Chapter 4

6 weeks later…

Maeve reached out and hugged Shane.  She’d become very fond of the young woman in the weeks they’d spent together.  She had picked most things up remarkably quickly, and those tasks which were more difficult for her, she’d overcome with doggedness and determination. “Take care of yourself.  And remember…if you ever have any problems, call me.” 

Shane clung to her tightly, just for a moment.  “I will.”  She broke away, wiping at her now, seemingly normal, green eyes.  “And you’ll call me if you ever need me for anything, right?”

“Yes, Shane,” she replied.  “I expect I might need your company once in while,” she added with a sly grin.

“Company…Yeah…Right,” Shane chuckled. 

She turned and walked toward her truck.  She got in and drove through the mansion gates, leaving her unexpected haven behind with a little wave toward her faerie godmother, who watched her depart with a slight gleam of pride.  As she headed back toward West Hollywood, she glanced in the mirror, making sure her glamour held.  Although she shouldn’t be so nervous.  Maeve had tested her for weeks, until she’d successfully maintained her glamour under all kinds of circumstances.

She parked by the Planet and nonchalantly walked inside.  A brief survey showed that none of her friends were there so she let out a little sigh of relief.  After getting her morning shot, she found an empty table and sat down to wait.  She’d only been waiting for about ten minutes, sipping her coffee and flipping through a magazine, when Alice walked through the door.

Spotting her immediately, Alice made a beeline toward the table.  “Oh my god, Shane!  Where have you been?  I haven’t seen you in months,” she exaggerated, plopping down on the couch next to her and pulling her into a rough half-hug.

“Jeez, Al…I haven’t been away for that long…” she started.  “I was busy.”

“Too busy to hang out?  Too busy to return my phone calls?  What, were you having some kind of month-long orgy?”

“Something like that,” Shane answered, mischievously.

Alice, never at a loss for words for very long started up again, “Well, you haven’t told me where you were!  I was worried dammit!”