*Note- This story is part of a series.
1. PsiCATs: Cale
2. PsiCATs: Olivia
3. PsiCATs: Tessa
4. PsiCATs: Wren
5. PsiCATs: Hunter
PsiCATs: Wren
By: Chrystal Wynd
"Wren, the 5 o'clock is here."
The young, dark-haired woman nodded, her Asian features serious. "Thank you, Anna," she said. "Send in Jenny, please."
Jenny walked in moments later. "Yes, Wren?" said the blonde girl, her voice barely a whisper.
"Mister J is here, Jenny," said Wren, "and Opal has the flu. I need you to take care of Mister J today."
"Oh!" said Jenny. "But, Wren, he likes it rough! You know I'm no good at that!"
"You'll do fine, Jenny," said Wren. She caught Jenny's eyes and held her gaze. Then Wren's eyes narrowed in concentration. "You're going to make me proud, aren't you?"
Jenny's eyes widened for a moment. Then her shoulders squared and her facial expression shifted.
"Of course I will, Wren," she said.
"Hello?" said a man's voice. "Anna said I should come in here."
"Indeed, Mister J," said Wren, taking the man's arm and walking him into the den. "I'm sure you heard about poor Opal coming down with the flu, but Jenny here jumped at the chance to step in."
"Jenny?" said the man, sounding doubtful.
"The name is Jennifer," said the girl, "and it's Miss."
"Oh!" said the man. "Well, I'm pleased to-"
"Did I ask you?"
"Well...no..."
"Correct," said Jenny. She turned to Wren. "I'm going to take this little boy to the suite. He needs to learn some manners."
"Oh, indubitably," said Wren. She looked at the man. "Mister J...I'm sure you'll be pleased with Miss Jennifer. And do try to learn some manners. Miss Jennifer can be a fright when she's upset."
Mister J appeared to barely hear Wren as he scurried down the hall behind Jenny.
Wren watched them walk away. Then she sat down and rubbed her temples.
"You all right, boss?"
Wren glanced up, then nodded at Anna. "Yes, I'm fine," she said. "With Opal down and Betsy visiting her mother, I've had to push Jenny three times today, and it's given me a headache. Unfortunately, she's a moron, and that makes it harder."
"Awww, be nice, boss," said Anna. "She's a sweetie."
"I agree she's adorable with it," said Wren, "and she's also the only natural blonde I've got at the moment. That doesn't make her any brighter, however."
"Are you sure you're not pushing things too hard, boss?" asked Anna. "You've been doing this a lot lately."
"We've only been in business for a couple months," said Wren. "I can slow down once we have an established customer base."
A voice sounded from the doorway. "You should listen to Anna," said the voice. "You have too many customers."
Wren glanced up. "Hello, Pixie. Hello, Jasmin," she said. "What brings you to our fine establishment?"
Pixie smiled, although her heavily rouged cheeks barely moved. "Fine establishment? Don't make me laugh. I've been in higher-class trailer parks."
"Sticks and stones, sweetie," said Wren. "Our customers don't seem to mind."
"Yeah, well, that's why we're here," said Pixie. "You're cutting into our profits. You need to close up."
"Here we go again," said Wren. "With all that money you're making from guys doing your backdoor, I'm surprised your profits are suffering, Pixie. You're only losing customers to me because we offer better services." She looked Pixie and Jasmin up and down. "Better everything, actually."
Pixie's face darkened. "Don't be funny. You know damn well I don't take it up the ass. And you're making a bad mistake, Wren. You haven't been in this business long enough to understand how things work around here."
Wren rolled her eyes. "You're...what, twenty-six, Pixie? You're one year older than me. That hardly qualifies you as wiser."
The girl with Pixie drew out an object. She pushed a button and a blade popped out with an ominous *click*. "C'mon, Pixie!" said the younger girl. "Let me cut her a good one."
Wren shook her head. "You're kidding, right? Look, kid-"
"I'm not a kid," said Jasmin. "I'm nineteen years old."
"Whatever," said Wren. "Pixie, call off your yappy little dog before things get ugly."
"Not this time, Wren," said Pixie. "You need to learn a lesson, and we're going to teach it to you today."
Wren sighed. "I wish you wouldn't do this, Pixie," she said. "It can't end well for you."
Wren leaped backward as Jasmin suddenly stepped forward and slashed an arc at the dark-haired girl. Wren back-peddled then as Jasmin moved toward her.
"Take care of her, Jasmin" said Pixie. "I've got Anna."
Anna ran around the table. Pixie started to give chase, then stopped when she heard a thump. When Pixie turned, she realized Jasmin was on the ground, apparently dazed.
"What the hell...?" said Pixie.
"I warned you that was stupid," said Wren. "Now we have to get ugly."
"Don't do anything stupid, Wren," said Pixie, splitting her attention between Wren and Anna. "I tried to tell you you were making things hard on yourself."
"I wasn't the one who needed the warning," said Wren. Then her eyes narrowed in concentration.
"What are you...you..." Pixie's voice faded as her eyes glazed over.
Wren looked at the dazed Pixie, then at the equally dazed Jasmin.
"All right, Anna," said Wren. "Go get some supplies...you know what kind I need. Also, call Trace and tell her to get here fast with enough supplies for two tattoos."