My Champion(27)

"This is Ivan DeLaFontaine; I demand to speak to Magnus at once!" Magnus, overhearing the conversation, reached for the phone again only to have Kari bat his hand away.

"I am sorry, Mr. DeLaFontaine, Prince Magnus is not available at the moment. I can review his upcoming schedule to see when he has an opening." There was a brief moment of silence.

"This is not Cheryl," Ivan stated.

"No it is not."

"Do you know who I am?" he asked.

"Of course."

"Then I demand to speak to Magnus at once," he insisted.

"No," she answered shortly.

"No? No? How dare you?" he sputtered.

"I dare because it is my job to do so. You are so angry that you have forgotten to call our prince by his proper title twice. You are demanding he come to the phone like an errant schoolboy. My job is to not only assist Prince Magnus but to assist you as well. I know you are a member of one of our esteemed Founding Families. What kind of impression do you think you would make if you were to speak to Prince Magnus now?

There was more silence from his line. "I see your point. I wish my assistant had half of your political savvy." She heard him take a deep breath. "I suppose this matter can wait until our dinner. Do you know if that is been scheduled?"

Kari picked up the calendar and cringed. "I am going to be very honest with you, Mr. DeLaFontaine. I, as Prince Magnus' new assistant, and Avery Therian, as his new receptionist, have only been here a few hours. I am still trying to make sense of his former assistant's notes and calendar. Would it be at all possible to have Avery call your office tomorrow with an update?"

There was a harsh laugh. "That I believe. Cheryl Evreux is useless, and I told Prince Magnus that on many occasions. Thank you for your assistance; I look forward to young Avery's call." The line disconnected.

Magnus looked up at her. "That was amazing. It would have taken me hours to calm him down."

Kari placed the phone back on the cradle and began tapping it. "Really? That was all bluster; he was not truly angry. He was just testing your new gatekeeper."

"Gatekeeper?" Magnus asked.

"Yes, me, and later Avery." She tapped the phone lightly. "He knew Cheryl had been fired probably within minutes of her returning to her level, and he said 'young Avery'. He knows who we are and our new positions. He backpedaled very quickly when I reminded him of his insolence in forgetting your title. He is up to something."

Magnus snorted, going back to his files. "All of them are usually up to something all of the time. The entire lot of them should take up hobbies and leave politics alone."

Kari tilted her head. "What fun would that be?"

Magnus just looked at her flatly. "If you feel that way, you rule. I will go fishing."

"Poppycock," she said, flapping her hand at him. "The people need you."

A crackle heralded an incoming call on the walkie-talkie. "Uh... Magneto? You just received a large number of boxes on Level Six." Adriel's familiar voice informed them.

"Professor, this is Magneto, can you bring the Eta and Mu Units to Level Six for a special training exercise?"

"Of course," Adriel replied. Grinning, Magnus returned the walkie-talkie to his belt.

"Magneto?" she asked.

"Meryn's idea of call signs," he said, his eyes twinkling. He looked younger caught up in his excitement.

"Professor?" she asked.

"Adriel: it is the clipboard," he explained.

She nodded. "I can see the relation."

He looked up at her, his eyes brightening. "Would you like to take a break with me?" he asked.

"Of course, but you have to tell me why you have a devilish look in your eye."

He stood and extended his arm. "I do believe you will enjoy my delivery. Stories of Meryn's arrival at the Alpha estate have motivated me."

Kari accepted his arm. "I cannot wait to see what she has inspired."

Magnus escorted her to the transport tunnel and they flew up to Level Six.

Eta and Mu Units arrived, and they made their way over to the large pile of stacked boxes. The warriors took up positions around the boxes, their feet spread, and their hands clasped behind their backs. Silently, they waited for Magnus to begin.

Curious groups of children edged closer as their families began to circle around.

Magnus turned to face the group, a stern look on his face. The children inched back, looking apprehensive. Magnus cleared his throat. "It has come to my attention that we have some fierce shifter children staying here on Level Six," he began.

Their eyes widened, and their lips started to quiver. Kari knew they were seconds away from tears. She leaned in toward Magnus. "You might want to tone it down; they will be crying in a moment."