You know those Hollywood movies, where the heroine is told that there are monsters in the coal mine or aliens from space teaching at the high school, and she spends most of the movie saying things like, “but that’s impossible!”
Yeah, that’s not me.
I know the impossible happens. It happens every day. Like Audrey Hepburn said, the word itself is I M Possible. Hell, that’s why I became a reporter. I was tired of people getting away with stuff, heinous crimes, because the public believed it was impossible for them to commit those crimes. I was tired of watching land poisoned beyond use, because it was impossible for that to happen.
In that light, all of my impossibles were negative events. Disasters, crimes, destruction, wars, terrorism. I exposed the impossible to the world, so we could get past that word, and start cleaning up the mess; healing wounds of the impossible. Now, I was in a car with five immortal brothers, being asked to choose one of them, and that time was of the essence.
I was not that girl in the movie, the one they hired because she screams the best. I was the girl at her desk in her office, about to expose that powerful untouchable man for bouncing his niece on the wrong leg in his lap — and I was not only happy about it, I couldn’t wait to squash his ass.
I accepted under two conditions. The first was that during our time together, each of them would give full disclosure. I wanted to know what I would be choosing for. The second turned out to be harder to reach agreement, but more important to me than any other; to be able to not choose.
“If this is something as important as you are implying it to be, then I reserve the right to find each of you unwanted or unqualified. I don’t believe in birthrights which enslave others.”
All of us argued, even Kane. Apparently, not having a choice in place could be devastating on a global level — at least, that’s how they acted. The only one who did not jump into the fray with me was Ore. He sat, looking at his hands, listening. Then he cleared his throat, and all of us shut up. It was weird. I just sat down, like he ordered me to.
Ore looked up to me. “I agree, but only if you find a solid clear reason that each of us, separately, are unqualified. You must show evidence, and cause.”
“Alright,” I said, doubtfully, “but who judges my evidence, and cause? You?”
Ore looked to each of his brothers, who, from their expressions, were dumbfounded, and then said to me, “No, that would be improper. Inanna will hold that court.”
“Inanna?” I asked.
“It will be your title after the choosing. Until then, she is in power and her word is the law we must follow.”
“Oh,” I said, learning two interesting tid-bits there. One, someone else was really in charge, and that would soon be me. It also presented a serious question: If I was choosing one of the five to rule, and currently Kane was the chosen brother, how the hell did Ore have that much power? Because, near as I could tell, Ore did what he wanted, when he wanted, and others did what he wanted as well. His word was law. Hell, his throat phlegm was law.
Looking at the emotional state of the brotherhood, I decided it would be better to ask about this later, though my instincts told me it was the most important answer I could learn right now.
Ore looked down at his hands again, and then said in a calm voice, “I believe Kane should continue. He has already paved the way for you Misty. We are heading down into Mexico now. You have an appointment to accompany Kane in the morning to a meeting between the Cartel, and one of the motorcycle clubs which performs distribution for them. They are having issues, and Kane is going to help the club with negotiation. You will be introduced. I believe you will do well to listen without listening, but Kane will give you instructions.”
I nodded.
“Next will be Slate, who is responsible for the politics. You will meet in Mexico City where you’ll be introduced to the Mexican President and his wife. After that, Raw will be of most use to you and for us. You’ll learn the position he plays in war. Then Quinn, the lord of religion, will likely solve most of the mystery for us. Finally you will come to me, lord of discovery, and we will return to Inanna as soon as our task is complete.”
“Any ideas how long we’re talking here?” I asked, trying to sound polite.
He thought for a moment. “Four weeks, six tops.”
My original plan was to take another four months to accomplish what they were promising to do in less than half that time — plus possible stories from my encounters with the Cartel tomorrow and the Mexican President soon after? I have to say, I was pleased at the way this conversation was going.
“There is a final matter,” Ore said.
“Yes?”
“I will leave it to you, to set the boundaries of engagement. However, significant interaction must be open to all in equal measure.”
I translated that, to “In other words, if I jump into bed and happily accept sex with one of you, I’m bound to give a happy fuck to the rest as well.”
Ore looked at me with calm blue eyes. “We are physical creatures, and such actions alter perception, emotion, beliefs, even reverence. As I said, I leave the boundaries to you. Decide as you wish.”
I studied him. “No. No there is no free ride. My decision is that I am to be seduced. And just because one of you has the ability to do so, doesn’t warrant an automatic pass for the other four, who may be lacking in seductive skills. Seduction is communication. Communication is empathy. These are skills and traits of high value. I will commit to being open to seduction and if seduced remain open to the others, but only through seduction will I have sex with anyone.”
Ore studied me, and then looked down at his hands in his lap. After a moment I wasn’t sure he was going to say anything more. But then he nodded. “Agreed and well put.”
“Thank you.”
“You are very welcome. Let me say that I am grateful you took this so seriously. I feel much better right now than I did last night.”
“Thank you again,” I said, and gave him a smile. It’s always nice to be taken seriously, and treated as if you are valued.