In-Between Work and Play (The Jocelyn Frost Series Book 1) by Relina Skye Page B

It’s just a lot more complicated within the same
dimension. The ley lines that crisscross both Earth and Erda form the framework
for the barrier in the same way a cell wall separates into two daughter cells.”
    I could kind of
picture it, but probably not the way he envisioned it.  “So, non-magical
humans, animals, plants, and microorganisms were designated to stay on the
Earth side of the In-Between, and everything else was sent to Erda?”
    “For the most
part. Only fae and mythos that had contracts with specific human bloodlines
were allowed to stay on the Earth side.  Others slipped through the weak spots
in the In-Between; and some even found ways to evade the Watchers.  Humans were
supposed to stay on the Earth side, but various species found ways to traffic
them across the border.  Today, there are small human conclaves located
throughout Erda.  Those people are protected by various species such as the
Watchers and the elves.”
    I finished my
wine.  My body felt completely relaxed as I listened to his story.  If I were
at home, I would have dumped my dishes into the sink to soak, before taking a
bubble bath, and turning in early.  Our werewolf waiter took the opportunity to
refill my glass.  “So, tell me, Mr. Rivers, what does your story have to do
with the gods’ ability to be in multiple places at once?”
    Dex paused to
refill my wineglass as he swallowed. “They are the most powerful species in the
world.  Not only can they split their physical forms into multiple pieces, but
they can also travel to dimensions that are perpendicular to our own.”
    I took another
large sip of wine.  “I wonder if the different pieces communicate with each
other? Or do they live totally separate lives?”
    With a slight
lift of his shoulders, Dex swallowed another bite of his sandwich. “I’m not
sure.”
    “Maybe it’s like
their ids experience their desires and their egos have to figure out ways to
please their ids, while their super-egos bend to accept their
responsibilities?”  I wasn’t sure if he understood what I was talking about,
but hey, it was worth a shot. 
    “Could be.” He
finished off his wine. “That explains why so many of them appear in triplicate,
and why they seem to suffer from multiple personality disorders.”   
    The waiter
appeared once more to hand us the dessert menus before clearing the table.  I
didn’t even need to look; I knew what I wanted.  “Can I have the tiramisu,
please?”
    “I’ll get that,
too,” Dex said as he handed the waiter his plate.

Chapter
Thirteen
     
    After finishing
my third glass of wine, a thousand-calorie dessert, and spending almost three
hours afterwards chit-chatting with Dex, our werewolf waiter appeared ready to
cough up a hairball if we didn’t vacate our table. 
    Standing up too
quickly was a huge mistake on my part.  The room spun, and I wished I hadn’t
drunk that last glass of wine.  What could I have been thinking?  I paid the
bill, despite protests from Dex, but let him leave the tip.  I argued that it
was only fair I bought him dinner since he spent so many hours researching
leads for me.
    Dex dropped
several bills on the table before pulling me to his side.
    “I’m okay. The
walls stopped spinning.”  I inhaled his heavenly scent. “Holy Helheim, you
smell good.  Is it your cologne or,” another deep breath as I sighed, “body
wash?”
    His grip
tightened around my waist and he maneuvered us around the last set of tables.
“I don’t wear cologne.  It might be my soap.”  The corners of his lips seemed
to lift.
    Cool air slapped
me in the face when we reached the sidewalk. 
    Dex’s fingers
gently tilted my face to look up at him.  “Which way is your apartment?  I’m
going to walk you home.”
    My brows knitted
together as I pulled away.  “It’s okay, Dex.  You don’t have to do that.  I
need to go back to my office anyway.”  I gave him a weak smile.  “I had a great
time though.”