In-Between Work and Play (The Jocelyn Frost Series Book 1) Read Free Page A

only did they have nasty attitudes, but most of them tended to lack
any sort of empathy for other people unless they really respected them. 
    I forced my legs
to carry me toward the door as the painful tingling sensation lessened.  “Thanks
for the heads-up.  How are they managing during this heat wave?”
    He gracefully
bowed his head. “Not good, I’m afraid.  Most of the winter unseelie crossed
back over to Erda.  The autumn unseelie are the ones having a hard time dealing
with their malevolent natures.”
    “Well, then,
it’s a good thing they have you to help them out.”  I was about to leave the
Group Therapy room when a thought occurred to me.  “Hey, Carmine, do you know
any magic users who can enchant objects for an extended amount of time?”
    His ruby gaze
locked onto mine for over a minute before he responded. “Perhaps.  However,
most of the fae that I know would require a favor from you in order to help. 
The larger and more complicated the request, the more dangerous the favor they
would ask in return.”
    I didn’t like
the sound of that.  We needed someone willing to mass market a new condom line
dedicated to demigod half-breeds.  I doubted that any magically gifted fae
would be willing to work an assembly line.  “Oh, okay. If you think of anyone,
specifically, a witch or wizard if possible, please let me know.”
    “Will do.” His
attention shifted once again as one of his clients glided through the door. I
took that as my cue to make myself scarce. 
    It was still
relatively early, even though my body seemed to think otherwise.  Stark rays of
bright sunlight bounced off the ivory marble walls.  The heat wasn’t too bad on
the first floor, due to the marble, but as I slowly dragged my aching feet up
two flights of stairs, the temperature increased by about twenty degrees.  I
longed to install an air conditioner in my office, but the fifty-year-old
electric panel inside the building could never have supported the additional
wattage.
    I decided to
keep the lights off upon entering my office.  Shadows covered the Earth
Impressionist paintings that decorated my walls.  My teacher-like desk faced
the door, and took up about a quarter of the available floor space. 
    Overall, my
office might not have been much, but it was mine.  I loved seeing how the aqua painted
walls blended with the brown wood tones in the furniture.   A lavender oil reed
diffuser set wafted its relaxing scent throughout the room from the corner of
my desk.    I took in a deep breath, attempting to regulate my heartbeat. 
    All I needed was
a caffeine fix.  Yes, that was it.  A cup of coffee would do the trick.
    With a fresh cup
of coffee in my hand, I made my way over to the desk.
    “Shit!”  Coffee
scalded my tongue, and I splattered several huge drops on my black capris.  I pulled
some tissues out of the box by my computer in order to blot the coffee off my
lap. Well, at least I didn’t get anything on my favorite blouse. 
    Holding my head
in my hands, I racked my brain, trying to figure out Inez’s reasons for
disliking me so much.  I didn’t know if it was something I said, or maybe I did
something that the fairy found insulting?  I doubted that I would ever actually
know the real reason for her general animosity towards certain people, myself
included.  All I could come up with was that she wanted to get rid of me ever
since she got promoted.  So what if she had her eyes on Mr. Hunky intern?  That
guy would never be able to handle my clients.  No, they would just stop coming
or find someone else to help them.
    Refocusing I
told myself, No more excuses.  Figure this out.  Okay, what did I know?  Make a
list.  Yes, a list would be great. 
     I noted that
being extremely fertile was rare on the Erda side of the In-Between.  Sure, the
humans who worked and lived there were fertile, but that was mainly because
they were mortal.  Being mortal pretty much meant that their lifespans