VEE

A meeting with Portia summons images of audiences in her craft room. Maybe a visit to wherever she holds court with her fae council. I'm surprised she'd choose the local community centre in the middle of town, but not surprised to hear she's involved with amateur dramatics.

We park outside the single-storey, red brick building, and the six of us walk through the blustery weather into the foyer. The place smells of floor polish and stale food; notices pinned to a large board advertise parents’ groups and the play due to perform in a few weeks’ time: Macbeth.

Joss taps it. "Shakespeare, huh? Who do you think Portia's playing?"

"The starring role, of course," replies Heath.

Our footsteps echo as we walk to the main hall. People pass in the opposite direction, chatting in pairs and holding scripts, walking from the hall's direction. Actors and actresses from Portia's play? We step to one side to allow them to pass, the guys naturally receiving a few double takes from girls who look straight through me.

Chairs are stacked along the wall in the large hall, and Portia sits on the small stage at one end of the room, chatting to another woman who I don't recognise. A tall man in jeans and a black shirt sits a few metres away and stands as we approach. Portia looks up to see why her bodyguard stood to alert and waves a hand at him to sit.

"I know them." She checks her phone before turning her attention our way. "You're a little early."

"'I’ll met by moonlight, proud Titania,'" announces Joss in a theatrical style.

She scowls at him. "Wrong play."

I look to him in confusion and he explains, “’A Midsummer Night's Dream’, it's a play about—"

"Fairies," Portia interrupts. "Very funny."

"Joss, don't upset her," says Xander in a low voice.

He shakes his head in amusement. "Sure, Xander. I'll follow your diplomatic style."

Portia approaches. "Who's this?" She points at Seth with her well-thumbed script.

"Seth Marks," he says and holds his hand out. "Nice to meet you."

"No, I mean, who are you."

"A friend of Vee's," he offers.

Portia pulls a face and looks at Heath. "He's a little different to you all. Why are you with somebody more... normal?"

Heath glances at Portia's friend who's carefully weighing up the guys. Trying to decide who I'm with? Waiting for a look or smile?

"Long story," Heath replies.

"And one I'm sure you'll tell me." She leans to one side to look past him, where Xander stands at the edge of our group, silently measuring his next words, I hope.

"How are you, Xander?" she asks, saccharin sweet.

"Keen to work on solving our problems," he replies in an even tone.

The tension between the two radiates. "And do you have anything you wish to say to me?"

Xander looks back, impassive.

"Do you have somewhere we can sit and talk?" interrupts Joss.

Portia stands and brushes dust from her yoga pants. "We can use the meeting room by the kitchen."

The woman with her finally speaks. "I should be going."

"Oh, I apologise. I never introduced you. These are some acquaintances of mine." Portia introduces us one by one. The guys nod politely but are disinterested and distracted. I close my eyes hoping she doesn't call them by her pet name for the group, especially not in front of a tense Xander.

"Will you be coming to watch the play?" Portia asks. "I'm sure we can find you an invite to the after party."

Ewan stares at her as if she just asked him to supervise another children's Halloween party. "Not my scene."

"Oh, I'm sure the others would love to come. They really don't have enough fun." Portia cocks an expectant eyebrow. "Wouldn't you?"

Why the hell does Portia need to start with the power play already?

"Maybe Joss," replies Ewan. "He likes Shakespeare if he can quote it."

"Maybe I will." Joss inclines his head. "Could we talk now?"

"I'll watch. I'd like an evening out." Everybody stares at Seth.

Portia breaks into a huge smile. "Thank you. I'll let you know when tickets are on sale."

Omigod. I cannot believe that in the middle of all the crap swirling around us, we are standing in a community centre discussing bloody amateur dramatics. Xander shares my thoughts, judging by his thinning lips and crossed arms.

"Where's this room?" He points at the double doors to our right. "This way?"

We're forced to continue waiting as Portia arranges a meet up with her thespian friend and leaves her with air kisses.

"Such a lovely girl," Portia says as she watches her leave.

Portia leads us to a door opposite the hallway entrance and into a small room with a table and chairs. Previous occupants have left pens and papers on the table, which Seth gathers into a pile.

"Be a darling and make some drinks, Verity," Portia says as she sits. "The kitchen's along the hall. First door. You can't miss it. I'd love a tea."

I bite inside my cheek to prevent a retort. Again. This woman does not like me.

"I'm good, thanks," mutters Xander and everybody but Seth declines.

"I'll help," says Joss. "I'm better at making tea anyway."

With a wink, he guides me from the room before anybody else can speak, and I glance back at a Seth who sits beside Heath clutching the manilla folder he brought.

"Are you okay?" Joss asks as we head into the small kitchen space. “You're quiet today."

"Portia," I reply in a low voice. "I don't care that she doesn't like or trust me, but her passive aggression and attempts to belittle me are annoying."

"She's just jealous, Vee," he replies and strokes hair from my face. "Apart from the fact you're more powerful than her, you're smoking hot and have the Horsemen doing what she'd like to do."

"Which is?"

He arches a brow. "Anything you ask. If she knew you'd slept with more than one of us she'd be insanely jealous."

I attempt to hide my smug and fail as Joss laughs at me and curls a hand around my waist. "She's not used to being outshone."

"I bet. So her attitude isn't only because she believes Logan's opinion of me?"

"No. If she believed him, she wouldn't be here."

Carrying a tray filled with mugs, we walk past the bodyguard now stationed outside the meeting room, and I hand him the drink he asked for. Few school mums have a protective detail; how does Portia explain his presence? He's younger and attractive despite his surly look. How many rumours exist about her relationship with this man? Because I bet she has one.

The others sit in the room, in silence, which doesn't bode well. Portia taps a message on her phone ignoring them, and Seth sits bolt upright, file now on the table in front.

"Thank you, sweetheart," says Portia as I set down her mug. She wipes the rim with her thumb and sips. If she says one word about the quality, I'll be the one causing diplomatic issues.

"Now. What should we talk about?" she asks.

"How's Elyssia?" asks Ewan.

"Safe. Thank you." I bet that thank you almost choked her.

"You're welcome," replies Heath. "As I said last night, I hope this helps mend some of the division between us."

Portia's eyes bore into Xander's face, who continues his taciturn attitude to the situation. Earlier, Heath gave his brother a run down on what to say, and what not to say, and for once he bows to the consensus he needs to apologise. One thing I'm sure of is this apology will choke him too.

"I'm sorry for my behaviour the other night," he says, and they train their gaze on each other.

"And I'm sorry that things became such a difficult situation,” Portia replies.

The guys told me how difficult it is to regain friendship with the grudge-holding race, and that Portia's decision to give them another chance indicates Portia's hiding how much she needs their help.

"We shall move on and prove to each other that our relationship is mutually beneficial," Portia continues.

Heath's stiff shoulders relax, and he rests back in the chair. "Thank you."

"Now, explain who Seth is." She graces him with a smile and he smiles back, smoothing his hands over the folder.

"Seth's someone who's been collecting information about suspicious activity that he's prepared to share."

"And you can trust him?" she asks.

"As much as we can trust anybody," replies Xander and clamps his mouth shut at Heath's stern look.

Over the next ten minutes, Ewan explains the events from the last few days: the murders, the creatures, Seth and Casey, and suspicions about Nova Pharm. Portia listens without a word, face impassive, blinking in places, such as when the Collector's name is mentioned.

"Do you have photographs of these runes?" she asks.

Xander pulls out his phone and slides it across the table towards her. She purses her lips as she studies. "I have no idea what they are. Sorry."

"We didn't expect you to," replies Ewan. "Even the Collector couldn't identify them."

"The Collector isn't known to be helpful." Her face sours. "Good luck in acquiring his help."

"Do you know anybody who works at Nova Pharm?" asks Heath. "I met a fae there. Kai Fielding. Do you know him?"

"Not personally, no. I'm really not au fait with every workplace my subjects are employed at."

I almost choke on my tea at her calling them subjects, but she's a queen, of course they are.

Heath slides a printed sheet, from Seth's file, across the table to Portia. "We've identified as many names as we can, but there are some we don't recognise. We thought you may know some from your connections."

She scans the document. "There aren't any important fae named here, or any we have any suspicions about. I think you need to look elsewhere for your perpetrators."

"Hang on," says Xander. "What do you mean suspicions? Have you discovered people within your court you suspect, since we last spoke?"

"There are some we watch. Younger fae in particular, which is another reason I want Elyssia away from all this. I believe she'll endanger herself."

Heath taps the paper. "This guy. Have you heard of him?"

"He's new on the scene," puts in Seth. "I think because the board know we're onto them, they've enlisted someone else."

Xander turns a frown to Seth. He never told us this.

"'Onto them,'" repeats Portia, amused by the turn of phrase. She runs a long finger down the sheet, the stops and taps with her nail.

"Alasdair Faulkner? Are you sure?"

Xander leans forward, elbows on the table. "You know him?"

"He's human, and I've been to his events in the past. He throws wonderful parties. Haven't you heard of him?"

"No, or we wouldn't be asking." I shake my head at Xander. "Thanks for offering to help," he adds gruffly.

"I didn't realise he was connected to Nova Pharm. He's from old money and doesn't need to work. He bought an estate in Scotland, and now he pretends he’s laird. A little of a party boy too, shall we say?"

"Have you heard of the Myriad Foundation?" asks Seth. "He's involved, we think."

Portia's brow furrows. "He did mention he was thinking about using his money more beneficially, but I don't know the charity name. Is this relevant?"

"Fundraising for what?" asks Heath.

"He's planning to work with drug addicts, and ex-addicts, to help them find employment and housing. Quite the benefactor. I think he's setting up a rehab facility on part of his estate in Scotland."

Xander's sullen look lifts. "Do you know how he's raising funds for this? How well do you know him? Do you have details?"

"So many questions, Xander! He's approached businesses for sponsorship, including Paul's. My human husband spends a lot of time networking, and Alasdair is planning a launch where businesses donate to charity, and they have the chance to spend a weekend on his estate networking. Also to see where their money will be going, of course. A win-win, should we say."

"Are you going?" asks Heath.

She pulls a face. "No. Why would I want to spend a weekend surrounded by humans I have no real connection to?"

"Is anybody you know going?" presses Heath.

"No. We were invited, but..." She wrinkles her nose. "I like his parties, but a whole weekend... No thank you."

Xander blows air into his cheeks. "Do you have enough of a connection to get us an invite? If one of your husbands was invited, and yourself, can we be your company representatives?"

Portia laughs and then her mouth forms into an O. "Are you serious?"

"I bloody hope not," replies Ewan.

Heath tucks the paper back into the folder. "I think it's a good idea. There's no headquarters for this charity yet, and we can't exactly break into his house to see what we can find. An estate like that will be crawling with security."

Ewan balks. "You're suggesting a whole weekend with humans stuck where?"

"Scotland."

"I've never been to Scotland." Seth sips his tea. "Might be nice."

Ewan's unamused look grows. "What? Would he come?"

"He doesn't leave our sight, remember?" says Xander.

Portia tips her head. "Why?"

"Umm. Because of the threat to his life." Heath and Xander glance at each other.

"I don't mind. I quite like the idea," Seth continues.

"I thought you liked people about as much as we do?" asks Ewan sarcastically.

"You forget how many months I spent investigating this shit. Don't you think I'd like an opportunity to follow up on the lead too?"

"I bet most companies aren't sending six delegates!" retorts Ewan. "Leave me behind, please."

"Not happening," replies Xander. "We stick together."

“Ewan is correct. I can’t ask Paul to send too many delegates.” Portia sets down her mug. “However, the weekend includes partners too so we can work with that. Six of you will be an ideal number."

"What the hell?" asks Ewan.

"I know Vee doesn't like to choose, but maybe she can pretend, just for a day or two. The rest of you can do the same—with each other."

No. Hell, no.

Xander's eyes widen. "Are you suggesting we pretend to be partners? Like, in a relationship?"

Joss chuckles, but none of the other guys shares his amusement. "Can I have Heath, please? The rest of you snore."

"No way." Xander crosses his arms.

"Why? Do you have a problem with same-sex relationships?" Portia asks.

"I couldn't give a crap about anybody’s relationships, or what they do. But there is no way I can pretend to be with Ewan and definitely not Seth!"

"Hey! You can't presume Vee wants to pretend you’re exclusive," protests Heath. "Besides, you won’t fool anyone since you're always fighting. What if she punches you in the face again?"

Xander involuntarily touches his cheek.

"I didn't punch him," I retort.

Portia's smug amusement riles me. "Vee is attacking you, Xander?"

Before he can respond, Joss interrupts. "You and Vee? So that leaves Seth with Ewan! Oh, man."

I sit forward. "Excuse me? Don't I get a say in this?"

Portia sighs. "I haven't promised I can do this for you yet. If I do organise it though, it will be three company representatives and their partners." She pulls out her phone. "Plus, I have a favour to ask in return. I'd like you to deal with this person."

She places the phone on the table, and Heath slides it over to look. "Deal with Mac? If humans aren't threatened, we don't touch anybody. We're not mercenaries."

"Yes. Mac, the man with no surname who violated my daughter."

"Oh, no way. We're not getting involved in this shit. If you have an issue with anybody from that club, get it shut down," Ewan replies.

"I don't want my name connected to anything that could cause trouble."

"No." Xander's response is firm, final.

"Then I can't help you."

"How many times, Portia?" Xander's tone fills with exasperation, not anger. "This shit affects the fae too. Not helping us could put you in more danger."

She jabs a finger at the screen. "My daughter is in danger."

Heath rests his elbows on the table and rubs both hands down his face, swearing.

"We could ask Syv or Abel to sort it?" suggests Seth.

"Excuse me?" Portia narrows her eyes at the guys. "Is your little friend telling me you're involved with that half-demon bitch?" I cringe as her voice rises. "Do you know what she stole from us and how important it was?"

"Nice one, Seth," mutters Heath. “Thanks, mate."

I feel like putting my head in my hands too. So much politics, it's insane.

"I knew it!" She points a finger at Xander. "Someone told me you'd asked her to help you before, and I didn't want to believe them."

"When?" asks Heath, sharply.

"A couple of weeks before she arrived."

"She has a name," I say in a low voice.

I don't miss Ewan's “we're going to talk about this look” to Xander. He was involved with Syv before now? No secrets, huh? Hypocrite.

"Verity." Portia smiles. "You seem different since I last saw you. More powerful. Do you feel more powerful?"

I hold her challenge, ignoring the undertones. "I feel I'm becoming more who I need to be."

"And what's that?"

"Part of the guys."

She gives a seductive bite to her lip and looks at Xander. "Has she claimed you all as I suspected she would, or left any of you for me?"

Xander huffs. "You're relentless, Portia."

"I'm used to getting what I want, that's all." She twirls the mug on the table in front of her. "Surely one girl isn't enough to satisfy all your... urges."

Oh, good God.

"Some things are more important than sex," says Ewan gruffly. "Will you help us or not?"

She taps her phone screen. "Once you've dealt with him, yes. I'm sure if you dig deep enough you'll find there are humans sneaking into the club, and you could punish him for that."

Ewan rubs his mouth and looks at Heath.

"I don’t care what reason you give. Eliminate him so I don't cause problems by doing it myself."

The conversation deadens, each person in the room preoccupied by their own thoughts. I'm most interested in what Xander's are, whether he’ll agree, and where we go from here.