“I trust them to keep their identities a secret. All you need to do is ask them to treat us like any other humans.”

“Riiiiight. That might interfere with your closeness. Trusting friends with your secrets is part of friendship. Who would you say is your closest friend?”

“Other than Claudia? Kurt, probably.”

She laughed. “Do you remember the first day you met?”

“Of course.”

“Let me show your girlfriend what I mean.”

“Why?”

Mother Nature raised one eyebrow. “Why not?”

Anthony didn’t know what Gaia was up to, but there was nothing about that day that would upset Claudia. Eventually, he shrugged and said, “Go ahead.”

Gaia smiled. She drew a large circle in the air and a scene appeared in it, again kind of like a movie. Claudia sat up and paid attention.

All three of them watched and listened.

A knock on the front door of the brand-new bar surprised Anthony, and he whirled toward the sound. Instead of opening the door, he strolled to the bow window that looked out onto Charles Street. He could make out a casually dressed male, but it was no one he had met before.

“At least it’s not Ruxandra,” he muttered. He’d gone to a lot of trouble to give her the slip when he’d snuck out of New Orleans, masking his scent and leaving everything behind. He hoped she’d think he had met his true death.

He strode to the heavy oak door and opened it wide. “Can I help you?”

“Funny,” the five-year-younger Kurt said. “I was about to ask you the same thing.”

“Come again?”

“Thanks. I hope to come here often.” The stranger-at-the-time gave Anthony a bright grin, making him wonder if he had found another friend, perhaps of the paranormal variety.

“Come in.” Anthony stepped aside and let the man enter. “Are you looking for a job?”

He shrugged. “Maybe.”

“What position are you interested in applying for?”

“I was thinking of something a little outside the box.”

Anthony scratched his head. “Have a seat and tell me about it. By the way, my name is Anthony Cross, and you are…”

“Kurt.”

Anthony wondered why Kurt didn’t give his last name, but it didn’t really matter. Until he heard the man’s idea, this would be nothing more than an exploratory meeting.

“So, what is this out-of-the-box idea you have in mind, Kurt?”

“Well, it’s like this. You’re going to need someone like me to handle unusual situations if things get dicey.” He leaned back in his chair and draped an arm around the finial, looking like he owned the place.

“What do you mean by someone like you?”

“I’m an ex-marine…and a wizard.”

Anthony couldn’t help his surprise. His reaction showed on his face, and the guy laughed.

“Seriously. I figured you could use an undercover bouncer. I’ll just hang out and drink, like a regular. That way it won’t spook the clientele, but you can rest assured that if any disagreements get out of hand, I can fix whatever happens pretty quickly.”

“How?”

“I can freeze time. Well, not exactly time. It has to do with quantum physics, but instead of explaining how it works, why don’t I just show you?”

Anthony’s curiosity demanded he explore it…whatever it was. “Okay. As they say in Missouri, ‘Show me.’”

“Look at your watch.”

Anthony’s Rolex indicated it was eight thirty. A moment later, it was eight forty-five and he hadn’t seen the hand move.

“Shit.”

“No shit.” Kurt grinned. “I can’t erase minds, but that’s where you come in. I think you can do that with hypnosis. Right?”

Anthony gave him a sidelong look.

“So, how about it?” Kurt persisted. “Do we make a great team, or what?”

“How much do you want per hour and when can you start?”

Mother Nature folded her arms. “They’re real good about not revealing themselves or each other or any of their unusual abilities, aren’t they?”

Anthony shook his head hard as if to erase the nostalgic image. “How did Kurt know what I was? I never asked him.”

“And you never will if I do this for you.”

Anthony paced and muttered out loud. “I’d just assumed as often happens when one opens oneself to the universe, serendipity or ‘coincidence’ stepped in. But now that I think about it, Nick must have told him.”

Mother Nature tipped her head. “Like I said… So, are you changing your mind?”

When he considered being able to live a normal life with his normal wife, who he’d propose to as soon as he had a believable birth certificate… “I really want my humanity back. All of it. Good and bad. But do I have to lose my friends? Can’t you just strongly warn them not to say anything? Make it really clear to them what will happen?”

She let out a huge sigh. “Give me a day or two, and I’ll see what I can come up with.”

Anthony’s gaze snapped to the goddess’s face. “You can…” He rolled his eyes. “Never mind. I forgot who I was talking to.”

Gaia laughed. “Now you’re getting it.”

“But there’s one thing you should know.”

“Oh? What’s that?”

“One of your special children has been a thorn in my side for centuries. I know it was my fault for turning her, but is there any way you can turn her back or keep her away from us? She only recently lost her goal of making our lives a living hell, and I’m not ready to trust it yet.”

“Ruxandra.”

“You’re aware?”

Mother Nature sighed. “Yes. I’ve seen you struggle to handle her, and I have to give you props for patience. She can be a handful.”

“You got that right,” Claudia said.

Holding up one palm, Mother Nature continued. “I’ve witnessed the new relationship, and her bond with the wizard is real.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Anthony said. “But I’m still apprehensive.”

“What about turning her human…” Claudia asked. “I know she doesn’t deserve it as a reward, but it might be a really good idea for everyone concerned. I can’t imagine—”

Gaia held up her palm to interrupt Claudia. “Do you have any idea how hard this is to do? We’re talking about rearranging DNA.”

Claudia’s shoulders slumped. “I guess it’s out of the question. I just can’t help worrying that we’ll be even more vulnerable if we don’t know what she’s capable of.”

“She’s not interested in bothering you anymore.”

Anthony looked at her skeptically. “How can you be sure?”

Gaia snickered. “That’s one of my strokes of genius—not just for her, but for many jilted lovers.”

“What is?” Anthony asked.

“Ever heard this little ditty? The fastest way for a woman to get over a man is to get under another one.” Who do you think invented that?

Claudia’s hand covered her mouth. Anthony didn’t know if she was trying to stifle a gasp or a chuckle.

Gaia composed herself after her own hearty laugh. “I think they’ll be bitten by the travel bug at some point. A little wanderlust will keep them out of your hair.”

“But we’ll still be friends?” Anthony asked.

“You’ll get postcards from all over the world.”

Claudia smiled. “That sounds good to me. Does it work for you?”

He returned her smile. “Yes, it does.”

Brandee placed the Back in five minutes sign in the glass front door of her photography gallery and lifted her adorable baby girl from her playpen. “Ready.”

Gaia folded her arms. “I know you don’t like to close in the middle of the day, but this is going to take more than five minutes.”

“Like how much longer?”

“At least fifteen.”

Brandee chuckled. “It’s a ballpark figure. No one will hold me to it.”

Smug minor goddess. “You like being your own boss, don’t you?”

Brandee grinned. “You know it.”

“As my muse, you are technically in my employ, and you know how I don’t like to micromanage.”

“Yes. I’m grateful for that.”

The powerful goddess waved her hand at the sign and suddenly it read, Back in fifteen minutes. “On the other hand, sometimes I do.”

Brandee grimaced. “Message received.”

“Good. Now gather up all the regulars and meet me at Boston Uncommon.”

“But it’s Tuesday. It’s closed today.”

“Exactly. We need to meet without the human staff. Is that a problem?”

Brandee shrugged. “No. I guess not. As long as they don’t suddenly decide to show up.”

“I’ve taken care of that. The bosses are sleeping in today, and there’s no way the employees will come in on their day off.”

“That’s for sure. Well, I guess you’ve thought of everything. I’ll get the group together and we’ll be there in a few minutes.”

“Good.”

The goddess disappeared and reappeared in the tea room. Her muse did as she was told and gathered the owner and manager’s wide circle of paranormal friends and sympathizers. In a matter of seconds the room began filling up.

First to arrive was Nick who lovingly took their baby girl in his arms. Then Brandee disappeared again and returned with her brother-in-law, Konrad, and his wife, Roz. Next, Sadie the psychic. After that, Tory, Kurt, and Ruxandra. Drake and Bliss. Eventually, Sly and Morgaine.

“Is that it?” Gaia asked.

“Other than friends of friends, I believe so. If we think of anyone else, we can fill them in,” Brandee said.

“Fine. Now here’s the deal, folks.” Mother Nature paced in front of the group with her hands clasped behind her back. “I’m rewarding Anthony and distracting him at the same time.”

The guests glanced at each other.

“He needs to give up the crazy idea that paranormals can meet in a public place like this and all get along. Eventually this foolish plan will backfire.”

“You don’t want us meeting in a safe place?” Nick asked. “We never would have been able to take down that lab if not for our ability to work together.”

“It’s too risky,” she said. “There are humans working here. You know damn well how I feel about humans learning that paranormals exist. It’s the biggest mistake you can make.” She eyed the whole group. “As you all know.”

Most of the members nodded their heads.

“Do you want another lab popping up, doing experiments on you?”

They all shook their heads.

“Right. I understand a merman outed you. He’s been dealt with. I don’t think he’ll find much water in the Sahara Desert. Am I making myself clear, people?”

Everyone nodded.

“Exposing your kind makes me very angry, and you don’t want to make me angry.” She glared at each and every one of them in turn.

Kurt raised his hand. “We get it. But why isn’t Anthony here?”

Mother Nature folded her arms. “I’m getting to that. Anthony’s fondest wish is to become human again. That means he’ll be mortal. He’ll eat regular food, he’ll poop, and he won’t go into a death sleep at sunrise. As a result, he and Claudia will have to have every memory of paranormals erased.”

Bliss gasped. “Are you saying Drake and I can’t be friends with Claudia and Anthony anymore? She’s my best friend.”

“Of course not, but you’d better not slip up.” Gaia pointed a long, unmanicured fingernail at each one of them. “That goes for all of you who befriend them or any other human.”

“We won’t. Don’t worry,” Nick said.

“You’d better not. There are still active volcanoes, and I can drop any of you into one if you really piss me off. Any more questions?”

“Um…I read tea leaves here. Can I still work?” Sadie asked. “I’ve never revealed a peep about the paranormal element to humans.”

“That’s true,” Kurt said, “In fact, the one time we had a breach, it was Sadie who convinced everyone they were being ridiculous.”

Mother Nature tapped her lips. “All right, but be extra careful.”

“I will. I promise,” Sadie said, and crossed her heart.

It was the first time Gaia had met the human psychic, and she couldn’t help being impressed by how relaxed she was in such exceptional company.

“How did you wind up in this peculiar band, human?”

“Anthony’s my seventh great-uncle and was best friends with my beloved until he met his true death.”

Mother Nature smirked. “Well, you’ve got the lingo down. You’ve never divulged the existence of paranormals to anyone?”

“No, Goddess.”

“Not even a priest?”

“No, Goddess. Never. Anthony calls me Aunt Sadie, so people know we’re related, but we shifted our relationship to make it look natural.”

Satisfied, Gaia said, “Good.”

“What if we want to meet here just to have tea and talk about the weather? Is that okay?” Ruxandra asked.

“I’d rather you stay away from this place. You’re skating on thin ice as it is. But if for some inexplicable reason—one that I can’t even imagine right now—you absolutely have to be here, remember…no hints, no whispers, not even a conspiratorial wink to each other. That goes for everybody. You’re just friends. Got it?”

“Yes, Goddess,” she said. The others nodded or murmured in agreement.

“Excuse me, Goddess. I have a question,” Tory said. “There may be occasions when we should talk to each other paranormal to paranormal. If we meet somewhere else, is that all right?”

“Did you have a particular place in mind?”

“I have a large home on the hill.”

Gaia narrowed her eyes. “Your girlfriend is human.”

“Yes.”

“And you’re going to keep all paranormal discussion from her?”

“Absolutely.”

“The answer is still no.”

“What? But if she’s not there…”

“She will be.”

A slow smile crept across Tory’s face. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“Yes. Find another place, because soon it’ll be her home too.”

“Hallelujah!”

Kurt slapped Tory on the back. “Congrats, man.”

Mother Nature purposely used her bored voice so they wouldn’t get carried away. “Yeah, yeah. Many happy returns. So does anyone else have a place?”

Sly and Morgaine glanced at each other. A moment later they said in unison, “We do.”

“Ah, yes.” Gaia chuckled. “The brownstone on Beacon Street. That place was a hotbed of upheaval a few years ago. Are there any unknowing humans living there now?”

“No. I’m the building’s super, and my daughter owns the place,” Sly said. “Her husband is one of us, and every tenant has some paranormal secret to keep. We even have an empty apartment we could use.”

“Is it on the ground floor?”

“Uh, no. Second floor.”

“Perfect. No pesky reporters peeking in windows. Use that.”

An audible sigh of relief filled the room.

Mother Nature regarded their expressions. “You genuinely like each other, don’t you?”

They all answered in the affirmative.

“You even trust this one?” She pointed to Ruxandra.

Some of them squirmed.

Ruxandra place a hand over her heart. “I know I’ve been a horrible person—even for a vampire, but I’m doing everything I can to change that now. Right, honey?” She turned to Kurt.

“I believe her,” he said. “And she’s under a truth spell so everyone can.”

The rest of the group smiled and the closest ones patted Ruxandra on the back, murmuring encouragement.

“Well, I’ll be darned. His stupid experiment worked. That doesn’t mean I want it to continue. At least, not here.”

“But you said we could still be friends with Anthony and Claudia,” Bliss reminded her.

“Go out to dinner as a foursome. Stop by one at a time and talk about mundane things. I don’t expect you’ll stop caring about them.”

“Good, because we won’t,” Drake said. It was the first time he’d spoken up, but he was probably just worried about his wife being best friends with Claudia. Gaia didn’t like the way he said it, but she understood why.

“Would you like to rephrase that, Dragon?”

“Uh…okay. I doubt we’ll stop caring about our dearest friends.”

Mother Nature considered his wording and decided he was demonstrating the proper respect for her. The absolute minimum, but she’d let it go. “Yes… Well, I’m satisfied, for now. But if I have to put out any fires…”

“You won’t,” Drake promised.

She turned to her trusted muse. “Brandee, be sure everyone gets the address of the new meeting place and then return everyone to their homes or businesses.”

“Yes, Goddess.”

Morgaine pulled several business cards out of her pocket and handed them to the others. Gaia snagged one.

“Psychic readings. You do these out of your home?”

“Yes, Goddess. Many psychics do.”

“That means humans frequent the place,” Gaia said.

“Sometimes. I also do readings over the phone.”

“Are you willing to do all your readings over the phone from now on?”

“Yes, and I will. I promise. No more unsuspecting humans in the building.”

“Hmmm.” Gaia shrugged. “Okay. I guess we’ve covered all the bases. Have nice lives.”

“Troops, we’ve gotta fly,” Brandee said, and they all disappeared.

Anthony and Claudia woke up on a blanket in a shady spot of Boston Common.

Anthony sat up and looked around to get his bearings. Oh, yeah. We were having a picnic on the Common.

Claudia sat up next to him. “Wow. I can’t believe we fell asleep in the middle of a bright sunny day…on Boston Common, no less!”

“Yeah. We must be working too hard.”

She sighed. “I really want to make the tea room a success.”

“I know, but apparently closing one day a week isn’t enough. Wednesday isn’t a busy day. Why don’t we take both Tuesdays and Wednesdays off? Or better yet, why don’t we hire an assistant manager? We could actually get away once in a while.”

“Like where?”

Anthony had been waiting for the right time to propose. This might be it. He rose, took the ring box out of his jacket pocket, and then dropped onto one knee. “Like on a honeymoon. A brief one, but we can take a longer one later.”

Claudia’s mouth formed an almost perfect O, reminding him of a certain sex act she performed so well.

“Are you asking me to marry you?”

He chuckled. “I suppose I should actually say the words, huh?” He took her left hand in his right. “Claudia Fletcher, my love, my life, my only… Will you marry me?”

She grinned. “Absolutely, yes.”

He slipped the solitaire diamond ring onto her third finger. She rolled up onto her knees and threw her arms around his neck. They shared a long kiss until someone walking nearby yelled out, “Get a room.”

They chuckled. At last Anthony said, “Let’s have lunch. I’m starving. I feel like I haven’t eaten in years.”

Claudia opened the picnic basket. “Let’s see…what do we have here? Ah, a steak sandwich—that must be yours. And for me, a chef salad. Perfect.”

She handed the sandwich to Anthony as well as a cloth napkin and soft drink. Then she took out her salad, and as she was removing the plastic wrap, he took a big bite of his sandwich.

“Mmm…I don’t think I’ve ever tasted anything so good.”

Claudia chuckled. “If you do say so yourself.”

He swallowed and cocked his head. “What do you mean?”

“Well, you were the one who put together the lunch…”

Huh? He wracked his brain, and for the life of him, he couldn’t remember doing it. He stared at her. “I thought you made the lunch.”

They paused for a few moments, gaping at each other. Then, as if they were too happy to care, they just shrugged and chowed down.