Threads

Chapter Twelve- Part 2

“I will take this.”

            Alice tried not to stare at the woman’s dark eyes as she rang the watch through the till. 

The other woman joined her friend, and the second Fury unfurled her wings slightly, stretching them with a yawn, like anyone else would stretch their arms. Halfway uncurled, her wing tips brushed the shelves, and Alice winced as a bottle tipped forward slightly, and then settled back in place. 

            Two other women came to stand in line, talking excitedly to one another.

            “Did you hear he’s having another party soon?”

            “I know! I wish I was invited.”

            The Fury that Alice was helping at the till turned around and looked at her companion. “Did we get an invitation, sister?”

            The other Fury nodded and pulled a sheet of blue paper from her pocket, handing it to her sister. “Have a look - it’s quite intricate.”

            Alice barely caught a glimpse of the curvy silver lettering, since she couldn’t very well lean over the till for a closer look. The women behind the Furies fell silent, exchanging a disbelieving glance. Alice could imagine what they were thinking. What a couple of hags, flashing their invitation around like that!

            “Did you want a bag?” she asked.

            “No thank you.” The woman put the watch in her pocket. “You wouldn’t happen to be Alice, would you?”

            “I would.” Alice forced a smile.

            “Alecto.” The Fury stuck her hand out over the counter. “Pleased to meet you.”

            Alice shook her hand, then the other woman’s.

            “Megaria.” 

            “Have you met Alexia Ambrose?” Alecto threw out the name like a challenge. “He’s quite charming.”

            “No, I haven’t.”  She didn’t add that she didn’t want to meet him.

            “He has all the best parties.” Megaria gestured with the hand that held the invitation. “Why, do you remember sister, the last time we went the theme was Jungle?” She turned to Alice. “Alexia does so love his themed parties. He had a splendid set up last time, with fire dancers and tribal drums, and his entire ballroom done up like a rain forest.  How amusing it was!”

            “Sounds lovely,” Alice murmured insincerely.

            “He serves only the best food, and gives gifts away to the people he likes.  You should see the types of people that come to these parties. Amazing! Alexie only invites the most dazzling of society.”  Alecto’s smug expression made it clear that she was, in part, referring to herself. Alice remained straight faced, nodding as if this was all terribly interesting.  At Alecto’s last statement, both of the women standing behind the Fury sisters looked disheartened, and Alice liked the sisters even less.

            “We best be going, dear. Perhaps we’ll see you at one of his parties.” Megaria smirked. “Goodbye.”

            Alice watched them go, glad to see the back of them. She said as much to Gabriel, once the store was clear of customers.

             “Frankly, they scare the daylights out of me,” the Elf replied.

            “They’re as tall as you, and they look like they might tear your head off, so I don’t blame you.”

            “I wonder how they knew you’re name.”
            She shrugged, relieved that he didn’t seem angry anymore.

“Everyone in the neighbourhood seems to know now. I guess it comes from making a fool of myself in public.”

            The shop was relatively quiet for the next hour, and Alice closed the till down and flipped the sign on the door to “Closed”.

            “These danger sensing watches are going pretty good.” Gabriel was organizing the shelves. “That’s two in one day.”

            “I guess New Yorkers get into a lot of trouble.” Alice was aware that the conversation was slightly awkward. Maybe Gabriel was still angry with her.

            “It’s funny we still don’t know what it sounds like when it goes off.”

            “Personally, I’m glad it hasn’t had the opportunity.”

           “Bedtime.” Shakra climbed to her feet. “I feel exhausted after watching those two ninnies wag their tongues about how special they are. Never could abide Furies, too damn self-righteous to begin with, and now they’ve all gone corrupt and selfish on top of it.”

            Alice jumped, and then laughed. “Goodness, I’d forgotten you were there, you’re so quiet. You know, Shakra, I don’t even think that the Furies noticed you were there by the fire.”

            “Too self-absorbed.”

            “Plus you’re around the corner in the next room,” Gabriel pointed out critically.

            “Bedtime,” Shakra said again.

            Alice touched the key around her neck, taking one last look out at the lit-up streets of New York. “Let’s go to bed.”