“Mother?” Grant thought that, eventually, these things would stop being a shock to him.
“Yes, Levi and I have seen her in our dreams our whole lives. She would hold me, and she spoke a single word to me as she stroked my hair, ‘Murder’. And Levi—”
“I see her sculpt my form out of clay. That happened a good thirteen years after she was supposedly executed. We assumed she was Ageless like us. I guess you’ve confirmed the theory.”
Grant pondered for a moment before speaking. “I’m guessing you’ve compared your mental notes to the painting of her many times then.”
Murder nodded. “Yes, and while the painting was done later after she was ‘dead,’ we feel certain that it is largely accurate.”
“Well...” Grant looked down at his hands, “What I saw also greatly aligns with that painting.”
Murder looked a bit thrown. “How is it you happen to know so much about Queen Anne?”
“Jenna. We were friends in high school and dated briefly, from the prom to her leaving town for college. She was obsessed with The Tudors TV show. I really didn’t get interested until season two. Then I became obsessed with Natalie Dormer, and by extension—”
Murder finished his sentence so he wouldn’t have to deal with his Magical aphasia. “And by Extension, Lady Anne.”
“Yes, and my constant reading about her and Dormer was probably part of the reason Jenna broke up with me instead of trying to commute from college like we had considered. I was more than a little obsessed.”
Murder looked concerned. “Should I worry that you’re dating me to get at my mother?”
“If I had known she was your mother, I might would’ve been worried about my own intentions. It was no small obsession. But I had no clue. I’m here because I’m really in lo—” He stopped himself from saying that, but it was how he was feeling. Murder smirked as he continued. “I’m really into you.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…”
Levi stood up. “I’m going to sleep, and you two should, too. We have a lot to do tomorrow. We need to find out whatever Grant knows because I’m certain whoever enthralled him, be it Mother, or someone who wants us to think she’s Mother? Probably took what she needed right from Grant’s gorgeous head.”
Grant shook his head. “I can’t help but feel like a giant failure. I was supposed to be protecting both of you.”
Levi sat by Grant and put his arm around his shoulder. “You can’t win every battle, Noble. I too, have had my blunders as Protector. The important thing is we are all still alive to work on this problem,” he paused for effect, “tomorrow.”
***
Grant awakened to the warm, wet sensation of lips. Murder had awakened him with the softest, sweetest kisses. She eased back into the bed beside him, and her body brushed his as she nestled in. He kissed her once more on the forehead.
“By the way, last night was incredible.”
“I’m quite skilled.” She had no mask on and no jewelry. He thought her natural French accent was very sexy.
“I feel like a king.”
“You should. You were ravished by a Lady.” She caught sight of a long knife scar, near the bottom of his rib cage beneath his heart. She caressed it and kissed it. She reconsidered her stance on songs about scars.
“You know, now that your identity is compromised, I don’t think you really need the face thing or the…” he pantomimed necklace, “anymore.”
She spoke to him in French. “Préférez-vous mon accent français, Monsieur Grant?”
“Mais oui,” he replied coyly.
She looked impressed.
“I took French in high school and college before I was a beat cop in a French borough, Flatbush, for a couple of years.”
“You’re full of surprises, Grant.”
“About the um...how does that work?”
“The mask and the necklace are basic memory charms that I enchanted myself. They simply help me not forget which accent I’m using. My memory is decent, but no one has the capacity to remember everything from hundreds of years. I’ve found that many of the Ageless I have met dabble in memory magic for that very reason. I personally, don’t wish to forget anything I have experienced. Each moment is a precious gift.”
She had cycled through the three accents he’d already heard and a few other variations including “southern belle” and “valley girl” during the explanation.
He passionately kissed her, and he stopped himself from taking her in an embrace that could only lead to them staying in bed the rest of the morning. “That’s impressive, and also very hot. We should get dressed before we’re here another couple of hours.” They couldn't help themselves. They were kissing again.
Levi knocked on the door. “You two going to get out of bed any time today? I’ve received a message from this Colin chap, and we need to devise a plan.”
“We’re coming, Levi!”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” he confessed through the door.
Murder grabbed Grant’s blue dress shirt.
“And what am I going to wear?” He laughed as she threw his boxers at his head.
“Not this shirt, I can assure you.” He watched as she walked to her closet.
“It looks better on you anyway.”
***
Levi walked to Olive’s on Prince St. He hoped he could keep himself from showing his hand with Colin. His nature wasn’t to withhold. It was, however, to say whatever was on his mind, regardless of tact or feelings. He’d have to keep that in check.
As he saw Colin waiting around outside, he realized he was still very attracted to him. He was glad Murder and Grant were staked out to keep an eye on him. Otherwise, he might be tempted to let this beautiful boy kidnap him.
Colin spoke with an Irish accent that was very pleasant to Levi’s ears. “I’m pleased ta fine’ly meet cha!” Colin said.
Levi really really hoped there were two vinyl-wrapped, blood-red Aventadors in town. He insisted on a seat by the front window, “for the lighting.” Colin had pointed out the deepest corner of the room as his usual table. Levi was quick on his feet. He squinted and touched the young man’s chin.
“The light is better to see you with, my dear.” He tried not to cringe at his own line. The boy’s going to think you’re here to eat him, dipshit. Colin enjoyed the ego stroke, so Levi got his way. Levi was good at getting his way with men.
***
Grant and Murder sat across from Olive’s in a large black sedan.
“So, is this your paddy wagon, officer?”
Grant lost his soda through his nostrils. It was as much the southern belle accent as the line.
“Unfortunately, ravishing you right now would get in the way of keeping Levi safe.”
Murder laughed, “So, is this really your car? I mean…”
“I don’t own a car. This fine beast is property of the NYPD.”
“Poor darling, I’m so sorry. We should buy you a car of your very own.”
“But I can check out whatever I need from the motor pool. As long as it’s a Ford. Oh, and long as it’s black. I could buy myself a car if I needed to.”
Murder chuckled at the historical joke he didn’t know he’d made, and then pouted.“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. I—”
“There’s Colin, no Lambo.”
Murder sent a text to Levi: The eagle has landed.
He texted back: Is that what we’re going with, really?
Murder: …
Murder: Just be safe…
Levi: Safe is my middle name.
“Sometimes, I wonder who’s protecting who.” She said, in reference to Levi’s flippant responses.
“Whom.”
Murder gave Grant the side-eye. “I really didn’t mean to offend you.” She pouted again, but Grant took her hand.
She smirked.
He loved the smirk. “Sorry, I’m not mad. I’m in stakeout mode, focused.”
“Ooh. I get to see ‘Work Grant.’”
“You met me as ‘Work Grant’. Okay, there’s Levi.”
“Oh good, he used the lighting to get Colin by the window.”
Grant watched her as she watched Levi. He knew he’d be a fool to discount a 470-something-year best friend connection. He wasn’t wrong, she relayed almost everything that was going on in there.
“They’re chatting. That was a compliment. Oh wow. Levi likes him. Not just acting, but really likes him. Colin just relaxed.”
Grant saw it, too. Colin had leaned back in the booth, settling in. She’s good.
“Okay, Levi has asked about him being a Protector. It’s Levi’s serious face.”
“I think he’s safe, but I don’t know about the Aventador. Seems like too big of a coincidence.” He took Murder’s hand. She grabbed his arm with her other.
“What are you thinking, Grant?”
“Is there a community for… um, people like you? Like a support group or organization?”
“Ageless Anonymous?” she laughed. ”Why would there be? It’s not like we can quit in however many steps.”
“I only ask, because this looks a lot like a recruitment, like when gang members solicit people online then meet with them to bring new people into the fold.”
They sat and watched for another hour. Grant was getting weary. “Does coffee normally take more than an hour?”
Murder chuckled, “Have you never had coffee... as a date?”
“No.”
“Date coffee can take two, or even three hours. Besides, this is very exciting. It’s all gritty and noir.”
“If you don’t stop saying noir in that sexy French accent, we may have to take a break.”
“For ravishing?”
Grant nodded. “For ravishing.”
She leaned in close. “Na-warrr,” she said, rolling the “r” a little extra. Grant bit his lip. Despite a need to focus, another need could not be contained any longer. He kissed her.
***
“So you detail cars and you’re a Protector?”
“Aye.” Colin smiled. “We have a community of Protectors. I’ve never seen you at a meeting.”
“I’m only recently come back to Soho. We were in London only six months ago. I’ve never heard of such. Is it a recent development?”
“Since 94, when someone offed Kurt and Courtney became mortal.”
Levi’s eyes stretched, “You’re pulling my leg.”
“Yes, I am pulling your leg. We have no idea what happens when an Ageless one dies. There’s no one left to report, I suppose? I didn’t join any groups until ought-six though, so I might be missing a lot of pertinent information. Seems like all of us locals want to try and sever our ties. It’s a lot like being slaves at times.”
“Not for me. My charge is amazing, my best friend.”
“Lucky.” Colin smiled. Levi thought his smile was exceptional. But he could see it in his eyes that he was serious about severing his bond. Murder had said something about his lot in life being terrible when they met. He’d never thought of himself as marginalized, not by Murder, or for being a Protector anyway, but Colin certainly felt that way.
“I’m sorry you’ve not had the experience I have. It’s weird to think that someone might take advantage of a situation that could be so joyous. Someone’s actively trying to kill my charge. I’d give my life, and I don’t just mean temporarily, because she’d do the same for me.”
“We could use some positivity in the group. Would you attend?”
“I might be persuaded, maybe... if there was a date also involved.” Colin seemed to like the sound of that.
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