Page 64 of The Satyr's Guilt
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In the early evening, Denimsurveyed the kitchen of her new stronghold apartment. “Stainlesssteel stove. Fridge. Microwave. Dishwasher. Nice.” She fisted herhips, nodding an approval while she suppressed thoughts of how herlife had taken a sharp right turn.
Tapping her friend’s elbow, Galena led herinto the hallway where she slid open a door. A stacked washer anddryer occupied the nook. “Ta da. You were worried you wouldn’t havethe full complement of appliances. This is a first-classjoint.”
“I’m pleased with the accommodations.”
Someone knocked on the front door.
“I’ll get it.” Galena strolled to the entryas thetap, tap, tapcontinued. “Hold on. I’m coming.”
Three females waited in the hallway, onepeeking from behind a huge basket filled with goodies.
“Hey, Denim,” the Amazon called, “your newcoven kittens are here.”
“Cute, Galena.” Braelyn pushed past theAmazon to enter the spacious but unfurnished living room. “We’rethe welcoming committee. Hey, Denim. I’m Braelyn, Rein’s mate. Thisis Chay’s mate. … Set the thing down so she can see you. … Margobrought a bunch of stuff in case you don’t have much.”
The redhead placed an overloaded basket onthe wood floor near the entry while she eyed the apartment. “Greatfloors. Don’t you just love the wood? Those,” she pointed to threelarge bay windows, “let in terrific morning light. Fantastic. Youneed a few bright area rugs to make everything pop.”
“She’s a sculptor,” explained Braelyn. “Shetalks a lot about color and light.”
Skyler entered last. Unlike the others, shehung back, aloof. “Agent Quinn.”
“Nice to see you again, Chief Maxwell, butlet’s call each other Denim and Skyler. Great to meet you all.You’re my first guests. After Galena, that is.”
The Amazon plopped onto the wood-plankedfloor near the windows. The other women followed suit, thoughSkyler needed help. Margo grabbed the basket before finding herspot.
“Here.” The redheaded Blood Coven descendantsat cross-legged next to Denim, the welcome items in her lap. “Dishsoap, a sponge, shampoo, conditioner, bathroom cleaning products,kitchen towels. Have at it. Go through the rest yourself.” Shepassed off the gift.
As Denim picked through more items, shesmiled at each visitor. “You really know how to make a girl feelwelcome. Thanks so much.”
Braelyn spiked fingers through her shortauburn hair. “That’s not all. On moving day, I’ll fix your dinnerand bring it over. Our apartment’s out your door and to the right.In the corner.”
Skyler sat with her legs curled under her.“You must be feeling pretty overwhelmed by now. We’re here toanswer any questions you might have.”
“I do have a few. Mostly, now what?”
Denim figured Braelyn as the spokesperson.“First, we get you some furniture. This place looks like atomb.”
Denim set the basket on the floor. “If Icould hire muscle, I’d retrieve my stuff from New Orleans.”
“Muscle’s easy,” said Braelyn, “and theywork for free.”
Margo leaned against the wall. “Not forfree, but we’ll provide the incentive pay.”
Skyler rolled her icy lilac eyes.
Braelyn braved patting the frosty CLO’s arm.“Don’t mind her. She’s the newest addition to theI’m-mated-to-a-Firebrand thing. They’re insatiable.”
“Thank God,” shouted Margo. “You’ll beassigned a witch or warlock as a trainer for your gifts.”
“Skyler mentioned gifts, but I don’t haveany. At least none I know about.”
“You’ll get some, once you’re on Scathlonger.” The cool CLO of the Alliance smoothed her elegant blondedo, knotted low on her head.
“You bet,” said Margo. “Mine started whenChay and I were imprisoned in a cramped little jail cell. Skyler’sstarted while she was traipsing around Darque with the hotCommander Kole.”
“It’s not like we were on vacation, Margo.We were stuck there when a warlock working for Cerberus spelled ourtransportation devices.”
