Chapter 11

The last ten days had been amazing. More so than even the beginning with Hank and the rest of the clan, the last few days had been totally outside of any measure that Karen had.

“What am I doing?” Karen thought to herself, standing in the shower. “My shrink would have a field day with this, if she could get her mind wrapped around it.”

Karen was not a typical modern woman. Her parent’s death along with her younger brother had been a major upset when it happened in her sophomore year at GW. Her admission to the FBI academy had been sidelined by her needing to handle all of the different aspects of her parent’s affairs, and she had fallen into the business of auditor within the Treasury department rather than the job as an agent that she wanted. When she was told of the opening at Milbank, Tweed, Hadley and McCloy working for William Webster, she had jumped at it. And it was one of the most gratifying experiences she had ever had. Until she went to Augusta and tried to find out about Hank Lambert. And had six impossible things before brunch.

The two years in therapy over her father and mother’s death, and the shock of her nephew being diagnosed with Leukemia had all given her a rather pessimistic attitude about the world in general and her place in particular. And her different personal relationships falling apart only amplified the sense of distrust. “I wonder if I just shouldn’t be gay?” she had thought to herself a number of times. “Men are just not worth the effort.”

But the last two months had been a reset. Preparing for her weekly meetings with William had been therapeutic, because it forced her to see the evolution of herself and her relationship with Hank and the Clan. And it was a rapid evolution. Hank didn’t say a lot. He listened, and when he made a statement, or gave direction, he always explained the reasoning. And he listened for advice. And it came from the most unusual sources.

What was really the strange thing was her feelings toward Hank. Beginning with his almost casual invitation to Karen for the upcoming Conclave at New Years, to the many long evenings and courteous talks they had had over the last six days, she had come to really enjoy and look forward to his company. And the advice she kept getting from his other female acquaintances was somewhat off color and definitely unusual. Of course, the source of this advice was unusual as well.

A nagging wake up call.

“Sympathy for you dear, is in the dictionary. Look between shit and syphilis.” The nagging voice whispered in my ear.” Time to get up and out. Hanks in the bathroom and he’s never there for more than ten minutes. So, you need to get up and at it.”

“You just wait until we can get you out.”

Silence followed. No comeback. “Cindy? Are you there?” Karen asked. “You guys in the palace, you know we’re working on plans to get you out.”

“We’re know you are. But I’m not too sure how doable it is. There is a lot to consider when you talk about regrowing into a new human.” Cindy said. “Besides, I am not sure that I want to get out. Maybe it’s not worth the effort for me.”

This statement jerked Karen fully awake. She sat upright and thought about what Cindy had gone through. “Cindy, I want you to know that I will do anything I can to help you get back to yourself.”

Karen thought for a moment. The sensation of being in the dark, just drifting and not able to see or hear anything was scary to her.

Karen thought on that statement for a few moments. She really didn’t want to give up Magic as a Power Mage and wondered what her choices would be if she were in the same situation. She suddenly felt a lot for Cindy. And she had a question for her.

T’was the day before Christmas

Waking up with my face in a warm head of hair, and my arms wrapped around a wonderful woman with very large and firm tits was definitely a new experience that I would love to have as my new normal. In fact, I was wondering how I could get this converted to a permanent everyday occurrence. A great way to wake up.

These few days had been an eye opener, a mind opener, and what was becoming the biggest single emotional connection I had formed in years. (Though not a lot of “physical” connections.) Karen’s first tour of the top floor of 1030 ended in my bedroom, and we had a lot of interesting conversations along the way. And you know how things progressed from there. As the days progressed, during the weeks before Christmas, I discovered that three of the dresser drawers in my bedroom were now “Joint custody”, and that I had lost five feet of hanger space in my closet. And I was supposed to put the toilet seat down in my bathroom. All of these were changes that I eagerly embraced.

Karen didn’t mind that I was younger than her. I was only 23 at this time compared to her 25. She had a different view of the things that were different about us.

She didn’t mind that I didn’t have a college degree. “Neither did Bill Gates.”

She didn’t mind that she was faster on the uptake of Magic then I was. “Some people have too many other things going on.”

And she didn’t mind that I oversaw this creature that was Clan Lambert. “Some people rise to the position that others want them to be in. Besides, you created this almost single handedly. You have a lot of work to do here.”

Not that there was any feeling of domestic co-residence or anything. We still did have separate toothbrushes.

The only connection to today with the past was when Cindy whispered in my ear “Rise and shine, boy. Got things to do and places to be.” And that meant that it was time to get back to the work of running the Clan.

So, when you have all of that, and are embarking on the first deep relationship, I must ask. What do you give a woman who can have anything she wants? I mean really, what do you get a gorgeous, intelligent, articulate woman with a body that stopped traffic, curves that belonged in 1940s bombers, and cold gray eyes that went inside of you and pulled you out of yourself and laid your soul bare? Who had the patience of a forest fire, took no BS from anyone, and could be a PITA if you crossed her.

This Christmas eve was a lot different from the last five years. Cindy, of course, woke me up at the normal seven o’clock. I kissed Karen and wandered into get my normal absolutions. I was sure something was happening while I was scrubbing with bubbles. Cindy would let anyone sleep in on a holiday morning or on any day that was Sunday.

Maybe I could slip out and get some breakfast and bring something back to give the princess when she took her shower.

Elsewhere. Another force on the horizon.

“Helen, this can’t be good.” Natalie said.

“I’m not sure how bad it is. But it’s possibly not too dangerous.” Helen said.

“With a name like The International Association of Exorcists, and the backing of the Vatican, I don’t see how it can be good.” Natalie said.

“They call themselves the AIE. That stands for “Associazoine Internazionale Esorcisti” and they are working to become fully recognized as an element of the Vatican. And they have three members coming down here to Augusta to visit with the lead Monsignor at Most Holy Trinity. Evidently this was a “Inquiry” that was sparked by the Vatican.” Helen continued.

“How did we find this little factoid out?” Natalie asked.

“The Monsignor tipped me off that there was a “from on high” inquiry and asked if we could have an appointment with these people for the week after Christmas. Evidently these three guys are supposed to provide a “document of discovery” in the new year for the Pope.” Helen continued.

“Didn’t we have the New York parishioners put a bug in the local ear years ago. Weren’t we able to answer all the questions then to the satisfaction of the local Monsignor? Didn’t that inquiry sort of petered out and died?” Natalie asked.

“Yes, but these guys are being a little more diligent. Apparently one of our Hedge Witches did a long confessional in San Francisco, and he gave the priest permission to elevate his concerns up the theological ladder. Which got these guys from the Vatican involved. These fellows are the Vatican heavy hitters. The guy we are hearing that is leading the charge is a Jeremy Davies. Evidently, he’s a pretty big noise in Vatican Land.” Helen said.

“What specifically are they interested in?” Natalie asked.

“According to the information I have got, it’s the “Impact on souls stolen and contained within a crystal matrix, not released to return to their maker.” Which is a religious pile of Stuff.” Helen said.

“So, what do we do?” Natalie asked.

“Keep an eye out for any guys in black suits with funny collars. Just remember that the Catholics are almost as bad as the Protestants were in the sixteen hundreds.” Helen said.

“Hank is going to love this.” Natalie said.

“Hank is going to love what?” Carol asked.

“The Vatican is coming. Again.” Natalie said.

“For real? Gee, are we able to have an interview with the Pope?” Carol snickered.

“Carol, I don’t think they are coming bearing gifts. This is the Exorcists team that the Vatican is recently accepting as a devout and committed part of the “modern Church.” Helen said.

“Great. This is the third group coming to the US to raise hate and discontent.” Natalie said.

“I wonder if we can just firebomb all the Mages and Wizards in Europe. Just kill them all and let God sort them out.” Helen said aloud. “Not that I encourage mass murder. Just singular assassination, One at a time.”

“Let’s bring that up at the next council meeting for Clan Lambert. Take the war to them for a change” Natalie said.

Setting the stage.

Meanwhile, as the ladies were talking, there I was, finishing my shower and for the first time in years my body was totally relaxed. Karen had almost worn me totally to a nub. And my mind was totally engrossed in wondering where this relationship was going to go, and what could I do to foster its growth. So, I’m standing in front of the mirror, doing the shave my face thing, asking myself “Dad, you and mom had great success. How did you do it? And then that voice whispers in my ear again.

“Son, you have all the tools. You just have to make the attitude adjustment necessary to let the woman live with you, and get her to make the ones you need for her to live with you. First step is to ask her what she wants to do in the relationship. Does she want to do shopping or dishes? Does she want to do household bills or housekeeping? What chores does She want to do, and what chores does she want YOU to do to make the relationship work. And do you give each other oversight and review of each other’s work efforts? It’s a partnership. But you have to lead with that piece of the pie now or it won’t get set to allow you to do it for the next years.”

“So, dad, when do I start that work?”

“No time like the present. You have had your honeymoon. Start setting the path for the work of a long-term relationship. If this woman is the one you want to spend your life with you want to start now. And if she isn’t, you at least get to practice on her for the one you will later. Avoid Bad Habits.”

So those were the reflections I heard, while looking in the bathroom mirror. On Christmas Eve. I never thought my dad was that smart when I was sixteen. It was amazing how smart he had gotten in seven years. Or maybe I wasn’t listening so hard back then. I wish I had.

“Karen, I guess we need to get going to breakfast.” I said as I walked out of the bathroom and saw her standing in front of the mirror. Smiling. And saying, “Let’s go get breakfast.”

Jeans, sweatshirt, and no makeup, hair tied back in a ponytail, Karen looked like a college co-ed. My co-ed. And she was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Except for the laugh lines around the eyes, you would think she was a teenager. And those eyes. Deep pits of steel gray. Totally engrossing. Amazing. Wonderful. Beautiful. Wake up, Hank.

We trundled out to the elevator and down to the Lounge for breakfast. I knew that someone would have something fast for us to eat. And I figured that I should open the “What chores do You want and what do you want Me to do?” conversation. On Christmas eve. And it went pretty good. That five feet of hanger space in my closet was down payment on my life of the future. The three drawers were Interest. And some of the contents were surely interesting.

After a wonderful and interesting breakfast, I found I was being shooed away to go “Play with the other boys” I reached out to Paula and asked where Jeffery was. Evidently, he was spending a lot of time with Aine and Riska out in the country. And so I stepped over to the Arch Park and looked over what was going on. And got educated.

Assembling forces.

Stepping to the Arch Park was a familiar feeling. And looking at the various creatures out and about conducting training under the watchful eyes of Aine, Jeffery, Peter and Riska brought home the seriousness of the situation we had faced in the last few days.

Two assaults on Friends of the Friend of Fae. One against my old mentor and one against the legal/business consul we had turned into an asset. Both of these were indirect assaults on Clan Lambert. The message was obvious here. “We will get to you or yours”. Coming at us directly didn’t work. So now we were looking at sideways assaults through attacking our friends and family. That meant that we needed to look at other sneak attacks against friends, other attempts to escalate the legal and governmental assaults, and possibly even deal with greater direct military or quasi military actions. And that meant that we had to broaden out channels of information. And we had to improve our professional responses.

A very funny thing had come out with the training of the creatures. Jeffery likened it to the different talents needed for the different jobs in the military. And the sort of jobs that the Dragon Corp would need to have to protect and defend Clan Lambert. Wherever any of the Clan was.

The Sprites had limited offensive power, but great intelligence capture. They were small, could become invisible, had excellent hearing and vision, and never lost track of where they were or where what they were watching was. “Very competent Scouts” was how Jeffery described them. And the addition of the armlets that gave them greater resources of power and shields “hardened” their fragile bodies against weapons that they might encounter.

Gargoyles were our “Individual Operators.” Small, very secure defenses, and total ability to freeze any object or person. Silent field assassins. Capture artists. Paving the way for the larger forces to take over the battlefield. Our “Tip of the spear”. They had multiple jobs, both as “Palace Guards” and our support for the Sprites. And they loved it.

Dragonets were the “Armored Squads”. Much greater fire power, Excellent weapon skills, and totally able to hit a target, if they had a visual location. Great flexibility in weapons which were medium sized with correspondent firepower. And their shielding ability was excellent. And with a variety of tricks, not just freeze, burn and atomize. (They could peel clothes off a man or woman from the skin, including pubic hair, from any distance they could see. A great preface to interrogation. And it’s a great way to separate a Mage from any power artifacts. Made prisoner containment a snap.) They filled the role of a Squad of Infantry with the added ability to provide some serious weapon support. (Freeze, or Fry.)

We all figured that Dragons would be the “Armored, Artillery, Aerial Firepower/Support” elements. The biggest shortcoming with the Dragons was the lack of ability to diminish their output to a controllable scale. Overkill was the watchword when dealing with Dragons. Jeffery likened it to a “Puff Strike” compared to a sniper shot. “It’s hard to control all the stuff that comes out of a AC -130. It’s an area weapon, not a sniper weapon.”

The Gnomes and Elves, and Dwarves were all given slightly different assignments depending on their talents and the anticipated tasks that we thought they would have to accomplish. Riska and Charlie the Gnome were very much in task as advisors there given their experience in the battles at the Arch Park. And they were keeping open minds about what different

Now when you realize that you have different job assignments to different types of work force, you realize that you need to develop a plan of engagement for them. First you have to define the response to a “Trigger”. Like an attempted kidnapping in a home or office. Once you have received the trigger event, you have plans to counter the event, and resources to fill in the gaps. And Peter, Jeffery, Riska, Setno and Haska were all eager contributors to bring up and develop plans for the different kinds of conflict, all the way from simple recovery operations to major aerial conflicts. Deamonus was the elected “First Sergeant” of our little collection of soldiers, and he grew into that role like, well, like a Big Dragon.

I was a little concerned with the scope of some of the plans, but that little voice whispered in my ear “Better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it.”

“I hear you dad, I hear you” I thought aloud.

Late Lunch, Christmas Eve.

It was sure different. We had a gathering in the Lounge and in the conference room next door to it. Karen, Helen, Natalie, Paula and Maggie were all doing the decorating and present wrapping in preparation for tomorrow. We had a pretty full house, with the normal crowd and also many of the Fae coming to our place. Paula said we should come to Albuquerque next year, as they had more room. I had to admit that she had a point.

I managed to corner Mayfly and ask her to write me a contract to give to Karen. Not a proposal exactly, but more like a formal agreement about who did what and who was responsible for the domestic tasks. It was to be written as kind of a joke but with serious intent.

I didn’t know what else to give her. I am a lousy gift giver. Thank God we had a jewelers downstairs.

Besides, we were only in our second week.

But what a week it was. I was feeling more relaxed than I had in years. Karen had been alternating between a great warm friend and a hot sexual creature for the entire last two weeks, and I felt a sense of peace that I had not had since my first weekend with Cindy.

CINDY! My God. She had been in the background for the entire two weeks and I could not help but have a sense of shame about how I had behaved. It was almost like I was putting her in the background of my mind. I could not help but wonder what she was feeling.

Now that’s the sort of thing that would strike fear into the heart of the bravest men. Much less me.

Wrapping Presents

Yep. Lots of Punch (with alcohol as a punch) and paper, and tape and cards and boxes and all of the other things that go into presents. The girls camped out in my bedroom and the guys camped out in Jerry and Natalie’s apartment. We were all on the fifth floor and teasing back and forth. The big tree would be downstairs in the meeting room off of the Lounge. It looked like a train with everyone taking their own contributions downstairs to the back room for tomorrow morning. Of course, having to stop in the Lounge on the way back up had an added treat from a full bar. I turned up the heat on the Fumeral to warm the place up a little and give everyone the sense of warmth and close friendship. And of course, everyone was kidding me about going to the Conclave the following week for the American Mage, Wizards and Hedge Witches meeting. We had grown to over three hundred members and there Sir David had issued open invitations to the Wizard community and the Europeans. We didn’t know how many were going to be from there.

We had ten of the new Gargoyles going to be there doing sentry duty, and seven Dragonets as well. Reggie and his wife had impressed Wintertide (one of the dragonets from Alaska) and she was totally enamored of the house in New Orleans. She even did her alligator imitation in the pool next to the house. We had already placed a Clan Lambert codpiece on her before she met Reggie and his wife, so she had all of the requisite shields, and other tricks at her disposal. She switched off with Ryojin (another Dragonet) to be able to go to the Arch Park and play soldier with Deamonous. Getting a good strong handle on the tactics and tricks that the Dragon Corp was working with gave her a leg up if she needed it.

All of which helped to loosen up the entry guest list to include “Friends and Service Animals” to the upcoming party. It was the first time Arno had ever attended a gathering of Mages and Wizards. It could prove to be a great boost to commerce.

Of course, we were going to have open house at 1030 for much of the time of the party to allow people to shop as well as look at the things we had available, and of course also Paula and Jeffery would have open house in Albuquerque showing off the new school.