Free Portals by Maer Wilson

physical realm. But his control was more pronounced, perhaps due to interacting with Carter on a regular basis. I wondered just how far Parker would be able to take it.
    It wasn’t long before everyone was ready for dinner, so we moved to the kitchen to start preparing.
    The rain had finally let up, but the late afternoon was still gray and overcast. Sloane must have ducked out to Avalon at some point because he took over the center island with some fruits and vegetables I didn't recognize.
    Thulu lined up his herbs and worked on the halibut. Reo sat at the breakfast nook, sipping a glass of wine and occasionally throwing out suggestions at them.
    My phone sang its ring-tone to me, and I picked it up when I saw Jones's name.
    He asked if we were busy, and I told him we were just getting dinner ready.
    “May Stuart and I come over if we bring wine?” Jones asked. He sounded better, his usual self-assurance coming through.
    “You can come over, even if you don't bring wine,” I said. “But wine is always welcome.”
    We had a modest wine cellar, but Jones's put ours to shame. Of course, he'd had centuries to build his, but it was still an intimidating collection. He could always be counted on to bring something particularly spectacular and delicious.
    I told the others that we would have more guests, and Thulu added more halibut filets to defrost in the bowl of water in the sink.
    Jones's estate was outside of San Francisco, overlooking the ocean. We passed the time in mostly useless speculation until he and Stuart arrived.
    I went to answer the knock on the door when it sounded. Jones and Stuart followed me back to the kitchen, and Stuart set the bottles of wine on the table in the breakfast nook. Reo looked at the bottles and gave a whistle.
    “Wow, Jones, you must want a really big favor to be parting with these,” said Reo, as he read the label of one of the wine bottles. 
    He showed one of the bottles to Thulu, who gave his own appreciative whistle. “Bouchard Pere et Fils Montrachet. 1836.” He dimpled at me.
    “1836? I'm assuming that's a good year?” I said.
    Thulu, Reo and Jones exchanged pitying looks.
    “By the by, I am not parting with anything. I am sharing something I enjoy with my dearest friends,” said Jones airily. He picked up another bottle. “I also brought this, since I was not sure which you would prefer.”
    Reo looked at the bottle closer and his expression said he'd died and gone to heaven.
    “Oh my god, Jones, DRC? Really?” He gave Sloane a look before turning back to Jones. “You know, if you ever decide you prefer men, I could always throw over the elf.”
    Everyone laughed, including the elf. We all knew Reo would never willingly part from Sloane, even after so short a time together. Fancy-schmancy wine or no.
    Jones gave a slight bow in Reo's direction. “I shall keep that in mind, but just being able to share these with those who will appreciate them is a treat. Did you see the Yquem? I haven’t tried this vintage in nearly fifty years, but they never fade. I think even La Fi will be able to truly savor that one.”
    Jones smiled sweetly at the look on my face. I ignored him and pulled out the good china, silver and crystal and began to set the dining room table. Reo even took a break from admiring the wine bottles to help.
    I called Carter downstairs and fixed a plate for him. He wasn't much of a picky eater, for which I was very grateful. He particularly liked one of the elven vegetables, a pale blue tuber that reminded me mostly of sweet potato, but different.
    Dinner was delicious and different, with the addition of the elven fruits and vegetables. I like trying new things and I enjoyed them. Some of them almost reminded me of familiar fruits and vegetables, but they weren’t quite the same. Just a teasing of taste that eluded me just when I thought I had it identified. They also brought out the flavors of the halibut and enhanced it quite differently from anything I’d