“I bet most pop stars are,” Gabriel said. “But it could be kind of fun to go to a party.”

            Alice glared at him. “You probably wouldn’t care if he was a murderer, as long as you got to see that woman again.”

            Gabriel blushed red. “That’s not true”

            “You were all googly-eyed,” Alice accused him. “Don’t tell me I should walk into a situation that might be dangerous based on how cute Ambrose’s lackey is.”

“Not cute,” Shakra put in, “Dangerous.”

            “Like a black widow spider,” agreed Azura. “Most Sirens give off that feeling.”

            ‘Yeah,” Alice shot at Gabriel. “They probably kill their men after they done with them, so don’t get any ideas.”

            Gabriel, who was still bright red, crossed his arms and glowered at her.

            “And don’t pout,” Alice said. “It isn’t becoming.”

            She would have continued to pick on him, but a crowd of teenage Fairies entered the shop, and they were kept busy explaining what things did and keeping them from breaking anything.

            That night Alice tried to enjoy a relaxing bubble bath in the brass clawed tub, but her brain seemed to alternate between Allira’s smug face and Altair’s panicked expression of the night before.  Then her mind took her back to Jason’s call that morning and she sighed and sunk lower into the scented bubbles.

I wish everyone would just leave me alone.

            Monday morning Alice was back at the desk when Gabriel shuffled in yawning, coffee in one hand.

            “Hi there,” she said. “Listen, I’m sorry I snapped at you last night.”

“That’s okay.” he sat down in his chair and put his coffee beside the till. “You’ve had a rough couple of days.”

            Alice shrugged. “More like a weird couple days.”

            He nodded distractedly, eyes focused on the street. “I think it’s about to get even weirder.” Alice turned to see what he was looking at as the bell over the shop door gave a sharp clang.         

“Altair?”

            The man who entered the shop that morning was a far cry from the one she had hauled out of Rapture the other night.  Though he still had several days’ worth of stubble, his shaggy blonde hair was combed and clean, and he had changed into fresh clothes.

            “I told you…” Alice began, but he held up a beseeching hand and she stopped.

            “What do you want?” Gabriel asked crossly. “You come to bother Alice again? Maybe this time you’ll actually get her killed.”

            “I came to apologize properly,” Altair said gravely. To Alice’s surprise he came around the counter and took her right hand, kneeling in front of her. “Can you ever forgive me?”

            Alice looked at him, trying to figure out if he was serious or not.  Altair’s blue eyes were wide and innocent, but a smile danced around the corners of his mouth. What was he doing down on one knee anyways? Clearly he wasn’t serious.

“You’re mocking me.”

            “I’m not. I only wish your forgiveness.”

            “You won’t find it.”

            He stood up, releasing her hand. “Cold hearted Sorceress.”

            “Witch,” Alice corrected him firmly.

            “Witch?” Altair frowned again and studied her face. “I think not. Maybe you’re on the edge between Witch and Sorceress, but not less than that.”

            “What would you know about it?”

            “I’ve met many different people.”

            “And stole from them all, I’m sure.”

            “Regrettably, that was my occupation until now.”

            “And now you are an honest working man I suppose?” Alice said critically.

            Altair shrugged. “Not exactly, but after a near death experience like the other day, it sort of puts things into perspective.”

            “I’m sure.”

            Altair looked around at the shop, as if losing interest in the conversation. “Mind if I take a look around your shop?”

            “Go ahead,” Alice said shortly, “But if you’re thinking about stealing anything, read the sign.”

            Altair had the nerve to give her an insulted look. “I would never dare steal from you.”

            Alice muttered and went back to the till to stand next to Gabriel, who was still glowering at the man as he walked around looking at the merchandise.

            “Why don’t you kick him out?” Gabriel asked crossly.

            Alice shrugged. “I think he knows not to try anything.”

            “He’s no good,” Gabriel growled. “You have to know why he’s shown up again.”

            Alice eyed him sharply. “What?”

            “He’s attracted to you,” Gabriel hissed under his breath. “How can you not see that?  You should see how he was looking at you.”

            Alice glared at him. “I’m not interested in how you think he was looking at me.”

            Gabriel crossed his arms and frowned. “Sorry, I just don’t trust him. He’s shifty.”

            “Is it the stubble?” said a voice near Gabriel’s left ear.

            Gabriel jumped and scowled at Altair, who had crept around the shelf nearest to the desk. The man combed his hand through his shaggy hair, pretending to preen.

“Perhaps I need a haircut.” He gave Gabriel a mocking smile. “I’m not clean cut like you, boy.”

            Gabriel’s glower became more storm-like but he said nothing. 

            “I’d like to buy this.”

            Alice took the object from Altair’s hand, a gold ring that vibrated when danger was near. “You were planning on getting into more dangerous situations?” Alice frowned at him.

Altair pretended to flinch back from her. “I’m surprised it’s not going off right now.”

            “Me too,” Alice said. “Either it’s defective, or I’m not as serious about wanting to kill you as I think I am.”

            “I’m really quite charming when you get to know me.” Altair winked, making Alice’s face heat up and Gabriel grumble something under his breath about “not bloody likely”.

            “Twelve dollars please.” Alice stuck her hand out. She never would have charged anyone else that much. Altair handed the money over without complaint. He even said thank you.

            “It’s nice seeing you again,” he told Alice, “When you don’t have to save my neck.”

            “And you’re not holding a knife against mine,” Alice replied coldly.

Altair cast his gaze downwards, looking ashamed. When he looked up his eyes were serious.

“I would never have hurt you,” he said in a low voice. “Never.”

Alice couldn’t help herself; her heart whispered I believe him. When he looked at her like that, her tongue seemed to twist itself in knots.

Gabriel interrupted with a disbelieving, “Hah!”. The Elf leaned forward over the counter. Clearly he longed to send the man sprawling across the room.

            “I will take my leave.” Altair bowed low, and winked again, this time at Gabriel, which seemed to infuriate him even more.

            “Don’t come back,” Alice told him, but even she could tell she didn’t sound serious.

The door rang shut behind him, Gabriel turned on her.

“How could you let him talk to you like that?”

            Alice blinked at him. “Sorry?”

            “He threatened you with a knife and you just let him waltz in here like you two are meeting for tea? Are you crazy?”

            Alice frowned. “I didn’t let him come in here, he just came.”
            “You could have kicked him out. You should have.” Gabriel was facing her now, his hands balled into fists at his side, his fair face red. Alice took a step back from his heated anger.

“He apologized…”

            “He didn’t mean it,” Gabriel raged. “How can you not see that? He was flirting with you. Alice, the man is dangerous!”

            She glowered at him. “First of all, it isn’t your choice who I let in my shop, or who I let flirt with me, and second of all, that man owes me his life. He knows he won’t get away with anything…”

            “So you do admit he was flirting!” Gabriel pointed his finger accusingly, like he was catching her in some terrible act.

            “Don’t over step your bounds.” She was angry now. Angry at him for being right, angry at herself because she knew she was affected by Altair’s flirting.

“You have no right to tell me what to do. You have no right to raise your voice at me. You are my employee Gabriel, nothing more.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she wished she could take them back. Gabriel’s face fell. He turned away so she couldn’t see his face.

Crap. That came out sounding way harsher then I meant it to…                                           

Alice hesitated. Maybe this was better though - maybe he’d thought they could be something more, but that was impossible.

“I’m sorry. That was…” Alice’s voice softened. “I just think, you and I, we would never work, Gabriel. It can’t happen. A boss/employee relationship is just a bad idea. But I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that.”

            Gabriel shook his head, refusing to look at her. “No, you’re perfectly right. I overstepped, I apologize.”

            She winced at how stiff and formal he suddenly sounded.  “Gabriel…” He still wouldn’t look at her. What was she supposed to say?

            “Customers,” Shakra observed.

Alice looked up, pasting a smile on her face.  The type of customers she got never failed to astonish her, but by now she’d learned the art of schooling her features into a welcoming smile in spite of how shocked or horrified she might be.  And the women who walked in were formidable. They were each as tall as Gabriel, perhaps taller, and both had hair as dark as pitch.  Their features were extremely sharp, severe even, with long roman noses and high arching brows.  Both women were beautiful, in a savage way.  Unlike the Siren, Allira, the danger was not disguised by the beauty, it was amplified.  Both stature and expression were war-like, and each woman had a set of large feathered wings folded on her back.  It was clear they were not to be trifled with.

            They nodded to Alice, and made their way into the shop, heading towards the shelves on the far side. Alice took the opportunity to whisper to Gabriel, who was no longer moping, but trying to get a better look at the women without looking like he was trying to get a better look.

            “Angels?”

            Gabriel snorted, and said in a whisper, “Hardly. Those are Erinyes.”

            “Erinyes? What the heck is that?”

            “Furies.”

            “Aren’t those like Greek gods or something?”

            “Sort of. They seek out revenge for those wrongfully killed.  You don’t want to piss them off, I’ll tell you that.”

            Alice tried not to let her eyes bulge. “They’re like divine vigilantes?”

            “They used to be more like that, but now most of them are hired out, although some still do it the old way of seeking justice and all that,” Gabriel whispered.

            “So does that mean that all the Greek creatures of mythology actually exist? Does that mean Ambrose is actually a Titan?”

            Gabriel shrugged, his voice returning to normal, “Some of them yeah. I’ve never met any of gods myself but I had a friend who claims he met Aphrodite. Personally I think he’s full of…”

            “Excuse me, how much is this?” One of the Furies was standing at the end of the isle holding up one of the watches that yelled the time. She looked amused, and Alice was suddenly sure they knew they were being talked about.

“Six dollars.” She didn’t know where the price had come from, but the Fury seemed to approve. She brought the watch over to them and set it on the counter.

“I will take this.”

            Alice tried not to stare at the woman’s dark eyes as she rang the watch through the till. 

The other woman joined her friend, and the second Fury unfurled her wings slightly, stretching them with a yawn, like anyone else would stretch their arms. Halfway uncurled, her wing tips brushed the shelves, and Alice winced as a bottle tipped forward slightly, and then settled back in place. 

            Two other women came to stand in line, talking excitedly to one another.

            “Did you hear he’s having another party soon?”

            “I know! I wish I was invited.”

            The Fury that Alice was helping at the till turned around and looked at her companion. “Did we get an invitation, sister?”

            The other Fury nodded and pulled a sheet of blue paper from her pocket, handing it to her sister. “Have a look - it’s quite intricate.”

            Alice barely caught a glimpse of the curvy silver lettering, since she couldn’t very well lean over the till for a closer look. The women behind the Furies fell silent, exchanging a disbelieving glance. Alice could imagine what they were thinking. What a couple of hags, flashing their invitation around like that!

            “Did you want a bag?” she asked.

            “No thank you.” The woman put the watch in her pocket. “You wouldn’t happen to be Alice, would you?”

            “I would.” Alice forced a smile.

            “Alecto.” The Fury stuck her hand out over the counter. “Pleased to meet you.”

            Alice shook her hand, then the other woman’s.

            “Megaria.” 

            “Have you met Alexia Ambrose?” Alecto threw out the name like a challenge. “He’s quite charming.”

            “No, I haven’t.”  She didn’t add that she didn’t want to meet him.

            “He has all the best parties.” Megaria gestured with the hand that held the invitation. “Why, do you remember sister, the last time we went the theme was Jungle?” She turned to Alice. “Alexia does so love his themed parties. He had a splendid set up last time, with fire dancers and tribal drums, and his entire ballroom done up like a rain forest.  How amusing it was!”

            “Sounds lovely,” Alice murmured insincerely.

            “He serves only the best food, and gives gifts away to the people he likes.  You should see the types of people that come to these parties. Amazing! Alexie only invites the most dazzling of society.”  Alecto’s smug expression made it clear that she was, in part, referring to herself. Alice remained straight faced, nodding as if this was all terribly interesting.  At Alecto’s last statement, both of the women standing behind the Fury sisters looked disheartened, and Alice liked the sisters even less.

            “We best be going, dear. Perhaps we’ll see you at one of his parties.” Megaria smirked. “Goodbye.”

            Alice watched them go, glad to see the back of them. She said as much to Gabriel, once the store was clear of customers.

             “Frankly, they scare the daylights out of me,” the Elf replied.

            “They’re as tall as you, and they look like they might tear your head off, so I don’t blame you.”

            “I wonder how they knew you’re name.”
            She shrugged, relieved that he didn’t seem angry anymore.

“Everyone in the neighbourhood seems to know now. I guess it comes from making a fool of myself in public.”

            The shop was relatively quiet for the next hour, and Alice closed the till down and flipped the sign on the door to “Closed”.

            “These danger sensing watches are going pretty good.” Gabriel was organizing the shelves. “That’s two in one day.”

            “I guess New Yorkers get into a lot of trouble.” Alice was aware that the conversation was slightly awkward. Maybe Gabriel was still angry with her.

            “It’s funny we still don’t know what it sounds like when it goes off.”

            “Personally, I’m glad it hasn’t had the opportunity.”

           “Bedtime.” Shakra climbed to her feet. “I feel exhausted after watching those two ninnies wag their tongues about how special they are. Never could abide Furies, too damn self-righteous to begin with, and now they’ve all gone corrupt and selfish on top of it.”

            Alice jumped, and then laughed. “Goodness, I’d forgotten you were there, you’re so quiet. You know, Shakra, I don’t even think that the Furies noticed you were there by the fire.”

            “Too self-absorbed.”

            “Plus you’re around the corner in the next room,” Gabriel pointed out critically.

            “Bedtime,” Shakra said again.

            Alice touched the key around her neck, taking one last look out at the lit-up streets of New York. “Let’s go to bed.”