Chapter Five

Hari got free of Zerul and hugged her friends. “So, Livia got a makeover.”

Livia flared her wings out, and Eon grinned and clapped her hands. Vega smiled and inclined her head. “You look lovely, Livia. But that is the way I have always seen you.”

Livia smiled. “But you aren’t looking through his eyes right now.”

“No. Just mine. He’s in here somewhere. There’s a body he wants to jump, so I am going to go for a walk to see if he can negotiate for possession.” Vega quirked her lips. “Fingers crossed that this bugger gets out of here.”

Eon smiled. “Will you miss the money?”

“No. I have enough to coast on until I figure out who I am again. Ta-ta.” She wiggled her fingers and turned toward the door that Orvuul had been dragged through.

Livia covered her mouth, and Hari watched Vega go.

Hari whistled softly. “Well, Orvuul can contain power.”

Livia nodded. “If not, he will explode like the others.”

Zerul asked, “What?”

“Oh, whatever is inside Vega tries to find a body now and then. He gets a volunteer and leaves Vega for a minute, and then the possible host explodes, and he returns to her.”

Zerul paused. “The host explodes?”

Eon nodded. “Oh, yeah. Kaboom!” She flexed her fingers in an outward burst. “It’s messy, and then they just disappear.”

He asked, “How many times has it happened?”

Livia shrugged. “Six times, I think?”

Zerul muttered, “Fuck. I will be back.”

He strode toward the hall, and Hari looked at her friends. “So, we aren’t just going to stay here, right?”

They all followed the governor into his home and through the halls. Figures were ahead of them in a glass room that was filled with plants.

Vega was crouched in front of the forest god. Her eyes were glowing bright gold. Prolen was in the background, starting at Vega and Orvuul.

Zerul arrived at their side and asked Orvuul, “Are you sure about this?”

Orvuul nodded. “He says he can make me strong and beautiful. I can have women who come to me freely.”

Vega held up her hand, and her voice was incredibly deep. “Not really. You can have a woman of my choosing. I need your body so that I can find a mate and to have little ones.”

Hari muttered to Eon, “I bet Vega is in there and having kittens right now.”

Eon nodded. “We will know how much he shared by how fast she runs this time. She drove, so I will need to get a car home.”

They watched as Vega removed the pendant that was hidden under the dress and handed it to Orvuul. He took in a deep breath and put it on.

Hari watched Vega glow, and energy streamed from her mouth, nose, and eyes. Orvuul took the power into him and began to swirl as the power settled in.

Vega slumped, straightened, and ran for it. She sprinted past Hari and Eon while Livia got out of the way.

Hari murmured, “How long was he in there?”

“Five years. When she went hiking near the Gateway.” Eon listened to the thud of heels get quieter.

Orvuul was still swirling with power as he got taller and broader, and his hair blew wild in the wind. Dark gold eyes began to search the area, and a slight smile came to his silvery green skin. “She’s gone.”

Zerul nodded. “She is.”

He looked past Zerul, and Hari met his gaze as he stared at them. “Where is she?”

Eon stepped forward. “She’s putting as much space between you two as she can.”

He sighed and rubbed his forehead. “I was really hoping to get her opinion of this form.”

Livia smirked. “It’s much better than his original form.”

“Thank you. Do you know where Vega is?”

Eon moved behind Hari, and the man moved to face her. “Short and tall, where is she?”

Eon sighed. “Where is she? She’s probably going to rest and then do some of the things that you have micromanaged over the last five years.”

He sighed. “Where would that be?”

“I don’t know. She’s figured out that you would try and find her, so this part of her plan I don’t get to know where she is until she calls me.” Eon shrugged. “Sorry.”

He growled, and Zerul grabbed his arm. “This is not the place for it. There is a party going on, so if you could join us, it would be appreciated.”

Hari watched as the power flared and then contained in the body. Yikes. Seeing Vega handle it effortlessly for years made it strange to see that a demigod was having trouble managing.

Hari asked, “Is Orvuul still in there?”

The man shook his dark mane of deep blue hair. “For now.”

Hari looked at the shirtless man in wide-legged pants. He was barefoot, and it looked completely natural on him. “Why do you want to find Vega so quickly?”

“So that she isn’t hurt. She’s been fighting my occupation of her for the last few months.”

Hari paused. “Wait. Just the last few months?”

Eon stepped over and whispered in her ear. Hari’s eyes got wide. “Oh, damn. Yeah, that would do it.”

He frowned at her. “What? She has been upset since her sister’s party.”

Livia asked, “The baby shower?”

Hari gave a short nod. “That would do it.”

The man frowned. “What do you mean?”

Eon scowled. “You were there.”

“It was a women’s event. I kept back.” He looked at the ladies who were looking back. “What was it?”

Hari sighed. “It was a women’s event. Her little sister was achieving a milestone that was out of Vega’s reach... because of you.”

He frowned. “I don’t understand.”

“You don’t have to. You are no longer inside her, so her body may resume natural functions now. I think she wants to jump into normal activities and events now that she’s free.”

He growled and stepped toward her, but Zerul stepped between them and said, “Don’t take another step.”

“They keep saying she’s free. She isn’t free. I made this body for her.” He flicked his hand down past his obvious musculature and thick arms.

Zerul sighed. “Take it up with Vega.”

“I can’t. She isn’t here.”

Zerul patted him on the shoulder. “I am sure you will have your chance.” He led the other man back to the ballroom.

Hari looked at him, and her jaw dropped. “Oh, wow. AI night. Holy crap.”

Eon smirked. “Well, she was interested in that physique the most. And long hair. And the lack of a shirt.”

Livia snickered.

The guys were walking far ahead, and Hari sighed. “This is going to be awkward for Vega. Where do you think she is?”

Eon said, “I can make a few guesses, and I don’t know if it is a nap, hot wings, or shooter night.” She winced. “Or trying to get laid.”

Livia hissed. “Oh, no. You don’t think?”

“It is in the realm of possibilities.”

Hari sighed. “Damn.”

They got back to the ballroom and raided the buffet. Zerul and the new Orvuul were in deep conversation, their voices rumbling through the space. Ladies who had gotten free of their escorts were gathered around the two men. They weren’t paying attention. Hari smiled at that.

When the dessert bar came out, they turned as one and were enjoying the selections, and Hari had no complaints. Desserts were not her forte.

They were sitting around and groaning with tiny glasses of dessert wine when Eon’s phone rang.

She answered, paled, and got to her feet. Hari watched her hands shaking as she brought up a car share app. “What is it?”

“Vega chose alcohol. She’s at the hospital. I am her emergency person.” Eon’s hands were fumbling with the app.

Hari said, “Hang on.”

She went over to the governor and whispered in his ear. He nodded and beckoned to one of the security guards, and when he explained the destination to them, they nodded.

Hari nodded to Eon and pointed to the thirty-something male heading for the door.

Eon was followed closely by Vega’s previous occupant.

Zerul sighed. “I hope she doesn’t fight him on that. He’s... concerned.”

“I bet. Vega just tried to drink herself to death.”

“Did she? Are you sure she didn’t just want to silence the echo of him in her mind?”

Hari paused and blinked. “I only did that once.”

“I know, but you did do it.”

“He used his compulsion to hold me down. I felt that for a long time.”

Zerul took her hand and nodded. “I know.”

She sighed and looked toward the door, biting her lip. “I want to check on her when she is out of the ER.”

“Of course. I will have Prolen keep tabs on her stay. Does she have an apartment that hasn’t gone up in mage fire today?”

“She does. She has a penthouse downtown.”

“Good.”

“What do you think that guy is going to do?”

“Arkus? He is going to be pissed off and hold her hand.”

“Good.” Hari looked around. “Successful party?”

“Very. The dignitaries have found the activities fascinating.” He nodded over to where all her partners were feeding Benny desserts.

“They do seem to be having a nice time.” Hari nodded. “That reminds me of college... before that night.”

“You had three men at a time feeding you cream puffs?”

“No. I had two getting me soft serve ice cream so I would help them on an exam.” She chuckled.

“Vanilla?”

“Swirl.”

“Adventurous.”

“Back then, yes.” She smiled. “That changed fast.”

“Anhara, you have recovered well, and now I am finding out that you own the club?”

“Part owner. I have fifteen percent, as do Eon and Livia. Vega owns fifty-five percent. She put up the money when we went to open the club. We were also the first four dancers. That was fun and strange. She had to stop dancing when Arkus came in.”

Zerul chuckled. “I can see that it would be an issue. Why did you dance?”

“We needed to build up profits and pay off the last of the expenses for the building. When we were all set in our little corporation, we started to branch out into other businesses.”

“So, you just paid off the lawsuit?”

“And started one of my own. This time, I have a solid legal team and friends with me. It was Vega who told me about the ways I could get back at Serel in a ladylike manner.”

“By suing her ass off.” He chuckled.

“That would be easy. She’s flat as hell.” She smiled. “No, I want to make her actions public. All of them. I want to expose her family for being culpable in her twisted actions and the stream of victims in her wake. That shit is going to stop now.”

“Well, her attempt to immolate you is not going to win her any friends. The fire mage is babbling about every contract he has been paid for in the last five years. There is a stack of information, and when the team leaves, he will be with them and registered for distance testimony in this case.”

“Right. Well, if he gets loose, I have people I can call now.”

He grinned. “You do?”

“Sure. Folks are very loyal to their dancers, even if we did have an obscuring spell at the entryway.”

“Ah. Smart.”

“Thanks. I have my moments.”

He took her hands and pulled her to him. “I know.”

She was just leaning against him when her phone went off.

“Don’t answer it.”

“It’s probably Vega.” She got her phone out and answered it. “Hello?”

“Vega was dosed. Someone dumped enough aphrodisiac into her shots to make an ogre horny. She felt it and went for help. Arkus is tracking down the man with the drugs. You may want to have someone sent over to the club. Shit’s going to go down.”

“Right. I will call Lonny.”

Zerul asked, “What is going on?”

“Vega was dosed. She didn’t get blind drunk. Someone drugged her, and Arkus is going to find them.”

“Ah. Yes, call the good officer.”

A few minutes later, she got a text from the officer that after finding Arkus, they had located the poisoner who had gotten Vega. It had taken some quick negotiation, but Arkus agreed to leave the man to them and return to Vega’s side.

That last bit was surprising, but it had been handled.

“Well, that was quick.” Zerul was amused.

“Yeah. I guess Arkus has tracking capabilities.” She looked around and found Livia talking with a sandy-haired man in a dark costume with oddly familiar glyphs.

“He has many skills. Would you like to update Livia?”

“Yes.”

They walked over to the table where Livia was chatting with the newcomer, and Hari said, “Eon called. Vega was dosed with an aphrodisiac and got herself help. Arkus found the guy, and Lonny picked him up. Sorry to interrupt, but I thought you would want to know.”

“It’s no problem. Steerik and I went to a college course together. We were just catching up. Oh, he’s your opener.” Livia smiled.

The man sighed and shook his head. “You just had to throw that in there.”

Livia nodded. “Yes. Yes, I did.”

He got to his feet, and Hari blushed as he took her hand and bent over her knuckles. “At your service lady. Everborn seem to be more common around this area than I imagined.”

“What course did you share with Livia?”

“Biology.”

Hari chuckled. “That is surprising.”

Livia shrugged. “Even if I couldn’t use my body, I wanted to know how it worked.”

Steerik smirked. “She got a seventy-two.”

“Fine. I wasn’t very successful in figuring it out.” She chuckled. “Now that I have ditched Orvuul, I will put some effort into figuring it out.”

Steerik chuckled. “If you need some technical advice, text me.”

Livia snorted. “I never cheated off you in class, and I won’t start now.”

Hari looked at Zerul. “Can I go check on Vega?”

“No. Your other friend and Arkus are with her. They will keep you informed.”

She sighed and sent a message to Eon. She received a message, “No problem. She’s working through the hormones, and they have her on a light sedative. Arkus is curled up next to her, and she’s biting the hell out of him. Who knew?”

The picture that followed showed a teary Vega biting the forearm of Arkus. She was obviously very emotional, but Arkus didn’t seem to mind. He was stroking Vega’s hair.

“Huh. I had forgotten that she had fangs.”

Livia sighed. “Only when she’s in heat. It’s been a while, so she’s probably miserable right now.”

Steerik asked, “Why has it been a while?”

Hari said, “Her body has been disrupted for a few years. Now the disruption is gone, so I am guessing her system has kicked in.”

Livia looked at Steerik. “What do you think would cause that kind of disruption, Mr. Ninety-eight percent?”

“I would need more information.”

Hari yawned and excused herself. “Sorry. Weirdly long day.”

Zerul said, “Why don’t you head to bed, and I will have a conversation with the opener.”

The man sighed. “Call me Steerik.”

“Steerik then.” Zerul nodded. “Good night, Anhara.”

Livia grinned. “I think he just sent you to bed.”

Hari looked at Zerul. “Is the guestroom ready yet?”

“Tomorrow.”

She snorted and took her tired self back to bed, waving at the XIA folk and noting that Prolen was gone with his companions. He must have been hungry or something.

Hari sent a good wish to Vega and Eon and headed to bed. Livia was on her own.

* * * *

Zerul spoke to Steerik, and when they had exchanged pleasantries, they retreated to his office to discuss the particulars.

“So, I will take on your appearance completely. I will get Anhara to sign an agreement to a contact contract, which acknowledges that I will engage in the act of opening her.”

“For how long?”

“As long as it takes to set the spells that will allow her to heal in the configuration necessary and without injury.”

Zerul nodded. “It won’t hurt her?”

“It may be uncomfortable for a while, but it will not hurt.”

“You are aware that she has been assaulted previously?”

Steerik paused. “It was mentioned. How serious was it?”

“It has kept her out of my bed for five years. I consider it very serious.”

The opener nodded. “Understood. I will gain consent at every turn. When do you wish me to proceed?”

“Tomorrow. I will run it past Anhara, and we will complete the process.”

“She knows?”

Zerul nodded. “She does, and she knows why.”

“That will be helpful. I do have a question for you.”

“Please. If I can answer, I will.”

“How is it that I have seen three everborn here today?”

“Because the fourth is in hospital.” Zerul smiled. “They were all born and raised around the Gateway. Their backgrounds opened the door for them to become everborn.”

Zerul looked out the window and said, “It was in the wake of a small wave. The Gateway widened, and energy seeped out. It sought out infants to remake in the ancient patterns with ancient skills. Now, I have a question for you. Why did an archmage decide to become an opener?”

Steerik ran a hand through his hair. “It was a compulsion. I couldn’t ignore it. To date, I have had fifty clients in different cities, and I know I will have twenty-seven more before I retire. To be honest, I thought you would be a vampire.”

“No, though I am not averse to tasting her.” He chuckled. “I am not averse to anything she will let me put in my mouth.”

“You sound like you are lovers.”

“My kind is at home on the dream plane, as is hers.”

Steerik stared. “Oh, so you two are not unknown to each other. That will make this easier and more difficult all at once.”

“Why more difficult?”

“I won’t move the way you do. The appearance is skin deep so that you will fit and she will be familiarized with you. The most important thing will be the spell casting. So, I will get that over with as expeditiously as possible and then leave the room.”

“Thank you. I am trying to avoid causing her stress.”

Zerul felt her on the dream plane, and he joined her while he discussed additional details with the opener, who would let him claim his consort once and for all.