Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Isaac
Damn it all, I’m a prince. I’m the crown prince, in fact, and that means I don’t get to act based on my emotions and my desires. I need to think in larger scope, to look at the entirety of the situation and not just my little part of it. These are the thoughts that fill my mind as I arrive at the Company 417 firehouse. I’m on a three/four schedule.
That means I work three days, living at the station, and then I have four days off. Then, it flips to a four/three. For the next two weeks, though, while my parents are here, I’m working a regular shift, seven to four. It’s an adjustment for me. I feel almost temporary, and that’s irritating because everyone here is my brother. It sucks to feel almost like a visitor in my own home.
We’re all shifters, the firefighters at Company 417. It’s unofficial but it’s official. The state fire authority plan is for us to be the best fire company in the country and then for them to reveal that we’re all shifters. That’s the grand scheme.
But we’ve been the best fire company for more than two years. We accomplish impossible things. We’re still not public about the shifter thing. Most of us don’t mind. Some of the guys are certain to quietly transfer elsewhere once the plan is in place to reveal us to the world. Honestly, though, most of us think the state will never get around to it.
It’s wonderful in theory but the world deals in reality.
Anyway, it’s good to be here even if I’m dealing with the strangeness of the schedule. I see Garrett up ahead. He’s a fire captain now, which is appropriate. He’s a great guy. He’s skilled and has remarkable leadership skills. He’s a gorilla shifter but other than that, he’s almost as good as a panther. He sees me and calls me over. “Your Majesty,” he says, “I hope you’ll show grace on your subjects today?—”
“I should never have told you I’m royalty,” I say.
“C’mon, Isaac. We knew before you ever showed up.” That doesn’t really surprise me. Most shifters know what’s going on with all shifters. At least when you’re talking about things like royalty. I might not know the internal politics of each lion pride or each wolf pack but I certainly know about the governing authorities (so to speak.)
“Well, what do you actually need apart from harassing me?”
“We got the King Cobra. It arrives tomorrow, and I’m putting you in charge.”
“Holy shit. That’s amazing.” He’s not talking about a snake shifter (and yeah, they exist.) He means a new platform truck from a German company that makes the best fire apparatus in the world. The King Cobra is a hundred-foot articulating platform fire truck designed to reach tight spaces and even operate below grade. That’s ground level. The platform can go below ground level.
This truck is an important purchase. I’ve been trying hard to get one. It will allow our firefighters to work safely and efficiently in a variety of situations. An eight-foot jib allows us to reach roofs, balconies, and below grade windows and courtyards, and more. We’ll be able with short jacking to reach over water or guardrails. It’s got full circle 360-degree movement. The damned truck can set up on slopes and in tight spaces.
This thing will be safer for firefighters and the public whether we’re talking about roof penetrations, tight spaces, multi-story buildings, multiple level bridges or more. This is a big win for us. And, since I’m like a kid in the candy store when it comes to fire equipment, it’s a big win for me.“Well, enjoy it because that was a very big purchase, and I don’t see them okaying a lot more in the near future.”
“So, enjoy the Christmas present and wait patiently for my birthday. Gotcha.”
“And you say you don’t understand how government works. You’re lying on both counts, your highness.”
“Is that going to be the joke of the day?”
Garrett laughs. “Absolutely, Shere Khan.”
A new recruit, Billy, walks by. “Wow, Cap’s getting wild today!”
Garrett’s expression changes instantly. “Have you gotten the equipment sorted, probie?”
Billy’s whole demeanor turns serious. “Yes, Sir.”
“Good. Now get those trucks clean.”
“All of them?”
Garrett nods and not a muscle twitches as he answers. “Every single one.”
Billy actually gulps. “Um, ...”
“Are you suggesting it’s too big a job for you, probie?”
“No, Sir!”
“Then get to it.”
Billy runs off and Garrett shakes his head chuckling. “Look at Bambi go. Sometimes it’s just too easy.”
Billy is a deer shifter, but really nowhere near to Bambi. When he shifts, he’s hulking, more like an elk or caribou and twice as large as a natural one. He’s the first one, though, in this company, and honestly, not a lot of us have had dealings with them. They tend to be very insular as a community. You can understand why when they’re surrounded by natural predators.
“Well, Isaac, I’ll let you get to it.” He looks in the direction of where Billy took off. “I guess I’ll go ahead and send him some help.”
I laugh and the day starts.
I check my equipment and we go on a small run that turns out to be nothing much, but the whole day I’m distracted. I run the dinner through my head over and over, trying to plan for every scenario and every possible question.
It’s not like me to feel so unsure about a situation. It just irritates the hell out of me.
So, though my day started great with the news of the King Cobra, by the time I’m clocking out, I’m practically hissing and spitting.
The drive home helps to settle my nerves a little. Then, I walk through my door and see Katrina. I wasn’t expecting to see her here, and it feels like someone has splashed refreshing cool water on my face.
“Welcome home, honey bunches. I went shopping.”
She pulls out a cat toy, the kind with the fluff ball on a fishing pole. A grin lights up her whole face as she jiggles it up and down.
My God, she’s just so beautiful. And smart. And funny.
“Wow, I ought to just ...” I take a few steps her way and then, she jumps up and we play chase until I catch her and she’s in my arms and we’re kissing and, well, dinner very much seems a waste of time, even if it’s my parents we’d be standing up.
But, like I said, she’s one smart cookie. She wriggles free and waggles a finger at me as she heads for the door. “Uh huh, no time. This dinner is way too important for you to blow it off. I’m going to head home and get ready. You need to do the same, Mr. Fireman.”
She blows me a kiss and then, she’s out the door and gone.
I sigh and head for the shower. She’s right, of course, but it doesn’t mean I don’t wish we could avoid this whole charade.
But this whole charade is what gives me time with a girl I never thought I’d be spending this kind of time with, so the trade is acceptable.
I eventually get my head in the game and about an hour later, I collect Katrina, who is now stunning in a strapless, form-fitting, shimmering silver dress that makes her look like starlight took human form. “You got the money I sent for the dress,” I say. I was worried she’d be uncomfortable.
“No,” she says, “I just have six-hundred-dollar dresses in my closet.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Dummy! She laughs. Of course, I got the money and it bought you this.”
We head to the restaurant. It’s in the city an hour and a half outside our town because noting here met the standards of my regal parents.
We pull up and Katrina gives a low whistle. “Maybe I should’ve worn the Tom Ford dress in my closet.”
I look at her. “You look beautiful in this one.”
She laughs. “Tom Ford is a famous clothing designer.” She leans in and whispers, “It was a joke. I only have this one you bought for me.”
I shake my head and kiss her cheek. “Mmmmm, I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.”
“Always.”
The valet takes the car and we step inside. My parents are instantly obvious. They’re more elegantly dressed than anyone in the place. This might be a step up from our town, and a very expensive restaurant for this area, but it’s still small potatoes next to old money back in Europe.
I take Katrina’s hand and put it on my arm. We give each other a look, switch to matching smiles and head to the table.
My mother looks up and immediately the claws are out. “My goodness, how very shiny.”
Katrina sits down in the chair I pull out for her. “My Tom Ford was being mended.”
I manage to choke back my laugh.
My father snares me with a look. “We are going to be clear about this. We are only going to entertain this fantasy so far, son.”
And so, the fun begins.