Chapter 1
Chapter 1
My phone buzzed in my pocket as I took the first bite of my cheeseburger. With a groan, I juggled my soda and food to dig the annoying device out of my jeans pocket. It was a text from my boss.
'My office. Now. - Sean'
I rolled my eyes as I stuffed the phone back into my pocket. I never could just enjoy a meal without an interruption from Sean Franks as my boss. I was on call twenty-four seven. Stuffing the cheeseburger in my mouth, I grabbed my soda and satchel before booking it out of the burger joint. New York City was one of the busiest cities in the world and that day was no different. I was four blocks from work and there was no way I was going to get a cab and be there within at least half an hour. Which meant ditching my food and running four city blocks.
Taking four big bites of my cheeseburger and a long drink of my soda, I tossed them into the trashcan outside before bolting down the street. Dodging people talking on phones, cars blaring their horns, and the occasional bike messenger, it took me nearly twenty minutes to get to the building. Trying to catch my breath, I speed walked to the elevators of the gold and marble decorated building. I clipped my badge onto my jacket before flashing it to the guards at the desk. “Hey Merv,” I said breathlessly as I waved to the guard at the elevator.
“How are you today Ms. Delanah?” He asked with a smile on his bearded face.
“Rushed, as usual. What mood is Franks in?” I asked as he put in a security code for the elevator.
“Calm; for now. Karl's with him too,” Merv said as he stood back as the doors opened.
“Wonderful. I'm so excited,” I mumbled as I stepped into the elevator and punched the top floor button. “Later, Merv.”
“Have a good day, Ms. Delanah,” he said with a wave as the doors closed. Leaning against the wall, I finally was able to just focus on not huffing and puffing. Sean Franks was one of the most influential people in the New York City area. He made millions by just happening upon the right stocks, the right investments, etc. Everyone on the outside thought he was a genius. He was a black belt in tai kwon do; had a masters in history, economics, and business; speaks nearly ten different languages; and is one of the most eligible bachelors on the business scene. On the inside, the real inside, I knew what he really was and how he had gotten everything.
Sean Franks was a warlock.
Only a select few knew this and I happened to be one of them because I was a witch under his teaching. Both of our families go back centuries with magic lineage, he goes back a few centuries himself. Sean was easily two hundred years old. Not that he'd actually tell his age.
The elevator dinged as it finally reached it's destination of the top floor of the Harold building, one of the oldest buildings in the city. Finger combing my unruly, short hair, I walked into the lobby where Sean's secretary sat typing with a headset glued to her ear. “Hi, Genevieve,” I said with a wave. She didn't even register me. The thirty some odd woman just sat there typing with her sleek, black hair up in a tight bun, her flawless cocoa skin, and her manicured nails. “So, how are you? Mhmm. Good. I was hoping you had a good weekend. We should really talk more often. Oh, well, better go. The Boss is calling, so I'll see ya later!” Not even a sign that she heard me. With a shrug, I headed into The Boss's office.
Inside, behind grand doors that were made out of dark, polished granite, Sean was sparring in his enormous office. It was easily twice the size of my apartment. The walls were bare of any pictures or awards. Most of the office was empty, save for a sitting area and his desk with a waterfall wall behind it. He liked to meditate and center his energy to the sound of running water, it made me need to pee most of the time.
Karl was on the mats that had been summoned for the Tai Kwon Do sparring. He and Sean were going at it like it was life or dead or rather redeath for Karl. He was Sean's right hand man and a vampire. Karl was working for Sean way before I came along and joined the boys club. As far as I knew, Sean was pretty into the women have their time and place. It was only because his family and my family went back to the beginning of time that I got the job of being his top gopher.
As I walked closer, Sean had Karl on the ropes. Both of them were shirtless and in sparring pants and barefoot. Sweat dripped from them, giving their very defined muscles a sheen that would send housewives into swooning madness. I took off my bag and tossed it onto the couch before seeing a tray of fruit and cheeses and crackers on the coffee table. I did only get half my cheeseburger eaten before I was dragged away from it, so I didn't feel bad when I started to dig into the strawberries that were covered in chocolate. With my back to the men, all I could hear was their grunting and thumping that I quickly tuned out while stuffing my face. By the time I was done with the strawberries and pineapple, the men had finally found a winner. Of course it was Sean. He was the boss and the boss always won.
“Good match,” Sean said with a grin as he helped Karl up. “You finally made it,” he called over to me as I took a bite of mozzarella. Chewing a few seconds and swallowing, I stood.
“I was waiting on you,” I said, moving around the couch to lean against its back.
“I was sparring to kill time till you got here,” Sean chuckled as he went behind his desk with Karl not far behind. As soon as they were off the mat, it was gone. Shimmering out of existence till Sean wanted it back.
“Alright, either way you rang and I'm here now. What do you need me to do?” I asked. If I didn't get to the point, Sean would have me there all day and I'd get in trouble for not doing what he wanted me to do in the first place.
“Can't we chat a bit? You're almost like family Deli. It doesn't have to be all business all the time. I like to take the time to catch up with my employees every now and then,” he said, walking over to me. Karl was attached to his hip almost, in a creepy obsessive way.
“Almost. We're not actually related,” I made clear. While he was my boss and centuries older than me, there was that tiny, secret crush that no one will ever know. The way he wore suits that were sharp enough to slice everyone's egos in half, his lazy fauxhawk that blended seamlessly from sandy blond at his roots to nearly white at the tips that was combed back and out of his mesmerizing, silvery blue eyes.
“Which would be a shame as then I couldn't flirt with you like I always do,” he smiled at me.
“You do remember me from being twelve, right?” I asked. Yeah, he was amazing looking, but there were all sorts of hang ups that made me hesitate past just looking.
“Yeah, but you grew up,” Karl slipped in as he grabbed a towel and wiped himself off. I narrowed my eyes at him, but stayed quiet. If I started bickering with Karl it wouldn't stop and I wanted to get some real food while on an errand. The right hand man was the Egyptian equivalent to Sean. Perfect body, expensive suits, caramel skin, jet black hair that was usually gelled into spikes with bushy eyebrows that highlight his dark, chocolate eyes. Good looking, but very creepy in his job with Sean.
“Now, now,” Sean tsked Karl. “Let's play nice. We're all friends here. Did you get a new color in your hair?” He asked, reaching out and picking at the brigh, green stripe in my otherwise chin length, dark brown hair. I used to have the back dyed blue and spiked up, but the dye didn't last long. I ducked a bit from his touch before tucking the hair behind my hear
“Decided to change it up,” I said, resigning myself to having to stay a while instead of getting his order and leaving. “I had time and it's not like you give me a dress code or anything.” Point in case I was wearing a black long sleeved shirt with blue jeans and my usual bulky, canvas jacket that went to my thighs. My suspicion was because he was secretly hoping that I'd wear something revealing at some point.
“It suits you,” he said, staring a moment with a smile before turning to grab a towel and wipe himself off. Karl just stared before taking a water bottle from the table behind a chair. I was ready to get out of the room of old perverted men at any point. I stayed at my spot by the couch, not making more work than necessary. “I've got a new person for you to train,” Sean said as he walked over to his desk and sat down before pushing a button on his phone, leaning in to talk into the speaker. “Send in Belle.” My curiosity was peaked by the fact that I would be training another girl. As far as I knew, I was the only one that actually did things other than stereotypical women jobs.
“Belle?” I asked, quirking an eyebrow at Sean who just smiled as the doors opened. Looking to the entrance way, a pale, waif of a girl stood there with wide, blue eyes that looked like she was on drugs. Her raven black hair was weaved into a braid that hung over a shoulder along with a daisy yellow sundress and cinnamon colored cardigan. It was like looking at the spring catalog of some department store.
“Belle! Welcome!” Sean said in a booming voice, making me turn to look back at him. Dressed in one of his suits suddenly, he looked more like a business man. All the warlock had to do was wave a hand and things were done. He'd had years and years of practice so it was effortless for him. I was still trying to learn the basic elements. Summoning and dismissing was way beyond my teachings. “I'm so glad you could make it.” Crossing the room to the odd girl, Sean gave her a hearty handshake before he guided her over to me. “Belle, this is Delanah. She'll be training you for the first few weeks. Delanah Iona meet Belle Walker.”
“It's a pleasure to meet you,” she said with a soft smile. A proper English accent made her voice sound almost like a music box melody.
“Pleasure,” I said, holding out my hand for her to shake. Belle already made me feel like a bit uneasy, probably because she ended up totally ignoring my handshake.
“Alright, since you two have now met. Why don't you go out to lunch to get to know each other and Delanah can show you around,” Sean said. “Delanah, my credit card is in your wallet. Pick anything you two want, don't worry about the cost.” I had no qualms about that. I'd get to finally eat something with more filling than fruit.
“Thanks,” I said with a nod.
“Think nothing of it. Just have fun and learn,” Sean said giving Belle a side squeeze before leading the both of us to the door. “Delanah, I want you back here after you're done training Belle. You need to practice.” It felt like I was suddenly back in high school and was taking someone out for a date.
“Yes, sir,” I said with a salute, earning a chuckle from Sean as the new girl and I went to catch the elevator. At least I would get to have some time to practice my magic. “So, where do you want to eat?” I asked Belle as the elevator took us down.
“I'd really like to find a tea house, if you don't mind. I've never been out of England before and I'm slightly home sick,” she said, looking down a moment as if she had to compose herself to even talk.
“Uh, sure. No problem,” I said, unsure of how to actually react to that. I pulled out my phone and typed in a search for the nearest tea house thing in New York City. Hopefully they'd have food there and not just tea or I'd have to hit up a hotdog cart on the way back. Once we were at the bottom, I waved to Merv before going outside and hailing a cab. Thankfully there was a tea house just past where I'd been when Sean had called me in.
“Are you a native New Yorker?” Belle asked as we rode in the taxi.
“Nah. I was born in Hawaii, where my father's from. My family lived there for a few years before we moved to New York. My mother's from here though. Her side is the one that Sean knows best,” I said, looking out the window at the passing buildings to keep a look out for where we were wanting to go. 'Afternoon Tea' was painted on the building we were waiting to see. I paid the cab driver with Sean's credit card he'd magicked to me earlier in the office before getting out with Belle. “It's the nearest tea place I could find,” I said as we walked in. The place was clean, very clean; white linens and doilies with polished silver and flower print walls with gold and ivory accents. If I wasn't careful, I was sure that my sneakers would track in some imaginary dirt only the employees could see.
“Good afternoon,” a woman in a maid's uniform said, coming from apparently no where.
“Hi,” I said, jumping a bit at being surprised. “Uh, there's just two of us.”
“Lovely, let me find you two a table,” she said, turning to look at the room before waving us to follow her to a corner table. Sitting, I kept my hands in my lap so I didn't touch the blindingly white things with my probably grubby fingers. “Do you know what tea you would like?” The waitress said, looking right at Belle.
“We'd like some Earl Gray please. Do you have fresh milk?” Belle asked.
“We certainly do. Will you be having any cake or sandwiches?” The waitress asked, still not looking at me. She was definitely ignoring me. I was certain of it.
“No thank you, just the tea,” Belle said as the waitress walked off. “Is that okay?” She suddenly asked, looking at me like she might of made a mistake. Her petite eyebrows furrowed as her eyes seemingly grew wider.
“It's fine,” I smiled, waving it off. I'd have to hit up a food stand on my way back to the office. “So, how long have you been in New York?” Maybe talking would take my mind off the food my stomach was telling me I needed.
“Just a few weeks. My family wanted me to go to university right after secondary school, but I wanted to travel first. So, I went from England to France to Canada to America. I needed a job and my father made a few calls. One of them was to Mr. Franks and he offered me this job,” Belle explained.
“I know that feeling. My parents wanted me to join the business world as a possible partner at my father's hotel chain. It obviously didn't work out. I didn't care for the dress or the politics of it, so Sean stepped in and offered me a job. His family and mine go back years so either he did it to help out my father or my father asked him,” I said with a shrug. “So, what job did he give you?”
“You should call him Mr. Franks. He's your superior after all,” Belle corrected me, ignoring the question.
“He's my boss, manager if you want to get technical, but he's not my superior,” I said, frowning a bit. “Besides, I've worked with him long enough that we're on a first name basis.”
“I'm going to be a runner, like you,” Belle said. That uneasy feeling I got earlier was coming back. I wanted to give this girl the benefit of the doubt, but something about her was getting my heckles up.
“Oh, are you going to be his apprentice as well?” I asked as the waitress brought the tea over.
“No, of course not. Only men apprentice with men and the same for women,” Belle giggled as she took the tea pot and poured herself a cup of tea.
“You know it's the twenty-first century, right? Gender roles aren't a black and white area anymore,” I said, sitting back in my seat. The heckles were getting out of control now.
“For you maybe. I'm a traditionalist. I like my place in life,” Belle said, looking at me over the lip of her cup before taking a sip.
“That's fine. I'm not going to tell you how to live your life, but please don't make me look like a fool for the way I live mine,” I said. It was plain to see why Sean wanted her hired. She was exactly what he wanted in a woman. “All that aside, where would you like to go after this?” I poured myself a cup of tea and loaded it with sugar cubes before even tasting it.
“I supposed we could start training. There's not much I'd like to do today. I'm still settling in at my flat,” Belle said as she set her cup down on the saucer it went with.
“Sounds fine with me,” I nodded, hoping that the worst was over for now. “We'll go over how to get from one place to another via the elevator at the office and procedures, the basic stuff.”
“It shouldn't be that hard. It may be my first job, but taking things to people doesn't seem that difficult,” Belle said with a curious look on her face.
“You're first job? How old are you?” I asked, sipping my tea.
“Sixteen,” she said non-chalantly. That made me sputter a moment.
“Sixteen?” I repeated, staring at her slack jawed and wide eyed.
“Yes, is that odd?” Belle asked, cocking her head to the side.
“Kinda. Yeah, I'd say it's a bit odd,” I nodded. Maybe it was time to find a new job. Sean could be a cool guy when it was just the two of us, but if anyone else was in the room he was his usual persona of entertaining and making sure people were working. This was another part of the man I wasn't sure about. I finished my cup of tea and poured another as we sat in silence for the rest of the time we were there. My stomach was getting irritable at me for lack of real food and I was trying to put the whole awkwardness of her age to the side so I could get the job done.
After tea, we went back to the office building where Merv had a badge for her already made. “Okay,” I said as we stepped into the elevator. “First, scan your badge and then you punch in the code for the place you want to go.” Taking my own badge, I scanned it and punched in the code for my friend Philly's restaurant. There was a few moments of the elevator moving through time and space across town. At the ding, the doors opened and we stepped out into the whatever you want restaurant. It was made especially for non-humans. There were vampires, werewolves, ghouls, selkies, demons, fairies, banshees, anything that could be thought of. They all passed as human though, just to be on the safe side in case a random human happened upon the place.
It had dark wood tables and chairs and floors with teal table clothes and purple flowers all around the dining area. The bar had everything stocked for whatever anyone would want. Blood drinks for vampires, pureed organs for ghouls, and such; all taken from blood donor’s and donated bodies. Philly prided herself in being a regressive restaurant, so there was no one harmed to bring a meal to the non-humans of New York City.
“Delanah!” I heard a voice yell before I was nearly tackled to the ground by a short Mexican woman.
“Philly!” I cried, laughing as we steadied ourselves. “How is?”
“Good, haven't seen you in a while though,” she said giving me a real hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Sean's working you too much.” Philadelphia Tulley had been my best friend since the first grade and we'd stayed that way even after we graduated high school.
“Eh, no different than usual. Oh! This is Belle, she's going to be added to the group too. Sean hired her and I'm training her, so I guess I should be professional or something,” I shrugged.
“Delanah and professional have never been used in the same sentence unless there's a not in between them,” Philly snorted before turning to Belle. “Nice to meet ya, hun.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” Belle said with a soft smile while giving a dainty handshake.
“Oh, you're the proper one. You could probably get Deli a few tips,” Philly snickered as I swatted at her dreads that were held back in a head band. “So, you work with Sean now? How far are you in apprenticing as a witch?”
“Not very. I've only started a year ago,” Belle said. “How far are you?” I gave a honking laugh as Philly swatted me back. “What is it?”
“Philly's not a witch. She's a shifter,” I said as Philly sighed.
“I'm a Nauhla,” she corrected me.
“She's a Mexican coyote shifter,” I said dodging a swing from her.
“I've never met anyone that was a shape shifter before,” Belle said, actually looking excited a bit.
“Well, here you'll get to meet all kinds of people, not just witches and humans,” I said, nudging Philly with my elbow a bit. “Don't let them intimidate you though. If you're here, you're under a protection charm, like most places you'll go. No fighting allowed. Physical or magical.”
“Are you making her take notes yet?” Philly asked, putting her hands on her hips.
“I've gotta train her, so I'm giving her the run down of everything, so shove off,” I said, waving her off.
“Will I get a books of the codes I need?” Belle asked, still politely standing there with her hands clasped in front of her.
“No. You'll get a piece of paper that'll tell you where to go with the code. Sean doesn't like people collecting the codes in case of someone jacking it and going all super villain with it,” I said. “Once you punch in the code correctly, the piece of paper dissolves and security is in check.”
“It sounds simple enough,” Belle nodded in understanding.
“It really is,” I said before turning to Philly. “Can I get a thing of onions rings and a cheeseburger to go?”
“Sure thing,” Philly said. “How're you paying?”
“Oh, I'm not, Sean is,” I said with a grin as I whipped out his credit card.
“You should run for the border with that thing!” She cackled as she walked away.
“She's very nice,” Belle said, stepping up to stand next to me.
“Philly's the best. So, if you ever need anything from food to a place to crash for the night, just punch in the code seven six five eight and it'll bring you here,” I said.
“I thought you said that the codes were destroyed after they were used,” she asked. “How do you know the code here?”
“She's my best friend. Besides, it's her business to hand codes out to as she likes,” I shrugged. “The other places we'll go are a lot stricter and don't want people coming and going as they please.” It was a few moments later that Philly came back with a large to-go bag. “What else did you put in there?”
“Dessert and here's your drink,” she said holding out a bottle of soda to me
“You're the best, Life-Partner,” I grinned taking the food and the drink, giving her a hug the best I could with my full hands.
“No probs. When's the next time you want to hang out? Lee's on night duty at work and I'm bored when I'm off,” Philly asked.
“Uh, I'll text you later after I practice with Sean. He may throw a curve ball at me, but if not I'll try for tomorrow, okay?” I said, sticking the bottle in one of my large jacket pockets so I could dig an onion ring out and munch on it.
“Sounds good to me, see you two around,” Philly said, walking us to the elevator. “Don't be a stranger, you're always welcome here.” She gave Belle a smile and waved before the doors closed.
“Okay, so take your badge, scan it, then punch in the code 1111,” I said, setting the bag down and pulling out the onion rings. “Want one?” I asked after she had done what I told her.
“No thank you, grease makes me break out,” Belle politely declined. I shrugged and scarfed down most of them before digging out the cheeseburger.
“So basically that's what you'll do. You'll get most of the packages or letters from Genevieve, the secretary, so it'll be just coming and going all day. Once you get to the place, the people there will either direct you wear to go or you just hand the stuff over,” I said before chomping down on the cheeseburger. It was hot and juicy and I couldn't get get enough of it into my mouth. Taking a few moments to chew and swallow, I opened my soda and took a swig before I spoke again. “Do you have any questions so far?”
“No, I don't suppose so,” Belle said as she kept her eyes averted from me stuffing my face. “Is that all you do all day?”
“Not exactly. I get things for Sean as well, like lunch and other packages. Sometimes we have magic practice in between his meetings and my deliveries,” I said before finishing off my food as the door opened. It took a bit longer getting back because the building has high traffic on some floors, which meant I had time to eat. “I'm also on call almost all the time, but you'll probably be standard hours; nine to five and such.” Stepping out of the elevator, I led her out into the lobby of the ground floor. “If you get lost, feel free to ask Merv here. He looks like a cranky grizzly, but he's really a softy,” I said giving Merv a pat on the shoulder.
“If the moment calls for it, I can be pretty fierce though,” he added with a chuckle.
“And fast as a ninja,” I laughed before waving to the security as we headed outside.
“You seem very in charge of things for a woman like yourself,” Belle said as we stood next to the entrance.
“I'll take that as a compliment, I think,” I said with a snort. “Are you going to head straight back to your place?”
“I believe so. I have a few errands to run later and I'd like to rest after the time we spent training,” Belle said. We had been gone maybe an hour and a half, two hours tops, and she was tired?
“Alright. I'll probably see you around tomorrow then. It was nice meeting you, Belle. Have a good rest of the day,” I said with a small wave as she hailed a cab.
“I hope the same for you, Delanah,” Belle said with a soft smile before getting into a cab that stopped for her. Seeing that she got in alright, I went back inside and up to Sean's office.
“He's in a meeting right now,” Genevieve said as she stared at the computer screen when I stepped out of the elevator.
“Lovely,” I grumbled as I went to have a seat on one of the waiting couches. Pulling out my phone, I checked and found a text from Philly.
'SO WHAT DID SEAN SAY ABOUT THE NEW STRIPE? ;)' Groaning softly, I quickly texted her back.
'THAT IS SUITED ME. KARL WAS THERE AND BEING CREEY SO THERE WASN'T MUCH TO SAY.' Putting my phone down, I pulled out my soda and finished it off. Philly replied quickly, making my phone buzz as I threw my bottle away.
'YOU JUST NEED TO GET OVER THE AGE THING AND GET UNDER HIM.' I could kill Philly sometimes.
'NO.'
'YOU CAN TOP. I'M NOT GOING TO TELL YOU HOW TO DO IT.'
'ARE YOU STUCK IN HIGHSCHOOL?'
'NO BUT YOU ARE. WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU HAD A DATE?'
'LAST WEEK WHEN SEAN TOOK ME OUT TO DINNER. HE CALLED IT A DINNER DATE.'
'SO, EITHER DATE SEAN LIKE A REGULAR PERSON DATES SOMEONE OR FIND SOMEONE ELSE.'
'IT'S NOT THE SIMPLE.'
'HOW?'
'MY GUT TELLS ME OTHERWISE.'
'WELL WHEN YOU SAY THAT. . .'
'I'M SERIOUS PHILLY. SEAN HIRED BELLE AND SHE'S ONLY SIXTEEN. SOMETHING'S OFF ABOUT THIS AND HER.'
'DETECTIVE DELI'S ON THE CASE THEN,'
'NOT YET. MAYBE. I DON'T KNOW. I WANNA FIGURE OUT THIS SUDDEN HIRING THOUGH.'
'WELL I'M ALL EARS FOR THEORIES WHEN YOU GET TIME.'
'IF I GET TIME.' I looked up from my phone as there were several men coming out of Sean's office say their goodbyes. 'GOTTA GO. PRATICE TIME. TTYL.' After I put my phone up, I waited for the all clear from Genevieve before heading inside.
New York City 1997
“Hey Mom, can-”
“Delanah, sweetie, shush.”
“But I-”
“Honey, I'm trying to talk to someone on the phone.” Sighing, the little girl walked away from her mother who had barely turned to look at her daughter. Instead, she continued to work at the desk, typing furiously away at her computer. Shuffling out of the office she had been in the entire day so far as she'd been sick and home from school, but her mother needed to go to the office real quick. Just for ten minutes. That had been earlier that morning, now the seven year old was shuffling around in a pair of cartooned raccoon printed pajamas and sneakers, wrapped up in a fluffy blue bathroom.
Diagnosed with a stomach bug, Delanah had laid on the couch most of the day and slept. Now she was hungry and her mother was too busy working to notice her daughter was in need of something. Well, Delanah could figure out how to get food. Getting to the elevator, she pressed the down button, knowing that there was a food stand just outside the building. Delanah waited patiently as the doors dinged open. Inside already was a young man, well dressed in a suit.
“First floor please,” she asked politely, looking up at the man.
“Okay,” he said, jabbing the first floor button. “So, you new here?”
“My mom works here,” she said.
“Who's your mom?” He asked, casually talking to the girl like this was a daily occurance.
“Laura,” Delanah said. “I had to stay home from school cause I was sick and then we had to come in for a little bit and I've been asleep most of the time. Now I'm hungry and she's busy, so I left her alone so she could work. There's a food stand thing outside that has hot dogs so I'm gonna get one,” Delanah told the man.
“Yeah? Sounds like a good plan, but how are you going to pay for it?” The man asked. Delanah paused a moment, frowning in thought.
“I'll let him know my mom works here and she can pay him when we go home,” she said. The man chuckled and nodded.
“Unfortunately, I don't think that'll work. How about this, I'm going to the cafeteria here in the building. If you want, I can take you there too and we can get some food that will definitely be charged to your mom.”
“Okay,” Delanah nodded. That seemed a safer bet. Maybe they had something better than a hotdog, like sandwiches.
