Page 95 of Cry of the Firebird

"I do if I want to pick up good for nothing cowboys," Trajan retorted. They laughed and gave each other a brief hug. "You seem to have dressed up for the occasion. You look like a cowboy who has finally discovered washing."

Hamish pulled down on the blue cowboy shirt he wore, his dark denim jeans had been ironed, and even his belt buckle was polished. Usually, when Trajan picked him up from a flight, Hamish was disheveled and most often a bit drunk.

"Gladys wouldn't let me leave looking like a scruff," he said.

"I didn't know you had a lady friend."

Hamish laughed. "She's anoldlady, Trajan. She feels the need to mother me, and it's kind of nice seeing how I never had a mother." They started walking through the brightly lit terminal and towards the exit signs.

"So tell me what's going on. You never fucking ask for help, so it's got to be good," Hamish said.

Trajan explained the situation with Anya as quickly as he could. Hamish knew Trajan's history with Ilya and Eikki, but the last time the two caught up, Eikki was still alive, so he wasn't aware that Trajan had taken up guarding Anya again.

"You were watching her all this time, and she had no idea you were there? You never said anything to her?" Hamish questioned as they got into Trajan's BMW.

Trajan shook his head. "I thought it best if I didn't."

"You're an idiot for leaving her alone like that," Hamish replied. "A massive, dumb idiot."

"Believe me, I know." Trajan told Hamish about Yvan and how they had turned up on his doorstep wet and bedraggled.

"It's going to be wild to meet these people you've always talked about, especially Anya. She sounds like my kind of girl," Hamish said, already teasing because he couldn't help himself.

"She wouldn't tolerate your bullshit for a second," Trajan replied as they wove through the traffic. "We are going to have a full house, so try and behave yourself."

"When have I ever not behaved?" Hamish demanded.

"Would you like the list alphabetically, by date, or the cost figure for the damages?" Trajan asked, making Hamish laugh loudly.

"But please, Hamish, there are ladies, so no walking around without your trousers on," Trajan said as they arrived back at the mansion.

"You just want to ruin all my fun, don't you? You afraid little Anya will switch camps when she sees what a real man looks like? You know, one who isn't afraid to touch her."

"I think we both know that neither of us are 'real' men, and for your information, I have been touching her," Trajan replied as they got into the elevator.

"Well, look at that, my boy is finally becoming a man," Hamish said, pinching Trajan's cheek. "About time you got a girlfriend. It only took a hundred years, you loser."

"You can't talk. If I recall correctly, your last lover shot you in the ass when you first met," Trajan replied and instantly regretted it. Hamish looked like he had been kicked in the guts. That particular woman had been killed, and for all of his flirting, Hamish hadn't gotten over it. "I'm sorry I didn't mean…"

"It was a long time ago. Maybe I should follow your example and find a hot witch to shack up with," Hamish replied, his smile back.

The doors opened, and Anya was there waiting for them. She looked very tousled and sleepy in her camisole and boxer shorts. She was so adorable Trajan wanted to squeeze her.

"I thought I heard you come home," she said, her voice husky. "Hello, Hamish. I'm Anya."

"Yes, I thought you must be," he said, smiling deviously.

Trajan had an overwhelming urge to strike him.

"I need tea, you want some?" Anya replied.

"I'd kill for a cuppa," Hamish replied, giving her his best smile.

Trajan rolled his eyes at Hamish's need to flirt with everyone he met.

"I bet you do after such a long flight," Anya said, yawning as she led the way to the kitchen.

Trajan switched on the kettle as Anya retrieved three cups from a cupboard. To Trajan's surprise, the sugar bowl floatedover to him from the opposite side of the bench. A drawer opened, and a teaspoon appeared and stuck itself into the granules.

---