Chapter 2:

As Shane drove up to the huge Beverly Hills mansion, she couldn’t help but be reminded of Cherie’s home.  Pushing the thought aside, she got out of her truck.  Before she could ring the bell, the door opened and a very imposing bodyguard ushered her inside.  Motioning toward the wide staircase, he said “Second floor, first door on your right.”  As she walked up the steps, she could feel his eyes on her back.  It made her a little more nervous.  She approached the open doorway, clearing her throat when she saw that Maeve had her back to the door.  When Maeve turned around, Shane got a good look at what she was wearing.  It was an elegant dress, diaphanous and glittering with an iridescence that made her think of sunshine and rainbows.

“Oh there you are, Shane.  I am glad to see you.  I like the way you did my hair this morning, but I do not think it will suit this dress.  What do you think?”

Shane was somewhat amazed to note that her hair hadn’t changed at all since the morning.  Not a single strand was out of place.  Despite work, wardrobe changes, and that weird static it hadn’t gotten mussed in the eight plus hours since she’d finished it.  She hadn’t even used hairspray on it, not wanting to stiffen the astonishingly soft texture.  “Must be a faerie thing,” she dismissed it.  “Well, with the low back on that dress, let’s do an up-do so everyone can see your lovely neck and back.”

“That sounds perfect,” Maeve replied, sitting at the dressing table.

Shane was all business, setting up her tools, and adjusting her glasses.  As she swept the hair up off Maeve’s neck, the staticky tingling intensified.  “We need to get you a good conditioner,” she murmured.  Just then, she brushed her hand lightly on the skin of Maeve’s neck.  A glow erupted, fast as lightening, at the areas of contact.  The light seemed to come from under the fairy’s skin, to light upon Shane’s fingers and be absorbed.  Shane froze, staring at her fingertips.  “Wow…that’s so weird…is that normal for faeries?”

“It happens.  But not under normal circumstances…” she answered with clenched teeth.