Birthrights (5 page)

“That’s because I have standards, Stace!” Jaxon
laughed. “I won’t settle for anything but love, and I’m not sure
that even exists anymore.”

Stacey gasped, “Oh, come on Jax, really? You don’t
believe in Prince Charming and white knights?”

“Definitely not!” Jaxon insisted. “Some fairy tales
really were nothing but fiction, Stacey.” Jaxon tried to change the
subject before they went any further, “Hey do you mind closing up
tonight? I’ll do it tomorrow night since I know you’re gonna want
to leave early for that date of yours.”

“Really? You don’t mind me leaving early tomorrow?
Sure, I’ll close up.”

Jax smiled and laughed a little at Stacey’s
enthusiasm as she headed back to her office to retrieve her purse
and jacket. She paused a moment, as an odd feeling came over her.
Jaxon shook her head, telling herself that it was nothing. Living
downtown wasn’t the safest place these days, but Jaxon couldn’t
afford the luxury she had once enjoyed in Raleigh. Just then
bells at the front jingled, notifying them that they had a
customer.

She sighed, knowing their customer was something
other than human. A human wouldn’t dare be out after dark around
here. This part of the old city was known for its high crime rate.
And only non-humans were naturally equipped to handle whatever may
come their way. Although human, Jaxon always enjoyed the night. She
was equipped as well, not naturally, but rather more with a nice
dagger hidden in her bag. Always be prepared, she thought, another
lesson she had learned from her time with Rick.

Walking towards the front door, she passed the
customer that had just entered the gallery, and looked up to meet
his gaze. She almost stopped breathing. It was like one of those
moments you see in the movies, where everything slows down and a
million words are spoken with just a look.

He was stunning at just under 6 feet tall, he wore a
pale green dress shirt and dark gray slacks. The clothes were
tailored to show the lines of his body, which was obviously
athletic and well defined. His jet black hair fell slightly into
his eyes which were several shades brighter than his shirt. They
had to be the most magnificent shade of green Jaxon had ever
seen.

She mentally shook herself back to reality and turned
to tell Stacey goodbye when she saw her co-worker practically
running to greet their new guest. Stacey grabbed his arm and was
dragging him towards the back of the gallery chatting and giggling
like a little schoolgirl.

Jax just shook her head at the behavior of her
co-worker. That man was wonderful to look at, but Jaxon knew better
than to get swept up in just looks. Her past taught her that much.
While she wasn't going to get wrapped up in a good looking man the
way Stacey did, she did notice how he watched her walk out.Jaxon
smiled to herself as she headed home to train.

The sun was bright and the air brisk as Jax walked to
the gallery the next day. Swapping shifts with Stacey meant she had
to close tonight. It was Friday though, and Stacey had a date.
Jaxon wasn’t involved in social scenes, much less trying to date
anyone. She just wasn’t ready to dart down another winding path of
love and romance or hurt and betrayal. Instead, she buried herself
in her training and her work, both of which had proven successful,
except of late.

'If I don’t find a new artist to spur some life into
this gallery soon', Jaxon thought, 'then the gallery is going to
fade away into the town just like everything else has.' Pondering
what to do and where to find new creative minds, Jaxon entered the
gallery to find Stacey behind the counter smiling at her with the a
very guilty look.

Jaxon smiled and hesitated on her way to her
office. “Hi Stacey, what’s up?”

Stacey shuffled from behind the counter to follow Jax
into her office. “Okay first, I just want to say that I really
didn’t do anything. I know you are going to blame me, because I’m
forever trying to set you up, but this time it really wasn’t my
idea. It was his, and well to be honest, who wouldn’t want a date
with him? I mean he’s only the hottest man alive and he’s got more
money than he knows what to do with. So, it’s not like you’ll ever
need anything and …”

Jaxon put her purse in her drawer and stood, staring
at her co-worker. Stacey was babbling on and the more she said, the
less Jaxon liked it.

“Stacey!” Jax stopped her, “who and what are you
talking about?”

The blond just looked at her like she had grown two
heads. “Haven’t you heard a word I’ve said? Seth Landry wants
to take you out. As in, on a date!”

“Who is Seth Landry? And how does he know me? Stacey
you haven’t tried to hook me up with one of your computer match
site guys have you?” Jaxon plopped into her chair and turned on her
computer.

“Um, no. Seth is Ronald's boss, and the guy who came
in last night when you were leaving. He couldn’t take his eyes off
you. He wasn’t even interested in any of our inventory. He only
wanted to know about you.”

Jaxon froze in her chair. It was not a good omen to
have someone asking questions about her, mush less a total
stranger. She closed her eyes and breathed for a moment, tamping
down the panic that had started to rise. No one except her parents
had ever known that she had lived in Elizabeth City when she was a
little girl. There was no way that her ex would think to look for
her here, not when she left a false trail to Texas. He would never
think to find her here. She was just being paranoid.

“Jax, are you okay? You’re awfully pale. I mean,
well, more so than usual anyway.”

“No Stacey, I’m fine. I just have a lot on my mind,
with trying to find new artists and all. So tell me, what did Seth
ask and what did you tell him?”

”Oh, well I just told him that you were new to the
area. And that you had a background in art and that if he wanted to
know more, then he should ask you himself.” Stacey grinned. “I told
him to come back tonight.”

“Great. I was hoping for a quiet evening so that I
could go through some of these new submissions. I have to find an
artist to show soon.” Jax said quietly. She noticed the frown
forming on her co-workers face and immediately felt the
disappointment Stacey had at her reaction. She didn’t know anyone
in this town other than the few associates she had worked with
through the galleries. Even though they weren’t that close, Jaxon
considered Stacey a friend and didn’t want to hurt her feelings.
“Tell you what,” Jax smiled and walked around her desk tossing her
arm around her friend's shoulders as she guided Stacey out of her
office and towards the front of the store. “Just for you, I’ll
actually be nice to this Seth guy when he comes in.”

Stacey beamed as she got ready to leave for the
night. “Honestly Jax, even a blind woman could see what a
catch this guy is. You really should give him more of a chance than
to just be nice. You never know,” she remarked walking out the
door, “you just might like him!”

Jaxon shook her head and headed back to her office.
She might have a bit more time to get some actual work done before
her visitor came in. If he came back, that is.

Jaxon rubbed her eyes after spending a couple hours
researching several promising artists. The phone messages she had
left with several potential show artists had not been returned yet,
and she probably wouldn’t hear from them tonight.

While rubbing her neck and shoulders trying to get
the kinks out Jaxon was suddenly overcome with an odd sensation. It
was like a tingling or an awareness of sorts. Mentally shaking
herself, Jax arose to go to the front. She knew that the gallery
was empty except for her. The bells on the door hadn’t jingled and
there was also a special ward on all the entrances that made the
bell go off as well. The ward was a part of the security system
that was in place. It let the the workers know when someone was
there and it also protected the very valuable inventory the store
had. Jax always felt more secure knowing there was an early warning
system of sorts.

That tingling sensation crawled over her skin again,
just as the bells on the front door came to life. She knew Seth had
walked in even before she turned to look at him.

“Welcome to Pithview Gallery on the Pasquotank. Is
there anything I can help you with this evening?”

The man from the night before walked confidently
towards her, his dark hair falling slightly in front of his bright
green eyes.

“Of course,” his voice whispered like the wind across
her skin. Jax held back a shiver. Just two words and this man had
her reacting like a silly young girl. She smiled politely, waiting
for him to continue. 'I really hope he doesn’t start with some
corny pick up line,' she thought, 'I am so not in the mood.'

Placing his hands on the counter, Seth smiled at her.
There was humor in those eyes and briefly Jax wondered if he had
heard her thoughts. He chuckled and held his hand across the
counter towards her, “I've been here at least twice this year
and haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Ronald’s newest hire. I am
Seth Landry, Director of Development for Pithview Galleries.”

Jax stared at his hand for a moment. He had long
fingers, well manicured nails, and although the skin was as light
and smooth as marble. The ring on his finger shimmered in the
lights of the gallery. Jax could tell it was an old ring, bearing a
crest of some sort. Raising an eyebrow, Jax looked at the handsome
man, “Director of Development, huh?”

“Its more of a fancy title meaning glorified
consultant,” he grinned, easing the lines in his face and giving
him a more boyish quality. Shaking his hand slowly, she introduced
herself. “Jaxon Delaney”

“Yes,” he said slowly, “Jasmine Jaxon Delaney I knew
you looked familiar. You worked in the Raleigh Gallery of Arts
didn’t you?” Seth inquired. Jax took her hand back abruptly.

“It is one of the Pithview Gallery branches, as is
this one. Though it doesn‘t bare the Pithview name, we acquired
this gallery about seven months ago.” Seth continued, seemingly
confused at Jaxon's reaction to his recognizing her.

Jaxon thought for a moment. How could she have been
so stupid? It would be just her luck as to leave a trail as blatant
as this! Covering her panic, she said, “Yes, I did work there.
But I find this gallery more challenging. The atmosphere and
community provide a haven of sorts, from the limelight and stress
of a larger city gallery.” As she spoke she was hoping that her
desire to be left alone would show through her words and he would
leave as quickly as he had come.

For just a moment, Jaxon thought Seth would do
exactly as she hoped when he started to take a step towards the
door. But then he stopped himself and turned back towards
Jaxon.

“You know, you have quite a reputation amongst the
galleries. Your ability to find new talent precedes you. I hope
that you will put that same type of ethics to work here in
Elizabeth City. This gallery needs some,” he looked around with
little interest before finishing, “rejuvenation.”

Jaxon immediately heard the difference in his voice.
His tone had gone from a seductive quality that one could almost
see, to professional and cold. She stood so that he wasn’t looking
down on her anymore, with his condescending air.

“If you are aware of my reputation, then I am sure
you realize that I didn’t come by it with a lackadaisical attitude.
I do intend to revive this gallery, you can be assured of that. I
also don't plan on allowing a 'glorified consultant' to walk in and
take all the credit.” she spouted haughtily, throwing his
self-professed title back at him.

Seth shrugged, showing slight amusement at her
response. “I wouldn’t dare think that about you, Ms. Delaney I
do believe I have unintentionally offended you somehow. I
apologize.” His green eyes sparkled with unspoken words.

Jaxon’s tension eased a bit, but she remained
standing and on the other side of the counter.

“Let me make it up to you,” his voice poured over her
skin like warm chocolate. She took a small step back. “I’m sorry,
but I don’t date within the business,” she replied quietly, tipping
her chin up a notch.

“Yes, I imagine you don’t do many things lightly,” he
remarked. He slipped a small card out of his pocket and onto the
counter, “Here. It is an invitation to a party tonight. Not a
business party, but one of another sort. You don’t have to be my
date. You can bring someone else, if you like. It will give you a
chance to blow off some steam.”

Jaxon took the card from the counter. It was filled
with an odd writing and glyphs that looked more like they were
floating over the invitation rather than written on the card
itself. She couldn’t read the language it was in, but it looked
oddly familiar to her.

Just as she was about to ask him about it, the bells
on the door jingled his exit and she was left standing there with
only his invitation in hand.

***

Raving New Moon

As Caislyn worked on making herself presentable for a
rave she thought about inviting a couple of her friends along with
her as back up. Then she reminded herself that she hadn't really
talked to any of them in a few months. Since her parents had gone
missing, she had pretty much alienated all of her old friends. It
wasn't so bad at first, they were all willing to lend a hand trying
to find them, but after six months everyone lost steam and a few
months later people stopped returning Caislyn's calls. Caislyn
understood, even if she didn't like that everyone was giving up on
her family.

She didn‘t really think it mattered at this point,
all she wanted was to find her parents. If her old high school
friends couldn’t understand that, it was definitely time to move
on. Before she left, she gave herself the once over in the mirror.
There she stood, tall and muscular, but in a girly way. Since her
parents had gone missing Caislyn took every opportunity to work out
and make sure she was in prime shape physically, mentally, and
magically. Her evenly tanned skin with its golden olive complexion
seemed to shimmer back at her while her straight black hair hung to
the middle of her back with some wisps pulled up into little fan
falls at the top of her head. The ends of her hair were dyed a
violent pink color. The pink fans of hair across the top of her
head and at the tips of her hair were shouting at the world with
their brightness. Caislyn's makeup was doing the same thing. She
had some bright pink and black eye shadow on, highlighting even
further, the terrible beauty of her fierce green eyes. Caislyn
threw in a little glitter too, for effect. She was wearing tight
black leather pants, black boots that laced up just below her knees
with pink laces, and a hot pink bustier with a black button up
shirt over top, but hanging undone. There was certainly a theme to
her appearance, but you had to have a theme for a rave.