Forging Day (Crucible of Change Book 1) (17 page)

I started to wave at Sharon as Vivian handed her the microphone, and then it occurred to me that she’d have no idea who I was. She didn’t know I’d Changed.

Sharon might have been nervous in front of this mostly Changed crowd, but if she was, she didn’t show it. “Good evening, everyone. Thank you, Vivian, for inviting us to your meeting, and for giving us this opportunity to address the community. I’m Officer Sharon Curtis and I work with the Denver PD. I know some people have had some concerns about interacting with the police since the Change. Whatever this was, it did not take away your citizenship or rights. Nor did it take away your responsibilities. Changed or not, you are still entitled to equal protection under the law and, by the same token, you are still expected to observe all of the laws of the land.

“I wish we were here on less serious business, but last night there was an assault in the park, just east of here. We’re advising that everyone take some basic precautions. Don’t come into the park alone. Stay out of the thicker trees, especially after dark. Vivian has also requested that we help organize an enhanced neighborhood watch, for everyone’s safety.”

“What do you mean by ‘assault’?” someone shouted from the crowd.

“The flyer said ‘remains’, idiot,” yelled someone else. “What do you think that means?”

Sharon waved everyone to silence. “Yes. There was a homicide in the park, and that’s all the information we’re prepared to release at this stage of the investigation. We do ask that you stay out of the area that’s been taped off.”

“If you were out and saw or heard anything between midnight and seven a.m., please let us know. My contact information is available on the table up here. You can reach me by phone or email.”

“What’s an ‘enhanced neighborhood watch?” I asked.

“The plan is to organize regular patrols through the park. Everyone will either be paired with another member of the community or an off-duty police officer. The training will cover what to look for as you patrol the park. Please keep in mind, we are not training vigilantes here. If you see something, report it immediately. We are not asking you to ‘stand your ground’. We are not going to be re-enacting the Old West, and we’re not going to shoot anyone for dressing wrong. If you are interested in joining the enhanced neighborhood watch, come up after the meeting. Along with my contact info, you’ll find a sign-up sheet.”

There were a lot of questions about the death, but she wasn’t giving anything away. “We do not comment on crime scenes or details of ongoing investigations.”

At the end, she said, “We’ll be staying for a while after the meeting and we’d be more than happy to answer any questions about the enhanced neighborhood watch program.”

Vivian took the mic again. “Thank you all for staying and listening to this important safety information. I hope many of you will consider joining this program. It’s for all of our safety. Thanks again, and good night.”

She posed for a few more pictures, especially with the officers, and I could see her chatting with the reporters until they packed up. Most people headed for home, but more than I expected stayed.

“I’m going to sign up,” I announced. “I want to help.”

Kat looked alarmed, “You know your sister wouldn’t like it.”

“Maybe, but she’s not here. I promise I’ll be careful,” I told her. “It’s not like we’re expected to take someone down ourselves. We’re just keeping an eye out. Besides, they said there’d be some training, and I intend to level up a little.”

There were a number of people already signed up when I got up to the table. I signed and gave my contact info, and waited for Sharon to finish talking to Vivian.

She finally turned to me. “Yes? Did you have any questions?”

“I did. Hey Sharon, how do you like the new paint job?”

She stared at me long and hard. “Olivia?”

“Hey, you guessed it. Surprise.”

Vivian was staring at me. So that was Colby’s girlfriend. I wondered if she knew who I was, or if I was just the first other Dark Elf she’d seen. If she knew about Colby, it would definitely explain the intensity of her stare and the feeling of hostility.

“This is Kat, and our friend Ted, and these are friends from Wyoming that are staying with us.” I went around the circle, introducing the Trolls. “Officer Curtis worked with my dad,” I told them.

“He was my training officer my rookie year,” she said. “He’s been sorely missed. He was a good man.” She turned to the other officers and said, “Guys, this is Everett Mitchell’s daughter, Olivia. Her sister works for Public Health and her brother is Special Forces. Olivia, Officers Gable and Stonefield started in District One with your father as their shift commander.”

I shook hands and accepted their condolences. Being a cop’s kid can be a headache, but it’s good to be a member of the family.

Suck that, Vivian.

After a few minutes, Sharon took me aside. “Have you talked to your brother or sister yet, Olivia?”

“I’ve talked to Cordie, so she knows. I don’t know if she’s back in town yet. I haven’t talked to Leo. He’s on one of his missions, I guess. He’ll call me when he can, so I’m waiting.”

Her eyes scanned the sign-up sheet, and when she looked up, I knew she’d hit my name. “Are you sure about this?”

“I want to help out too. There’s no reason I can’t do my part to keep the neighborhood safe. If we get to pick shifts though, I’m going to try for nights. I see much better at night. I can even see in the dark.”

I could see her sense of duty warring with a promise to a friend to keep his children safe, but ultimately, duty won out. “If you’re sure, then we’ll be contacting you as soon as we get training times set. We needed to see how much turnout we’d get before we reserved any space or personnel for this.”

“I promise I’ll do my best, Officer Curtis. You can count on me.”

“I’m sure you will, Olivia. But I still have to tell you to be safe.” The other officers kind of looked askance as she gave me a hug, but they didn’t say anything, at least not while we were standing there.

“See you later!” I waved.

“See you later.”

Busted

We got home to find Berto and Mikah having a late dinner in the kitchen. Tessa was perched on a bar stool, wheedling Mikah for something. “Just give me a chance. Please. I know I can help. You said the best interest of the children is your only concern. How can you not want someone there who knows if someone’s lying?”

He sighed and put down his fork. “Tessa, I cannot bring a demon as my personal assistant without frightening the children I’m supposed to be watching out for. I appreciate the offer, but I don’t think it would work.”

She hopped off the stool. “If you’re worried about my looks, I’ve been practicing. I can pass.”

Her face was tense with effort. The tiny horns receded and disappeared and her wings turned into a mere shadow on her skin. When she opened her eyes, they were a normal dark brown again.

“How did you do that?” I asked. “That was freaking amazing.”

She actually looked embarrassed. “I got it from a cartoon. I decided to give it a try.”

Mikah pursed his lips thoughtfully, getting up and walking all around her. “If I agree to this, we’re going to have some ground rules. You have to maintain this look. You have to dress like a legal assistant. I’m sure Olivia or Kat has something that will work. And, this is a big one—no eating the clients. And no fucking them, either.”

“What if they were really bad people? They could be child molesters or worse.”

He looked grim. “No eating the clients in the office, or at any meetings at other locations. If you think there’s an issue, I expect you to write the note on your legal pad and show it to me. I don’t want you addressing any of the clients directly.” He shook his head. “I must be crazy to even consider this, but I can’t keep up this pace without an assistant, and you’re right. It would be a huge help to know who’s telling the truth.”

She squealed. “Oh, thank you!”

He dodged her hug, but patted her on the shoulder. “We’ll give it a try and see how it works. Be ready to leave at six tomorrow morning. We have a long day ahead of us.”

“’Grats, Tessa! I bet you’ll do great,” I told her.

She bounced up and down with excitement, which had a delightfully hypnotic effect on most everyone in the room, but for once she didn’t notice. “Can I look through your closet, Olivia? I need to wear something nice tomorrow.”

“Sure thing. Help yourself.”

She ran out of the room and Mikah resumed his dinner, still smiling. “Who knows? This could be a great partnership.”

Berto looked really tired, but had a smile for us. “We got your message about the neighborhood meeting. What’s up?”

I filled them in on the new enhanced watch program. “Officer Curtis is in charge on the police side of things, and, surprise, Colby’s ex, Vivian, is on the community side of things. I think she’s the first other Dark Elf I’ve seen. You should have seen all of the press at the meeting, taking pictures of her.”

Mikah’s face lost the smile he’d had and he looked a little concerned. “Olivia, remember I told you about her. I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to spend too much time around her.”

“Well I’m not letting Colby’s girlfriend make me hide out in the house. He’s the one that lied and cheated. I volunteered for the watch and I want to do it. Besides, what is she going to do, write me a nasty letter and bill me two hundred dollars an hour for doing it?”

“Just be cautious. That’s all I’m saying. I’m going to shower and call it a night. Today was a long day and tomorrow won’t be any shorter.”

“Me too,” said Berto. The agency is shorthanded and I’m filling in as much as I can.”

“By the way, Olivia,” said Mikah. “I’m pretty sure I recall telling you that your sister didn’t want you to leave the garden.”

“She didn’t know about the murder when she said that.”

“And you think that’s the argument that would have convinced her not to worry about you leaving the house?”

“She always said I should grow up and be more responsible. This is me, trying to be more responsible. I’m helping my community.”

He sighed, but didn’t say anything else. Mikah and Berto made short work of their dishes and walked arm in arm down the hall to their suite.

* * * *

The rest of us were having a snack in the kitchen when Tessa came back downstairs. She was wearing a blue-grey suit with a rose blouse. I recognized my interview outfit, but it had never looked that good on me. “You look amazing, Tessa. You totally rock that suit. I think I have a leather satchel you can use to carry your stuff in tomorrow. I’ll get it for you before bed.”

The warmth of her smile washed over me, making me tingle in places best not mentioned in polite company. I didn’t say anything, but Kat elbowed me. I guess she’d noticed.

“Thanks for loaning it to me, Olivia. You’re the best!” She kissed me breathless, pulling me tight against her before slowly releasing me. “I wasn’t going to do anything. Your energy is still too low.” She actually looked hurt. “I was just saying thank you.”

Kat’s warning look softened. “I’m sorry Tessa. I know you were. But you tend to get a little enthusiastic with Olivia.”

“I can’t help it. She tastes like nectar and innocence.” She took a half step toward me and stopped. “You’re right. Sorry. I’ll be up in my room.”

Everyone pitched in to clean up the kitchen, and Kat led me up to my room. I was more than happy to let her. I felt Tessa’s pull, all right—you’d have to be dead not to—but it didn’t fog my brain the way it did before. I didn’t say anything, though. I really wanted to see what Kat had in mind.

“Oh, Olivia, what are we going to do with you? You’re Tessa’s favorite drug of choice.” She firmly closed the door behind us, and the lock clicked shut. “If I were a better person, I’d make you take a cold shower to shake you out of this.” She kissed me, running her hands under my shirt and cupping my breasts. My nipples were already tight little peaks. “But I’m not the better person, my love, and I want to play. Wait here and I’ll be right back.”

This evening was getting better by the minute. My body ached with need, anticipating Kat and her surprise. I stroked my breasts, my hands moving lower as I waited for her.

She came back naked, carrying something purple, but just watched me caress myself for a long moment. The longer she watched, the wetter I got. She put whatever it was on the bed, off to the side, and nudged me to sit on the edge of the bed. “Take off your clothes,” she murmured. “I want to see you naked.”

I tossed my clothes on the floor, and waited, knees just slightly apart, to see what she’d ask me to do next.

She stepped forward, nudging my knees wider, kissing me while she ran her fingers through my hair.

I grabbed her butt, stroking and caressing her as my lips found her silky breasts. I suckled her nipples before kissing my way lower. She moaned, clenching her hands in my hair, and stepped back.

“Stop, Olivia. I can’t take advantage of you like this. You don’t know what you’re doing.”

“Oh, Miss Kitty. You are so wrong. I know exactly what I’m doing. I’m not riding Tessa’s lust. This is me wanting you. Come back here. I want to taste you and make you scream.”

She resisted for a moment before melting into my arms. Her soft moans were music to my ears as I explored with my fingers and worshipped at her hidden cleft. She was so warm and wet. I knew she wanted me as much as I wanted her. Her breathing came faster and I redoubled my efforts, but she pulled away before I could send her over the edge.

“Wait. I brought something for us to play with.” She picked up the purple thing and showed it to me. It was an arrangement with two lilac phalluses, one attached to a harness. “Do you mind if we use this?”

I stroked one of the heads. It was soft but firm. “I don’t mind, Miss Kitty, but this time I want to be on top.”

“Oh yes, please. I’ve wanted someone to take me for such a long time. But first, we have to make sure you’re ready,” she teased. She pushed me onto my back at the edge of the bed, and licked me, long and slow. I was biting the back of my hand to smother the moans when she finally pulled back. She slid the cock into me in one, smooth motion, and just held it there. She fastened the straps into place and gave it a gentle tug. When she touched a small remote, it came to life with a quiet buzz, pulsing deep inside of me.