Chapter Four: Field Trip
"Ok, we need hamburger patties, ribs, sausage…chicken? Yeah, chicken too. We'll have all day to cook it, "Matthew thought out loud as he was making a list while looking in the deep freeze. Closing the door he walked opened the refrigerator and looked around, "Let's see…looks like we already have most of the ingredients for potato salad except for the potatos…Will need more milk and eggs to make the deserts. "
The demon closed the door only to Eep! seeing Eric standing right next to him. "Making a list for the party?" the older demon asked.
"Ah yeah, "answered Matthew, "I'm hoping to go shopping after helping Ms. Wallis out with the wards."
"How do you propose to get all that food back here?"
"Huh…like we always do, "he answered, "You know…teleport."
Eric tsked and said, "What a waste of energy. It's not like we have access to endless numbers of lovely ladies to feed off of."
Matthew's eyes narrowed and said, "I am not helping you get a car."
"Come on, "said Eric with a smile, "It'll be fun, driving around, finding ladies just as hungry as we are…"
"Eric, no, "said Matthew heading pinning the list on the cork board next to the door, "Besides, Ms. Wallis is planning to use some of the household fund to buy car for all of us to use so long as it for something to do with the house. You know buy food, pick up stuff from the cleaners, that sort of thing."
"So long as it comes back clean, undamaged and with a full tank of gas, "said Wallis as she walked into the kitchen apparently looking for her helper of the day, "It can also be used for the occasional night on the town. And I mean occasional and only after you prove to me you can actually drive. "
"Thank you my dear lady, "Eric said with a smile in his eyes, "I do have a driver's license…"
"A fake one that Mr. Anderson got for you, "Karen said flatly,"Anyone who wishes to use the car will need to prove to me they can drive and knows the rules of the road."
"But what if we don't and want to learn, "Matthew asked.
Karen gave the boyish demon a look and said, "I'll…figure something out. Do any of you actually know how to drive?"
Matthew shrugged and honestly said, "I don't. I don't think Sam or Damien does either. James might, but I never actually seen him drive."
"Thank you for the heads up, "Karen said and then muttered something about looking up driving schools. Then as if it just dawned on her, "It does get rather isolated around here for you guys."
Matthew just shrugged but Eric gave her a sad, puppy dog look as he nodded.
Karen sighed and said, "Okay, if James agrees I'll take all of you somewhere you can be yourselves without getting into too much trouble. Not this weekend due to the party but maybe next Friday or Saturday."
"Sounds like you don't like this place, "said Matthew.
"It's a little on the loud side for my tastes now a days, but it's one of the few places where those who are in the know or are not exactly human can mingle and … it's basically a dance bar for witches, warlocks, demons and the like to let loose and maybe hook up. So long as the peace is kept almost anyone is allowed in, but once you step outside well…let's just say it's best to go in a group. I'll explain the rules of the place to all of you at the same time over dinner."
"So we can be in our Incubus forms?!" Eric said with eyes wide open.
"Yes, "said Karen pinching the bridge of her nose as if already regretting bringing it up, "But only after we get there. You ready to get to work Matthew?"
(That evening)
Karen Wallis sat down tiredly at the dining room table and Matthew did the same right next to her. "Sheesh, remind me never to volunteer to help you ever again, "the demon groaned as he placed his head over his crossed arms on the table, "I got tired just trying to keep up with you."
The woman chuckled, "Sounds like you need that trip to the bar I mentioned more than Eric does."
"Ha ha, "Matthew replied, "If I wasn't so tired I would have actually laughed."
James walked in helping Eric bring in plates of food to the table. "You too almost done with the wards?" asked the eldest brother.
"We got the old, hell-magic wards renewed and put in the new demonic wards. Hopefully now no more surprised visits from your ex-girlfriends, "was the answer, "I want to put in another layer of wards for Angels and just a general warning one for anyone with magic. The last one will be easy, the Angel one not so much. Have to be careful to do it in a way that they're not insulted."
"Sounds like you want to make this place a regular fortress, Ms. Wallis, "said James as he sat down, "May I ask why?"
"The demonic ward was requested by Sam, "Karen said, "The others…you ever get that feeling on the back of your neck when something wrong is about to happen…I've been getting it since last night. I figured everyone, including me, will sleep a little better knowing its safe here."
"True, "James said and then asked, "If you don't mind, would it be alright if I took over Matthew's duties as your helper. I rather interested in how you plan to place the holy wards."
"That acceptable to me if it's alright with…"
"Yes!" Matthew said.
"…Matthew."
At that point everyone joined in at the table and started to eat. After a few moments of enjoyment, James stated, "I understand that you'll be staying here for a while."
"I asked Ms. Anderson if I could stay over while I'm working on the wards, "said the woman, "To get them done in time, I would have to start early in the morning and work a little later. Plus I figured I would be spending more time commuting than actually sleeping if I went back to my apartment. She was kind enough to allow it."
"Why don't you just live here like you did before?"Matthew asked.
"You use to live here?"Mika asked.
"I had to be available to assist your grandfather at anytime day or night at a moment's notice, "answered the woman, "It was more efficient for me to say here. For you that is not necessary."
The brothers all looked at each other and then at Mika who shrugged. Seeing this, the older woman's eyes narrowed and asked, "What's going on?"
It was Mika that spoke up, "Well…I...well we were kinda hoping you would move in. You have the most experience of any of us when it comes to magic stuff, in this world at least, and well…"
Damien added, "We would all feel better if you were close at hand. You said yourself once you are done with the wards this place would be like a fortress. What if someone tried to get to Mika by attacking you?"
"Plus you can be around in case doofas here goofs up on her magic homework, "Sam added, "If you're not here she might end up blowing up the place."
Mika half heartedly slapped Sam's arm with a smile she couldn't keep to herself.
"I'll consider it, "was all that Wallis was willing to say on the matter, "I'll give you my answer by this weekend."
"Ms. Wallis, "Eric spoke up, "I hate to add more to your plate but…"
The woman raised a hand and said, "If James agrees, I'll be more than happy to take all of you. My SUV has plenty of room. Actually I might like a break myself by then and I can stick to the quieter areas."
"What would I need to agree to?" James asked with some concern.
(A week and a half later, on a Friday night)
"I can't believe I agreed to this, "James moaned behind his hand, as the group sat in the SUV.
"I'm actually looking forward to this, "said Eric as if he wanted to jump in his seat, "Even if they have that awful music, there be plenty of lovely ladies who will be able to see me in all my demonic glory. I'll be able to get so much sexual energy it'll be a feast!"
"I'm kinda nervous…what if all I get are people who are interested in being with a kid?"
"Dunno why we're going, "Sam grumbled.
"I want to dance with you, the real you, "said Mika with a soft voice right in his ear causing the tough man of the group to blush.
"Ok children, did everyone study their rule book?"Ms. Wallis asked with a smile.
With laughter in their voices everyone but James answered, "Yes, ma'am."
"Did you get the private room reserved?" asked James with his arms crossed in the front passenger seat.
"Of course, "Ms Wallis answered.
A few minutes later they had arrived at what looked to be a rather large and solid white, storage facility and the parking lot was jammed packed. Karen ignored the crowded parking lots and drove right up to a reserved space. Everyone got out of the car. Mika was wearing a short green dancing dress with matching shoes and Sam just couldn't stop looking her. Ms. Wallis was also dressed rather nicely, in a dark silver dress with a rather large slit up the side and low neck. She also appeared to be somewhat younger than she normally did, no more than a few years older than Mika. It amazed Eric to no end and he said that she could make a fortune if she sold the secret. The boys were pretty much dressed as they normally would since they were planning to use this chance to go demon, even James and Damien were talked into doing it. They approached a door that opened up to them and all they saw was blackness. Karen stepped in without hesitation and the others follows.
"Silver! It's been ages!" the bouncer waiting at a second door in the distance greeted them, "These must be your new crew. Damn girl, how the hell did you find five Incubi?"
The bouncer was a large stone grey female with a set of set of wings folded up on her back. Black, polished horns reflected the ceiling lights as she waved them to the front of the line. Karen laughed and gave the gargoyle a hug and said, "It wasn't me that found them, but my new employer Miss Anderson that did."
"Anderson! You weren't be related to Harry?"
Mika just gave Karen (Silver?) a questioning look. "Yes, Delva, she is Harry's granddaughter. He left her his place when he died, "Wallis answered.
Sam spoke up, "She walked in and found the five of us just unconscious on the floor. Things haven't been the same since." He gave his girl a kiss on the cheek.
"Which reminds me, a pair of 'taken' tokens for the green team, "said Karen who then turned to the party to say, "Ok gentlemen, go pick up the tokens that you want and let me know when you are ready to head to the room."
As the group went over the tokens carefully, Karen took hold of the gargoyles arm. "I want extra care with Miss Anderson's safety, "she said with eyes that flashed red, "Is that understood."
James, not bothering with the tokens noticed the exchange.
"You can trust…"
"Just a warning, if ANYTHING happens to her, there will be worse than Hell to pay, "Karen growled as claws started to appear in place of her finger nails in the hand holding onto the gargoyle.
The gargoyle paled and nodded. Karen calmed down and her hand turned to normal. "My apologies but we take Miss Anderson's safety very seriously and this is her first time in a place like this. I can warn her only so much."
"We're cool, "said Delva getting her color back, "I understand how much you cared about that old wizard, what he did for you and all. I can only imagine having to mentor his granddaughter must be like. Just keep the fur in girl. Maybe you need to spend some time with one of …"
"Delva!" Karen exclaimed, "Don't even go there."
"You haven't 'been there' since you started working for that old man, "Delva cackled,"Live a little!"
Karen just shook her head and then turned to check on the demons, as she did she felt a collar with tokens placed in her hand.
"It's your old collar, "Delva loudly whispered winking at James, "You don't need to wear it but it weren't hurt to have it for a little memento. Valick will not even know it's gone."
To be continued….