The Realtor kept a brisk pace, and the team followed, each person ogling the double-high windows and domed skylights, then suddenly realizing the security problem they presented.
"This is a unique cultural blend ... In keeping with the sleek Swedish lines and minimalist Japanese design that has eclectically blended the Swedish spa experience with the healing stone and bath therapy wisdom of Japan, we've cre ated master suite spas ... incorporated them into the whole look and feel of each suite. Natural stones - "
" Natural stones?" Heather whispered. "Mr. Gerhart... these aren't just finishes?"
"No, ma'am," the Realtor said proudly. "Each fixture, like the double-wide tubs are carved from pure granite and lined with healing-property stones." Granite. Wonder whose idea that was? Damali mentally whispered to Carlos and then chuckled when he looked away. Uh-huh .
"For example," Gerhart said, unaware of the sidebar commentary in the room. "Malachite tiles line the tub, just as you'll find an array in the sinks and showers. According to gemologists they're soothing, calming, and promote inner peace, balance the physical body, and are excellent for meditation or dream work. This stone is said to be aligned with the heart chakra and solar plexus, I believe. The entire house is based upon the principles of feng shui and each bathroom tub fixture has running wall fountains that recycle over the stones for a soothing effect, as well as to keep good humidity in the rooms for the ferns."
"Dan ... look at the stones in here," Heather murmured, running her hand across the sink and closing her eyes.
Lost our chief negotiator - slaughtered in his own bathroom , Carlos mentally shot toward Damali, raising an eyebrow. Guess we're buying, huh?
Damali shrugged and then nodded.
"Okay, how much?" Carlos said, rubbing his palms down his face.
"But you haven't seen the rest of it," the Realtor said too calmly.
Carlos looked at Damali. You know he's just saying that so he doesn't seem too eager, right?
The Realtor chuckled. Twenty million. I was sent by the Covenant, and unless you're blocking transmissions to all seers, I can read minds.
"Well if you were sent by the Church," Carlos said, truly salty, "then - " He opened up his arms. "Come on, you guys are supposed to play fair."
"A," Gerhart said with a sigh, "fair is that you can afford it. B - have you ever been in negotiations with the Church over property?" When Carlos couldn't immediately respond he smiled. "The Covenant has bills to pay, too, you know, since your team is prone to blowing up anything you get your hands on ... and for the record, we have already silverlined the pool. Don't dig it up and mess up our prayer barriers."
"Give the man a check, Daniel. We never stood a chance."
* * *
fair exchange was indeed no robbery, and Damali could only laugh once inside the exclusive dealerships. Every man, including her oh-so-smooth husband, needed a bib to keep car-appreciation drool off his shirt. Correction - fantasy machine appreciation. She didn't care what they bought, at this point, as long as they would hurry up and get something to eat.
But neither she nor any of the team's female Guardians could be the ones to hurry them along, not without hearing about the infraction until the end of time. It had taken them nearly five hours to look at three mansions and for Dan to plunk down a hefty deposit to take it off the market. So, a few hours in the dealership was something to be endured. Once J.L. and Jose started designing weapons for the rides, then ... oh, yeah, she'd be on it. For now, they had to nod and give platitudes of "That's nice" or "That's awesome" or
"That's all you, baby," as their men spoke in hushed reverence near a stunning vehicle, or simply squeezed their eyes shut.
Don't even laugh at us, D, Carlos said, laughing himself. We 've been listening to you ladies do this all afternoon.
I know, I know, I ain't hatin', she said with a wide grin. I'm just hungry. Yeah, me, too, quiet as kept, but...
Yo, solidarity with da bruthaz, right?
"But look at her, D... she's got a Swarovski crystal windshield, yo ... oh, maaan ... a lacquered bonsai shift with solid gold knob inlaid - get this, with narwhal horn - right on the shift lever... dove-skin upholstery, baby ... can you see her in all silver? D, she's fionne, damn! Look, look, right here, check it out - special launch mode - insanity mode, to drop her suspension to keep her from lift ing off the ground like a rocket ... a thousand and one horses under the hood... shifts in a hundred and fifty mil liseconds, D ... I'm in love. And they're gonna make me wait for her for a whole year - I'm dying"
"You're cresting fang, baby." She glimpsed him for a sideline smile and then glanced at his crotch. "Just checking to be sure the Bugatti wasn't taking my man." He pushed her away from him, laughing. You ain't right, D. No. I'm not. I'm hungry... Lord have mercy, Carlos.
Aw 'ight, aw'ight, I'll see what I can do to hurry the proc ess along - but don't out me, D. She made the sign of zipping her lips shut, causing him to chuckle harder, and then walked away.
Carlos glanced at Shabazz. "Why don't we call this a wrap, brother," he said, leaning in to speak confidentially in Shabazz's ear. "We can go bust a grub, let every man in here place an order for whatever he wants - do the thing wire transfer, but the bottom line is, we go get some food. Maybe some bubbly for the ladies, since we just bought the house of life, and break camp ... since they are very appreciative that things got wrapped up so fast."
"I was trying not to blow the groove, myself, brother," Shabazz whispered back. "I'm hungry, and uh, could use some space from the team - feel me?" Carlos nodded. "Cool. Pass the word. We're out."
* * *
we do, too, make decisions faster," Carlos said, backing into their suite laughing and blocking his chest from her pulled blows.
"How can you say that?" she said, fussing and laughing at the same tune, kicking the door shut.