Page 13 of My Date is a Polymorph (Blind Date Corporation #20)
K eera was in Hell . Four days after her surprise wedding, she was with Hever and about fifty women, dancing and partying in Drin’s mate’s nightclub.
It was funny that the guys were watching from above, but they weren’t allowed to come down unless a lady went up to get them. It had been an hour, and none of the ladies had put a foot on the stairs.
Keera was sitting next to Heraina, and they were talking softly.
Hera said, “They had mentioned that he hadn’t been seen in town in years, but I never realized that it was you.”
“No one knew. That was part of the fun for the person who hired him. It was how your grandmother knew who to hire to attack you. Vaika told her.”
Hera shivered. “I remember Vaika. She was always listening.”
“That is her activation. If she focuses, she can hear things. She’s been blackmailing half the court for years.”
Hera’s eyes were wide. “Really? Oh, another bad seed.”
“Yep. So, how are the twins?”
“In two different bodies. Alejandro is putting in dibs on being the father of the next kid. Syrn might beat him. No one knows.” Hera smiled. “I hear you live just down the road.”
“Worro has a farmhouse and workshop. We have an appointment this week to actually get my name on the deed. Then, I will live down the road. Right now, it is just an ongoing sleepover.”
Hera blinked. “But...”
“I came into this marriage with nothing. No house, my wardrobe is basic office attire and jeans. I have four sets of shoes. It took us an hour to move me out and in. My entire life fit in my car. Worro didn’t fit in it, so we had to use his truck.” She smiled and sipped her soda.
“Well, I am sure you will have some nice wedding presents.” Heraina smiled.
“Why? The wedding is over. We start over from here, and I get to build my bank balance to get ready to help Wellin go through training or to university or whatever he wants to do.”
Heraina smiled. “You take care of him?”
“He’s taken care of me as best he could, and now it’s my turn.” She smiled. “Misker is staring a hole in you right now.”
“I know. Worro is more casual, but I think they want to watch us dance.”
Keera looked around and saw the lady that she had in mind, and then she went over and asked her if she would dance.
The woman smiled and nodded. Then Keera went to Hever and spoke to her; she grinned and nodded.
The DJ was the last stop, and the music changed as the dancer began a slow undulation to the centre of the space, and then she twisted, twirled, and moved her body, hips, and chest while her arms wound through the air.
She danced to three songs with three different cultures represented, and when she was done, the ladies applauded, and so did the gentlemen looking down from above.
It was a fun party, and many of the partygoers wanted to learn how to move like she did.
Keera smiled at her and stayed quiet.
* * * *
H ever watched the last of the dance demonstrations and walked over to a friend, who was attending. “Cabree, it’s so good to see you.”
The programmer smiled. “It was nice to be invited. I don’t get out much.”
“Me neither, but here we are. You are looking good.”
“Thanks. I had a med visit today so that I could get through all the festivities, but you are worth it.”
Hever squeezed her hand. “Thank you.”
Cabree smiled. “Are all these ladies friends?”
“Some are friends, some are Krix’s family, some are coworkers, and others are escorts. Oh, and some are my family. Leska and Tirra are my sisters on the genetic level.”
“That’s interesting.”
“Tirra had a mother, as far as we know. Me and Leska were in incubators.”
“I had no idea.”
“Well, it doesn’t come up in casual conversation.”
Cabree chuckled. “Do you want me to involve myself on that little buggy project?”
“Please. There are some haptic responses that are all over the place.”
“I can work with that tomorrow.”
Hever smiled. “Thank you, but for tonight, enjoy the party. Have fun with the new people, and there is one woman in here who is an active null.”
Cabree blinked. “You are kidding. They normally die in their teens.”
“Yeah, well, she made it to adulthood. She has full control, though. No slips.”
Cabree sighed. “The effect is temporary?”
“Yes. She has a nice, boring day job.”
Hever smiled and had a thought. She walked to the microphone and nodded to the DJ. “Ladies, thank you for coming. I hope you are having fun tonight.”
There was a cheer.
“Well, one of the ladies here has a male at her disposal who is excellent at singing. Drin, can we borrow Ekron for a duet challenge? I am sure you will be able to soothe him after the contest.”
Drin grinned. “Use him all you like.”
There was a cry of “Hey!” from the upper levels.
Drin shouted. “Zip it; you love it. Come on down.”
Ekron walked down the steps and inclined his head toward the pregnant Jeneev. “Jen.”
“Asshole.”
The golden singer grinned. She made a face, and a laugh from above made her shout, “Shut up, Sgoth!”
The ladies laughed. Hever looked to Ekron. “Since we sprang this on you, do you want to pick your opponent?”
Ekron shook his head. “Nope. Ladies’ choice.”
A woman with pale brown hair and huge blue eyes was pushed to the front by her friends, and she sighed. “Really?”
Ekron held his hand out to her, and she took it, getting boosted onto the stage. Hever handed over the microphone.
Ekron got his own mic and spoke to the woman on stage with him.
Her friends were laughing as the music played, and Ekron started the ballad. When their friend began to sing, Ekron froze in shock. The voice was pure; it soared and wrapped around them, elevating the perspective of the female voice.
Ekron nearly missed his cue, but they sang together, and then the song wound to a glorious end.
Drin was grinning because she recognized the woman.
Hever chuckled, and when her friend tried to give the mic back, she said, “One more. Solo, please.”
The ladies cheered her on, and she spoke to the DJ, got the music, and sang a power ballad with her voice moving her audience with the power behind the words and music.
When the song was over, the DJ took over, and Ekron talked to the woman who was shaking her head. Hever watched and saw Klauz coming down, and he inclined his head toward the woman, and then he and Ekron had a verbal altercation while the singer retreated to the snack bar.
Hever followed her and said, “That was amazing, Lalli.”
“Thanks. Klauz is pissed. I wonder if I will still have a job tomorrow.” Lalli sighed.
“What did Ekron want?”
“For me to duet with him at some kind of music award. You know that isn’t my thing.”
Hever sighed. “You could make millions.”
“I don’t need millions. I am good.” She shrugged. “I mean, unless Klauz doesn’t want me as his sous chef anymore. In that case, I might warble out a few songs.”
Klauz’s voice snapped, “Don’t you dare quit, Lalli.”
Lalli turned her head. “Yes, chef.”
He sighed. “Why doesn’t anyone know that you sing like that?”
“Because if we sang on the line, you would throw frying pans at our heads.” She looked at him, and Hever was snorting.
Klauz sighed. “May we talk?”
Hever said, “Go ahead. I will go off to be the bride-to-be.”
* * * *
L alli cocked her head . “What’s up, boss?”
“Why didn’t you ever mention that you had that singing voice?”
“It’s my voice. Why would I mention it?”
“Are you a BDC escort?”
“Yup, when I have time, which isn’t much. Still, I get to blow out the cobwebs now and then.”
“What is your call sign?”
“Absolutely not. No way are you learning that.” She smiled. “You have no reason to know it.”
“Well, the consortium isn’t exclusive. Well, Vikor and Drin are, the rest of us have some flexibility with things.”
“Ew. Gross.” Lalli cocked her head. “Maybe I should just pretend this conversation never happened.”
He touched her hand. “Why don’t you want to?”
She smirked. “Because the first thing I learned was that satisfaction could come from within. Waiting for someone to grant it is just a waste of time.”
Zera walked toward them. “Oh, hey, Klauz. You have met one of our newest bodyguards, huh?”
Klauz blinked. “Bodyguard?”
“Yeah. She isn’t available much, but I am guessing that any of her leave has been spent on one of my little projects.”
Lalli snorted. “Is that what you call him?”
Zera shrugged. “He always waits until you are available before coming in for his meetings.”
Klauz frowned. “Is this about sick days?”
Lalli nodded. “Sure. I do occasionally have to take time off. That is when the prefect calls you to tell you she wants me for a day as a personal chef or something.”
He blinked. “Oh, fuck. Yeah, there have been a few of those.”
Lalli shrugged. “I can quit if you think things are awkward.”
He sighed. “No. Please don’t. You are amazing with a knife.”
“Thank you. It took a lot of practice. Oh, I am not going to be there the day of the wedding, but more than half of the actives in town are going to be at the wedding. I am helping a friend from pastry school, and then I have to get all cleaned up and shiny.”
Klauz paused. “What if I remove you as sous chef and just leave you to work when you can?”
She snorted. “How much of a pay cut?”
“Fifteen percent.”
Zera snorted. “You make more than that in one assignment, Lalli.”
Lalli laughed. “Yeah, but I prefer the cooking. Less chance of getting shot, stabbed, drugged, gassed, or that yutz grabbing my butt.”
Zera sighed. “I have told him about that.”
“So have I. The next time he does it, he’s making out with pavement. Not really a good look for an attaché.”
Klauz asked carefully, “Does your patron eat at the restaurant?”
“Yes. I am with him, being a pain in the ass and blocking the access points.”
“But you... oh, hells. You wear a suit.”
Lalli wrinkled her nose. “I wear a suit. And contacts.”
Zera laughed. “She’s wearing contacts now.”
Lalli stared at her. “Are you trying to out me completely?”
“What? All people from your country have freaky eyes.”
Klauz said, “May I see?”