Existence 02 - Predestined

that orange juice you like so much,” she said in her happy voice. I glanced up at the guy and he put his finger over his lips and shook his head and then he was gone.

    “What is this?” I asked holding up the strange silk gown I’d found on my bed when I’d woken up.
    Leif sat down a tray filled with donuts, berries, cream, bagels, cream cheese, and bacon before answering me. “It’s the ceremonial gown you’ll wear tonight.”
    “Um no, I want my jeans.”
    Leif clenched his jaw and stood up straighter. “No, Pagan you will wear what I tell you to wear. I’m tired of you being so difficult. You agreed that if I made arrangements for Wyatt’s soul to be handed over to a transporter you’d do everything you could to make this work.”
    Well, crap. “I didn’t realize you would be picking out my wardrobe from now on is all,” I grumbled and dropped the black gown back to the bed and reached for a cream filled donut.
    “I know, and normally I won’t be, but there are certain times you must wear certain things. This is one of those times. You’ll be with me as my princess standing with Ghede.”
    “But it looks like a nightgown,” I argued.
    “It will look lovely on you,” Leif replied.
    I glanced back at the piece of offensive silk. Did everything Ghede have his hand in have to be so sexual ?
    “It will cover you properly. I promise. But you must get comfortable with your flesh. Here it is worshipped and appreciated. There are few who cover it up. The only coverings on the flesh are meant to enhance the attractiveness, not hide it.”
    I wanted my jeans. Now. Just hearing him talk about my flesh made my flesh crawl. If he expected me to flash my body for his perverted father he was crazy. I’d agreed to make this work not become a call girl.
    “It all just takes some getting used to.”
    “When will we be giving Wyatt’s soul to a transporter?” I really wanted a change of subject.
    “This evening.”
    Good. I had hoped it would be today. Picking up the silver goblet I paused and lifted it toward Leif, “What’s in this?”
    “Grape juice. It’s fresh and like nothing you’ve ever tasted,” Leif replied with an amused grin.
    Since I was here for eternity I had to start trusting him. I put the cup to my lips and took a tentative sip. The sweet juice hit my tongue and I quickly drank more. He was right. It was like nothing I’d ever put in my mouth. The rich taste awakened my taste buds and I felt a little lightheaded. Warning bells went off in my head and I quickly set the drink down and reached for the bowl of berries.
    “It was a sugar rush, Pagan. Nothing more,” Leif said as he reached for his cup.
    I wasn’t so sure about that but then I was also paranoid. With good cause.
    “Would you like a visit from Wyatt before he leaves?”
    “Yes, please.” I’d managed to sound polite that time.
    It obviously pleased Leif because he smiled a little too brightly.
    I finished with my breakfast and hoped Leif would take that as a hint to leave. He’d knocked and woken me up asking if I wanted breakfast then given me barely enough time to pull on the robe he’d supplied last night with my pajamas. Which were flannel, thank God.
    I’d had a dream last night of a memory that absolutely nothing to do with Leif. He hadn’t been in my head. I’d dreamed of the day Dank had come to my hospital room and I’d given him my brooch. Tears burned my eyes as I thought about the brooch that now lay beside my bed at home. It was the one thing I wished I’d been able to bring with me.
    “I’ll take this tray away and come back for you soon. Maybe we can finally take that tour,” Leif said in a jovial tone. He had so much to be happy about. He’d won.
    “Could you send Wyatt to see me?” That was all I really cared about.
    Leif nodded, “Of course.”
    He closed the door behind him and I stared at it hating the sight of it and wondering if this was ever going to get better.

Chapter Twenty- Three

    “You convinced them to let me go,” Wyatt’s voice entered my head and I spun around to see him standing in my doorway.
    “Yes, it’s the least I can do.”
    “But what about you? What did you promise them to get them to agree to this?”
    “Nothing I wouldn’t have to do anyway. I’m stuck here Leif. I just promised I wouldn’t be an eternal brat if they granted me this one wish.”
    Wyatt smiled, “You do know how to be a brat.”
    “Look who’s talking ‘Mr. No Girls