* * *
Alexzandra paced in her office. She’d been desperate, signing that contract. She’d been mad enough at Aaron hiding that flea trap that she didn’t even read what she was signing. She’d been so angry that she didn’t even question why a lowly gardener kept basic contracts just lying around. A horrible feeling swelled in her gut. That contract was going to bite her in the butt, and soon. She could feel it.
Before she could worry a hole in her rug, yelling filtered up the stairs. She hurried over to the window just in time to see Aaron, carrying a box of his things, being escorted off by that brute of a gardener she’d hired. Her smile slipped from her face when Aaron stopped on the curb and looked up at her office window. She narrowed her eyes and glared down through the darkened window. Even knowing he couldn’t see her didn’t stop her sneer from curling her lips.
When Jeff shoved Aaron off the sidewalk, Alexzandra felt her smile grow again. Sure it was a bit smug but Alexzandra didn’t care. The first thought to cross her mind was goodbye and good riddance. She wanted to gloat. Since no one was in her office, she turned to the door. She’d just grasped the doorknob when a meow made her look down.
“What are you still doing here?” Alexzandra slowly backed away from the cat. She’d just gotten the cat spit out of her hair and didn’t want a repeat. She glanced from the cat to her office door when it occurred to her that the animal had come in through a closed door. “How did you get in here?” she hissed.
Jasmine did that slow blink that cats had perfected. She sat back and stared at Alexzandra. Methodically, she climbed to her feet and began walking. She could see the woman’s lips move as she counted steps. One, two, three…
She jumped to the top of the table in one smooth motion before crossing the surface to stretch toward the window. Sitting on the sill, Jasmine stared down at the parking lot. She watched Jeff reach out and stop Aaron just as his foot hit the sidewalk on the edge of the property. She nodded to herself before turning to face Alexzandra.
“Now that the fine details are taken care of, I’ve come to collect.”
Alexzandra’s eyes widened at the first word. All those years of hating animals had come back to haunt her. Holding her hands in front of her, she backed slowly away from the cat. She stopped abruptly when her back collided with the door. Swinging her hand behind her, she fumbled for the doorknob. With a sigh of relief, Alexzandra flung the door opened and raced down the hall.
Jasmine sighed in disgust. How many times did they run? And why do they always run from me? She looked down at her fuzzy suit. It can’t be the fur. Even in a cat suit, I’m still beautiful. Glad she’d locked the door to the office suite, Jasmine took her time following Alexzandra.
Snickering bubbled up from her belly when she saw Alexzandra pleading with her door. “That’s not going to work,” she called. “It won’t open until we’re done.”
Alexzandra gasped, whirled around and thumped her back into the wooden portal thwarting her. “What do you want?” She was proud that her voice came out strong because she really wanted to melt into a little puddle and slide away.
“I want to go home. You’re standing in my way.” Jasmine stalked into the room.
Alexzandra saw the cat reach for something on her collar before the room darkened. The last thing she remembered seeing was glowing blue eyes. She collapsed as something was ripped from her.
Jasmine glared at the door. As it swung slowly open, she glanced back at the woman sprawled on the floor. Her citrine pulsed violently as the soul jerked around inside trying to escape. For once in this assignment, she didn’t have any trouble with her magic. “Daddy Dearest thanks you for your donation. Enjoy the rest of your life.” She smirked as she slipped out the door.
* * *
Jeff stared at the front door. When it opened without any apparent help, he turned to Aaron. “You can go back now.” Without another word, he sauntered across the parking lot to meet the cat prancing toward them.
Aaron followed the demon onto the pavement, half expecting fireworks to erupt.
Jasmine ignored the demon. She slipped passed him and sidled up to Aaron. “Sorry, Aaron,” she said insolently. “You’re on your own for clean up.” Then she turned on her tail and headed back to Jeff.
“Well?” the demon asked.
“We’re done. Let’s go.” As if her words were a trigger, a shimmering portal opened nearly under their toes. Jasmine patted her glowing citrine, reassuring herself it was still there, before stepping through the portal. Jeff glanced down at the dead jewel he’d taken off the Fury. Normally the gems sparkled and shined even when dormant. He shrugged his shoulders and tossed the citrine over his shoulder before following the Fury through the portal. When it snapped shut, they were gone.
Aaron glanced at the empty air where the duo had disappeared. Something shined on the ground. He crouched down and picked up the discarded gem, tucked it into his pocket. With a relieved laugh, he stood up and headed back inside to see what was left for him to ‘clean up.’
END
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