Vee slaps mine in return and wanders over to the nightstand. She places her phone in a small handbag. "I'm surprised Portia didn't want to attend. She loves human attention."
"I suspect the real reason is she’s worried fae might be here. The Scottish fae court and hers aren't great friends."
"Aha. How many courts are there in the UK?"
"England, Wales, Scotland, and another in Ireland. As you can imagine the Irish is the strongest and with the most influence."
"Why?"
I smooth her hair. "I need to lend you more lore books, don't I? All the fae mythology began there. Some of it's just fairy stories, of course."
"I see what you did there. Clever." Vee picks up her bag. "I wish the place was totally free from anything supernatural. I'd like a night that doesn't end in death."
“This isn’t a weekend break, Vee. You knew that.”
“Yes. Maybe ask the demons to wait at least one night before raining chaos on the world.” When I don’t reply, she walks to the door. “Come on. Let’s find your date for tonight. Where did you say Heath was again?”
She laughs, but I can’t lighten the situation like she can.
I’d like a night that doesn’t end in death, too.
18
VEE
Our group are later than some as we waited for Heath and Ewan to return from the scouting trip. Exploring the huge estate took longer than they expected, and they didn’t manage to cover everywhere. They found nothing; tonight the guys aim to check out the house more thoroughly. We walk inside to couples milling around in the large hallway. I'm relieved I chose a dress midway between casual and formal, although it was bloody freezing walking across here from the coach house until Heath wrapped his arms around my naked shoulders.
A group break away from the chatter and walk up the staircase. Xander gestures, and I hold the black metal bannister as we follow the group up the winding stairs. Another sign indicates which way to go, and walk and along another wood-panelled corridor.
"This place is huge," remarks Joss.
"A lot to check out." Xander pauses and looks at a family portrait hung on the wall. The painting depicts a woman, man, and two boys, and a metal plaque attached to the bottom reads "Faulkner Family 1864.”
Seth whispers, "Look out for the moving eyes."
Ewan frowns at him. "What?"
"Scooby Doo? Mysterious paintings with people hidden behind?"
Ewan looks to me. "What is your friend talking about now?"
"A TV show. The Scooby gang hunted monsters. Not quite the same as you guys though." Seth chuckles. "Although you're a bit shaggy, Ewan."
I frown at Seth and shake my head at him. Why does he insist on annoying Ewan?
A woman in a tight, black dress passes and gives us a curious look. Heath and Joss face away from her, and I don't miss her appreciative appraisal as she walks by.
The floorboards creak beneath the thick carpet as we follow the trail of people heading to the evening cocktail session. Inside a large room, food stands and small, white plates line the table beside wine glasses. Ewan strides over and takes hold of a plate, and I join him as he wrinkles his nose at the food in front of him. Small cupcakes iced in a blue to match the company colours are arranged on a stand, and tiny, savoury pastries and sandwiches alongside.
"I'm bloody starving," he mutters. He picks up a mini quiche between forefinger and thumb and examines it. "Is this all we get?"
“Looks like it.”
“Bloody hell,” he mutters and loads his plate.
Apart from tables, there's no furniture in the room, forcing attendees to huddle in groups and break out to chat if they feel like doing so.
As I help myself to the strange assortment, a waitress walks by and offers us a drink from wine glasses on a silver tray.
As the hours pass, I'm less comfortable. Joss is still in a weird mood, Ewan and Seth are equally uncomfortable, and Xander’s back in alert mode. That doesn't help. Only Heath takes things in his stride, but he worked with me at Alphanet and the human business world isn't as far from his comfort zone. Seth's mood lifted since his world expanded beyond the farmhouse, but I sense he's pleased he's surrounded by the Horsemen, despite his protests. I'm uncomfortable, as if I'm under scrutiny although as usual the guys receive more. Seth breaks away to find something to eat, under Xander's watchful eye.
“Go with him.” Heath pokes Xander. “Keep an eye on your man.”
Joss snorts in amusement and Xander glares. “I don’t see you two holding hands.”
“Aww!” Joss slings an arm across Heath’s shoulders and rests his head against his hair. “He’s not into PDAs. No cuddles from Heath.”
Heath pushes him away. “Seriously, dude. Too far.”
“What? Are you upset about what happened earlier? I swear I wasn’t doing anything with Ewan, it was just coincidence we were both naked.”
I choke on my wine as Joss’s eyes gleam with amusement; I’m happy he’s dropped the tension from earlier. This is my Joss, whether he’s a front for how he feels is another question.
“I was not naked with Joss!” protests Ewan loudly.
A woman in the group beside us turns her head then quickly looks away again when she meets my eyes.
“Will you stop drawing attention to us,” mutters Xander.
Joss smiles and looks into his wine glass as Xander heads after Seth. Heath moves away from Joss, arms crossed and face dark. Before I can say anything too, he straightens. “Well, I’m still bloody hungry. I’m going to see if there’s any food left.”
We’re left in silence, and reality wraps around us again. I grip my glass and close my eyes, attempting to sense more demon presence. I wasn’t joking when I told Joss I didn’t want tonight to end in death.
There’s something ego-boosting about being surrounded by men who other women in the room are drawn to, and having the guys completely oblivious. In the past, even on dates, most men I’ve known can’t help checking out the girls around them. These guys? I’m amused they only check out the women in the room to see if they’re demons.
One or two people have approached to chat, but nobody in our group is particularly sociable. I haven’t missed some women’s unprofessional sizing up of the guys, and I’ve seen them weighing up which of the five I’m with too.
If only they knew...
A middle-aged, business-suited guy ensures he introduces himself to everybody, and when he approaches for our turn, I glance around the room for Heath. How badly did Joss piss him off? Because he’s not by the food. Chewing a nail, I look around the room, but Heath’s tall figure isn’t amongst any of the groups.
Tiptoeing and sliding my hand up Joss’s arm to get his attention I whisper, “I’m going to the bathroom.”
“Do you want one of us to come with you?”
“Seriously?” I point to a discreet sign close to the door at the opposite end of the room. “I think I can get there safely.”
Joss nods and leans in to brush his lips against mine, our natural goodbye.
“Where are you going?” asks Xander as he notices.
“Bathroom.”
“Oh.” He blows air into his cheeks. “Don’t be long.”