Free On the Line (Alternate Places Book 3) by P.S. Power Page B

mean they work with them and things like that,
but they don't get cuddly with them when they smell like that. Which would be
fine, except that we don't just smell like we've been having sex, we apparently reek of it. So to them, we always seem hyper aggressive and like we're
directly challenging them to a fight if we do so much as offer to shake hands
with them.
    “And trust me, you do not want to fight with one. I
saw one once literally pull a Were's head off and crush the skull like a beer
can after. Now, it was an evil Were that really deserved it, but still,
not a group to mess with, best to be as polite to them as possible, keep your
energy locked up as tight as you can around them and stand downwind.”
    The other girl sat down then, "Really, who else have you
met? I mean, what kind of people?" She settled on the bed, but actually
seemed interested in the topic.
    “Well, I know a lot of Weres, a few Demons, some Djinn, a
couple Tricksters, some Alfric, bunches of Mages, a lot of Trolleinkein who are
all really nice considering everything by the way and at least one Kovalding.
I've seen and talked to more kinds of people than that, but those are the ones
I'd call friends. Lots of Alede and Humans too of course, but I didn't think
you meant them .”
    Britney looked at her suspiciously then, as if wondering if
the other girl lied to her just to impress her, but then looked around the room
and rethought that, giving her a considering look instead.
    “How did you meet all those people?”
    Kaitlyn explained that her mother worked at one of the Nexus
locations and had gotten her a job as a part time clerk at one of the
storefront locations. It wasn't really embassy work for the most part,
though she did allow that from time to time she'd fielded calls from some
important people and things like that. Mainly sitting there and being yelled at
by them until she could transfer the call to her boss.
    “It sounds cool and all until you understand that about three
quarters of people that think they're important really want you to
believe it and instead of letting their name carry weight with you, they try to
make you notice them as important. On the good side it means that you
really notice the polite ones that much more.”
    Britney bounced in place happily, asking question after
question, since Kate suddenly seemed a lot more interesting than she had
before, at least that was Kate's guess as to her sudden interest.
    “Who's the nicest famous person you ever met?”
    “Well, outside of personal friends and family members that have to be nice to me you mean?” The other girl nodded as if that only made sense.
“Well, I think that's probably a tie between Clyde, the North American leader
for the Weres, and Eloise Penbroke the world Leader for the Mages. Eloise
always remembers my name and insists that I just call her Eloise. Which is
really nice of her considering I'm really just a store clerk, or was at the
time. Clyde's nice, and also kind of hot. Before you ask, no I haven't slept
with him. It's always been an emergency when we've crossed paths. I doubt he
knows who I am personally, but still, always really soft spoken and polite,
even when everyone else around him is melting down.”
    Britney dug into her box of bottled juices and pulled one
out, unscrewing the cap she took a sip and shuddered in pleasure a tiny bit
when it hit her tongue. Then she took another sip, repeating the reaction.
    “This stuff is so good Kate. Your friend Merri should
make this professionally. Sell it for three bucks a bottle and people would
still buy it faster than she could make it, I bet.” Another sip.
    “OK, who's the most famous person you've slept with? Is it
Hartley? Tell me it is and I'll fuck you right here, just to touch something
that touched him!”
    Kate laughed and pushed the other girl away, as she playfully
tried to climb into her lap. After a minute of this, Britney started to chant
“Tell me” under her