Legitimate Business

MADDIE

~I walked through the forest as the wind whispered through the trees’ leaves. Sunshine was obscured by the large cotton ball cloud that held no sign of rain.~

~Where was I?~

~Had I been to this place before?~

~It seemed both familiar and so very foreign. But the path filled with soft grass and wildflowers beckoned me forward.~

~“There you are,” Aneurin said, stepping into the path.~

~The giant was soon followed by his twin brother, Dane. They were still the two young men I’d met on that fateful day in the alley. But something about them seemed different.~

~Confident.~

~Handsome.~

~Oh, and the luxurious hair cascading down their shoulders, Aneurin’s as shiny and gold as anything in the Dobrzycka treasure room, and Dane’s as black as the darkest night.~

~“It’s been so long since we’ve last seen you,” Dane said.~

~“When we first met, you were only a child,” Aneurin added.~

~I laughed at the idea that I would be a child to them. I suppose I appeared to be nothing but a helpless little girl to these two strong men.~

~They did save me from a drug-addicted asshole, after all.~

~They waved me toward them, leading me into a large clearing.~

~My feet carried me forward, even though a flutter of butterflies in my stomach gave me the slightest pause.~

~“We know this is unexpected,” Aneurin said, smiling at me. “But that’s why we were brought together.”~

~“This is why we were destined to meet again,” added Dane.~

~Before I could question their statements, they began to change shape. Their shirts split open, revealing massive wings that filled the entire clearing.~

~I watched in utter amazement as they grew to new heights, blotting out the cloudy sky and darkening everything around me.~

~Dane and Aneurin were no longer the junkies I was selling drugs to on some beat down street corner.~

~They were…~

~Dragons!~

***

I woke up in a cold sweat back in my quiet room.

There were no twins, no dragons, and no forest.

Only the sticky sheets clinging to my body, reminding me that it was only a dream.

Yet I could still feel the flutter of butterflies in my stomach. These days even dreams didn’t seem to feel as unreal as they once did.

What did Dane and Aneurin mean?

~…you were only a child.~

I ripped the sheets from my body and hopped to the floor. A warm shower and some coffee would hopefully help clear my mind. At least it would be a start.

There was a crinkle at my feet. I looked down to see a small piece of paper sliding under the door.

~What the…~

A quick glance around my room assured me no one else was there. Why would someone need to stick a note under my door?

I picked up the jet-black note with gold lettering and felt its smooth touch on my fingertips.

It wasn’t a note. It was an invitation.

And a damn fancy one at that…

~Loch and Hael.~

I was officially invited to a fundraiser to open a new orphanage.

Of course, luring me back in by going for my weakness.

Did I want to go? I wasn’t ready to see those two, even if they were throwing an event for something good.

But I should’ve known I’d have to face them sooner or later...

***

“This place is hella legit!” Harry said as we were seated at the table.

Harry and I looked around at the inside of the restaurant. It was high-class, with a sparkling chandelier and waiters dressed in tuxes. There was even a small fountain bubbling in the middle of the main dining room.

We both needed to clear our minds and get some food in our stomachs.

Thanks to our new jobs, we could afford to set foot in a place as lovely as this.

“Welcome to Dark Sustenance,” Thea said in her most professional voice as she led us to our table. “The only restaurant in Requiem City that enhances your taste buds with a menu made by the city’s finest blind chefs.”

Harry and I shared a confused look. We knew that Darshan and Thea had found real jobs, we just had no idea that it was working together—and at an upscale restaurant.

“Oh, and I almost forgot. You’ll get to experience the food wearing blindfolds,” Thea continued. “To elevate your palate.”

“Are you trying to pull our legs?” Harry asked.

“Yeah,” I added, “since when could Darshan cook?”

“Ha, ha, very funny,” Thea replied.

Darshan walked up to the table dressed in a white double-breasted jacket, black-and-white houndstooth pants, and an apron.

“Just because I can’t see doesn’t mean I can’t make a mean soufflé,” Darshan said. “But it does mean I won’t catch the expiration date on the carton of eggs.”

Harry and I laughed. Thea rolled her eyes at the bad joke. She better get used to them if she was going to living ~and~ working with her significant other.

“Excuse me, but I have hosting duties to take care of,” Thea said as she made her way toward a couple who had just entered the restaurant.

“Darshan, this is amazing,” Harry said giddily.

“I can’t believe you’ve never cheffed it up for us,” I said, smacking him on the back.

“Well, you never asked me to,” he replied, a bit salty.

Harry and I shared another look and a shrug. Couldn’t argue with that.

I picked up the crystal drinking glass to take a sip and then hastily put it back. Even living with Loch and Hael hadn’t prepared me for such a fancy feast. I didn’t know how I’d make it to the end without doing something to embarrass my friends.

“Tell us everything!” Harry said.

“Thea and I had been searching for a job that would somehow fit my...abilities,” Darshan said, smiling. “But most of them were office work or operating machinery.”

“You, operating machinery?” Harry said.

“I know, right? Could you honestly see me working at a computer or servicing a car?” Darshan quipped. “Technically, yes, you could see me doing those things. I couldn’t.”

Harry and I snickered at the terrible joke. Pure Darshan. Always trying to undercut his abilities with a thick stream of self-deprecation.

“But then I remembered a blind man I’d met at a community outreach program,” he continued. “He’d started a string of businesses—including this restaurant—aimed at helping the disabled. I mentioned it to Thea, and she found his number. Now we’re here.”

It was amazing to think that out of all of my friends, Darshan had the best job. Goes to show that anything can happen with a little effort and intuition.

“That’s great, Darsh,” I said. “Can’t wait to try out your dishes.”

“There was a bit of a learning curve at first,” Darshan admitted, “but I’ve got the hang of it now. So, I can actually say I’m ready for you to try them!”

Darshan leaned closer, nearly knocking over a glass in front of him. Harry pulled it away at the last second before anything happened, eliciting a smirk from me.

“Tell me, though,” Darshan whispered, “How’s everything been, with the...you know.”

“It’s been good enough to afford this place,” Harry teased.

“Nothing happened since that day,” I assured him. “We’re staying safe. Promise.”

“Well, since you ~promise~,” Darshan smiled. “Just don’t mention it too much around Thea.”

“We’re not that stupid,” I chuckled.

Darshan gave my hand a gentle squeeze. I could tell that he was happy we were here. Finally, things seemed like they might actually be going back to normal.

That was something I didn’t think I would be able to say for a while...then again, I’d have to see why Loch and Hael wanted anything to do with an orphanage.

The upside was that less fortunate kids would be given a chance to succeed like Harry, Darshan, Thea, and I. Even if it was for the Dobrzyckas’ personal gain.

“I’d better get back to the kitchen,” Darshan said.

“Wait, what should we order?” Harry called out.

“Don't worry about it. I'll give you guys the chef's special. On the house,” he said, with an exaggerated wink.

But as Darshan made his way toward the kitchen, a sudden ruckus pulled everyone’s attention toward the front of the restaurant.

Thea was moving quickly after a young woman who was rushing her way past tables.

“What’s wrong?” Thea called out. “You’re not scheduled to come in today.”

The young woman Thea was chasing stopped close to our table and began to break down. Thea placed an arm around her shoulder and tried to usher her toward the back, but the woman’s legs had grown weak.

“It’s Georgie,” she said as tears fell down her face.

“Georgie,” Thea responded, confused. “The head chef? What about him?”

“His whole family was found murdered last night,” she wailed as more people gathered to try and help the woman.

“Murdered?!” Thea gasped.

The woman nodded her head. “Burned. His entire family. Just like the others from the Skeleton Quarter.”

“I can’t believe it,” a waiter said, covering his mouth in disbelief.

“But they didn’t find him in the Skeleton Quarter,” the woman continued. “This time they were only a few blocks from Req Tower.”

I felt the entire room close in.

~Req Tower.~

That wasn’t where drug dealers or malcontents hung out.

The Dobrzyckas’ enterprise was located in the middle of the city, where bustling streets were populated with top businesses and high-end boutiques.

I didn’t want to admit it, but something in my chest ached with understanding…

Was Zayda right? Were Loch and Hael behind these gruesome murders?

Every sign pointed to ~yes~.