Masquerade in Chaos: Kable VonSable Read online

  Masquerade

  in

  Chaos

  Masquerade in Chaos

  M J Hutto

  Table of Contents

  1 Happy Birthday!

  2 Early Days

  3 New Old Friends

  4 Possibilities

  5 Plans

  6 Obligations

  7 Developments

  8 Well, Hell

  9 And So It Begins

  10 Hello There

  11 Read That

  12 Seriously

  13 Masquerade

  14 Dangerous Liaisons

  15 It Wasn’t the Dress

  16 But, No

  17 Laissez le Bon Temps Rouler!

  18 Mistletoe, Mother?

  19 Surprise!

  20 Employing the Razor

  21 New Do, New You?

  22 Magical Measures?

  23 Not Dead Means Alive

  24 Just Keep Moving

  25 One Step Forward

  26 Pre-Birthday Bash

  27 Thirty and Done?

  28 Run, Girl, Run

  29 Almost Dead is Still Alive

  30 Wakey, Wakey

  31 Fun Fact

  32 Yippee Ki Yay

  33 Bonus!

  Acknowledgements

  Outtakes

  Quotes and Such

  Kable’s Playlist

  1 Happy Birthday!

  Eventually we all end up in the same place. No one lives forever and today seems to be the day for me, Kable VonSable.

  Go ahead, laugh, everyone gets a kick out of it. I’m convinced my parents had no common sense, or they wanted to set me up for what would be a lifetime of jokes. Want to hear the punchline? Wait for it….my middle name is MayBelle. Who, the actual fuck, does that to their kid? But it’s been mine for twenty-nine years; oh no wait, its after midnight so now thirty years.

  Happy 30th birthday to me. I am currently tied to a hospital stretcher with leather restraints. I’m bleeding from multiple stab wounds as well as a human bite and multiple cuts and abrasions from the beating I’d taken. A few of my fingers and all five toes on my left foot are broken. I’ve likely got a concussion and, yeah, the fucker knocked one of my teeth loose. It wiggles.

  I expect there will be more beatings, this break was due to my near unconsciousness a few minutes ago. As soon as the asshole figures out I’m awake I anticipate things will continue. It’s not nearly as fun to break bones and beat someone who can’t appreciate the depth of pain being inflicted, right?

  My head is strapped down and there is something stuffed in my mouth that tastes like a sweaty sock, ugh. That is seriously rude. I guess it could be dirty underwear so I should be happy its just nasty, sweaty, dirty feet I’m tasting and breathing. All I can really see is the water-stained ceiling and cement block walls, but I know where we are, so it doesn’t really matter. We’re in the basement of this assholes house-his murder room if you will.

  How did I get here you ask? Well, that’s sort of a long story but since I seem to be stuck at the moment, I suppose I could tell you about it. It sounds like my friend has left the room since I just heard his footsteps walking away and the door closing. No, I can’t scream. I’ve been gagged, remember? And the restraints are pretty tight. I’ll work on trying to get out of those while I’m telling you our story. Yeah, its definitely our story since I wouldn’t be in this mess without this psycho. Hmmm, where to start? Just going back one day won’t really give you the whole picture.

  Maybe not the beginning of my life but about two weeks ago when I ran into an old classmate. I guess that really is the start of all this. All right, buckle up kiddies the ride gets bumpy and some of this ain’t for the weak of heart.

  2 Early Days

  I run an apothecary and tea shop, Tea Leaves and Tomes. We sell it by the cup and packaged for home use. There are other things you can buy; herbs and such, books, the occasional spell, or a tarot reading. Those last two depend on the day and the ingredients on hand as well as my general mood. You really have to be in the right head space for certain spells.

  Oh, I guess I forgot to mention I’m a first generation, bonafide witch. Where did that word even come from, bonafide…anyway? It’s not hard to pick me out of a crowd, look for the Jack Frost wannabe and you’ve found me. It only bothers me sometimes.

  So, how’d I get like this you might be asking. Well, there was this miracle treatment to rid the population of cancer. An immunization against twenty types, the worst of the worst. My family was genetically predisposed to pancreatic cancer and I, along with my brother, Kent; sister, Karmine (see my parents only hated me); and my parents, Eleanor and Richmond, were immunized. We were some of the first, as my parents had the capital to get immunized in the beginning. None of us have gotten cancer, but something in the formula interacted with my special and rare genetic makeup (0.01% of the population to be exact) and I mutated.

  On the surface I went from a peachy color to this pale blue one, my hair went from dark auburn brown to solid white and my eyes changed from hazel to silver. It didn't happen overnight. It was like my colors just slowly faded away. But that was the outer changes. On the inside I began to feel more attuned to nature, I could feel the chaotic energy of storms, understand what our dog was saying-when she spoke inside my head, see the auras around my family and pull the energies of my surroundings into my own aura to wield.

  Yes, I know it sounds crazy but as side effects go it could have been worse. I haven't gotten cancer and I’m tested as often as they can drag me in. I didn't die, sprout gills or a second head, become paralyzed or go insane. I got superpowers! And sure, I look a bit different. And my community looks at me like I have something communicable; it isn’t. But I got superpowers!

  So-I run this shop. I grow my own teas and a lot of the herbs. We have a book and accoutrements section for those looking for that type of thing. I perform tarot readings on Tuesdays and Saturday’s, special occasions or if I’m bored. I have a few spells I’m willing to sell to the public, but the list is small. We sell hot tea, iced sweet tea and desserts. The we I’m speaking of is mostly me, but I hire a few high-school and college-aged kids to help out. No one has really been looking for a full-time job. Well, until that Monday morning.

  Maxine Baker came in that morning. We went to high school together too many years ago to talk about. She and Kent were in the same year, one behind me and one before Karmine. She was the yearbook editor and had a major thing for my sister, Karmine. They dated for Karmine’s sophomore year but not after. As far as I remember it was amicable and they stayed friendly. That being said, it was a surprise to see Maxine. I hadn’t seen or thought of her in years. She looked nothing like I remembered. Gone was her frizzy blond hair and oversized octagonal glasses, replaced by a sleek dark blond wedge and a complete lack of spectacles. She was a slim young woman with a hesitancy about her, that much was the same. I had no idea what she’d been up to since high school. She hadn’t even been into the shop for a cup of tea up to this point.

  “Hello Maxine, what can I do for you today? Cup of tea, cookie?” I asked.

  “Oh. Hi, Kable. I saw you had a job opening. I wanted to put in an application if it’s still available.”

  I frowned at her and then attempted to neutralize my expression. “Er, yeah. The job is still available but it’s part time and doesn’t pay much more than minimum wage plus tips. My two current employees are leaving for college in the next few weeks. I’d need you to start by the end of the week.”

  She nodded and took an application off the counter by the register. I handed her a pen and a cup of chamomile. She sat at the round table in the corner and filled out her application. I watche
d circumspectly, wondering about this turn of events. I mean, I liked working here but I owned the shop. As far as career moves went, it wasn't what I’d imagine she would be looking for.

  I looked around my shop with a critical eye. The storefront was enclosed in glass facing east for morning sunlight. The area was filled with seven round oak tables with two chairs each. The back of the shop held both bookshelves and shelves for herbs, gemstones, and oils. The books were both old and new volumes, everything from grimoires made of animal skin to modern fiction. The shelves were composed of pine. The shop constantly smelled of tea and baked goods; vanilla, cinnamon and tea seemed to be the overwhelming aromas-and judging by business, people seemed to appreciate that.

  Maxine brought her completed application back and sat it on the counter in front of me. I raised an eyebrow and she smiled with false brightness. There were shadows under her eyes not covered by the makeup she had applied. I read over the application; it was surprisingly bereft of information. There was a lack of job history and it appeared she hadn’t gone to college. I frowned. I thought she’d received a full scholarship to the university. Perhaps it wasn’t what she wanted. I looked back up at her and her smile became frozen and forced. She must really need a job. I hadn’t had any other applicants and she looked like she needed a break. What the hell?

  “Of course, you can have the job. When can you start?”

  The relief that washed over her face and stiff posture was noticeable and immediate. I felt a pervasive uneasiness and lowered my shields to check her aura. It was overwhelmingly gray with swirls of white and a sickly green throughout. Auras could be tricky, but I’d had a while to understand what they usually meant; hers was showing me either depression or despair with sickly fear and some things she was hiding from herself. That didn't really tell me anything I couldn’t see with just my eyes.

  “I can start now!” She paused. “Or tomorrow, if that would be better.”

  “Today is fine,” I assured her, thinking she must need money. “You can work with Reva today. Tomorrow is her last day, but she is great. You hear that, Reva? You’ve got a minion today. This is Maxine, she’s going to be helping me out since all of you are leaving me for greener pastures.”

  Reva laughed and playfully put her hand on her hip. “Yeah right, you can’t wait to get rid of us! Come on Maxine, I’ll show you were to put your stuff and where the bathroom and hiding places are.”

  “You better not show her any hiding places! Hell, I just got y’all trained to the way I want you and now all my hard work is going to someone else.” I said it with a smile and laugh. “Maxine we’ll get your paperwork filled out before you leave today. I’ll pay you in cash for today and tomorrow. And then we’ll get your direct deposit set up. Welcome aboard!”

  I kept an eye on them for the rest of the morning, but nothing happened, and no one came in looking for Maxine, so by the afternoon I let my attention wander. Maybe she’s just nervous about making a change in her life.

  Of course, when I decided I could go run a few errands that’s when everything went sideways. As I was walking out the front door, after telling the Reva and Maxine I would be back in about an hour, a fiery red-head walked in. She was tall, slim, and obviously pissed. I turned to follow her back inside. Her gaze had zeroed in on Maxine and there was no way I was leaving them alone in the shop.

  She stalked up to the counter and grabbed Maxine’s arm from her side pulling her roughly towards her. “What the hell, Maxine! I come home from work to find a note saying you're leaving and not coming back. As if that is just supposed to be okay!” She shook Maxine during her last shouted statement and then began pulling her around the counter towards herself.

  Maxine had tears silently falling out of her large brown eyes. Her face showed complete defeat and definitely despair, but her voice was utterly devoid of emotion. “Dani, please, not here. You don’t have to…”

  Dani shook her again and that was when I noticed the bruise on Maxine’s wrist that her sleeve had covered. It looked very much like fingerprints.

  “I don't have to what?! You don't fucking tell me what to do!” she yelled, while attempting to drag Maxine from behind the counter.

  I nodded my chin toward the phone to Reva. She would call the police while I tried to diffuse this situation, this wasn’t our first time with violent customers. I reached into my pocket to pull out the collapsible baton I kept there when I was going out. The streets weren’t always kind in this area.

  “Ahem,” I said. “I don't mean to interrupt, well I guess that’s not entirely true, but my name is Kable. I own this shop,” I said sticking my empty left hand out towards Dani. She turned towards me with narrowed eyes and looked me up and down. Apparently, I was beneath her because she turned her back on me.

  “That’s nice. I’m here to take Maxine home. I’m sorry if she caused you any trouble. She hasn’t been feeling well and she shouldn’t have bothered you.”

  “Well, she hasn’t been a bother. And she can stay as long as she likes. If she wants to go with you that’s fine. Maxine, if you want to stay you are welcome. You don't have to leave with this person.”

  Maxine’s eyes were wide, white showing all around and her face was pale. Dani turned back to me, letting Maxine go. I’d successfully gotten her attention off either Maxine and Reva and onto me. She was positively vibrating with rage. Oh goody. Her aura was a deep red shot through with violent orange and purple; this was one angry lady. She took a step toward me, and I stepped back and sideways with my right arm slightly behind me. I turned my left hand to the universal stop motion. Her nostrils flared angrily.

  “Who do you think you are to get in the middle of this conversation? That is my fiancée, and she is coming home with me. If you try to get in my way, then I’ll just go through you, but she is NOT staying here. She belongs with me.”

  I smiled brightly and she frowned in confusion. “Oh honey, you misunderstood. You are more than welcome to leave. In fact, I think it would be for the best if you did. But if she doesn’t want to go then she isn't.” Was that a siren? I hoped it was. I did not want to get into a pushing contest with this lady.

  She barked out a laugh and turned to look at Maxine. “You already got one hooked? Couldn’t even wait a full day? And you say I don’t have anything to worry about, but this is what I find. You with a damn MUT? How is that supposed to make me feel? How is that going to make me look? You can’t possibly be serious.” She was turning to walk back towards Maxine who had moved back near the middle of the counter again.

  “Wow,” I said shaking my head, white hair swinging. “I don’t think anyone has called me a MUT to my face for at least, what, two weeks. Is that the best you’ve got? The drunk on the corner came up with better than that. He called me a ‘batshit albino cockgobbling thundercunt ‘cause I only gave him a fiver. Ain’t that gratitude for ya?”

  She was still trying to process what I’d said while the cops were walking in. I smiled up at my cousin Dorian. He maintained his stern demeanor and glanced around to assess the situation. His partner Galen and a rookie I didn’t know took positions near the exit. They all seemed to pinpoint Dani as the threat.

  Dorian stepped in front of me while motioning me further back. He nodded to Maxine, Reva, and Dani. “Ladies, it’s good to see you. What seems to be the trouble today?”

  Reva remained silent and Maxine looked away with downcast eyes. Dani glared at him from only a few feet away. She was still visibly angry, and her jaw was set at an obstinate angle.

  “What do you want, Officer Goody Two Shoes? She got you hooked on that sweet pussy too?”

  Maxine inhaled sharply and Dorian stiffened. Then he smiled, you could hear it in his voice. “No ma’am. We were called related to your potentially dangerous behavior. I heard you were threatening and verbally abusive to all of these ladies; put your hands on one of them. The city doesn’t take this type of behavior lightly. There has been too much civil unrest in recent years and the
laws are strict. Justice is swift and severe for repeat offenders.”

  Dani scoffed. “I’ve never been charged with anything like that before and I can guarantee Maxine won’t be pressing charges today. Will you, baby? She knows how much I love her and how I can’t live without her.” She had a smug look plastered on her face, but her voice was silk and honey. Maxine couldn’t see the face, only hear the voice.

  I stepped from behind Dorian before Maxine could answer. The look on her face said this wasn't the first time and if she let it go, I knew it wasn't going to be the last. Maxine had broken away today but who knew if there would be a next time. She needed our help, support and lended strength. I quirked an eyebrow at Dani and met her gaze.

  “Maxine doesn’t need to press charges. This is my shop. You were attempting to intimidate my staff and assaulted one of them. I have the entire thing on camera.” I said the last part while pointing at a camera over the exit and another in the corner. Boom, bitch, how ya like me now!

  Maxine looked at me and I smiled encouragingly. I couldn’t make her stay away from Dani, but I could give her the knowledge that I would be part of a first step if she wanted to take it. I would give her a job and help her find a safe place. Dorian would help as much as he could too. I had never been in this type of abusive relationship, but it couldn’t be easy to start over or break that mind control. Filling my aura with encouragement and understanding, I attempted to will Maxine to see that. She glanced at Dani and I watched as her resolve re-formed.