Page 17 of Iris
Dorian takes us into the middle of the room. “This is where I’d like to get the tree put in. We can change the flooring to whatever it needs to be. I’ve talked to the mayor. He’s agreed that we can negotiate what type of tree can be used as the centerpiece, but, his words not mine, it must be bright and tropically.” Dorian moves his fingers in a quote motion with a slight sneer to his lips. He doesn't seem to like the mayor.
I sit Igor in the middle of the floor, where the tree will grow. “Igor, do you feel any resistance that might interrupt my magic?”
Dorian raises an eyebrow at me and I shake my head at him. Igor is special. Not only because she is actually alive, but because she can basically scent the area she is in for how well my plant magic will work, along with the health of any plants in the area. That’s one of the reasons why my greenhouse is so well stocked.
Igor is swaying. Her leaves are shaking as her own magic spreads out within the room. While she does her thing, I pull out a notebook to write down ideas on what type of vines will look good with the tropical theme.
“Are you going to have the room's temperature and humidity at the level that these flowers will need to thrive?” My question is muffled against my arm as I make notes. “What are the plans for after the dance with the flowers?”
Excitement begins bubbling in my chest as I look at the blank canvas around me. I haven’t been hired to do such a large event before. This is a great opportunity. I'm not going to mess it up.
My side turns cold as Dorian steps up to it. He is almost touching me but keeps his hands at his sides. Tipping my chin up, my legs squeeze together. I know I'm a hussy, but damn.
“I’ll bring it up to the mayor.” Dorian lifts his right hand. His fingers flutter over my cheek. I want to lean into his hand. “The plan currently is to turn this room into something similar to a greenhouse for employees and the people to enjoy.”
“DANGER! DANGER RILL WOBINSON!! DANGER!” Igor screeches out near our feet.
If I could hit my head on my desk a few times right now, I would.
Dorian's shoulders shake in silent laughter. He runs his hand down his face as he tries to compose himself. I turn toward Igor.
“Really?”
Igor does her smirk with her teeth snapping in the air. “Really.”
“Igor, what do I need to do for you to get you to stop cock blocking me?” A cold arm wraps around my shoulders and pulls me against Dorian’s side. The amusement in his voice is bordering on outright laughter.
Her leaves shake. “I like him.”
“That wasn’t an answer,” Dorian replies to her.
“And you’re not going to get one, Casanova. I enjoy this way too much.” Igor’s leaves are puffed out. “But, I did have a reason this time. There’s people coming into the room. Some kind of shifter and,” she sniffs the air while her leaves curl inward, “an ogre. Ew.”
“That would be Mayor Shchnarl.” Dorian drops his arm from around my shoulders, leaving me feeling a little lost. “He’s a bit of a jerk, but he’s in charge, so roll with it. I can always talk him around later.” He keeps his voice low as a rather large ogre walks into the room.
“...as you can see, this is going to be the main area. To make sure there’s no issues during the night between the humans and supernaturals, I need your guys to be on alert.”
Mayor Shchnarl looks like his mother took a rather large shovel and smashed his face in, focusing on his nose, when he was a baby. His skin is a weird blue color with splotches of brown. He has beady little red eyes that scan the room before landing us. He has to be almost seven feet tall.
“Yes, Dorian, there you are.” His steps make the floor vibrate a little. “This is Kieron, the owner of Shadows Security Group.” Mayor Schnarl takes a step to the side.
“Oh shit.” I feel faint.
