Wining Celeste (Book 4) Jacobs Broken Mercenaries

chapter 1

“Are you going to be a hoe for the rest of your life?”
I look across the table at Beth as I reach for a peach.
“All signs point to yes.” I absently mumble in answer. She’s fourteen and wildly curious. It’s not often I have a night ‘out’ but when I do, it’s never serious, so naturally there’s been a couple of different men who’ve shown up... 
“Well, I hope you used protection.”
I choke on my peach with a half gasp, half laugh.
“That’s enough.” I tell her, with a slight sternness in my tone.
I tolerate Beth’s shit because she reminds me of myself at that age; awkward and all limbs. I wouldn’t have needed this last rendezvous if it weren’t for Grayson. I loathe that smug son of a bitch. He’s perfect in every way, which makes him royally flawed. Screw him for messing with my hormones and throwing me in a tiff. I had to pretend I was busy, putting off stopping a possible apocalypse. He has everything that makes him ugly in my eyes. Flax colored hair that curls up on the ends; so silky it should belong to a girl. Tawny flawless skin stretched over a perfectly muscled physic. Light blue eyes the color of a clear sky. Flawless is the complete opposite of the men I date. 
“Virginias got you on perimeter patrol again?”
Beth exaggeratedly rolls her eyes, letting out a loud sigh;
“I always get the worst jobs.”
I laugh, shaking my head. She has no idea how lucky she is. Staring at a computer is far from the worst. Virgina comes around the corner, fixing me with a glare. She’s in her grey pencil skirt and black button down, tucked away without a single crease. Her hair is perfectly coiffed, not a single loose strand in sight. It’s terrifying. Which is why I’m the same way. The only difference is; behind my flawless exterior I’m a jumbled mess of insecurities, emotions and denied passion; she’s dead inside.
“Out gallivanting Mrs. Quarts?” she sneers.
“Like a bitch in heat!” I reply sweetly, punctuating the word bitch with a pointed look at her. She cringes, straightening her heavily starched collar, and nods, walking away in a hurry. Virgina knows better than to mess with me. I’m way more powerful than her and very short-tempered.
I invited Jolene over today for a little show and tell, hoping to add a sway vote my way. Things have been changing around here and I don’t like where they’re going. Ever since Margaret’s passing, Virgina has become bolder in her plans for change, but the direction she’s going is dangerous and only benefits her. She may have most of the girls fooled, but I see right through her. The only thing her black heart cares about is herself. It’s why I moved out of here and keep where I live on a need-to-know basis, meaning no one needs to know. Giggles sound, and I round the corner into the anteroom. 
Beth takes magic lessons privately because of these twits? I used to know everything that went on around here. When Margaret was in charge, she would never stand for bullying. Too bad I’m only here for important meetings… I shouldn’t, but I can’t help myself, old wounds.
“Hey girls!”
They perk up, whispers sounding and a couple of gasps, too. I see my reputation precedes me. A small blonde pushes a tall, lithe girl with big brown eyes in front of me. She sputters.
“Are you Celeste Quarts?”
I paste a fake smile onto my face and nod. 
“You all are such a pretty bunch! but who’s that awful-looking girl in the front?”
It disgusts me how they snicker some full out laughing at my hateful comment. It’s the pushy blonde that speaks up. 
“That’s Beth, but don’t worry, she won’t be bugging us. We got her kicked out.”
I notice the curvy brunette in the back glaring at the blonde. The other four go along like it’s no big whoop.
“How did you manage that?” I ask in a hushed, falsely impressed tone. She takes the bait like the buffoon she appears to be. 
“I’m fantastic at getting my way. It just took some teasing, and I messed with a couple of her spells.” The girl on her right steps forward and buts in 
“WE!… Made it look like she had no idea what she was doing.” The newcomer states this with pride and my hand twitches with the urge to smack that smug look off her face.
I turn to the brunette, who is still shooting daggers with her eyes.
“What’s your name?”
She swallows nervously.
“Alice.”
I glance at them all and settle on the two that pride themselves on bullying. 
“Well Alice, when you 're done learning all you can here. Why don’t you join Beth and Me. I can teach you the real fun stuff.”
I watch the girls’ faces contort with confusion before they finally understand. 
“And you two… I’m going to make damn sure you never get a position on counsel. You 're everything that’s wrong with covens nowadays.” My eyes don’t veer from their faces. The blonde blushes, looking extremely embarrassed, while the thin brunette looks pissed. I laugh in her direction it’s threatening, and she cools her temper instantly.
“I would love that!”
I look over at the only descent girl in the bunch.
“You got a phone?”
She nods quickly, fetching it from her pocket. I almost laugh when she nearly drops it in a rush to pass it to me. I place my number in her phone and give it back to her. She gushes, making me terribly uncomfortable. I take one last look at They’re shocked faces and smile inside at a job well done. 
“That was intense. Is there always that much drama here?”
Drat! It’s Jolene, not exactly the coven’s best first impression. I wonder how long she’s been standing there and shoot for normalcy.
“Girls will be girls.”
She shrugs it off, admitting she never got along with girls and preferred to play with boys. Normally I’d have so many sexual innuendos, but today is important. So, I don’t waste time on chitchat. I give her the tour and explain how things work. I think I’ve overwhelmed her with information, she’s silent. I slow down, giving her a chance to ask questions. 
“Would you like lunch?” I ask, hoping to persuade her to get comfortable here.
“I’m not really hungry. Why did you bring me here? I mean, why now?”
No, no, no. She doesn’t sound interested at all. I need her. She’s got more untapped power than anyone in this building. Well, aside from me. Together, we could keep the coven whole. 
“I really don’t think I’d fit in. Don’t get me wrong, I’m flattered, but the more I think about all of this… it’s just not me.”
I realize I haven’t said a word. Just stood there staring. I don’t have the energy to fabricate some bullshit story. Jolene wouldn’t believe it anyway, so I take a risk and level with her.
“I need you. The covens gone to shit and I’m afraid of what our new leader is going to do to us. You’ve got more power than most here. If there’s an uprising… your all I’ve got.”
Now she’s speechless. For a second, I think I blew it, but she nods and cracks a smile.
“Okay, now we’re getting somewhere. What would I have to do?” 
Her smile is infectious. The fact she puts me at ease freaks me out a bit. I don’t know how to feel about that since I’m always tense around everyone.
“Just practice with me and show up for the meetings.” I say this like it’s simple; knowing it’s anything but and patiently wait for her answer. Jolene looks around before asking me if it would just be me practicing with her? 
“Of course.” I answer easily. She mulls it over and I try not to fidget. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this nervous.
“What are the meetings like?” she sounds hesitant. I want to, but I can’t lie. I need a solid relationship with her, and that won’t happen with distrust.
“Heated! Most end in arguments or create grudges. Especially lately, there’s a strong divide at the moment. One upside is they’re monthly unless something detrimental happens. In the end you get a say and it’s important to keep our line going.”
I know I’ve lost her. I tell myself it’s no big deal. I’ll get by.
“Okay. I’ll do it, but I don’t want to practice here.”
I hide my shock, agreeing to her terms. 
“Okay, I’ll come to you.” I supply. Not at all thrilled to be accessible to Grayson, but I’d do anything to secure Jolene. 
“No!” she startles me and my head snaps up to her.
“It’s too hard to concentrate with Elliot around...”
I smile when she blushes, even though I’m biting back a gag.
“How about your place?” she suggests. 
No! absolutely not! My home is my sanctuary, no business is conducted there, and the location stays private. I do have limits and she just met them.
“I have a better idea... nature! There’s no better place to commune with magic.”
Jolene nods enthusiastically and I inwardly wipe the metaphorical sweat from my forehead.
When she leaves, I’ve got just enough time to join the meeting. When I announce Jolene’s recruitment, Virgina doesn’t look at all pleased. She’s the only one. Everyone thinks Jolene is badass; me included, but of course Virgina recognizes the threat. Good, let her sweat it out. I, for one, love a challenge.
On my way out, I relay my little chat with the girls to Beth. It’s worth the effort to see the joy it brings her. I throw in a suggestion that she give Alice another shot. With my work done for the day, it’s time to tackle my next issue... Lucifer.