An Interview: Lexi

 “Thank you for coming in for the interview today.”

“Author didn’t really give me a choice, did she?” Lexi said, leaning back in the chair and crossing her arms.

“It shouldn’t take up too much of your time. What do you like about your job?”

“It pays, and I’m good at it.”

“Ok, what got you started in it?”

“I’m good with numbers, and it sort of fell in my lap at a time when I needed something. It’s as good a job as any.”

“Some would say you should find a job you have a passion for.”

“I have a passion for not going hungry and having a house to live in,” she said with a snort.

“Would you ever consider changing jobs, and if so, what would you want to do?”

“Accounting is easy enough for me, and it pays well. I don’t see a change ever coming. Unless, of course, things don’t work out in our favor in Aleiant.” Lexi crossed her legs, arms still locked over her chest. She had a knack for being intimidating. Her face did nothing to hide any emotion she was feeling.

“What’s a hobby you have?”

“Books and flowers.”

“How did those come to be hobbies of yours?”

She pursed her lips and jiggled her legs. For the first time since she sat down here, she didn’t look angry or intimidating. She drummed her fingers against her elbow.

“Books are an escape for anything and everything. They let you live as someone else, even if only for a fleeting moment. They don’t change, they don’t argue, they just are. As they have always been.”

She dropped her leg back to the ground, and her arms loosened their grip on each other. She wasn’t relaxed per se but close. She bit her lip and glanced up toward the ceiling.

“Flowers, on the other hand. They shift, but incrementally. If they are cared for and loved, they reciprocate. They speak in hushed tones to offer support and change the intensity of their scent to suit you. I can always go sit in the garden and leave feeling relaxed and centered. On the best days and on the worst.”

“That’s an interesting perspective. Not many experience flowers like that.”

“Then they aren’t paying attention. Fairies are more attuned to it, but anyone can experience the emotions flowers can bring you.”

“What skill do you have that might be surprising?”

“I don’t know how to answer that. I’m not all that secretive.”

“That’s fair. How about a skill you’re most proud of?”

She scrunched her face up but didn’t say anything. Her fingers resumed drumming on her arm as she thought about it, and the silence was stretching into almost uncomfortable territory. The question needed an answer, though.

“I’m proud of all of them. I honed them. I practiced. I put in the time to make them worthwhile. It’s not like someone else chose most of my abilities while I sat on the sidelines.”

The silence stretched on while waiting for an actual answer. Lexi didn’t like to give them up easily, but she would have to give up something. That is what interviews are for, after all.

“Finding and maintaining accurate history,” she finally said with a scowl. “Happy?”

“You could say that. Why is that the skill you are most proud of?”

“It’s not as easy as it sounds. You can’t always count on first-hand retellings, even less than second or third-hand ones. Everyone has their own narrative. Everyone sees events through their own lens. Your experiences and choices impact what you see and how you see it.” She leaned forward slightly, hands resting on her knees as she thought of how to continue.

“If you had a person in your life that was always yelling at you and criticizing you, and I never did. The only yelling I experienced was when something horrible happened. Then you and I witness a couple arguing in a coffee shop. You might feel sympathy for the one on the receiving end while feeling like the giver was a horrible person. I might see it as the receiver has done something terrible, and these are the consequences. That is a terrible example, but it’s all I can think of at the moment.”

“I see what you are saying. So if that’s the case, how can any account be taken as real and valid?”

“A lot of thought and investigation. The more accounts you have, the more accurate a picture might be. Going back to the argument in the coffee shop. We each have our account, but then you ask someone closer. They heard the conversation, and they were both mad at someone else. Not arguing at all, but mutually angry at a third party. It’s not always perfect, but that’s what happens when you pour through history and history in the making.”

“How much time do you spend on this?”

“Obviously, I’m not chronicling every person’s life in detail. It’s major events or anything that seems like it will be. It’s paying attention to the world around you. I can’t say I sit and do this for a set amount of time. It happens as history happens, but sometimes I like to look back and gain more perspective.”

“Fair enough. Ok, next question: what does the perfect vacation look like to you?”

Lexi snorted and leaned back again. Her enthusiasm and willingness to talk visibly deflated. Talks of vacations did not stir the same passion in her as thinking about history.

“Everyone leaving me to read in the garden. There is no danger of that, though. There is always something to be done. Vacations are a dream afforded to those who don’t need to work in this city. Or those who are lawful and good and work for lawful and good people. Go ask Vanessa when the last time she took a vacation was. Take off around here, and you’ll be replaced and rendered obsolete.”

“So you’ve never taken a vacation?”

“No. Next question.”

“What about a perfect date?”

“I don’t date.”

She tipped her head to the side slightly as if studying something. Her arms weren’t any more tightly crossed than they had been before. She was completely indifferent to the question and its answer.

“Ever?”

“Too complicated. I like living alone. I like not being connected to another person in such a way. If I want someone to share my bed… it’s not too hard to find someone and have them out before the sun rises. It’s exactly how I like it.”

“That sounds lonely.”

“That’s such a bullshit response,” she snorted. “It’s exactly how I want it, and I have people around me. I just don’t have a partner. I’m not lonely; I’m happy.”

“My apologies. And that was the last question. Thank you for…”

“Yep, yep, thanks, you’re welcome, bye,” she said as she stood and stalked toward the portal to take her back.

Rage Excerpt 12: Open Attack

 I couldn’t get the door open fast enough. Ty and Tray tried to stop me, but after one fierce glare they let me be.

The room was filling with smoke. Nic was already rushing around to bring everyone into the main rom. I looked around, but I couldn’t tell where the smoke was coming from. It just seemed to be everywhere.

“What happened?” I asked Nic.

“I have no idea. The window shattered and smoke started pouring it.”

“Have you seen any flames?”

“None.”

“They want to flush us out. For some reason they don’t want to launch an outright attack on a Committee building,” I said as I brought my sleeve up to cover my face. The smoke was getting thicker.

“Vanessa… we can’t stay in here, we’ll suffocate,” he said amidst a fit of coughing.

“We can’t go outside either. The room next to us, is it empty?” I asked.

When Ty nodded, we all started moving at once. It didn’t take me long to get the lock open with a bit of magic. They really should ward against that. I jerked my head toward the window, and James and I crept up to it. Slowly and carefully I pulled the curtain back just enough to peer through.

There were two witches in the courtyard behind the building. One of them was coaxing a small fire to increase in intensity, while the other was directing the smoke through our broken window.

“Thomas still has his bow and we’ve got your magic,” James murmured to me as we watched. 

“I’ve got a better idea. I was able to catch the signature of one of the Committee member’s magic,” I said with a grin. “That means I can send him a fire message.”

“What will that get us?” Nic asked.

“We can get the Guard to surround them. So far we’ve had to play defense. I’m more than a little ready for some offence.”

James kept an eye on the witches in the courtyard while I slipped away to send the message. I didn’t want to be too close to them, but they would feel my magic either way. At least this would only be a little burst.

It wasn’t long before my phone rang.

“Parker,” I answered.

“I have contacted the Guard. I also warned them you might send something out from the second floor. I wouldn’t want them storming up to get you too.”

“I appreciate that. Do you have any witches on staff?” I asked.

“None that will be close enough to help. What do you have in mind, Ms. Parker?”

“Just little containment.”

“Very well. I shall meet with you in your room soon. We don’t have time to wait.”

“We helped ourselves to the room next door,” I said.

“Very well.”

We both hung up, and I turned to Cassidy.

“You up for a bit of containment?” I said with a grin.

“I would love to be of assistance,” she replied.

“I will aid as well. I would like to see firsthand what we are up against,” Randle added.

The three of us went to the window and watched as the witch’s frustration grew. They hadn’t expected it to take us this long to leave.

I focused on the fire for a minute, trying to gauge the amount of power being used to keep it alive. It didn’t seem like he was worried about it getting snuffed out.

“As soon as that fire goes out get ready to freeze them where they stand,” I murmured.

I took a deep breath, shattered the window with a brief touch, and flung a solid chunk of magic at the flame. It went out immediately, much to the surprise of the witch fanning it. Before they could react, their bodies froze mid movement. I summoned more of my magic and did my best to mimic the bubble they had used against me more than once. I wasn’t as strong as they were, but I hoped it would hold.

“I don’t think we can hold them for long,” Randle said through gritted teeth. “Their magic is fighting hard against ours. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“The Guard needs to hurry then.”

I felt a surge of magic join mine. It surprised me enough that I almost lost my grip on mine.

“I can help you keep their magic in check,” Gus said as he stepped up next to me.

Dex also squeezed in and added his magic to Cassidy and Randle’s. Still, they were focused and strong. I didn’t know what was taking the Guard so long.

“In Vale they train fairies with witches in combat. They learn how to fight each other. It isn’t so much that they are strong, it’s that they are skilled at exploiting weakness in other’s magic,” Gus said. “While their governance is brutal, their unity among races is unmatched.”

“Perfect. That should make this easier,” I snarked. 

This excerpt is taken from a lightly edited first draft. All content here may be changed or removed from the final book.

The Proposal; The other Side

 A glimpse into what happened at the safe house to get ready for the proposal. 

A frenzy of activity started as soon as Vanessa left with James and Ellie. While Vanessa and James had set off to get coffee, Ellie showed Cassidy where her mother’s decorations were kept. Everyone wanted to get moving after we ate. Some of the decorations were too formal, and some were too holiday-centric, but others were just about perfect.

Cassidy sent Gus off to procure some seeds for her stash at their house after Thomas told them what he was thinking, and he was going to stop and grab Thomas one of his suits. While he was gone, Thomas, Cassidy, and Ms. Claudette got to cleaning. The place was well taken care of; Vanessa and Gus reckoned it was some sort of stasis spell that kept dust from accumulating while it was unoccupied.

“The couch will need to be shifted out of the way,” Thomas said. “I want to be able to walk straight through here.”

“We can turn it and slide it up against the wall instead of having it out in the middle. The table behind it can be moved in front of it for the time being,” Cassidy answered.

“I think we should extend the path into the entryway,” Ms. Claudette said. “He will see the flowers everywhere but won’t have the full effect of this room immediately. It would build up the anticipation as he walked around the corner.”

“I love that!” Thomas said excitedly. “Will you have enough seeds to do that?”

“I can generate more,” Cassidy said with a wink.

When Gus got back with pots, vases, and seeds, Cassidy set to work on the flowers while Gus took her place in cleaning. While he didn’t like using his magic for mundane things, they had a lot to do and not much time to do it. He slid the furniture around with ease while Thomas decided precisely where it needed to go. Watching Thomas scrutinize every detail and want it to be perfect for James caused some tears to well up in Gus’s eyes. Thomas was thinking through everything he knew James loved. Everything from furniture angles, lighting quality, flower fragrance, and unique relations and meanings behind it all.

“This is as much for you as for him,” Cassidy said.

“None of those details matter to me. I don’t care about the lighting strength and how it might change the feel of a room. James does. He is meticulous, thorough, and on top of everything all the time. It would make him happy to have all of these things right, even if he would never mention it if I didn’t do it. I want him to be happy.”

Cassidy burst into tears and threw herself into Thomas’s arms. Her tears brought some to Thomas’s eyes too. Ms. Claudette turned away, trying to stop tears from spilling down her cheeks.

“We still have a lot to do,” she said in a carefully controlled voice. “And Thomas still needs to change and grab the stone he picked out.”

“You’re right,” Cassidy said, sniffling as she released Thomas. “There will be time for all of this later. I’m just so happy for them!”

Cassidy went back to the flowers. They were coming along nicely as she coaxed them to keep growing. She caressed their leaves softly and cooed at them as they bloomed. She carefully potted some of them and asked others to release flowers for her so she could put them in various vases.

When Ellie came through the portal, it startled everyone. They weren’t expecting anyone until Vanessa gave them a warning.

“It’s me,” Ellie said quickly. “Oh my Gods, it’s so beautiful! And it’s not even done yet!”

“It’s getting there,” Cassidy said, still sniffling. “The plants should be ready soon, but I’m not sure what else we need to get done. How come you’re back?”

“I have to drop this off. James really wanted to come back to talk to you, Thomas, but Vanessa told him we didn’t have time.”

“He’ll be weirded out by that,” Thomas said, a little worried.

“I know, but he will understand soon enough,” Ellie said. “How much longer do you need?”

“Maybe… like, an hour?”

“Ok, I have to go now, but I’ll make sure we aren’t ready to head back before then!”

Ellie popped back into the portal, and it closed. She was only here about a minute, two tops. Thomas pointed out some of the metallic decorations and, after a discussion with Ms. Claudette, decided the best way to put them up to reflect the lighting the way he wanted. Candles and lanterns were lit and placed around the room to give an intimate feel. He had decided the overhead lights were too bright and harsh for the moment.

Thomas gave a few last-minute instructions before he slipped off to put his suit on. Gus didn’t go by James and Thomas’s house for a suit like he said he was. He bought him a brand new one in charcoal gray. As he slowed pulled it on, he realized Gus had done the alterations himself. The suit fit perfectly. Thomas stood in front of the mirror and turned slowly, looking at it from all angles. He had no idea how Gus managed something like this so quickly, but it was perfect. He could feel his eyes welling up again and tipped his head back to hold them in.

Gus sent vases and pots gliding through the air as he took instruction from Cassidy and Ms. Claudette. He threw in an opinion on occasion, but he thought the flowers looked beautiful wherever they were placed.

“The sweetpeas shouldn’t be in the entryway,” Gus said. “They are his favorite, so he should be surrounded by them when he is asked.”

“Oh, that’s lovely!” Cassidy said. “I think if they are all in there, the peonies should be too. I think that would have the best feel to it.”

Since that was settled. Gus guided several pots into place simultaneously while Ms. Claudette and Cassidy swept away all the unused decorations and the seed packets, empty pots, and cuttings.

As Thomas came down the stairs, they turned to look at him. He looked fantastic. His sandy hair was ruffled and unruly since he kept running his hands through it, but it was charming. An outward sign of nervousness and excitement.

“I’ll be in there,” Thomas said, gesturing to the door leading into the kitchen. “When he comes in, can you guys open the door so I know it’s time for me to come out?”

“Of course,” Gus said as Cassidy sniffled, fresh tears running down her face. “Fire message. Are we ready?”

“Tell her to give us a few more minutes,” Thomas said as he ran his hand through his hair again.

“Everything is perfect, dear,” Ms. Claudette said as she smoothed his lapels. “You look fetching, and you can feel the love you have for him in each and every aspect of this room. Take a deep breath, and go wait behind that door.”

“Thank you,” he said as he pulled her into a hug.

Gus and Cassidy each got a hug before he strode through the door. Ms. Claudette settled herself on a chair in the corner. Gus pulled on a suit coat. His pants were a little dusty, but he wasn’t worried about that. Cassidy straightened her sweater and picked off invisible lint while she waited.

They heard the portal open, and both held their breath. They heard Vanessa mumble something just before James stepped into view. His eyes were wide, and his hands were shaking slightly. You could see the warmth sweep over him as he took in the scene before him. A tear spilled down his cheek as he turned to hug Vanessa. Gus pushed the door open, revealing Thomas. The pure love and admiration that swept over James’s face as he saw Thomas sent more tears cascading down Cassidy’s cheeks. But James didn’t notice quite yet; he only had eyes for Thomas.