1: I’m Eva
My name is Eva, and I am a witch. Not just any witch. I am the most powerful witch to exist. I have been in hiding most of my life, because people have tried to find me and use me for my powers. And let me tell you, it’s been a very long life. I’m also technically immortal. I’ll live forever until the day someone comes along with the power and balls to kill me. But the odds of that happening are very slim.
Not that they haven’t tried. That’s why I have to keep moving and keep going into hiding. You see, apparently I’m not supposed to exist. My power is too great for one person, so other creatures have taken on the “duty and honor” of killing me. Or that’s what their councils tell them anyway. Many have tried to kill be, but no one has succeeded. Yet anyway.
“Lunch is ready ma’am,” Tala calls out. “Coming,” I reply through the door. Tala is my assistant, bodyguard, and confidant. Overall, she’s the closest thing I have to a friend. She also helps me oversee my business affairs in the outside world.
She is technically my body double. When we go into the outside world, she is me, Eva Black. The millionaire CEO with multiple security-based businesses and an incredible eye for fine art. I take on the role of her personal assistant, Tala Marcus. When we take on our roles, I link our minds so that we can communicate freely and quickly. She is free to make the decisions, at least according to the outside world. In reality, I’m telling her what I want her to do. And she is following my orders like an assistant and body double would. When we communicate this way, no one ever catches us. Even though, it’s rarely needed now. Tala and I have been working together for a long time, so she and I just have an instinctual understanding of eachother and trust one another.
I sit down for lunch, and I’m pleased that Antonio has made chicken and dumplings. My favorite. I smiled as we all happily dig into our food. “Don’t forget that we have the investors meeting tomorrow at 2 ma’am. One of the new Alphas will be joining the meeting for the first time,” Tala reminded me for the tenth time today. She takes her outside role very seriously. I roll my eyes and look up. “Yes Tala. I won’t forget from the other 9 times you’ve brought it up either.” She chuckled and said, “I just want to make sure you remember. You don’t always have the best memory.”
I giggled but couldn’t help but agree. My memory has never been very good. It seems to be getting worse over the years, though. I blame it on old age.
“Ma’am, Olivia and I will be heading out after lunch to get some groceries,” Antonio informs me, “I’ll leave the leftover dumplings for your dinner.” “Thanks Antonio. Make sure y’all come back with the groceries this time though please,” I smirked at him.
Olivia and Antonio are both werewolves that work for me. They are mates, which means a lot of things. But most importantly, it means that they can’t seem to keep their hands off of each other for a second. We have had a lot of discussions about public displays of affection and what is allowed in public, if you catch my drift. They have forgotten the groceries more than once because they get so excited to stay in a hotel in the human town for the night.
We make grocery runs twice a year. We live about 4 hours from the closest human town. But we grow everything we need. However, you can’t grow toilet paper, so we make a Costco run every 6 months.
The phone in my office rings, and I immediately know that it’s a client calling. Only clients needing witch favors call my office phone. The phone is untraceable, so no one can figure out where I am.
“Speak,” I call into the phone. I sound commanding and a little rude. Witches have a reputation after all. I have to come across as the wicked witch of the west, even though I’m more like Glinda, floating around in her pink bubble.
“Miss Eva, I presume?” the deep voice calls. “You called me didn’t you? Hopefully you know who I am. Who are you?” I say in a clipped tone. “I am Alpha Ash. You were recommended by a friend of mine to help me with a situation.” I’m curious at who this “friend” who could possibly be. Usually if they need security support, they call my office. “And what would your situation be?” I ask with a flat tone. “My pack has been attacked by rogues, and they’ve kidnapped 12 of our unmated females. We’ve lost the trail. They’re missing, and I’m hoping you can help before it’s too late.”
I consider his words for a moment before responding. I wonder who this “friend” is that recommended me. I’m well known in the supernatural community, but people don’t usually call for favors. That being said, I would never let women be hurt when I can help them. I always want to save those who can’t save themselves for whatever reason.
“We will need 8 rooms for my men. Prepare for our arrival. We’ll discuss payment later,” I say before quickly hanging up the phone. I don’t wish to hear the thank you’s and the groveling. I look around the office and see everyone who has gathered. Tala, Olivia, Antonio, and my lieutenant Carl are all standing in my office waiting for instructions.
“We have a case of missing unmated females in a werewolf pack. Gather your teams and be ready to leave in 30 minutes. We need to prepare for everything, including the possibility that this is a trap.” Looking around, I see everyone nod their heads and turn to leave the office.
As soon as I hear the lock click, I sigh and put my hands on my desk. I don’t like working with werewolves. I have a strict policy about violence. At least I have that policy personally. Werewolves think that everything can be solved through fighting, and it’s irritating. We won’t even get into their feelings about powerful women. I find myself getting irritated just thinking about how many Alphas treat their women.
Before I can finish the thought, I hear a knock. “Come in,” I call, and Tala walks in. “What’s up?” I ask when I see the curiosity in her eyes. “How do you wanna play this today? I know the assassination attempts have increased, so I want to make sure we handle this right,” she asks with concern.
