Shallow Water
I find giants. I hunt giants. I kill giants.
- Barbara Thorson
“El?” So maybe Manon was shaking a little. And maybe her voice cracked, right there at the edges. Hand braced on her desk. Back to the glass walls. Face dead calm.
No one can know. No one can know. No one can –
+
Okay. So Elide was a little freaked out. Because Manon never called her from work. And Manon never sounded like she was having a panic attack. But lo and behold, Manon was calling from work and Manon sounded like she was having a panic attack.
Fuck.
“Yeah baby, I’m right here.” Elide sat on a couch in the break room at the vet clinic and tried to let the sound of her breath steady Manon’s breath.
“Hi.” Manon exhaled the word. Shaky. “Any chance you want a ride after work?”
“Of course. I always want to see you.”
“Okay. Good. I’ll meet you at 6.”
“Manon?”
“Yeah?”
“I love you so fucking much. Alright? Whatever happened today, you go out there and you kick ass and you remember that I love you.”
Another exhale. Less shaky. “I love you too.”
+
Jeffery worked the front desk at the vet clinic. Jeffery was used to interacting with sweet old ladies and python hunters (thanks Florida) and stressed soccer moms who really just wished that their kids' gecko would die already.
He was not used to … glamazons.
Manon Blackbeak leaned against the desk, oxblood suit and black stilettos and sliver studs spiked up every inch of her left ear. She flicked her sheet of silvery-blond hair over one shoulder and smiled, all wolf teeth. “Hi. I’m looking for Elide?”
Brain still trying to process the most terrifyingly cool woman he’d ever met (one, Jeffery is correct. two, he doesn’t get out all that much.), he mutely pointed toward the back room.
“Thanks.” Wink.
Jeffery sank lower into his chair and prayed for salvation.
+
“You look very hot today.” Elide lightly swung Manon’s hand as they walked towards the beach, a salt breeze blowing through them, storm clouds on the horizon.
“Right back at you.”
“Ah, yes, scrubs. Famously the most sexual of clothing.”
“You hearing me complain?”
“I had to get changed halfway through the day because a puppy threw up on me.”
“Thanks El.” Manon snorted. “That’s a detail I needed to know.”
“Happy to be of service.” She winked and tangled her fingers tighter with Manon’s own. She didn’t mention what Manon had said when they’d started walking, Iskra – Matron hired her – fucking cunt showed up in my office – it got … ugly. You need a distraction, baby, well I’m right here. Pinky swear. “Alright, Blackbeak. Kick those heels off. It’s walking-through-the-sand-like-a-bad-2000s-romance-movie time.”
Rolling her eyes, Manon complied. “I still don’t get why you like The Notebook.”
“Rachel McAdams is hot. Ryan Gosling, also hot.”
“It is not a healthy relationship.”
“Manon, I’m not watching it for the plot.” Tugging Manon over to a nearby bench, Elide sat down and slipped an arm around the other’s woman waist, nestling their shoulders together as they watched the waves. Boom and roar. Boom and roar. Pressing the softest kiss into Manon’s hair, she murmured, “How you doing?”
“Like shit.”
“God, our exs suck.”
And that got Manon to laugh, “Fuck yeah.”
“Do you know what you want to do?”
“Other than to put a bullet through my grandmother’s head and a knife into Iskra’s throat?”
“Yeah. Other than something that will get you sentenced to life in prison.”
Manon shrugged philosophically. “I’ve heard the food isn’t that bad.”
“The food is shit. And you look terrible in orange.”
“Fine. New plan.” Exhaling, Manon dropped her head onto Elide’s shoulder.
In return, Elide buried a hand in her corn silk hair, lightly scratching at the nape of her neck. “Is it time? Manon, you’ve been waiting all your life. Maybe now you finally strike.”
Hit her when you know she’ll bleed.
“I don’t … El, if I drop that bomb, there’s no going back. There’s no guarantee we walk out okay.”
“I’m not afraid.”
You told me once, years ago, about a death and the lies and a secret that tore entire people apart. You showed me the papers that proved everything. You took them to a vault in Switzerland. You said no one else would be able to touch them. Not until it was time.
Sitting up, Manon fixed her amber eyes on the horizon. Storm king and the world to come. “I have a work party I have to attend tonight, officially welcoming Iskra to the company. Come with me?”
“Duh.” Pressing a big old kiss to Manon’s cheek, Elide gasped, “Does this mean I can steal a dress from your side of the closet?” And when Manon hesitated, Elide played the trump card, “I guess I’ll just have to borrow something from Vesta. Although I’m not really sure you want me showing up in a latex dress…”
“Fine.” Manon glared at the uncaring heavens. “I get final veto power.”
“No you don’t.” Getting up, Elide did her awkward happy dance in the sand, the one that always made Manon seriously regret dating her. “But it’s cute that you think you do.”
+
Pure white. Quite the virgin. Lightning before the thunder cloud.
That’s the dress Elide went for. Achingly soft fabric and a cut that slipped over every curve and a neckline that hugged her throat like a collar. Bare shoulders, because she knew where Manon liked to touch her, to kiss her. Hair in a loose bun, so at the end of tonight, Manon could take it down.
Manon took one look at her and shoved her against the nearest wall and kissed her breathless. “You look beautiful,” pressed against her neck, “you always look beautiful. But there’s something missing.” She placed a pair of sapphire earrings in Elide’s palm, gleaming and the blue fire. “Now let’s go light them up.”
+
I wore this dress for you. Remember, no matter what happens tonight, I’m here with you.
+
Like Daniel into the mouths of lions. Watch me walk out of here or be devoured alive.
Head held high, fingers intertwined with Manon’s, Elide strolled into the belly of beast. Hey there, Matron. Hey there, Iskra. You sons of bitches, you mothers and fuckers of the jury. Just try coming for me now. I’ve got wolf teeth all the way down my spine.
+
Standing beside Manon, Elide sipped her whiskey. “Nice place.”
Manon shrugged, pretended to drink, golden eyes sharp. “We own it.”
“Want to burn it to the ground?”
“Hell yes.”
The bar was all amber lights and low leather booths and air so rarified they charged you to breathe it. Good booze. Shit company. Welcome to a Blackbeak business party. There’s cocaine in the back room if you’re feeling frisky.
“So that’s Iskra?”
“Mhmm.” Manon murmured in reply, her stance loose and easy, her spine coiled and tight.
“I’m hotter than her.” Glancing over the blond woman on the far side of the bar, Elide had to raise both eyebrows. “Did she bring her chihuahua?”
“Yep. Fucking rat.” Manon looked like she really, really wanted alcohol. “She lets it drink from her wine glass. And yes, you are hotter than her.”
“Damn straight.” They fist bumped. “How long do you think before she comes over here?”
“Ten minutes.”
Elide cocked her head to the side. “I give her five.”
“You’re on.”
+
Elide was right.
+
Iskra made it four and a half minutes.
When she started over, snake through dark waters, Vesta, Sorrel, and Imogen all glanced over at Manon – backup? But Manon just shook her head, the slightest flicker – no. I know how to kill a witch.
Just like this.
+
“Manon. Baby.” Iskra had only said two words, had just leaned against the bar, and Elide’s hackles were already up. Bitch. “I’m surprised to see you here tonight.”
Manon scanned her up and down, eyes cool, blank. “It’s fun to watch you grovel. And groveling is how I would describe that little scene over there – don’t bother to try and get Tabitha in your bed. One, whoring yourself out to a board member isn’t a cute look. Two, she’s never been a fan of pillow princesses."
“You would know.” Iskra snapped back. “You’ve fucked half the people here.”
“No. Babydoll. That was you in college.” Manon took a sip of whiskey, eyes locked on Iskra’s face. “We all know you only passed calc because you figured out the best angle to open your legs.”
“I remember opening your legs.” Iskra came a step closer, her face pale with rage. “And you were a disappointment.”
“Disappointing you. That really breaks my heart.”
And then Iskra turned her pale blue eyes on Elide’s face. She smiled, all viper. “You must be Manon’s latest conquest. Tell me, El, has she gotten any better at fucking? Because I’d put her on her back and she wouldn’t even make a sound. Like screwing a piece of ice.”
“Do not talk to her.” Manon spat, hand on Elide’s back and body moving right into Iskra’s space. Looks like we're heading for a bar fight and one hell of a prison sentence.
But Elide Lochan knew how to pick her own battles. She smiled, sweet venom. “Is that your dog?”
“What?” Iskra blinked, thrown, and then picked up the little rat chihuahua at her feet, cuddling it close. “Yes, this is Maeve.”
“Awww.” Elide made the appropriate facial expression for that sound. “Maeve has fleas.”
“What?” And Iskra nearly dropped her little rat chihuahua in shock. “No. She doesn’t.”
“Yes. She does.” Cocking her head to the side, Elide tried very hard to ignore the way Manon was trying not to laugh. “The way she’s itching? Those red bumps at the base of her tail? Fleas. Oh no, don’t bother putting her down. It’s too late for you. If she has fleas, you have fleas. Have fun with that. I hear they’re the very devil to get out of clothes.”
Here’s a fun fact: Elide didn’t say any of that very quietly. Here’s another fun fact: that meant a lot of people heard, including Jeff, King the office gossip Jeff. Here’s a final fun fact: no one had liked Iskra to begin with.
“Oh go fuck yourself.” Iskra spit back.
And Elide gave her such a pitying look. “Nah. I’m not the one going home alone tonight.”
But Iskra never got the chance to reply, because an arm wrapped around her shoulders and a low, dark voice murmured in her ear, “Hi honey.” Asterin Blackbeak had come to play.
Winking at Manon, Asterin subtly, and quite definitely, tightened her grip on Iskra. “You didn’t think I was going to miss out on the fun?” She pressed a kiss to Iskra’s cheek and smiled, shark teeth. “I’ve missed you baby.”
“Get your hands off me.” Iskra tried to pull away, but Asterin put the tragically pointy end of a stiletto into an unfortunately sensitive part of her foot.
“No. I don’t think I will.” Glancing over to their grandmother, Asterin winked. “Now. Iskra. You poor, sweet thing. Do you remember what I told you the day my sister left you in the dirt like the cunt you are?”
Iskra tried to twist away, but Asterin slid a hand into her long hair and gripped tight, pinning her still. “Let me give you a little refresher.” Right against Iskra’s ear, she whispered, “If you ever dare touch Manon again, I will start breaking bones. And every time you breathe, you will be in agony. Every time you breathe, you’ll think of me. Manon has to play nice for Matron. I don’t.”
Shoving Iskra away from her with a look of disgust, Asterin watched her stumble. Nearly fall. Making a soft tisk, Asterin shook her head. “Yellowlegs cunt. Tomorrow, Faline and Fallon are going to pay you a visit. Play nice tonight or they won’t.”
Grabbing Maeve, Iskra looked like she couldn’t decide who she hated more: the three woman in front of her, or the flea-infested rat dog in her arms. With one last look of pure loathing, she swept away into a party that had probably lost just a little bit of its charm.
Asterin grinned and grabbed Manon’s whiskey, downing it one go. “This is fun.” What a maniac. “Ellie, does that fucking chihuahua really have fleas?”
Drinking her own whiskey for love and luck and glory, Elide grinned, “Oh yeah.”
“Fucking excellent.”
Manon took her glass back from Asterin, letting a smile flicker through her amber eyes. “You should get out here before the noise starts.”
“What? Is there another baby someone can accuse me of murdering?” Catching Manon’s eyeroll, Asterin mirrored the motion. “I got publicly annihilated by our grandmother for a miscarriage. Let me crack a joke.”
Manon huffed a laugh, but they both glanced over at Matron. Iron gaze and a knife to the throat. The noise is going to start. “On second thought,” pulling Elide close, Manon pressed a long kiss to her pulse, the gesture as much for love as for show, “go harass Gee Gee and Sorrel. Raise some fucking hell.”
Giving Manon a two-fingered salute and a wink, Asterin replied, “I thought you’d never ask. Half a league, half a league, half a league onward.”
“Into the valley of death rode the 600."