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One month later
After they vanquished Abednego and saved Haller Lake from his flunky Derrick Schmitt, Kris began to learn spells, and blessings from her friend, Cassie. Roman didn’t like the witch teaching Kris anything. He still didn’t trust Cassie. They argued about it, but he’d have to learn to accept her.
Kris felt it strange how fast Roman became the center of her life and couldn’t remember what it felt like before he came from the lake. He owned her heart and soul and she owned his.
Spring knocked at the door. The temperatures warmed, trees budded and the rhododendrons and azaleas bloomed. Only one thing hung over their heads from March.
Roman asked the other Lakemen and night animals to keep their eyes and ears open for any signs of evil, but nothing out of the ordinary happened.
He went back to Parcel to pack up his quarters and showed up with very little. A few pairs of jeans, T-shirts and a suit which dated back a few million years, were all the clothes he owned. He also brought a case of books which Kris found a spot for on a bookshelf.
Omar appeared daily to ask Roman questions and get opinions on lake subjects. Roman helped, with patience.
After the vision in which the lake got destroyed, Kris didn’t experience any others. The group still thought the electrical shock she’d received during Derrick’s abolishment, caused a merge with her alter ego, Elzabeth. If that were the case, Kris worried if El’s qualities came through to her. El could be aggressive and flip, which Kris knew Roman didn’t find attractive at all.
Kris missed El. She’d been an only child and El felt like a sister. Although, the other’s voice in her head did overwhelm her, El became warm and caring, bad side or not. She’d also connected Kris with her parents, for which she would always be grateful. She felt certain El would resurface.
Kris got dressed in a new, tight slit skirt with a tight tank top and jacket, and then looked out the back windows. Roman stood in the middle of the lawn and spoke with Omar. He wore a new navy blue suit and looked professional. They bought a crisp double blue pinstripe shirt with no collar, which Kris felt made him look less FBI-ish. He looked great in or out of clothes. She grabbed her briefcase and headed for the back door.
Walking out, she saw Roman’s eyes light up when he looked at her. “Damn, woman, you look fine.”
Omar turned and grinned at her. “I may get jealous.”
“I won’t say a word to Cassie.” She walked into Roman’s arms. His hand moved down her waist and patted her bottom. “You like?”
“Me like very much.” He gave her a quick kiss on the lips.
“Good,” Kris smiled. “What’s the discussion about?”
“Nothing major, just some protocol questions,” Omar said.
“Sorry, but sounds dull and I have an appointment. I’ll need my new bodyguard and we need to get moving.” She looked up at Roman.
“Okay El, I’ll get the car.” Roman laughed and moved away.
“El? Wait a minute. You don’t think I sound like El, do you?”
Roman scratched his head. “Yeah, just a little.”
“Lord, I’m sorry. I don’t want to sound bitchy at all.”
“Kris, no worries. We’ll get used to the new you.” Omar grinned.
“No, no new me, same old me.” She saw the two men exchange glances. “What do the glances mean?”
“I’ll tell you in the car. We’d better get going or you’re going to be late.” Roman took her hand and pulled her to the driveway.
“Later, Omar,” Kris said.
He opened the door for her, and helped her in. “I did the mapping thing on the computer, so I know where we’re going.” He smiled. He took driving lessons and obviously felt a little pride.
He got the car onto the highway and they found it wasn’t the best day on the freeway. Seattle traffic could be hell. She kept quiet until they sat at a standstill.
“Give over, what did the glance mean?”
Roman kept his eyes on the road. “We’d just brought up El. Omar did a favor and asked the Oracle if there were any clues to where she might be. I hoped to find out something for you, but”—he frowned—“there’s nothing. The Oracle can’t sense her.”
Kris looked out the side window and tried not to cry. She wanted to find El.
“I’m sorry, babe. I know you were hoping.” He reached over and held her hand.
“To be honest, I think I already knew, but in my usual stubborn fashion, I wanted to hope.”
“Have I mentioned how much I love your stubbornness?”
“Not today, but I know you worship me.” She teased him.
“You’ve got that right.” He kissed her hand.
Swinging the car off the freeway, they headed into downtown Seattle. Kris wanted to arrange shows for Cassie and a couple of her up-and-comers at the more upscale galleries. She needed to do it for Cassie, since she’d moved so fast to get her paintings framed for Tom in Everett. Kris owed her big time.
The first gallery they stopped at could be a hard sell. Kris did her best pitch and in the end, were told they’d contact her. At the second, she received a verbal to show Cassie and two other veterans, but they’d call her with dates later. They were a good group, so Kris felt she could trust the verbal agreement.
They got back home after two in the afternoon and Kris felt hungry. They’d stopped at the fish market and bought a piece of king salmon. Roman’s latest obsession became the new grill and he prepared the salmon with a watchful eye. Kris went a little overboard with baked potatoes, salad and bread, but then they’d have some leftovers for later.
The sun shone and after they stuffed themselves, got comfy on the outdoor double recliner they’d purchased. Both fell asleep. They woke after seven o’clock, and got the dinner plates cleaned up.
****
Lorrie looked out a window towards Kris’s house. She watched as Roman started up the propane barbeque and got whatever they cooked on the grill. While he fussed with it, Kris came out and put her hand on his butt. They caressed and kissed each other and it became annoying.
“Why do you continue to watch?” she heard a voice whisper in her ear. She didn't answer, and didn’t know what to say.
She felt a warm breath on her neck, but didn’t turn around. She continued to watch her neighbors.
“Doesn’t it sicken you that he merged with the likes of her? She’s no one. Your man should merge with you,” the male voice murmured.
It angered her that Marcus couldn’t merge with her because of her status as a witch. She did good things and helped with the abolishment. Why couldn’t the guard superiors see this side of things?
“It isn't fair,” she whispered.
“No, it isn’t. If you’d help me, I might be able to help convince the Guardian leadership to let you two merge.”
She thought about what the voice said. Roman grabbed Kris around her waist and spun her around the deck.
“What would I have to do?” she asked.