CJ-Gren

 Satin covered hands reached for the mic stand as a small jazz band began to play. The room was cramped and dark, and the young woman sighed. Fairly new to the law office, she had been convinced to attend a retirement party for an older gentleman in the office. She hadn't really gotten to know anyone in the firm, let alone the retiring Cody Shepard. She reached for her wine glass, sipping the rest of the dark red wine slowly; feeling someone approach as she placed the glass back onto the table. His deep voice cut through the chords being played by the band. "Care to dance, Kitten?" He asked, extending a hand towards the younger attorney. A

The setting October sun brought with it crisp autumn air. Light golden hair blowing wildly, the young woman ran across the temple grounds with purpose. She clutched a small makeup bag and golden heels in one hand; the other wrapped tightly around the hanger of a dress. She tripped over herself in her wooden sandals and nearly feel to the ground when an older temple priestess caught her. "Thank you, Sister Bikini! I'd feel awful if I'd ruined Mystic Maya's dress!" Pearl smiled down at the woman. "No need to apologize, but it would be awful if Maya was late. Hurry on now!" The older woman pushed Pearl on her way. The young Fey bowed deeply. "

It seemed like just yesterday she had begun to pack her own apartment. Her whirlwind romance with the senior lawyer in her firm had become more serious than either expected. She had picked up cardboard boxes only a week beforehand; planning to end her lease a few months early and lose her security deposit. She had barely spent any time there in the last few months; his condo had been much roomier and comforting. But when she woke up one hot summer's morning to find him already gone, he had left only a simple note stating he'd see her at the office later that day, she worried. She found it hard to work on their next case; hard to concentrate

 The lock to the door to her apartment clicked as she turned the key. The seconds seemed to pass like minutes; all she wanted was to get inside. She pushed the door open quickly and was greeted by her roommate holding a large white envelope. Mia Fey was written front and center; the California State Judicial department's address in the left hand corner. "Is this it Mia? This is your bar results, isn't it?!" Lana, the young new detective waved the envelope in the young student's face. Mia dropped her purse as she locked the large wooden door. "That's what I'm hoping for!" She reached for the envelope and walked over to her desk in the corn

 The wind had finally died down by the time Mariemaia had settled into bed. I pulled the   feather comforter tighter around her body before I walked toward the balcony.  I drew the heavy curtains at her doors to block the lights from the stars in the sky. Barely a week had passed since we had returned to the Khushrenada mansion. I had been told that we were requested by the head of the Khushrenada family, but I had yet to see him and doubted I would. I silently opened the door to the bedroom Mariemaia had claimed as her own and carefully shut it behind me. I leaned back against the faded white door and sighed. I hadn't been on the grounds i