Chapter 1: Chapter Five
Before the sunrise the next morning Sterling and Ray stood in the unkept garden of their mansion. A thick hazy fog draped low to the ground as the tips of the tall grass peaked out. The dew dampened their bare legs and clung to Ray's hair. The breeze was silent and chill as it carried the aroma of the wild woods. The moon was full and bright unnecessary as the two had their eyes closed viewing the minds of the troll leaders linked through Sterling. Garci the South American leader, Diago the Australian, Yero the African, Ming the Asian leader, Bardric the European and Sylvie the North American leader and head troll while Sterling was in prison. She was the first to speak
"We were unsuccessful in finding any information about your secondary curse but deduced the best course of action is to try Fae's blood"
Sterling nodded and asked "Interesting, why do you think so?"
Sylvie cleared her throat as she continued. "If human blood broke the first curse, surly Fae blood should break the second." Sterling pondered at the simplicity and how unlikely it could be as the Fae were cunning creatures and would not settle for such an obvious solution. Nevertheless, it was a start. He projected his thoughts to the group,
"It is indeed a possibility and worth an attempt, has anyone been successful in obtaining it?"
Sterling's mind grew quite, he looked into each of the trolls all of which remained silent. He turned to look at Ray who spoke for all to hear,
"I'll tell him" He then put his arm on Sterling's shoulder and answered in a slow sincere voice.
"No" The group all scolded Ray with their minds of his lack of explanation. Sterling chuckled and Rei smiled.
Sylvie interrupted the arguments to give him an explanation, "We were successful for many years until the Fae destroyed all the Atklat stones. We now have no subtle way of finding them."
The European head, Bardic added. "There blood is exceptionally sweet. If we were to devise test stations, in Chasity Lake we would be able to find them."
Sterling's expression hardened at the idea, he thought of Bardic pulling Genevieve closer to him, as he brushed her soft locks aside and brought his lips to her neck, his teeth piercing the skin to taste her blood. Sterling's eyes narrowed, as the hints of anger surged through him. He instantly replied in a dark undertone startling the other troll leaders.
"No. That will not be necessary. Our primary goal at the moment is discretion. We can't have our motives known, especially to the Fae. No, I will take it upon myself to find them. we will reconvene later." Sterling ended the connection, pinching the bridge of his nose in thought.
Ray scratched his beard and said "I may not be able to read minds but I'm pretty sure I can guess what you're thinking"
Sterling looked at his friend and smirked. "Can you now?"
Ray spoke in Sterling's proper accent mockingly ��Indeed" to which Sterling chuckled.
"You're afraid" Sterling raised his eyebrow at his friend and Ray corrected
"Concerned, for her safety, am I right?" He grinned, rubbing his palms together waiting for his confirmation.
Sterling crossed his arms and rolled his eyes "Perhaps"
"I knew it. Okay than, go get her"
Sterling whipped his head looking over at his enthusiastic friend. "Excuse me?"
"You can't keep her safe if you're not with her now can you?"
"How am I supposed to find her? I can't read her mind"
Ray sighed "You don't need powers to know where she is. It's morning she's doing what every waking adult does getting coffee"
Sterling smelled the freshly roasted coffee beans before he had opened the door to the Busy Bean coffee shop. Warm amber strung light bulbs draped on the ceiling accenting the wooden planks. A living plant wall on one side and local photography hung on the other. He sat in an oversize chair and watched the locals grab their morning beverage before they started their day. The door opened and his muscles relaxed from the familiar scent of vanilla and grapefruit.
Genevieve stood in line wearing a white button down blouse, a black pencil skirt, hair and make-up coiffed to perfection. It was the first time he saw her look like one of the mundane people, he felt she looked artificial and constrained, smothering her inner light. He loved her clean face, hair free and her comfortable attire and she didn't need to conform, she was beautiful. He watched her approach the counter and listened as she told the cashier her order.
"A large non-fat caramel latte with extra caramel drizzle inside the cup" She bubbled already energized before her coffee.
"Sure can I have your name for the order"
"Seriously? Every morning we go through this, can't you for once get my name right?
The cashier stared at her blankly with the marker ready to write on the empty cup. She stared him down.
"It's Genevieve" She annunciated the name so he could spell it phonetically correct.
The cashier rolled his eyes and replied
"That'll be $4.75"
"Thank you, Andrew"
Sterling chuckled as she stared down the cashier, he watched her move to wait for her drink on the other side of the bar. He made his way to stand behind her, lifting his arm to tap her shoulder, remembering the modern world touched the other as a means to say hello. But before his finger could graze her shoulder the barista yelled.
"Drink for 'Jenny5" She leaned back, he did followed to avoid a collision, she glared at the cashier, he smiled at her wrath. She turned around, while he was distracted her elbow bumped into his chest, spilling her coffee all over her white blouse.
Sterling watched as the syrupy liquid caused her shirt to stick to her skin. He could see her blouse turning transparent, her womanly shape on display as well as her undergarments. He turned his back to her as he made his way out the door.
He refused to stare at her like the neighbour, fantasizing about the sweet milk that glistened on her skin, the flimsy blouse that failed in keeping her discreet as it revealed the gray cups that matched her eyes. He shook his head and stood outside breathing heavily and started to walk back to the suite when the door to the 'Busy Bean' opened and a hand held his arm back. Sterling let it turn him knowing who the delicate hand belonged too.
Genevieve eyes widened in recognition for a moment, she shook her head and said. "Hey where do you think you're going?"
"Home."
"You see this?" She pointed around her coffee stained blouse accentuating her breasts. Sterling gulped and his eyes darkened. He looked up to her with his eyebrow raised.
"You ruined my outfit, I have a life altering appointment that I am going to be late for and I didn't even get my drink"
"That's bad" He affirmed
"Yeah, it's bad I need my coffee" She crossed her arms around her chest.
"Tell me, did the morning rise predict this would happen?"
She brought her finger to her cheek "You know I miss read it this morning I thought I was going to meet a majestic stallion today but it turned out to be an ass" She narrowed her eyes at him
Sterling stayed quite, finding the other end of her wrath wasn't as amusing. She exhaled and asked.
"Look are you going to go in there and replace my coffee?
"Are you unable to obtain it yourself?"
Her eyebrows shot up at the question and replied "Are you crazy? I can't face Andrew again. He'll spit in my drink or worse, mess up my order. The least you could do is buy me a new drink"
"No. The least I could do is nothing" Sterling corrected. Genevieve's eyes widened and her mouth fell open.
"Wow you really are an ass" she walked away huffing. Sterling stayed a moment later deciphering what happened to cause that reaction from her. He massaged the back of his neck and walked back to the basement suite.
"She called you an ass?" Ray laughed. They sat on the linoleum booth at the back of the neighborhood bar "Beer me" each with a bottle of frosty beer. Ray took a sip leaning far back with one arm resting on top of the booth sitting across from Sterling, chuckling.
Sterling rolled his eyes and replied. "Yes and I don't understand the interaction. The coffee spilled and she required me to procure her another drink. I asked why she needed me too and she stormed off"
"After she called you an ass." Ray corrected, snickering as he took a sip of his beer.
"Will you cease your merriment long enough to advise me on what to do?"
Ray put down his drink and joked "Well for starters you have to get her to not see you as an…"
Sterling interrupted "yes, yes, and how would one do that?"
"You have to give her something that she wants, tit for tat" Sterling drew his eyebrows together in thought,
"And you can't get her things or taker her out without money, so here" Ray pulled out a wallet from his back pocket and handed it to Sterling. Sterling opened it and found some bills and a plastic card. Ray leaned over the table and tapped the card with his finger "That one has all your money in it for now. I sold some of your collectibles, there is two million in the account."
Sterling nodded, putting the wallet in his back pocket and said "Thank you" than he snickered. Ray lifted his eyebrow in question while taking a sip of his beer. Sterling shrugged his shoulders and answered "I find it amusing how difficult dating is these days"
Ray laughed and corrected "Yeah well you never had a problem back in those days."
"I suppose that's true but at the time I didn't feel the need to"
"Why would you? You were worshiped as a God and the villagers literally threw women at your feet. You lucky bastard" Ray took a sip of his beer.
"Lucky? One of those women happened to be Nedra, the reason I was imprisoned for two thousand years." Sterling gulped his beer, enjoying the cool calming sensation as it ran down his throat.
"Fair point, that was a dick move."
Sterling laughed at his friends demeanor and stiffened when a familiar scent, mingled with the smoke and alcohol. He ran his fingers through his hair, Ray gave him a questioning look. Sterling turned around to see Genevieve walk in the bar her hair down in soft curls, an alluring bright red lipstick. Her choice in clothing was much more relaxed from her business attire earlier, in dark denim and a black tank top. She waved her hands over to a group sitting at a table on the other side of the bar, the smile she had was infectious. Sterling startled by the booming voice across from him at the table.
"I take it that's Genevieve?"
Sterling rubbed the back of his neck in answer and chugged the remainder of his beer.
Ray smirked "She's hot" Sterling turned to face him, his face hardened and Ray added "and clearly off limits" he used the bottle of his beer to point to the bar and suggested
"You should go up there and offer to pay for her drink."
Sterling tilted his head to the side "What for?"
"Just do it"
Sterling stood up from the booth and walked to the bar beside Genevieve. He tapped her on the shoulder and watched her eyes lit up with recognition and her face set with annoyance. He cleared his throat and blurted
"Allow me to purchase your beverages" She looked deep into his blues with her bottom lip between her teeth, Sterling held his breath waiting for her answer, hoping he hadn't ruined their interaction from earlier. Humor transformed her face and she let out a light chuckle.
"You're willing to buy me a drink here but draw the line at coffee?" She put her hand on her hip and gestured with the other.
Sterling exhaled, pleased she was in better spirits. "If I pay for the drinks can we forget about the mishap from earlier today?"
"You can't buy my forgiveness with a drink you know I almost lost the gig because of you."
"Almost? The life altering meeting was in your favor than?"
Genevieve nodded smiling up at him. "Yes I did. I am the party organizer for "A Better To-marrow" auction fundraiser" She giggled.
"This calls for a celebration than" Sterling looked at the bartender and waved for him to come over. The bartender approached and Genevieve ordered
"Two lime margarita's please" She looked up at him through her long lashes after the bartender left.
"You know I've never had a margarita before."
"You a beer guy?"
"As a matter of fact" She snorted and shook her head
"Typical, too macho to try a ladies drink"
"No, I'll try it if you insist." The bartender arrived with the two drinks, Genevieve picked one up raising her eyebrow in challenge.
"Well here's your chance." Sterling didn't break eye contact as his blues locked on to her greys. He bent over bringing the straw to his mouth and taking a sip. He stood back up slowly licking his lips, she chewed her bottom lip as she watched.
"It's very good" As Sterling reached into his back pocket to pull out some bills he felt a hand forcefully pull him around. He came face to face with the man who he wanted to hurt not that long ago. The anger started to build, the demon inside licked his lips in anticipation to attack.
The man's eyes burned with intensity he puffed out his chest and clenched his jaw "Are you hitting on my girlfriend?"
"Hitting? No, I haven't laid a hand on her" Sterling replied, gathering from his expression hitting had another meaning, he huffed frustrated by the modern language.
Genevieve put down her drink on the edge of the bar, she stood between them, pushing her significant other away and suggested. "Kai lets go home. I think you had to many to drink anyway."
"Don't tell me what to do."
She raised her hands "I wasn't honest. I just want to go home"
Sterling chimed in "I can take you home if you so desire"
Kai shoved him "Back off buddy. She's my girlfriend" He turned to give her his attention, pointing to the TV "I'm not going anywhere the game is going to start"
"Can't we watch it at home?"
"No we have to pay for it"
Sterling put a hand to his chest, "How about I pay for your program" Kai grabbed the front of his shirt, leaning closer to his face "You have a death wish?"
Sterling chuckled at the idea that the weak human causing him harm. Kai let go of his shirt, Sterling smoothed over the creases. He glared at Sterling. "Is something funny?"
"Indeed. You threatening me is quite amusing."
Genevieve held on to Kai's arm pulling him away, he snapped his arm releasing her hold on him and "Yeah well we'll see how amusing it is when my fist hits your face" Kai brought his arm back ready to punch, he swung his fist towards Sterling's face, who dodged the blow with ease feeling the air pass him.
Kai missing his target landed on the drinks at the bar, spilling them all over Genevieve. Genevieve screeched when the icy liquid hit her clothes and glared up at Sterling who snickered at the whole situation.
"Why is it I keep getting drinks spilled on me when I'm around you?" She glared at him, Sterling shocked by her irritation raised his eyebrow to answer when Kai stood up. His nostrils flaring, a murderous stare directed at Sterling. Sterling's expression hardened, growling from the back of his throat, giving Kai a glimpse of the demon within.
Kai moved and stood behind Genevieve who was patting her clothes down with a napkin. He grabbed her hand and turned her around, as he spoke in a deep voice "Where leaving, you go settle the bill, I'll meet you in the car"
Kai stormed off, Sterling watched putting his hands in his front pocket to prevent himself from ripping the man limb from limb. How could this women who had no reservations in reprimanding him would allow this animal demand things of her? He moved to stand next to her by the bartender, noticing she was pulling bills out of her purse.
"What are you doing I offered to purchase your beverages"
She shook her head and with a curt undertone, "I don't think so"
He couldn't believe that she would be upset with him, if she only knew the amount of restraint it took to not lay a finger on Kai. She should shower him with blessings not hostility. "You can't possibly blame this on me Jennyfive"
Genevieve balled her fists by her side, her face flushed with embarrassment and anger, slowly turning to face him.
"What did you call me?"
"Jennyfive. Your cup name for earlier today." She glared at him one last time and stormed out of the bar. Sterling looked up at the ceiling and let out a long frustrated breath, shutting his eyes tight hearing the booming laughter coming from his booth. He slumped his head and walked towards it, he sat down and whispered.
"That didn't go well"
"Nope"
"I have to attempt another tit for tat correct?"
"Oh Yeah and it's got to be better than a free drink"
Sterling slumped back in the booth, kneading the muscles at the back of his neck. Ray snapped his finger and said "I know what you need to do"
"Yes?"
"If you want to date a women of the 21st century you're going to have to be a man of the 21st century."
"Are you suggesting we go to the library and acquire some books?"
"What? No. I have a better idea. Chick flick marathon��� Ray sang the last word with a huge smile on his face Sterling's eyes widened with horrification as to what his friend had instore.
The two man sat on the couch in Ray's basement suite watching 'Tootsie' on the screen. When the man dressed as a women came on screen, Sterling demanded "Stop the film"
Ray clicked the pause button on the remote and faced his friend, confused by the interruption.
"That's what I need to do"
"Dress up as a women?"
"No an alias. Genevieve knows my history, and she wasn't pleased."
"The killing spree is a turn off for most women"
"I'll need a new name"
Ray snapped his fingers "Sterling Silver, that's what you should use" Sterling scrunched his face at the ridiculous suggestion.
"What? It's awesome and easy to remember"
"It sounds like a fake name, like yours, Ray Ban"
"What's wrong with my name?"
Sterling crossed his arms across his chest. "It's a sunglass's brand."
"Exactly, that's why it's awesome. Easy to remember" Ray answered nodding his head at the brilliance of his name.
Sterling rolled his eyes, Ray pressed play to continue their research on romance of the 21st century.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone