The Fall

Saturday Night

XAVIER POV

I stalked through the penthouse like an agitated cat.

Everything was perfect. Everything had to be perfect. I should check that everything is perfect.

Waiting on the balcony was champagne on ice, to be paired with freshly shucked oysters on a bed of salt ringed by zesty wedges of lemon.

Fresh bread was rising in the pantry, waiting to be transformed by the oven.

Two bright pink Canadian salmon steaks were primed for the gentle extraction of flavor.

Memories of happy afternoons in a stainless steel kitchen flooded with sunlight sang to me as the voice of my family's cook lectured from the back of my mind.

She had broad hips and a wide smile and taught me how to cook whatever I desired between meals. "When you cook the salmon for a longer time at a lower temperature it allows it to retain its oils and moisture, giving it that melt-in-your-mouth texture." She used to sing when she cooked, so many recipes were stored in the form of music in her mind.

"Sprinkle on some freshly ground cracked black pepper for a little bite. Add some lemon to dance on the side of your tongue with sweet, sour playfulness." My nose twitched at the memory of being pinched affectionately.

A crispy ice lettuce salad was cut and ready to be drizzled with smooth extra virgin olive oil infused with garlic, accompanied by sweet balsamic vinegar from Italy, Modena.

Just this side of the double balcony doors was a beautifully laid table decorated with candles and gardenias. Sally had tipped me off to Claire's favorite foods and flowers.

It was all perfect.

I hated it.

It was exactly 6pm. Claire would have taken her last pill an hour ago, and would be picked up in my town car shortly for a 6:30 arrival. I called the driver and alerted him to my change of plans before whisking the food into the fridge, wrapping the gardenias back up in the happy green cellophane they had arrived in and heading out the door.

The short drive to Claire's front door was spent madly calling a number of choice establishments. This was better. This was perfect.

We rolled up to the building a little early, so that I would have the opportunity to escort my lady from her door. After buzzing her door and receiving no answer, I tried Sally's. Of course they would be getting ready together.

Twelve floors up, and my heart was thudding in anticipation of seeing Claire again. A curiosity of yellow rose petals created a sporadic walkway that ended at Sally's door. I looked at the incongruent arrangement and wondered if Diego had come by after ransacking a florist during the course of the afternoon. It wasn't important, so I shook my head and I stared at the off white door. Raising a shaking fist to knock, but didn't quite get that far before a surprised muffled cry came from behind the door.

"Xavier's here!" Claire sung out. Rustling ensued.

Even with her owl suppressed, Claire could hear my heart beat. Her owl was powerful. She was going to be a perfect Monarch.

If she survived.

I fervently hoped that she would get the chance to be. Sending a short prayer to the goddess that she would make it past the morning. I had been doing that a lot over the past few days.

How had a creature this strong lasted so long without a trigger? The question baffled me.

My pocket buzzed, demanding attention. Text from Sally flashed across the screen The pills aren't working. She is all over the place and can hear every bloody little thing. Does the full moon have something to do with that?