Ares drummed his fingers at the phone rang on the other end. He remembered the good old days, when messages were sent by trusted couriers and not by these telephones that were rarely picked up on the first ring.

“When I become Prince, I am going to outlaw phones first and computers second," he muttered to himself.

The fourth ring got the results he wanted, “What?” Xena’s voice a slightly shaky.

“How’s the book coming along?”

Silence, then a reply, “It’s a long read. Give me a couple of months.”

“I have friends who want to borrow this book, read faster." Ares leaned back in his chair.

“If I read too fast, I may damage the book. Pages could fall out,” her voice dropped to a whisper, “The spine may be broken.”

“It can be rebound.”

There was empty air.

“I want the book in two weeks,” Ares growled and set down the receiver. Xena wasn’t toeing the party line like she used to.

She needed to be corrected.

Ares snapped his fingers. Draco stepped into the office and nodded.

“Bring me Discord. Tell her that I have a job for her and her talents. Be here in three evenings.”

Let Xena cavort with her little friend, let her think she’s won. Then I will remind her of her place, he smiled as he stood up. Leaning against the glass, he watched the club writhe under him.