The Arrival: The BirthRight Trilogy, #1

1

SMACK!

I hit the padded rubber mat hard enough for the air to rush from my lungs. With a grunt of effort I twisted my hips, grappling with Nathan as he worked on getting me into a shoulder lock. The loose fit of my gi—the belted kimono jacket and wide leg pants everyone in class wore—allowed him an easy hold on my arm but he made the mistake of overextending his leg. With a hard kick and swipe I flipped him, using his bent elbow to my advantage. I didn’t expect him to just go with the roll and inwardly cursed when we tumbled right over, back to the starting position. Breathing hard, sweat dripping from his brow to the mat around my head, he grinned down at me.

'Awww, is little Kitty Cat stuck?'

Ass-wipe.

The patronizing tone and stupid oaf-like smirk he wore irritated the hell out of me. Jerking my right knee up and leaving the other slack I snatched his collar and wrenched, slamming him into the mat. Nathan gave a yelp of surprise which I ignored while I leaned forward, about to slide into an easy shoulder lock.

Moving faster than I anticipated, he grabbed my wrists and yanked then flipped me over. Straight back to the beginning.

His arrogant snigger, accompanied by another shower of rank sweat, made my blood boil and for a second all I could see was red.

Knee to the groin, suggested the silly voice in my mind and the mental image of Nathan rolling about in agony on the mat almost made me grin.

Then the rational voice butted in sternly; Catherine, use what you were taught—no cheap shots.

Fine.

Flicking my hips up I unbalanced him enough to be able to wrap my legs snugly around his waist. The look of shock on his face amused me and I went with it, arching my eyebrow while smiling suggestively. Cheap shot…? Not if he fell for it. He didn’t register my intent until his head connected loudly with the mat. I smirked down at him.

With a wide smile our sensei called in a loud voice, 'Catherine wins!'

SIAN GLANCED UP IN TIME to see Cat straighten to standing. She took her time, ignoring Nathan scowling on the ground, his face almost as red as Cat’s hair. With an indolent grace Cat stepped over the prone man and walked to the bench seats to join their friend Kassie who’d finished in the last round of sparring. Chuckling to herself, Sian forgot the man beneath her own thighs, squirming uncomfortably face down against the mat.

'Hey!'

The indignant growl made Sian smile and she tightened her hold a hint more.

'Yes?'

The hold she had on Grant’s arm meant he couldn’t move, even though he really wanted to. Every time they sparred together they ended up in this position; funny how he still hasn’t figured out what it is he keeps doing wrong, Sian thought smugly. All Grant had to do was tap out. Then they’d separate and start again. But Grant hated to tap out. Maybe it’s small man syndrome, Sian pondered as she sighed and settled in for the long hold.

A couple of the guys sparring nearby began to laugh and sensei rolled his eyes at Sian, who grinned evilly.

KASSIE AND I WATCHED IN amusement from our sideline position while Grant grunted and groaned, legs flailing and head banging against the mat. Sian didn’t budge from her position and her petite size meant she easily kept out of reach of his legs. Though how he meant to hook her off that way, I didn’t know.

'Why do you think he gets so stubborn with her?' Kassie whispered in my ear. 'He acts normal with me.'

'I think it’s the tiny blonde aspect.'

'But I’m the same height.'

'With boobs and an attitude to boot. Sianny looks like a fairy in comparison. Tiny, adorable and blonde, I just don’t think he has the mentality to handle losing to her.'

We continued watching, along with most the others sitting out, many of them making bets against Grant. A loud thud and yelp from the other side diverted our attention.

'Laura wins! Making her this evening’s champion,' sensei crowed triumphantly. Kassie and I hollered, clapping for Loi.

Our friend climbed to her feet, accepting sensei’s congratulations with a flushed face, sweat gleaming on her brow. Her waist length ponytail swung forward when she bowed before leaving the mat and she flicked it back over her shoulder as she walked our way.

One of the guys sitting with us called teasingly, 'Watch out! Here comes the Amazon.'

Kassie snorted before glancing sideways at me. 'Ever seen an Amazon with a Scottish accent?'

I chuckled. At five foot eight with a figure like a fifties pin-up girl and beautiful long ebony hair, Loi certainly made people look twice. The Scottish accent only added to the appeal.

CAT HANDED HER A TOWEL as she sat between her friends and Loi gratefully accepted it, mopping her face. She kept her gaze on those still sparring, her heart pounding from the exertion of her last fight.

'Well done, Loi.' Kassie reached under the bench then passed a drink bottle to her. 'All five, in under a minute each! Clever girl.'

Loi beamed at Kass before tipping her head back, bottle high. The water had warmed to room temperature but it still hit the spot. Her heart rate slowed and she mopped her forehead again, slouching back against the wall.

In front of them Sian wore a stoic, bored expression as she swatted away another attempt by Grant to right himself. The utter disinterest on Sian’s face made Loi laugh and those around them joined in. Sensei stood near the pair, now the last on the mats, and crossed his arms with a long, suffering sigh. It took another five minutes and a sharp twist of the arm Sian held, before Grant finally tapped out. The class broke into applause, mainly relief, as Sian stepped daintily off the stocky figure and bowed to sensei.

AFTER SENSEI’S DEBRIEF, CLASS WAS dismissed and the four of us walked to my jeep in the parking lot. Sian, Kass and I still wore our gi, not bothering to shower at the club when the shower in the house we rented together was so much nicer. Loi, however, lived in student accommodation, so she made the most of the free hot water at the gym and we were the last to leave the building before sensei. It always amazed me how she could fit her mass of locks into one of those hair turbans. Beeping the car alarm, I hopped in while Kassie released the front seat and climbed into the back, followed by Sian. Being just five foot tall meant both girls usually ended up in the back seat.

'I don’t look twenty eight?'

The indignant question from Kassie made the three of us pause, exchanging confused glances.

'Who said you did?' Sian asked with an eyebrow arched.

Kassie scowled, her lower lip jutting out. 'Andrew. He keeps calling me old lady.'

I bit back a giggle. 'Kass, he’s a twenty one year old kid and you keep beating him. He’s got to save face somehow.'

'Twenty one is technically an adult,' Loi informed me in a pious tone.

I rolled my eyes at her. 'Males are three years behind in maturity levels, Loi. That makes him eighteen. You are very mature.'

Her brown eyes narrowed at me and in the rearview mirror I saw Kassie shake her head, laughing silently. One way to distract her, I thought in amusement. I guided the car down the car park ramp and onto the silent street, winding our way through the back streets so to avoid the usual Friday night traffic.

'IT’S PROBABLY BECAUSE YOU’RE SUCH a sweetie too, Kass,' Sian turned to wink at her.

Kassie blinked in surprise, forgetting her original complaint. 'What?'

'Andrew. He wouldn’t dream of trying it on Cat, Loi would squish him in a second and he still lives in hope that I’ll accept his dinner invite one day.' Sian pulled a baby doll expression, blue eyes large and guileless while she fluttered her lashes at Kassie.

In the front Loi snorted then twisted to look their way. 'Will you ever accept?'

'No! Yuck, no! I don’t date children.'

Cat laughed and Kassie had to smile at the sound of distaste in Sian’s voice. 'But you’ll let him buy you drinks when we bump into him at the clubs?'

'A girl’s got to drink,' Sian replied smugly.

'So he picks on me because I’m nice.' Kassie wrinkled her nose at the thought. 'That’s almost as bad as being called old.'

'Twenty eight isn’t old,' Cat said before pausing, watching an intersection. She continued as they turned up the long road toward Loi’s apartment block. 'And we know just how tough you are. At least you get to shock the hell out of them when they try to pick on you.'

Kassie nodded in approval at that. 'Yes, let them pick on me. I’ll show them just how nice I am.'

LOI TUCKED A STRAY LENGTH of damp hair into her turban, smiling at Kassie’s comment. Personally she wondered if Andrew had the hots for Kassie too. Both girls were short but while Sian had a tiny petite figure, Kassie was endowed with a chest as big as Cat’s which looked a little out of place on her small frame. The two girls looked like day and night when they stood beside each other. Sian with her long blonde hair, blue eyes and girlish figure and then Kassie; a head full of bronze curls that when stretched reached mid back, gorgeous hazel eyes and obvious cheekbones thanks to her Malaysian heritage—plus a nice rack. Sometimes Loi felt like an uncouth giantess when she walked with her friends. At least Cat’s only a couple of inches shorter, she thought, glancing at her red-headed friend who frowned at a couple of jaywalking pedestrians.

'If you’re going to do that then hurry UP,' Cat growled impatiently.

I SAW LOI’S SIDEWAYS GLANCE at my grumble but chose to ignore it. Loi loved to tease me about my road-rage as she called it. A total exaggeration, I rarely felt the need to toot but that didn’t mean I couldn’t voice my opinion if people acted like idiots.

About to pull into the parking spaces in front of Loi’s building, I jumped when she exclaimed loudly. 'Oh!'

A quick check showed I wasn’t about to kill anyone or hit anything and I gave her a look as I pulled into a park.

'Sorry! I just realized I forgot to tell you guys, we’ve been invited to a costume party at Brad’s next weekend. He’s just graduated!'

Sian nodded while Kassie and I stared at one another via the mirror, both our expressions doubtful for a moment.

'Workmate?' I questioned tentatively.

'No, classmate,' Kassie said.

Loi gave us a look of exasperation. 'You met him last month, him and his girlfriend. He tutored me in bio.'

Oh, right. It clicked in my mind and I nodded along with Kassie.

'What’s the theme?' Sian butted in, eyes eager.

'Fantasy. Shall I pop over tomorrow morn? We can check out the store.'

Loi meant the second hand shop we loved to frequent. I agreed along with the others and Loi climbed out, hand on turban, calling, 'Tomorrow then, I’ll be over at nine!'

Sian thumped on the inside of the window, hollering. 'Ten! Make it ten!'

Beside her, Kassie waved her arms frantically, also shouting. 'Ten!'

Loi winked at me as I held my thumb on the window lock and mouthed to her, 'Nine is perfect.'

CAT LAUGHED AS SHE PULLED away from Loi’s building and Kassie settled back into her seat with a huff. 'Nine o’clock, on a Saturday? What is Loi thinking?'

'I don’t know. Suits me fine.'

Kassie glared at Cat via the rear-view mirror. 'Just because you have to get up to run your brat of a dog. Some of us like a sleep-in until a reasonable hour.'

'Like lunchtime,' Sian interjected, Kassie agreeing. Their Friday night jujitsu class finished at ten and after a long week of work, a sleep-in on Saturday was the thing Kassie looked forward to most. The downside with being a black belt, she thought dourly; all the lower belts had their classes earlier, the latest finishing at nine.

They pulled into the driveway of the one level house they rented. Sian made a grab for the automatic garage door remote and hit the button. The look of focus she wore while watching it rise made Kassie roll her eyes. Cat drove into the garage and Sian hit the button again, a tiny sound of satisfaction escaping her lips. What it takes to entertain some people, Kassie thought. Cat climbed out and opened their door, hitting the seat release before disappearing through the internal access door. Kassie followed.

She heard Cat reach the kitchen and open the back door, then the tap dancing sound of Audrey, Cat’s dog, charging around the kitchen in excitement. Kassie turned into her bedroom and flicked on the light. Curled up on her bed, Lucky, her beautiful tortoiseshell cat stretched out her forepaws and opened her mouth wide in a yawn, before leaping off the bed to purr around her ankles.

'Hello Lucky girl,' she cooed, bending to scoop the cat up, cuddling her. 'Keeping the bed warm for me?'

'Kass! Shower’s free,' Sian called from her room across the hallway. Setting the cat on the floor, Kassie grabbed her pajamas and headed for the bathroom.

'I LIKE TO MOVE IT MOVE IT. I LIKE TO MOVE IT MOVE IT.'

My detestable alarm blared and I scrambled to shut it up. Silencing it, I flopped back into bed, tempted to roll over and go back to sleep. A large furry lump wedged behind me, however, foiled that plan.

'Audrey,' I growled.

The bed quivered while Audi half wagged her tail and whined in contrition, she knew full well that the bed was out of bounds.

'Get off!'

She tumbled off the bed then did a silly frantic run around the room. I sat up and glared at her. Huntaways; they’re adorable dogs, very smart and loyal and the cutest puppies you’ll ever see, but neurotic. Casting another glare her way I climbed out of bed and found my running gear, making my way to the kitchen a few minutes later with Audi urging me on. Kassie was bent over the dishwasher when I entered, her head a mass of dark curls.

'Morning, early bird,' I drawled, grabbing a banana from the fruit bowl.

Her head snapped up at my entrance, hazel eyes just visible through her hair before she brushed it back. 'Cat, I thought you were out already?'

'Nope. Nearly though, I’ll be back by eight thirty so it should give me enough time to get ready.'

'It better! It’s all your fault I’m up at seven on a Saturday and I don’t want to have to wait around for you.' She gave me a steely look and ducked back toward her bedroom with Lucky draped around her shoulders. I wrinkled my nose at her retreating form. The two years between us occasionally felt like a decade, especially first thing in the morning. Audrey whined impatiently.

'Coming.' I swallowed the last of my banana and snatching her leash and my parka from the hook, clipped her on and off we went.

When we returned, we found Sian occupying the kitchen, the frypan sizzling with bacon and the smell made my mouth water. I raced for the shower with my stomach rumbling. Audi disappeared to look for Lucky, her morning snuggle pal once Kassie vacated the bed. While rinsing my hair out, I heard Loi yell.

'Hellooo? Anyone up yet?'

I stepped out of the shower and hurriedly dried off and dressed then made my way to the kitchen, grabbed a plate and joined the others at the table.

An hour later and we trawled through the racks at the shop, holding anything of interest up so the others could comment.

'How bout this?'

We turned to see Kassie holding a cute plaid skirt. I stared at the skirt, trying to recall any fantasy character who wore one.

'As who?' I called.

'A schoolgirl.'

Sian, Loi and I started laughing.

'Not that sort of fantasy, Kass. Think make-believe or fairytales.'

Loi shook her head and winked at me. Kassie grew up in Malaysia so English wasn’t her first language and sometimes things got lost in translation.

'What are you thinking?' Sian called to me from a couple of rows over.

'Maybe an elven character? Like from the Lord of the Rings,' I frowned while I looked over a couple of pieces. 'I’m not sure if I’ll go as a particular character, I think I’ll just make it look fantasy-ish. Good thing I have the boots already.' A groan rose from the three of them and I feigned innocence. 'What? They’re the perfect style.'

'We’re gonna have to bury you in those boots aren’t we, Cat?' Kassie said sarcastically.

'Yes, and I expect an open casket so everyone can admire them.' I wrinkled my nose at her.

Sian started laughing. 'Oh God I just had the best visual of you as a little old lady in a coffin with a mini-skirt and thigh-highs.'

'What if we got them cremated and put in a box beside you?' suggested Loi with a wicked gleam.

'Not all of us are five eight, Miss Loi. I like my legs looking long and slim.'

Not that I could complain when standing next to Kass and Sian, at five foot five my legs looked fine. My gorgeous black suede, thigh high, boots however, made them look that much longer and sexier, a guaranteed head turner. Considering what they’d cost me last year I needed to get as much wear as possible out of them.

'WELL THEN, HOW ABOUT THIS?'

Sian glanced up wondering what Kassie had found this time. A deep red dress hung from the clothes-hanger, strapless and knee length with a split up one leg.

'That’s gorgeous,' Cat said. 'I know! Jessica Rabbit! We can dye her hair red.'

'Don’t want to be the only red-head?' teased Loi.

Cat gave her a look. 'I love being the only red-head thank you, but I’m too tall for that size.'

It’d be nice to be too tall for something, thought Sian. Most of the time she had to shop in the children’s section. Might have to do that now, she thought when she looked at the meager selection left on the size six rack. Then she spotted it.

Hell yes!

'Look,' squealed Sian. 'Lookee!'

LOI STARED AT THE ITEM Sian clutched at, gushing in delight. A black pleather romper suit, with baggy legs that gathered at the ankle and slim arms that led into a short turtleneck. Loi couldn’t stop staring at the item, wondering what the heck her friend would do with something so unflattering. Out of the four of them Sian always had the most daring and usually sexy costumes.

But this?

'Siany,' Loi hesitated. 'What are you going to do with it?'

SIAN STARED AT THE THREE gob-smacked faces of her friends. What's their problem? She looked at the item with fresh eyes. No. Surely they wouldn’t think she’d actually wear it like that to the party?

SIAN GAVE US A LOOK. It read, You’re idiots.

'I’m going to turn it into a death dealer’s costume.'

'Oooohh,' we chorused in recognition.

'Awesome idea,' I enthused. I knew Sian loved the Underworld vampire movies and with her petite figure she could easily pull the look off. I threw the items I’d selected in Loi’s trolley and went to help Sian look for leather pieces to create the corset.

'Hurry guys,' Kassie called. 'We’ve only got an hour before class starts.'

Ugh, jujitsu on a Saturday. I resisted the urge to bail and scooted over to the leather section where Sian hunted through the rack.

Later that evening while Kassie and Sian watched some hospital drama on TV, I sketched ideas for my costume and Loi’s. Loi had found a stunning pair of black leather pants at the shop and decided to go as Anna from Van Helsing. This meant Sian and I, as the two in our group who owned sewing machines, got to turn a beautiful red thick velvet skirt into Anna’s jacket. The design wasn’t hard; I just wanted to emulate the look not copy it and now I frowned over the sketches of my own costume.

Not too bad, perhaps if I shape the top more, give it a racer-back look to show off my shoulders. I enhanced the lines with my pencil. Perfect! It’ll stop my upper arms looking chunky. Actually that’s a thought, armbands could look good too. The TV flicked to a commercial.

'THAT NEW DOCTOR IS SO cute.' Sian sighed and glanced at Kassie and Cat. 'Why aren’t there any guys like that around here?'

'The guys around here are scrawny enough to make you look fat,' replied Cat, eyes glued to her sketch pad.

Kassie snorted and winked at Sian. 'She’s right. What happened to all the built guys? I don’t want a guy who looks better than I do in skinny jeans.'

Sian nodded in agreement and leaned back on the couch. There’s been a real lack of decent male specimens lately, she thought while idly watching the TV commercials; wonder how we can find them?

KASSIE LEANED OVER AND SNATCHED one of Cat’s sketches. Loi’s jacket will look gorgeous, she thought, impressed.

'Siany, are you and Cat really going to make this?' Kassie glanced up.

Sian gave no response, eyes focused on the TV while a loud toilet cleaner commercial played.

'Sian?' Still nothing. 'Sianus Rachel Price!'

Sian’s head snapped up. 'What?'

I GIGGLED AT SIAN’S STUNNED expression. 'Where were you, Siany?'

'Yeah?' Kassie asked curiously. 'What were you thinking about?'

'Boys. I mean an idea. How would you feel about casting a love spell?'

'A spell?' I tried not to sound too dubious. Sian’s practiced witchcraft for years; it didn’t surprise me that she would suggest such a thing but she’d never invited us to join in before.

KASSIE LOOKED CONFUSED. 'DO YOU want us to help?'

Sian resisted the urge to roll her eyes. 'Of course.'

'What sort of love spell?' Cat sounded unsure. 'Not one where we just have all the males of the species attracted to us? 'Cause that’s never an issue.'

CATHERINE THE MODEST, THOUGHT KASSIE in amusement. She exchanged a glance with Sian who, after a pause, continued.

'No, nothing vague. Something to attract the right person for each of us,' Sian explained. 'The four of us actually cover the elements. I’m Cancer, that’s water, you’re Leo, Cat, which is fire. Kassie, you’re Gemini—air and Loi’s Taurus, so we have earth. It’s perfect. We’ll really be able to make something happen.'

Neither Kassie nor Cat said anything at first but Kassie could see Cat didn’t look too concerned. Sian watched them both anxiously.

What the heck, thought Kassie, it can’t hurt and she spoke up for them both. 'You plan it, we’ll participate.'

Sian grinned and they settled back down to watch TV while she jotted down notes.

I ARRIVED AT WORK FIRST thing in the morning and did my usual mad dash around the office. Distributing mail, putting dishes away, cleaning the kitchen and made sure the meeting rooms looked tidy. Once done, I grabbed my make-up bag and headed to the bathroom. In the midst of careful mascara application, the door burst open and I jumped.

'Emma!'

'Sorry,' Emma said with a laugh. 'I’m just running a bit late; did you have a good weekend?'

'Yeah, but it flew by like usual. We went shopping for fantasy pieces for a costume party we’re going to next weekend.'

'Oh fun. What are you gonna wear?'

I explained the basic concept and mentioned my idea of making or buying armbands to go with it.

She nodded with a thoughtful expression. 'Wait, wait, oh I remember! I saw stuff that would work for armbands in that ethnic store, the one by the second hand book shop with the ferret.'

'Really? I’ll have to have a look at lunch.'

Great, hopefully the shop will have something suitable. Then it’s just Loi’s jacket to finish. With Sian busy on the corset for her costume I knew I’d end up creating the jacket. At lunchtime I wandered up Cuba Street, peering through shop windows for inspiration. I came to the shop Emma mentioned and walked in.

'Can I help you?' queried the shop girl.

'I’m looking for something to finish off a costume,' I explained. 'An armband? Or something ethnic looking? It’s for a Lord of the Rings style of costume.'

'We have some things that would work…Ooo! No, I know!' She ducked out the back and retrieved an item. 'Would these work?' She offered a pair of copper colored daggers to me; they had short belt straps to tie them on.

'Yes! They’ll be perfect, are they real?'

'Oh they’re blunted, of course.'

The shop assistant wrapped them in tissue paper while I counted out the notes, reworking my weekly budget in my head—perfect, yes, but not cheap. After thanking her I headed out then paused in front of the book store next door while my inner voices argued.

You don’t really need any more books, Cat, pointed out my rational voice.

A quick peek can’t hurt, countered my silly voice.

No buying, retaliated the rational voice sternly.

I pushed through the door setting the jangling chime off and took my time while wandering along the musty smelling aisles, gazing over the motley collection.

Then I spotted it.

Easing the thick book out from the bottom of a pile, I dusted off the worn green leather with a grimace. It could do with a good clean, I thought, wiping my fingers on my jacket before squinting at the title. The beautiful, once gilded script made the words difficult to decipher and I traced a finger over the letters, reading it in my mind.

'To Improve your Time, Space and Place'

Two tired looking tan leather straps with brass buckles tarnished to a dull gray brown held it closed and I lay it on a table to unfasten them. With gentle hands I turned the cover, trying not to damage the yellowed, brittle pages and studied the contents. A spell book, I thought in fascination, it looks so authentic too. Sian would love to read this. I hesitated at the idea of buying it but couldn’t resist, how often did you find books like this? I ignored the rational voice that protested against the purchase and carried it to the bored looking teenager manning the till.

Hurrying back to work, I heard my phone beep with a message. It was from Sian.

'Coming to archery?'

Drat, forgot I had that tonight. Juggling my parcels to the other arm, I typed back, 'Yes.'

SIAN DREW IN A BREATH and let it out slow and even while she released the string. The arrow hit the target with a thud. Peering down the range she could see it’d struck bull’s-eye.

'Bull’s-eye! Nice one,' Cat congratulated her.

'Thanks.' I’m so glad I bought that new bow, Sian thought with a smile. The results make the price worth it.

Cat stood up to the line and drew her bow. Sian watched her friend with pursed lips, waiting for the inevitable. Stubborn is Cat’s middle name, she thought again. Cat had bought the bow at a craft fair four months ago, determined to prove that the medieval styled bow was just as good as Sian’s modern fiberglass bow. While Cat’s bow did look authentic Sian suspected it didn’t measure up properly. It took Cat a decent effort to draw and the accuracy…

'Damn!' Cat glared down the range.

SIAN LAUGHED AT ME. 'I don’t know why you bother with that bow, Cat, it’s practically an antique.'

I glanced at her and in a snooty tone replied, 'Because I like feeling authentic.'

She looked sideways at me. 'Authentically crap?'

Laughing I objected. 'I wasn’t that far off bull’s-eye.'

Our phones beeped simultaneously and Sian yanked hers from her pocket, reading aloud. 'Hey guys want to come to practice? We haven’t got many here. Fancy rounding out archery with a little sword fighting?' She arched an eyebrow at me.

'Sounds good! You pack the bows and I’ll get the arrows.'

Loi acted as an assistant instructor at the kenjutsu class our sensei taught. Though Sian and I didn’t actually take the class, we had fun joining in occasionally. Kassie, who did attend the classes, always enjoyed sparring with us and showing off her skills.

Later that evening we lay sprawled in the lounge watching TV. Loi had decided to stay over and we’d made a night of it, ordering pizza and hauling out the sleeping bags to camp out in the lounge like kids. I went to hop up.

'Ouch!' It felt like I'd pulled another muscle, or two. Fun.

'What’s wrong, Cat? Old age getting to you,' Kassie teased.

'Nooo,' I said in a shocked tone. 'I’m only twenty five remember.'

The others sniggered.

'Nope, I think I’ve been doing too much. Kenjutsu is lots of fun but with archery and running too, there’s no way I could properly attend class.'

Sian nodded in agreement then turned to Loi. 'Besides this way we have two archery experts and two swordsmen.'

I snorted and Sian’s grin widened.

'Don’t be too hard on yourself, Cat,' she teased, ducking the pillow I hurled. 'You’re not that bad.'

'Oh,' I exclaimed. 'I forgot!'

I ran to my room and retrieved my day's purchases.

'What do you think of these for my costume?' I gave Loi and Kassie a dagger each.

'They’re ideal, Cat,' Kassie examined the one she had.

'Are those real blades?' Loi sounded disconcerted.

'They’re blunted,' I assured her. 'And anyway I’m good with a blade.'

'That’s what concerns me,' she muttered giving me a wink while the others laughed.

'What’s this, Cat?'

'Sorry?'

Sian had the book I’d bought in her hands and wore a perplexed expression as she turned it over slowly.

'I found that at the ferret bookshop. Isn’t it gorgeous? I think it might be a spell book.'

Sian's eyebrows shot up and she wrestled with the buckles, opening the book and thumbing through it with small sounds of excitement. I flinched at the rough handling then inwardly shrugged; it wasn’t like I’d know what to do with the contents.

My week seemed to vanish as I squeezed in any time possible to work on the costumes. By Saturday afternoon the house looked like a pigsty as we raced around, tripping over Audi and each other, trying to get ready. In the end I chased Audi out the back and went to check on Loi’s hair. I’d spent the good part of an hour setting it in rollers. It should have dried by now, hopefully.

I guess I can blast it with the hairdryer if necessary.

'Oh!'

Loi strutted down the corridor toward me fully clad in her costume and she looked amazing. The leather pants hugged her curves and the jacket sat perfectly over a white peasant top and a shiny black corset belt.

I giggled when I reached her head. 'Let’s get those rollers out, Loi. They so don’t go with your look.'

Soon she had a mass of ebony ringlets hanging past her shoulders. It looked stunning and I felt a pang of envy.

'C’mon, Sian’s got the hairspray and we don’t want them dropping.'

When we entered Sian’s room she tottered out of the closet struggling with her corset zip.

'Caaatttt!'

'Hold on,' I stood behind her and drew the zip up. It fit beautifully. 'Look at you, Sianus. A perfect tiny Selene.'

She beamed at us, then handed me a short black wig, 'Help?' and bent her head forward. I fitted the front to her forehead then flipped it over. Snatching a couple of hair pins from the dresser, I slid them into place.

'Give your head a gentle shake,' I instructed. She complied and the wig stayed put. Great! Two costumes complete, just two to go. I headed for the bathroom to see how Kassie had managed.

'Uh-uh, shoo!' Sian ushered me out. 'I’ll sort out Kassie’s hair, you go get dressed. We have to leave in half an hour.'

Yikes! When had it got that late? The easy day I’d envisioned had vanished with sorting out their costumes first.

'Thanks,' I called as I walked to my room.

My own costume had been simple to create in the end. Fitted tan pants that tucked into my boots and then a moss green top I’d fashioned out of a dress. I’d shaped the top so it fitted well and had a low V neck with racer-back shoulders. The shade of green enhanced my eyes and showcased my pale skin and red hair. A bronze singlet added underneath meant I didn't freeze; winter in Wellington is icy. Setting the straightening iron to heat, I hunted through my jewelry box for earrings, selecting a pretty pair of gold leaves with enameled sections in blue and green.

Loi hollered for me just as I finished straightening my hair so I grabbed my keys from the dresser and headed out behind them. It started to rain as we drove off. I clicked the window wipers on while the others chatted.

'Hey guys,' Sian spoke up. 'How do you feel about casting a spell tonight? After the party?'

'I didn’t realize you’d found a spell,' I said in surprise.

'I FOUND ONE IN THAT book you bought. It’s to create the perfect conditions in which to meet your soul mate.' The girls paused, visibly considering. Sian mentally crossed her fingers; please don’t chicken out.

'Why not?' Kassie winked at her in the rear view mirror. 'Sounds like a fun end to the night.'

Loi and Cat nodded in agreement. Excellent, Sian thought in relief and ran through the ritual in her mind again, double checking all the details.

2

ARRIVING AT THE ADDRESS WE found a car park and hurried inside. Poor Kassie shivered when we started up the stairs but by the second floor she’d warmed up.

'It’s not often you’re the scantily clad one,' I teased. Her costume looked great, the red dress fit her like a glove. I’d only had to make minor adjustments. I reached out and tugged a curl. 'The red rinse looks fantastic, Kass.'

She flushed. 'Thanks.'

I wish my hair would hold like that, I thought enviously. My red mane tended to do its own thing no matter how much work went into it. Kassie had naturally curly hair and with Sian’s help she’d coaxed it into large curls, very Jessica Rabbit like.

I glanced at Loi’s hair. Whew, the ringlets still held, I thought the rain might have ruined them. My own hair began to ping back into unruly waves. Darn it.

We arrived at the door and smiled at the host when Loi introduced us.

'Brad, this is Sian, Kassandra and Catherine.'

A tall, lanky guy with dark auburn hair grinned at us. 'Welcome! I love your costumes. You’ve made one heck of an effort.'

'We never do anything by half,' purred Kassie, fluttering her lashes.

Brad laughed. 'My girlfriend, Fi, would love your costume. Jessica Rabbit?'

'Well done.' Kassie smiled and sauntered into the room, turning heads with her sultry walk. We followed.

The room pulsed with music and people clustered about in groups. The others ducked off to say hello to friends while I wandered to the drinks table and grabbed a juice. A work friend and her fiancé brushed past me, calling out hello before spinning off.

I flashed a smile. 'Love the costumes.'

Raggedy Ann and Andy, I shook my head in amusement. Must get a photo, I thought, turning to look for Loi who had the camera. Hmmm, can’t see her. Hold on, who's that in the middle of that group?

LOI LAUGHED WHEN ANOTHER ADMIRER attempted to flatter her. The crowd of boys wore openly appreciative expressions. Pity none of them are