“Like how old is he? I mean, if you’re four hundred and Simon is six hundred. What’s the life span?”

“My father is thousands of years old. He doesn’t give any exact dates, he’s wily that way.”

He told her about Lycia. About the places he loved and planned to show her. He thought about the house he had there and the way he wanted to make her comfortable in it. Perhaps add a nursery when she was ready.

“Oh, crap. I forgot I said I’d bring something sweet. Make a right up here. I’ll run into the grocery store ahead. It’s got a great bakery.”

He did as she asked. “You don’t have to come in,” she said as he pulled into a space. “I’m just going to run inside. It’ll take me five minutes.”

He frowned but got out, moving around to open her door.

“Really, Helena, I don’t know why you bother to say those things. We both know I’m coming in.”

She took his hand with a smile. “I know. But I don’t want you to feel obligated.”

He frowned at her, but it didn’t have any actual menace. She knew it and grinned back.

The store was pretty empty as it was just after seven and all the folks who’d stopped in on their way home had cleared out. She led him through the aisles toward the back where the bakery was.

“We don’t have anything like this in Lycia. The first time I came here, in recent time anyway, and I stepped into a grocery store, I think I stood in front of the toothpaste for about half an hour. Dazzled and a little stunned by the sheer variety.”

“So what do you have then? Outdoor market stalls and stuff?”

He nodded as she gazed at the pies and realized she couldn’t hear a nod. “Yes. But also stores. Usually though they’re more like your bodegas. Small with a limited stock.”

“I guess you probably get things fresher though. I mean if I had a boulangerie nearby I’d eat fresh bread every day. Also I’d weigh a million pounds because I am powerless against bread. Most carbs really. When I’m on vacation I make bread. And then I eat it all. I tell myself I’m going to give it away but I’m a total liar when it comes to bread.”

“Shouldn’t you be looking for vegan pie?”

She laughed. “Though she does love to talk up vegan baking and about half of what she makes is vegan, she’s not totally there. She is very health conscious. But she loves baked goods and she will totally have some of this really yummy Dutch apple pie. And I’m bringing real whipped cream to go with. Maybe some ice cream too. I’ll have to run extra tomorrow, but it’ll be worth it.”

“Come on then. Let’s get the rest. I don’t want to be late the first time I eat dinner at your parents’ house. That’s bad form.”

She grabbed the whipped cream and some vanilla ice cream as well and they headed out.

Or they would have if they hadn’t been stopped at the checkout.

The checker clearly recognized Helena, and Helena recognized her and smiled. Only the checker picked up a little plastic sign that said “Aisle Closed” and placed it on the counter in front of the food Helena had just put down.

Helena’s smile faded. “Really? You must be kidding.”

“We don’t do business with your kind.”

“I’ve been shopping in this grocery store my entire life. This store has stocked the pantry of my house and then even after, when I moved out on my own as well.”

“Now we know what you are.”

“A paying customer without which you wouldn’t have a job?”

“We’d like to speak with your manager. Please.” Faine added the please, but it wasn’t sincere and the creature behind the register knew it.

“You need to get out of this store. Your kind isn’t welcome.”

A few customers had gathered, waiting to pay. All listening. Discomfort and anger radiated from Helena and he yearned to make it better. But he knew she had to deal with this in her way. He’d be there whatever the outcome.

“I need to speak with a manager. That’s twice we’ve asked. Do be a dear and make that happen.” Helena’s smile was tight and sort of scary. The checker stared, but she was no match for Helena, who stared back with so much intent it sent a thrill through him.

Her magick didn’t rise and he knew she made a concerted effort to keep it that way. She could have used it to make things happen her way, but then she’d be proving them right. And his female was far too stubborn to prove anyone right but herself.

“You can wait over there.” The checker pointed.

“No, that’s all right. I’ll wait right here.”

“I need to check these other people.”

“You need to deal with my groceries first.”

The checker glared at Helena, who appeared to not have mustered up a single fuck.

“You’re inconveniencing humans. It’s bad enough you have the nerve to come in here. Now go wait over there.”

At this point Helena bristled and squared her shoulders and the checker finally began to understand she wasn’t pushing around any old pretty, well-dressed woman who happened to be an Other.

Her eyes widened and Helena’s narrowed.

The person standing behind them spoke. “Jesus Christ. Just check her damned pie out and keep your opinions to yourself.”

The person behind them agreed.

But the woman with the small child in the next line piped up. “We know what they are now. You heard it yourself from Senator Hayes and Carlo Powers. They’re abominations and no decent person should have to deal with them.”

“Ma’am, I can help you.” Another checker approached and spoke to Helena before turning his attention to the checker. “Nancy, take a break. Take your drawer with you.”

The checker did her business and hustled off with muttered threats and curses.

“Helena, right?”

The new checker began to run the items through.

“Yes. I’ve been shopping here my whole life.”

“I know. We went to school together. I graduated a few years before you did. I apologize for what just happened and I hope you’ll give us another chance. Not all of us are Nancy. Fourteen sixty-five.”

Helena gave him fifteen.

He leaned close and Faine wanted to growl, but didn’t. “I’m a manager here. I’m going to recommend she be disciplined for that. It’s clear we need some storewide meetings about this issue.”

She took her change and nodded. “Thank you.” And then looked around Faine’s body to the people behind him. “And thank you.”

Those who’d come to her defense nodded and the guy immediately behind Faine said, “Shit got real today with that nutty asshole speaking out. I know things are scary but I hope you remember we’re not all that way.”

“I appreciate that. And I’d love it if you’d take a second when you got home to send your legislators a note. We need all the support we can get.”

Faine grabbed the bag and the pie and they headed out.

“That totally sucked.”

He tended to agree.

“It was nice that others spoke up.” Always good to point out positives.

“Sure. Man, I want to eat all the pie now. In the car on the way over.”

He laughed as he opened her door. “I’m sure your mother would understand if you did.”

That’s when they approached.

He was getting in on his side when her door flew open and her attention shifted as she was unceremoniously hauled from the car by three men.

“Stupid whore witch. Someone needs to teach you and your friend a lesson about knowing your place.”

He was mid shift and up over the car before he could even think about it.

SHE’D been pushing her anger and hurt away, stunned, as always, by how good her man looked when her door opened up.

Confusion froze her in place for moments because she was looking at Faine and he was the only one who should have been opening her door but he was on the other side of the car so it couldn’t be him.

Hands grabbed her by her upper arms, sending pie all over the place as it hit the dash.

Her moment of confusion was over quickly enough. Quickly enough to hook an ankle around the calf of one of her attackers and send him to the ground. She pivoted once her arm was free and elbowed another on the face, and the satisfaction of the crunch of a broken nose roared through her. He howled in pain as he stumbled back, blood flinging everywhere, and she used it, drew it around her and strengthened her power.