I said, “Loyalty is a good thing in my eyes, but so is opportunity and change. I don’t think Natasha would begrudge you moving on if something tickled your ambition, moving on in business is not disloyal, is it? I mean, the database is complete, the programming done save simple queries when we need them added, and maintenance both for new users and data integrity. Point being, your gifted skills and intellect are no longer being challenged in your job. It was my hope to get you to consider a new one, but if your loyalty to Natasha precludes advancing your career and challenging your genius programming skills and intellect, then we have nothing to discuss, and you can leave now.”

  She colored, her fair skin flushing with heat.

  “A job offer? I’m not closed off to the idea, I didn’t know.”

  Lianne said coolly, “Perhaps not, but accusing Liam of possible dubious or nefarious motives in that ignorance was beyond foolish. He is also king now, which means the council is his to rule, and that includes making changes to the database if he desired. He does not, but you were way out of line and wrong besides.”

  I squeezed Lianne’s hand, to let her know that was enough.

  Faith looked confused, “Really? When did that happen?”

  I waved, “Just a couple of hours ago, actually. So, I don’t fault you for not knowing it yet.”

  It also wasn’t the first time Nate’s and Zeus’s reputation had painted me unfairly. Usually in the eyes of people that were otherwise good people, so I wasn’t entirely ready to write her off for the mistake. I knew from experience trust could be earned, but I’d rarely ever be trusted at first blush by anyone.

  Even Lianne had been terrified of me, and disbelieving I could ever be interested in her, that first day that we’d met. So it wasn’t unreasonable to take the high road and still give it a chance.

  Faith blushed, “I’m sorry. I’m not that good with people. I mean, I don’t relate to others easily. I know what I look like, and that I should be popular, but I’m really not. My mantle makes me an expert in seduction and persuasion, but I’m pretty dense socially, otherwise, and like most programmers I’m also introverted in situations my mantle doesn’t apply to. I’m much better with code, code makes sense and always does what I expect it to. Anyway, I apologize for jumping to conclusions in my worry.

  “I’m also interested in finding a challenge I can rise to, so if it’s not too late, I’d love to hear about the job?”

  The chef plated our food as I nodded, so we all paused to eat. The silence was a little tense, and her faux paus had temporarily shorted out the chemical attraction we shared, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t still there. Her scent was also full of mortified guilt, and she felt foolish and completely out of her depth. It was an interesting challenge to say the least, but I admired her intelligence and genius, enjoyed her beauty, and the challenge of wooing a woman who was both jaded toward men and socially challenged appealed to me.

  Her vulnerability made me want to fix it, and she was more than alluring enough to make me want to get to know her and if she would fit in.

  “So, in a few months we’re going live with quantum computer implants running an A.I. operating system with magic to stabilize it, power it, and for input output. Mental control, verbal control, and virtual keyboard and mouse control with an augmented reality interface.

  “What we need is a programmer that can help us perfect the A.I.s social interaction routines and guidelines, come up with ideas to expand capability and new functions on a software level, as well as verify all the fixes the A.I. itself already made. You’ll also be provided with an implant of your own, so you can do your own testing, and not just work off my reports and reports from Lianne and from Cerise, our administrator.

  “When that’s done, we’ll still want you working on expanding or upgrading capabilities, and of course security updates and integrating other technologies for it as they come out in the market. Currently it’s capable of connecting to smart phones, internet modems, syncing data, tracking food purchases and inventory, banking, payment systems, locks, car keys, and a number of other things. It will take you a day or two to get up to speed, on where things are now, but it’s all well documented.

  “You’d also be working closely with Cerise. She’s a rogue vampire, my business assistant, and also on a personal side the third member of our triad. Just so you’re aware.”

  Her lips twitched, “You had me at A.I. driven quantum processor, Liam. That’s beyond cutting edge, and it opens up a lot of options and applications that were far too processor intensive to include on any computer but a supercomputer. Like the weather net, for instance, or other highly intensive modeling programs. Astronavigation, real-time analysis of quantum level events, and other applications. University’s will be all over that, ones that spend ridiculous amounts of money for supercomputer time, once you go to production and release.”

  I chuckled, “We don’t have anything like that, yet. We also expect the units will cost about five grand for the typical person. Obviously the more it does adds software cost to the base price, our server version will be about three times that last I checked.”

  She tilted her head, “That’s… really cheap, but a viable quantum processor changes the landscape. Plus, an assistant to take care of all the details. I’d really like the job.”

  I nodded, “We don’t have an office space, so you’d be working in our house, one or the other, in a home office. Lianne and I will be out and about a lot, but Cerise will be there, and you can contact us at any time.”

  She shrugged, “That isn’t a problem. When do you need me?”

  “The implant will be available tomorrow morning.”

  She chewed her lip, “I can do it. I’ll give two weeks’ notice, but you’re right about not being challenged there. I can get my job done there with an hour or two a day, remotely.”

  “If Natasha is fine with that, so am I. I’m also on the board of the foundation.”

  She blushed, “Right.”

  I said, “I’ll have Cerise text you the address and time, also the documents to be filled out. We just need to discuss salary.”

  She blushed harder, and I realized in her excitement to work with an artificial intelligence and a quantum computer, she’d completely forgotten about getting paid.

  “One twenty a year?” she half suggested in question.

  I nodded, “Done. There’ll also be a quarter percent profit sharing, so the company’s success is your success.”

  She bit her lip, “I don’t need the additional motivation to make it all it can be and keep things going and secure, but I’ll take it.”

  I chuckled, “Thirty-three days of personal time off. The equivalent of four weeks’ vacation and a week of sick days, obviously we don’t need the latter, but it seems fair to start off with so much off time since there’s no insurance to worry over either.”

  She nodded, “I understand.”

  “I think that’s about it. So tell us a little about yourself, hobbies, or?”

  She said, “Umm, my hobbies tend to be physically active, since I sit in a chair all day long at work. Dancing obviously, for my mantel?”

  Right, seducing and fucking for her mantel, a club is probably an easy place to pick up guys, especially if she was an introvert and didn’t do well in conversations. I bet her seductions were mostly non-verbal in type.

  She shrugged, “I also like yoga, dirt bikes and four wheeling, skiing, and swimming. Things I can do alone, and the rare times I am dating I like paintball and laser tag, but not so fun when by myself. Rafting too, is only fun in a group.”

  We reciprocated with ours, which I won’t reiterate as it’s been covered already. Except to say they were all outdoors, so at least she was compatible that way. The chemical attraction and sexual interest was back as well, but I wasn’t sure if it was something she’d be willing to act on, and it was too soon to ask with her obvious nervousness and sticking her foot in her mouth earlier.

  There was no rush, she’d accepted the job, and she’d get comfortable working for me and being around me in her own time. Sure, her body was tempting, and her innocent beauty alluring, but I was hardly suffering in want with my two insatiable lovers.

  “Any ambitions, or are you just happy in the trenches. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.”

  She shuddered, “I’m not cut out for management. More than happy writing code, that’s my ambition really. Working on your project will be a dream that way too, I’m the only programmer?”

  I nodded, “The only human one, yes.”

  She giggled in a startled way, “Good point. I can put my A.I. assistant to work. How many testers are there?”

  “Just four. Me, Lianne, Cerise, and you.”

  She made a face, “That’s not good enough. You should have them make twenty more, maybe outfit the council, Mark, and the muses. And umm… three others?”

  I chuckled, “I guess a wider test bed makes sense, we’ll all use it differently?”

  She said, “Exactly, and we’ll still come up with weird and unexpected issues when we sell the first few hundred thousand of them. Some people just… think differently, and there’s always at least one that can break the unbreakable.”

  I nodded.

  Lianne suggested, “Might as well keep it in the same groups, for security and secrecy if nothing else, and add in Vicki, Amelia, Brenna, and Caitria. So that’s twenty-one more, so we don’t leave anyone out.”

  I sighed, and turned to Misty, who was currently leaning against the chair next to Lianne.

  “Order twenty-one more, and work with Cerise on working up a suitable non-disclosure contract.”

  Lianne asked, “You think they’d leak?”

  I shrugged, “Probably not, but making them sign a contract will let them know I’m taking it very seriously. I’d prefer our business partners in the power business not find out about our second business until we’re live. I don’t think they’d betray us either, but they don’t need to know and it’s just good business practice to maintain confidentiality.”

  Faith said, “That’ll work. Wait, were you just talking to your A.I.?”

  I grinned, “Yep.”

  Misty replied, “On it.”

  We wrapped up lunch at that point, she needed to get back to work and put in her notice. We’d skipped the personal side of things but given her personality type I thought it was probably a good thing. Her initial social mistake made it likely that trying would’ve backfired. But there was a lot to admire there, and not just the obvious, as she headed out. For now, we’d just focus on getting to know her.

  Lianne said, “You took that well.”

  I smirked, “I seem to remember you implying I might be less than savory of character the first time we met.”

  Lianne blushed, “Right, I’d forgotten that initial reaction, but she met you before.”

  I shrugged, “In an office environment where she was in her element, and not for very long. We didn’t speak on anything but a business level back then.”

  Lianne sighed, “You’re right, I’ll get over it, and I still kind of like her. So, what’s next?”

  “Cerise wanted me to drop by her office. Not sure what she needs yet.”

  Lianne tilted her head, “Alright. Spend a little time with her in the mansion? I’ve been meaning to pick up a few things.”

  I smirked, “I won’t leave until your back at my side.”

  She grinned, “See that you don’t, sir.”

  I winked, and then teleported home alone, while she went to the store.

  “Sweet nymph.”

  Cerise smiled and got up and rounded her desk, melting into me as she wrapped her arms up and around my neck. I gave her a soft melty kiss.

  “I missed you. Thanks for coming, it’s not that serious, but there’s a small problem. How’d the lunch go?”

  I told her what happened, then added, “But you’ll have some company starting tomorrow when Lianne and I are out and about. What’s the problem?”

  She said, “There’s not any details about you or our company, but there’s a new scientific journal article pertaining to the possibility that magic can be leveraged to stabilize a quantum processor. I think someone at the production facility must’ve leaked, but who knows how much.”

  I frowned, “I didn’t tell them anything, though they guessed magic was involved, after their A.I. found my spell patent. That is annoying, however. Send a message to Georgina, see if she knows anything about it. You missed me?”

  She smiled, “It’s bearable, but yes. Not really like me, I must be getting spoiled.”

  I grinned, and then pulled her a little tighter against me, her C cups crushing against my chest while I squeezed her rounded ass cheeks.

  “So the neediness is special to me?”

  She laughed throatily, “Maybe I just missed the tasty scent.”

  I snorted, “Liar,” I accused fondly.

  She blushed, “I’m too old to pine like some pathetic schoolgirl you know. I really never felt like this before. So give an old woman a break.”

  “Of course, it’s all about the blood then.”

  She winked, “Yes, all about the yummy scent,” she leaned up and sniffed at my neck, then kissed it softly, then my lips.

  I asked, “Got your fix?”

  She smiled, “I think that should tide me over for the workday. I’ll let you know what Georgina says.”

  I winked, “I have about a half hour free, if you think you can fit me in?”

  She giggled, “Oh, sir. I can definitely fit you in, anytime you need me. A good assistant takes care of all of her boss’s needs, sir.” her voice thick with sensuality and innuendo.

  I kissed her deeply, and she moaned into my mouth in delight as I grew hard against her. It was a good day.

  Chapter Three

  Georgina looked apologetic as she walked into the conference room with the three new processors in their tiny static free bags. The only thing she’d told us yesterday was she’d look into the matter. She placed the processors in front of Lianne and I, and Lianne picked them up and cast the verification spell on it before pocketing them.

  “Hi, Georgina.”

  She replied, “Liam, I apologize for the article. Harmony tracked down the leak to one of our night managers, and it was a foolish thing of thoughtlessness and not meant to be an act of corporate espionage, nevertheless he’s been fired.”

  “What were the circumstances?”

  She sighed, “It was back during our retool. He made a thoughtless comment to his younger sister over the phone, that some eccentric guy was throwing away his money on a processer proven unstable over twenty years ago.

  “Harmony didn’t think much of it at the time since there were no details, but it turns out his sister was also going to school for an IT degree and brought it up with her roommate as a throwaway joke. Regardless, eventually it made its way to a witch’s ears who was also in the IT program, and then she went to a professor to suggest it might be possible. Then they wrote the paper.”

  I nodded, “Well, it’s dealt with, and it wasn’t malicious.”

  She said, “The next twenty-one should be ready in a few hours.”

  “That fast?”

  She nodded, “It only took three days because we had to wait for one of the machines to be free. We can do up to ten thousand in a three-hour period.”

  “In total?” That was only eighty thousand a day.

  She blinked, then shook her head, “On one machine. The entire facility could put out one point nine two million a day, on twenty-four fabrication machines and lines. Do you think you’ll need that many and all in one day?”

  That was a lot better, we could only handle about a million a day. Of course, I could always expand the parameters of the field size or build second one.

  “No. If things go as planned then I expect our initial order will be around twenty million, and once the daily sales totals start coming in, we’ll figure out how many a day we need to stay ahead of it. Hopefully that will be enough initial stock since that’s… forty billion dollars outlay. We’ll slowly shrink that buffer down to a hundred thousand if we can and then try to maintain that in the long term.

  “We’ll give you a month to fill that initial order, so that’s two thirds of a million a day, so at least nine machines, but you can make them faster than that if you want to.”

  She sighed, “We can do that, but we’d like at least two weeks’ notice before that month starts.”

  I nodded, “Fair enough.”

  Lianne asked, “With that many on order, can you give us a better price?”

  Georgina nodded slowly, “I’ll look into that and get back to you. Perhaps I’ll have an answer when you come back for the other twenty-one?”

  “Right, see you later this afternoon.”

  We headed out and Lianne started to laugh as soon as we were outside.

  Lianne said in amusement, “Did you see her face, I don’t think she ever expected this to go anywhere, much less at those numbers. I think she had a mini-stroke when you tossed out forty billion.”

  I snickered, “Yeah, well wait until they figure out that they’ll be manufacturing themselves out of business. Well, not really, lots of things require processors from cell phones to cars, but they won’t be making as many desktop computer processors going forward once the market is tapped. Save for all the new customers being born.”

  Lianne nodded, “If we want to dominate the market after the first twenty years, we’ll have to remain the first and the best.”

  I replied, “True. Still, that will be on the magic side if we ever have to upgrade. The processors are fast enough to handle anything, and Faith will have it doing everything it can be doing on the software side. I’m sure she’ll let us know if there’s anything else it can do if only it had this spell etcetera. We’ll keep our eyes open too, on the things coming to market.”

  We teleported home, and we headed down to the warding and setup room in the basement, tossing the three processors on the table.