De'Vas Chronicles Book 5: Chapter 4

Not long after leaving Councilman Loki’s office, Ash and Eva stood by the portal of District 1, punching in the numbers for District 114. Usually, he would just return home and use his private portal to arrive at the Flatiron. Instead, Councilman Loki had made a request that shifted Ash’s plans slightly, so he was now using this portal since it would put him closer to Horn and Tail Publishing.

“I don’t understand why Lilly’s father won’t just get a cellphone,” Eva said as she stared at the book in Ash’s hand.

He clicked his tongue as he lifted the book that Councilman Loki wanted him to get autographed and read the title. Years as a Dryad Husband by Roth Willowson, the cover depicted the famous elf naturalist and alchemist lovingly embracing his insane dryad wife, Agatha.

A chill ran down Ash’s spine just looking at the picture of Lilly’s mother. Even after a year since she tried to kidnap him, their relationship was ice cold. Thankfully, Roth’s personality was similar to that of his daughter’s, rather than his wife’s.

“Lilly has tried a couple of times, given Roth’s penchant for wandering around and getting himself into trouble. They only last a few days before he tries to disassemble them to see how they work,” Ash answered with a heavy sigh.

More than once, some idiots would try to kidnap him for ransom, only for Ash to show up and break his father-in-law free, or worse for the criminals, Agatha would track him down first. He suspected his mother-in-law had some way to know where Roth was with her Nature Magic.

“He checks in weekly with Horn and Tail Publishing, so I can leave the book there with a note and get it signed,” Ash said as the portal whirled to life.

Stepping through the swirling blue vortex, the first thing that greeted Ash and Eva was a large billboard not far from the portal. Ash thought it was an eyesore, but his mother had sweet-talked Faylen into allowing it, and she was the boss of District 114.

Help build a better future with Grayson Industries!

The billboard featured two smiling beastkin women, dressed in business attire, one a jackalkin and the other a lynxkin. The lynxkin looked vaguely familiar to Ash, and he assumed she probably was, or had been, a member of the 114 Pack.

“Hey, Big Boss. Odd to see you use this portal?”

Ash turned from the billboard to see a group of armed beastkin off to the side. Standing in front of them was a familiar minkkin woman with a large, fluffy white tail.

“Hey, Celeste,” Ash greeted as he lifted the book. “We have to swing by Horn and Tails Publishing to drop this off for Roth. How’s the 114 Pack been?”

Celeste hooked a thumb to the beastkin behind her, and Ash noticed them staring at him with wide eyes, and a few of the female members even with wagging tails.

“Growing just like the district. These are some new recruits I’m showing the ropes,” she said.

Ash smiled and nodded to them.

“Well, we won’t keep you, Celeste. If you see Jek or Rubean, tell them I said hi,” Ash said with a wave as he and Eva moved deeper into the district.

He didn’t miss the new recruits swarming Celeste with questions and heard that awful nickname of his more than once among them—the Storm.

Celeste was right, District 114 had been growing at a rapid pace and was quickly losing the small-town feel for that of a decent-sized city. All because his mother had shifted billions into the district to make it the headquarters of the De’Vas branch of Grayson Industries. He wasn’t sure how his mother had managed to pull it off, given the restrictions placed on companies by many human governments for operating in the nation of paranormals. Still, he doubted it was through entirely legal means. It wouldn’t surprise him if more than a few powerful politicians were blackmailed or bribed.

One of the most notable changes was the significant amount of construction taking place in the district. Faylen had told him Grayson Industries was working to replace the cheap shipping container homes that had been the staple for many districts with actual houses and apartment complexes. Part of her efforts to improve and grow the district since De’Vas was now the future of the Grayson family.

Bo, though, insisted it was all part of his mother’s evil plan to take over De’Vas one district at a time, using capitalism. The orc referenced several villains from late 80s B-movies as examples of what his mother was trying to do.

Ash figured the truth was somewhere in the middle. He knew his mother wanted to improve the districts. She had told him so many times, often while bringing up hypothetical future grandchildren. Still, his mother was known as the ‘Empress of Business’ for a reason, and he didn’t doubt her meeting was to ask him to use his power as a Councilmember for something.

They moved through the district toward Lilly Street and the Flatiron. Along the way, Ash noticed more signs of how the district had changed since he was the District boss. Apart from the construction that seemed everywhere, he spotted more billboards, even a few digital ones. They advertised everything from local businesses such as the fish farms, craft brews from The Twins, and even an upcoming recital by the district’s school. An orc boy wearing a kids' dress shirt gave a gap-tooth smile as he held a recorder.

“Eva, can you mark down that date on my calendar?” Ash asked, pointing at the billboard. “I’d like to attend it if I’m free.”

He wondered if his girls would be interested in going with him. They could turn it into a date night, maybe even have dinner at Mei’s after.

Perhaps I should make a reservation?

“I already have it marked on your calendar, Warchief. I figured you would also like to use the event as a date and checked with your mates. Faylen, Haylee, and Selena all said they would be willing to attend the event with you. Naomi and Lilly, unfortunately, said they have other plans that night.”

Ash nodded.

“Let’s swing by Mei’s before we drop off the book,” Ash said, deciding to make the reservations.

The ivy-covered building that was Mei’s Den wasn’t far, and it only took a few minutes at a leisurely stroll to arrive. Though when they got there, they were greeted by the sound of breaking glass as a body was thrown through the glass window of the restaurant. Ash was already pulling on his magic before the large troll stopped rolling across the pavement.

“That window is going on your bill!” a voice shouted from within the restaurant.

Recognizing it, Ash dropped his magic just as a small rabbitkin woman with dark hair stepped through the door. She glared at the injured troll as she approached.

“You, bitch—” the troll tried to say until the rabbitkin slammed his head back into the pavement with her foot.

“You owe me for your meal, the window, and a massive tip for the waitress you harassed. Pay up and get the hell out of this district. If I see you here again, I’ll grind your corpse up and use it as fertilizer for my garden box,” the rabbitkin threatened.

A second later, she held a wad of cash as the troll limped back toward the portal. She quickly counted the bills before looking at him.

“Councilman Grayson,” she greeted.

Ash looked from her to the window, then back.

“Everything alright, Mei?” he asked.

Mei sighed and flicked a strand of her hair, much the same way Silver always would.

“Just an asshole not realizing this is a fine dining restaurant,” she answered before exhaling and shifting her posture from one ready for a fight to something professional. “How might I help you today?”

Before he could answer, a lionkin woman stepped through the door, her face filled with worry.

“Head chef, are you okay?” she asked nervously.

Mei took over half the bills in her hand and gave them to the lionkin woman, her gaze never leaving him.

“Take a break while on the clock, Kara. Order anything off the menu you want, it’s on me,” Mei said as the lionkin woman, almost twice her size, carefully took the money.

Kara gave a darting glance between Ash and Mei before she returned to the restaurant.

“She’s a good girl. Newly rifted and trying to make sense of this world,” Mei stated while glancing at the door of the restaurant. “Anyways, what can I do for you?”

It only took a second for the reservations to be made, with Mei stating she would always have a table open for any friends of Silver. After promising to let Silver know that Mei said hi in his next letter, he and Eva finally made their way to Horn and Tail Publishing.

Maggy greeted him as he entered the small, but growing, publishing company. They were best known for publishing Roth Willowson’s works and the Madam Vine comics, but they were also expanding their offerings to include works by other paranormal authors. Such as the one being displayed on the counter.

“Sure, I’ll get Roth to sign this next time he stops by. Most likely will be Friday since he said he and Rory were going to catch up at The Twins that day,” Maggy said as she took the book.

Ash nodded, his gaze still fixed on the book displayed on the counter. He had a bad feeling about it.

“Oh, interested in that book?” Maggy asked, her tone full of amusement. “It’s our newest novel, The CEO’s Son and The Dark Blade by A.D. Spire. It’s the story of a human who’s the son of a powerful CEO who ends up being deported to De’Vas and the dark elf swordswoman who swears herself to protect him. It’s currently our leading seller in romance.”

Eva picked up one of the copies and set it before Maggy.

“Sounds like an interesting read. I’ll give it a try,” she said as she opened her purse.

Ash didn’t miss the smirk Eva wore as they left Horn and Tail Publishing and continued toward Lilly Street. He also caught her taking a picture of the cover with her phone and sent a message, but she won’t say to whom, other than her group chat.

The Flatiron loomed ahead of them as they arrived on Lilly Street, the top floor being rebuilt from the elemental attack and two additional floors added. Ash knew one of the new floors housed the headquarters for the De’Vas branch of Grayson Industries.

They passed by the rebuilt Lilly’s Garden, with several members of the Poison Petals hanging out front by the numerous plants. Lilly had taught a few of her grove members some alchemy and how to run the store, which freed up much of her time. Not that Lilly used it for anything other than hanging out in the Red House in District 1, or taking her multiple naps throughout the day.

When they entered the first floor of the Flatiron, members of the Frozen Scales greeted them, though Jek wasn’t among them. Just past the gang members watching the entrance was a human male with cropped blond hair wearing a suit and tie.

“Councilman Grayson,” Agent Miller greeted with a nod. “Mrs. Grayson has a conference room booked on floor three. If you don’t mind following me, I’ll take you there.”