Chapter Four – Stick to the Plan
~Likosa~
I’d thought about abandoning the plan. Experiencing her energy from afar was much different than getting up close and personal. I figured it would have that familiar edge to it, but this was so much more than I could have ever imagined.
“Likosa, dear, what’s the problem?” Windsor, my closest friend in the Bane, said from across the dinner table. “I put such love into this meal, and you can’t be bothered to enjoy it?”
“Sorry.” I poked at the food in front of me. “I’m sure it’s delicious. I just have a lot on my mind.”
“Is it that ploy of yours you won’t fully tell me about?” She stretched, lifting four arms up to the ceiling. “I must hit the falls soon. My body has been so tight lately.”
“It’s because you haven’t mated. I’m not sure what this vow of celibacy is about.”
“Mating makes babies, Likosa. Every time a Shulusi mates, we get pregnant, and I’m not risking it. You know my kind makes no less than nine babes at a time!” She rolled her shoulders, and the reddish brown skin that covered them rippled with pent-up energy.
“I still can’t believe that’s how it works.
” Some species really had it bad. In my world, women didn’t carry their babies; the entire gestation happened outside the body so both partners could be a part of the process.
I couldn’t imagine having to hold a fetus within my body, let alone nine of them!
“We’re in heat only four times. After that, I can bang all I want without consequence. Only one more heat cycle to go!”
“Well, I’ll keep my mouth shut. You let me know when you head to the falls, and I’ll add a little something special to the water to help you out.”
“Oh yes! The last time you did that, it was amazing. I felt like I had at least twelve orgasms!”
“Well, thank you for sharing that. I’ll be sure not to stick around next time.” I laughed as I tapped the edge of the cup, the water inside stirring.
“If you told me more about it, I could be of more help,” Windsor insisted. “I mean, I know it has something to do with those women from Earth. Everyone’s talking about it. They’ve already stirred up so much drama, and word is, your magic is all over it.”
“Can’t get anything past you, huh?” I smiled as the wind chimes in the window behind her head sang from the passing breeze. “Everyone runs to tell you everything as soon as it happens.”
“When it comes to you, yes. Because they’re all looking for verification, which I never give, so I’m sure why they do it.” Windsor returned to her food and moaned as she tasted the soup. “So what’s going on?”
“You’re right. There’s another woman, but things have gotten a bit more complicated. She’s different, in more ways than I thought.”
“So does she no longer fit into your plan?” she asked. “Can you find another to replace her?”
“There is no one who can replace her.” My voice was a bit too intense when I spoke, so I readjusted. “Her power, it’s unique, and I’m not sure there is another out there like her. If it is, it would take too long to find it.”
“Wait…” She leaned forward, narrowing her gaze at me. “I saw that, how you just tensed up! You like her? I mean, more than the others. Don’t you?”
“I hardly know the woman.”
“Yes, but it's about more than just knowing someone, isn’t it?” She clicked her tongue, and her bright, sun-kissed eyes widened. “Especially with you! You’re all about vibes and energy, Likosa. So let me guess: you met her, and her energy was more than you expected.”
“How have you come to know me so well?” I shook my head.
“We’ve been friends for longer than either of us would like to admit.” She laughed.
“True.” The smile stretched across my face. “Do you remember when we first met?”
“Yes! You were about to snap at that merchant. If I hadn’t stepped in, you surely would have gotten kicked out of this world.” She chuckled. “I thought you would blow the place up over a few coins.”
“He tried to swindle me because I was new here.” I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned back in my seat. “You saw how he gave everyone else a lower price!”
“And now, he runs and hides whenever you come to the market!” she cackled. “I swear, the look on his face when he sees you coming is priceless!”
“He’ll think twice about trying to take advantage of anyone again.” I jutted my chin out at her. “And of that, I am proud!”
“So what are you going to do about the earthling?” Windsor redirected our conversation.
I thought about her question. What did I want to do? After years of planning, would I let something like an intense feeling sway me from my goal? There wouldn’t be a second chance if I abandoned the plan, and the feeling inside me, that intuition, burned, insisting I press on.
“I’m going to move forward. How can I not? I’ve come too far now to turn back.” A firm nod sealed my decision, and I felt the resolve harden within me. “There is too much at stake.”
“I’ll have to take your word for it, since I don’t really know what this is all about.” A knock on the door caused Windsor to leave me alone with my thoughts.
“What are you doing here?” I heard Windsor exclaim moments later.
“I need to talk to Likosa,” the deep familiar voice responded, and I rolled my eyes. I didn’t want to deal with him anymore than she did. “And I know she’s here because besides Metice, you’re her only real friend in the Bane.”
“That’s not true. She has lots of people who love her!” Windsor defended me as the door closed.
“You have to say that because she’s your only friend too.” With a goofy grin on his face, Cufio followed Windsor into the dining room.
“You have a guest.” She rolled her eyes and returned to her seat.
“Don’t act like you can’t wait to get those four hands all over me!” He winked at her. “You know you love me, Winny baby!”
“I have told you time and time again not to call me that. Do you want me to snap your neck?”
“Put those big, powerful hands on me. Please, I beg you.”
Windsor scoffed. “Please do not make me lose my appetite. I worked hard on this meal and I want to enjoy it.”
“Cufio. What are you doing here?” I spoke before he could say anything else. The two of them often bickered for hours if I let them.
“I come with a message for the best witch in the land!” he bowed.
“Don’t call me a witch.” I waved him off. “What’s the message?”
“Klougus seeks your attention. He says you owe him, and he’s ready to collect.” He waggled his eyebrows. “What are you going to give him? A trip to the pool?”
“And he sent you to deliver this message?” I shook my head. “Why?”
“Don’t you know I’m an important member of his team? Well, at least I am again, now that all that drama was sorted out.” He sighed. “Raymond refused to rejoin us, but I’ve gotten my cushy position back, and I’m happy about that.”
“Right.” I nodded. “Well, good for you.”
“So, are you going to go to him?” he asked. “Should I tell him to kiss your ass?”
“If you plan to tell him that, please let me be in the room when you do!” Windsor abandoned the food in front of her to laugh at his expense. “Please, I beg you!”
“See, I knew you liked me a lot more than you wanted to admit. You want to be up under me. Look, Winny, it’s flattering, but I don’t think now is the right time for me to start up anything new. I just took on this new position, and I need to focus on that.”
“You egotistical bastard. I do not want—”
“Please let him know I will be there once I have resolved my current dilemma.” Once again, I interrupted them. “And Cufio, do remind him it would be in his best interest not to rush me right now. I respect his position, but I will not pretend I am completely at his mercy.”
“Right. Of course, I’m sure he hasn’t forgotten how powerful you really are. That’s why he sent a friend.” He sat down at the table, pulling the bowl of soup from in front of me. “You know, to lessen the blow.”
“You have some nerve!” Windsor fussed before she popped his hand and pulled the bowl from him. “No one invited you to eat.”
“She’s clearly not eating it.” He looked offended. “What a proper host would do is offer me my own bowl.”
“I didn’t invite you here!”
“As if that makes a difference.” Cufio blew her a kiss. “Your door is always open to me. You know that, Winny. Let’s not pretend now.”
“I am going to end you!” Windsor looked like she was ready to fly across the table, and I knew that marked my time to see myself out.
“He can have it. I think I’m going to head home. There’s a lot I need to work through.” If they were going to kill each other, I wouldn’t be a part of it.
“See, she doesn’t want it, and I know you don’t want it to go to waste, now do you, Windsor?”
“Oh, shut up.” She put the bowl down in front of him.
“You two have fun.” I chuckled as I stood from the table and left Windsor to deal with the headache that often came with a shadow walker.