"I know them." She checks her phone before turning her attention our way. "You're a little early."
"'I’ll met by moonlight, proud Titania,'" announces Joss in a theatrical style.
She scowls at him. "Wrong play."
I look to him in confusion and he explains, “’A Midsummer Night's Dream’, it's a play about—"
"Fairies," Portia interrupts. "Very funny."
"Joss, don't upset her," says Xander in a low voice.
He shakes his head in amusement. "Sure, Xander. I'll follow your diplomatic style."
Portia approaches. "Who's this?" She points at Seth with her well-thumbed script.
"Seth Marks," he says and holds his hand out. "Nice to meet you."
"No, I mean, who are you."
"A friend of Vee's," he offers.
Portia pulls a face and looks at Heath. "He's a little different to you all. Why are you with somebody more... normal?"
Heath glances at Portia's friend who's carefully weighing up the guys. Trying to decide who I'm with? Waiting for a look or smile?
"Long story," Heath replies.
"And one I'm sure you'll tell me." She leans to one side to look past him, where Xander stands at the edge of our group, silently measuring his next words, I hope.
"How are you, Xander?" she asks, saccharin sweet.
"Keen to work on solving our problems," he replies in an even tone.
The tension between the two radiates. "And do you have anything you wish to say to me?"
Xander looks back, impassive.
"Do you have somewhere we can sit and talk?" interrupts Joss.
Portia stands and brushes dust from her yoga pants. "We can use the meeting room by the kitchen."
The woman with her finally speaks. "I should be going."
"Oh, I apologise. I never introduced you. These are some acquaintances of mine." Portia introduces us one by one. The guys nod politely but are disinterested and distracted. I close my eyes hoping she doesn't call them by her pet name for the group, especially not in front of a tense Xander.
"Will you be coming to watch the play?" Portia asks. "I'm sure we can find you an invite to the after party."
Ewan stares at her as if she just asked him to supervise another children's Halloween party. "Not my scene."
"Oh, I'm sure the others would love to come. They really don't have enough fun." Portia cocks an expectant eyebrow. "Wouldn't you?"
Why the hell does Portia need to start with the power play already?
"Maybe Joss," replies Ewan. "He likes Shakespeare if he can quote it."
"Maybe I will." Joss inclines his head. "Could we talk now?"
"I'll watch. I'd like an evening out." Everybody stares at Seth.
Portia breaks into a huge smile. "Thank you. I'll let you know when tickets are on sale."
Omigod. I cannot believe that in the middle of all the crap swirling around us, we are standing in a community centre discussing bloody amateur dramatics. Xander shares my thoughts, judging by his thinning lips and crossed arms.
"Where's this room?" He points at the double doors to our right. "This way?"
We're forced to continue waiting as Portia arranges a meet up with her thespian friend and leaves her with air kisses.
"Such a lovely girl," Portia says as she watches her leave.
Portia leads us to a door opposite the hallway entrance and into a small room with a table and chairs. Previous occupants have left pens and papers on the table, which Seth gathers into a pile.
"Be a darling and make some drinks, Verity," Portia says as she sits. "The kitchen's along the hall. First door. You can't miss it. I'd love a tea."
I bite inside my cheek to prevent a retort. Again. This woman does not like me.
"I'm good, thanks," mutters Xander and everybody but Seth declines.
"I'll help," says Joss. "I'm better at making tea anyway."
With a wink, he guides me from the room before anybody else can speak, and I glance back at a Seth who sits beside Heath clutching the manilla folder he brought.
"Are you okay?" Joss asks as we head into the small kitchen space. “You're quiet today."
"Portia," I reply in a low voice. "I don't care that she doesn't like or trust me, but her passive aggression and attempts to belittle me are annoying."
"She's just jealous, Vee," he replies and strokes hair from my face. "Apart from the fact you're more powerful than her, you're smoking hot and have the Horsemen doing what she'd like to do."
"Which is?"
He arches a brow. "Anything you ask. If she knew you'd slept with more than one of us she'd be insanely jealous."
I attempt to hide my smug and fail as Joss laughs at me and curls a hand around my waist. "She's not used to being outshone."
"I bet. So her attitude isn't only because she believes Logan's opinion of me?"
"No. If she believed him, she wouldn't be here."
Carrying a tray filled with mugs, we walk past the bodyguard now stationed outside the meeting room, and I hand him the drink he asked for. Few school mums have a protective detail; how does Portia explain his presence? He's younger and attractive despite his surly look. How many rumours exist about her relationship with this man? Because I bet she has one.
The others sit in the room, in silence, which doesn't bode well. Portia taps a message on her phone ignoring them, and Seth sits bolt upright, file now on the table in front.
"Thank you, sweetheart," says Portia as I set down her mug. She wipes the rim with her thumb and sips. If she says one word about the quality, I'll be the one causing diplomatic issues.
"Now. What should we talk about?" she asks.
"How's Elyssia?" asks Ewan.
"Safe. Thank you." I bet that thank you almost choked her.
"You're welcome," replies Heath. "As I said last night, I hope this helps mend some of the division between us."
Portia's eyes bore into Xander's face, who continues his taciturn attitude to the situation. Earlier, Heath gave his brother a run down on what to say, and what not to say, and for once he bows to the consensus he needs to apologise. One thing I'm sure of is this apology will choke him too.
"I'm sorry for my behaviour the other night," he says, and they train their gaze on each other.
"And I'm sorry that things became such a difficult situation,” Portia replies.
The guys told me how difficult it is to regain friendship with the grudge-holding race, and that Portia's decision to give them another chance indicates Portia's hiding how much she needs their help.
"We shall move on and prove to each other that our relationship is mutually beneficial," Portia continues.
Heath's stiff shoulders relax, and he rests back in the chair. "Thank you."
"Now, explain who Seth is." She graces him with a smile and he smiles back, smoothing his hands over the folder.
"Seth's someone who's been collecting information about suspicious activity that he's prepared to share."
"And you can trust him?" she asks.
"As much as we can trust anybody," replies Xander and clamps his mouth shut at Heath's stern look.