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  Chapter Three

  Toby

  We’d just moved back into the bedroom when the knocking started. Casey tensed. I was almost positive who it was, so I quickly got dressed. “I’ll take care of it. Take your time.”

  “Thanks.” She started rummaging through my drawers.

  I smiled. I loved how she made herself at home among my stuff. I tore my gaze from her and walked out into the main room. I waited just inside the door. “Who is it?”

  “It’s me. Let me in!” Georgina hollered.

  I opened the door, knowing that making the Laurent matriarch wait any longer than necessary would be a mistake.

  “Finally.” She strode right in. She had no problem taking charge even in my apartment. “Where’s my granddaughter?”

  “How’d you get up here?” I was going to have to double up on the security.

  “Of course the doorman let me up.”

  I refrained from a snappy retort. No member of The Society could say no to Georgina easily. She may have been human, but she was intense.

  “Georgina?” Casey walked out of my room wearing a pair of my gym shorts and a worn-in blue t-shirt. She looked cute, but I knew her grandmother wouldn’t agree.

  “Thank goodness.” Georgina wrapped her up in her arms. The two hugged for several moments before they finally broke apart. When Georgina picked her head up, I even saw tears sliding down her cheeks.

  “You got here fast.” Casey smiled. She already seemed to have developed a bond with her grandmother.

  “I came as soon as I could. I’m still trying to track down someone who knows how to reach Leviathan.”

  “Jared’s the only one who knows.” I’d heard Levi tell Jared not to mention it to anyone else.

  “Jared?” Georgina asked with confusion for a second, and I held in a laugh. “Oh. That’s Jett’s son.”

  “Yes.” Casey wiped her eyes. “But he’s unavailable.”

  “Unavailable.” Georgina set her large handbag down on the side table. “No one is unavailable to me.”

  Casey laughed silently. “He saved me and went back in to get rid of the boss.”

  “The what?”

  Casey and I exchanged a glance. Evidently no one had clued Georgina in. “You’re going to want to sit down for this.”

  “I could also use a cup of tea. You don’t happen to have any do you, Toby?”

  I smiled. She knew my name. “Actually I do. Earl Grey okay?”

  “Yes. That’s perfect.” She patted my arm. “I knew I liked you.”

  I left Casey and her grandmother alone while I went to make the tea. I knew that was what the request was really about. Georgina was good at finding excuses to keep people busy when she needed to.

  I took my time putting on the water. Having Georgina on my side was a good thing. If she wanted me with Casey she’d make things a lot easier for us. While I waited for the water to boil on the stove I started a pot of coffee. Casey would want some.

  I gave the two the space I knew they needed, but it was hard not to listen in. Georgina was worried, and I didn’t blame her. Something just wasn’t right with Casey.

  I tuned in and out of their conversation as I waited, and then the topic seemed to have changed to what had been happening with us. I poured two cups of coffee and the cup of tea for Georgina. I brought the tea and Casey’s cup in first. Casey smiled appreciatively when I set it down on the coffee table in front of her. She was sitting on the couch next to Georgina. I went back for my coffee before taking a seat on the love seat that was catty corner to the couch.

  Georgina turned to me as soon as I was seated. “Tell me more about the boss.”

  I took a sip of coffee. “There isn’t much to tell. No one seems to know who he is.”

  “You really don’t remember anything more, sweetie?” Georgina put a hand on Casey’s arm.

  Sweetie? Georgina really was a softie when it came to Casey.

  “It was all a blur. There was chanting and maybe smoke. It was all so hazy.” Casey bit her lip which made me think she was hiding something. I couldn’t push for more answers in front of Georgina, but she needed to tell me everything.

  “Sounds like quadrious witchcraft.”

  “What?” Casey and I asked at once.

  “It isn’t used much anymore. It’s a much older practice and completely forbidden.”

  “What is it exactly?”

  “It’s a multi-layered type of magic that influences the person both physically and mentally.”

  “Oh. That’s kind of scary.” Casey shifted in her seat.

  “For a Pteron the mental part wouldn’t be an issue.”

  “But the physical part would?” Casey asked quickly.

  “Yes. That’s why it’s been outlawed for well over five hundred years.”

  “So theoretically I could be physically affected by what the boss did?”

  Georgina hesitated for a moment like she was debating what to say. “Yes. Are you feeling any different?”

  “She’s slept a lot.” I offered up.

  “Maybe it was a weakening spell.” Georgina pursed her lips. “But that’s a lot of work for such a small thing. It doesn’t make much sense.”

  “Does anything ever make sense with paranormals?” I leaned back and stretched out my legs. The stress was starting to catch up with me. Well the stress mixed with the knowledge that the magic could have influenced Casey mentally too, but Georgina couldn’t be sure of that yet.

  “You don’t view yourself as a paranormal.” Georgina wasn’t asking a question.

  I chose my words carefully. “I’m a Pteron, I accept that, it’s just that sometimes I miss being human.”

  “You and me both.” Casey’s smile cut through everything and warmed me. She really was the only other person who understood how I felt.

  “I’m surprised you came back here.” Georgina crossed her legs. “You could have run.”

  “And in another life I would have. I would have taken Casey and never looked back, but that would have been cowardly, and it wasn’t what Casey wanted.”

  Casey pulled her legs up under her. It’s how she seemed to be the most comfortable. “I just want everything to go back to normal. If we can just be sure that Vera and Jared are ok, it’s all over.”

  “Do you really believe that?” Georgina’s voice softened as she addressed Casey. “Do you really believe things will settle down that easily?”

  “I take it that you don’t?” I asked. The more time I spent with Georgina, the less intimidated I was. I was beginning to understand the way she thought.

  “Things have been a mess in The Society since I was first introduced to it. In the beginning I actually believed it could change, but now.” She held out her hands. “Now I’ve stopped buying into delusions.”

  “If Casey was influenced by the magic, is there anything we can do to get rid of it?”

  Georgina leaned forward slightly. “You mean for the physical effects?”

  Casey and I exchanged glances. Did Georgina know more than she was letting on?

  “Yes,” I replied.

  “Most of the healers I know wouldn’t have a clue what to do. Even my most trusted healer, Mayanne, couldn’t handle this type of magic.”

  “But there are healers who can?”

  Georgina smoothed out her skirt. “I’ve heard there are bears who can.”

  “Bears?” Casey said the word slowly. “Great.”

  “You are friends with a few, aren’t you?” Georgina asked. “Perhaps they might be of help. Just be careful to only give minimal details and say nothing to anyone but the most trustworthy.” Georgina’s expression seemed slightly off, like she was hiding something. She knew more than she was telling us.

  I nodded. “Of course.”

  “Have you talked to Robert—my father?” Casey seemed to still be struggling with how to view the man who fathered her. I understood. It was a lot to take in.

  “No.” Georgina shook her he
ad. “I didn’t want to tell you this, but I think it’s time we all put our cards on the table.”

  Casey moved over to sit next to me. I took her hand in mine. I felt a burst of contentment knowing she came to me for support.

  Georgina smiled lightly. She’d noticed, and if I wasn’t imagining things, she approved of Casey’s faith in me.

  “What is it? What do you know?” I asked her.

  Georgina sighed. “Robert never came back from Hawaii after the wedding.”

  “Never came back?” I sat forward.

  She shook her head. “Helen flew back with me, but Robert took off on his own. He said something about meeting someone, but he’s never returned.”

  “Can’t you track the jet?” Casey asked.

  “No. We always stay off the radar. That’s how Levi was able to hide where he was going too.” She took a slow sip of her tea. “I don’t know what to think now. Helen is beside herself. Of all times for Leviathan to be away.”

  Casey moved back over to sit next to her grandmother. “Georgina, you must be so worried. I’m so sorry.”

  Georgina nodded. “I’m just glad you’re all right. When I thought we’d lost you…” She wiped her eyes.

  “I’m fine. Toby and Jared came to save me.”

  “We need to get you down to New Orleans. Word’s spread about what happened after the wedding. We need to show everyone that you’re fine, and that things will return back to normal.”

  “Why does everything have to be so much about appearances?” Casey sighed. “Who cares?”

  Georgina took her hands. “You’re part of a royal family, Casey. Appearance matters because it’s what maintains control. If we let people know how chaotic things are, there will be hysteria and upheaval. It’s okay to be frightened and angry and any of the feelings you have, but you can’t show them. You have to stay strong. We have to stay united.” Georgina’s eyes lit up. “Wait. That’s it. It’s perfect.”

  “What is?” I asked. What could possibly be perfect?

  “You two.”

  “Us?” Casey asked.

  “Yes. You two. As a couple.”

  “But how?” My mind moved a mile a minute. What was she suggesting? “We’re both Pterons.”

  “Yeah? I already told you the rules are hogwash.”

  “When did you say that?” Casey asked.

  “I told him.” She nodded toward me. “Anyway, what could be stronger than a union between two of the strongest ranking Pteron families?”

  “You want us to go public?”

  “Go public?” She raised an eyebrow. “As if you weren’t before?”

  “Won’t people complain about the taboo?”

  “Who cares if they do? That will only cause more of a distraction. No one will talk about the bear uprising if they’re focused on the star-crossed lovers.”

  “I thought we symbolized unity? Now we’re star-crossed?” I was admittedly confused with her line of thinking.

  “I’ll figure out the details, it’s not a problem. I just need you both in New Orleans. And you need to get your ring.” She turned her own ring around her finger. It was covered in rubies and nearly, if not completely, identical to the one that Allie now wore.

  “My ring?” I asked. “As in the ring?”

  “Yes. Make the proposal epic, Toby. The entire Society will be watching.”

  “Proposal?” Casey sat up with a start. “We’re not there yet.”

  “Yes you are.” With that Georgina stood up. “I know you’re still hiding things from me, and I expect you to spill them, but we have plans to make.”

  Casey and I exchanged a look. Did Georgina know? For an agonizing second I debated telling her to stop and spilling everything, but it wasn’t my secret to tell. It was Casey’s.

  Georgina headed to the door and then stopped suddenly and walked back. She pulled Casey into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I can’t wait for you to come home.” Georgina kissed her on the cheek. “Family is important. It’s where you should look for answers.” She walked back to the door. “I’ll see you both soon.”

  After she walked out, I closed and locked the door behind her. “So, that was crazy.”

  “The part about Robert being missing or the part about our fake engagement? Or maybe the part when she hinted that she knew about my mom?”

  “Fake engagement?” I pulled Casey into my arms. “I’m only proposing to you if it’s real. Don’t worry about that.”

  “But we’re not ready to make that kind of commitment, are we?”

  “Just trust me, Casey. I’m never making any declarations about you, me, or us, that aren’t real.”

  She brushed her lips against mine. “Like I said before, you’re too good to be true.”

  “Same to you, love. Same to you.”

  Chapter Four

  Jared

  “Fuck.” That was becoming the most used word in my vocabulary. Nothing else sufficed in my current situation.

  I was stuck in a cave—let’s rephrase that. I was stuck in a small room inside a cave. It was more than the lack of space causing the problems, it was that witch who made it impossible for me to transform. The place was so completely dark my night vision didn’t even work. Because that wasn’t enough, I was naked. Completely naked. I’d taken my shirt off willingly, but I hadn’t signed up to have a crazy witch rip off my pants and boxers while leaving me incapacitated by some spell. Fortunately witches couldn’t influence Pteron minds, but evidently there were some that could stop you from transforming and weaken you. I’d never heard of it before, but I wasn’t a fan. I wasn’t a fan at all. On top of all that she’d chained me to the damned wall.

  I had to get out. I had to get word to Levi. If Tiffany was telling the truth, he and Allie weren’t even going to make it home. And Casey? Tiffany had screwed with her mind. Who knew what kind of trouble she could be in?

  “Miss me?”

  I cringed as soon as I heard Tiffany’s voice. How had I believed she was a sweet girl too innocent for me to even touch? Talk about completely misjudging someone. I never misjudged people. It was my job to know who and what everyone was. Had she really been there under my nose for so long without me noticing? Owen had always warned me that I became blind around a nice rack and blonde hair. Unfortunately it looked like he was right. If I ever got out, I was sticking to brunettes and red heads.

  I blinked a few times as my eyes adjusted to the light she carried. “What do you think?”

  She laughed in a forced way. “Oh, Jared. I don’t see why you’re playing so hard to get.”

  “I’m not playing anything.” I glared at her. “These aren’t exactly wonderful accommodations.”

  “They’re not?” She stepped toward me. “What would you prefer? Certainly not a bed. The word on campus is you like it hard, rough, and anything but romantic.” She stopped right in front of me. “Certainly a guy like that wouldn’t mind a cave wall.”

  “We’re not talking about how I like to fuck.”

  She grinned. “We aren’t?”

  “No.”

  “But isn’t that all you think about?”

  “You know as well as I do that that isn’t true.”

  She laughed again. “Of course it is. It’s the only thing you’re good at.”

  “Is that so? Then why are you keeping me here? If I’m so worthless what can I possibly do if you let me go?”

  “I didn’t say you were worthless.” She grabbed my balls.

  I groaned, and not in the good way.

  “People listen to you. That’s enough of a reason to keep you here.”

  “How’d you become such a bitch? Is there a class for it or something?” That was the wrong thing to say. She tightened her grip.

  “Were you saying something?”

  I closed my eyes. “Ok. Truce.”

  “Truce? There are no truces here.” She let go.

  “Are you so power
hungry that you’ll destroy innocent people? Kill innocent people?”

  “Who’s innocent in any of this?” She stepped back and crossed her arms.

  “Allie. What did Allie ever do to you?”

  “Nothing. She’s always been nice, but queen. She lost the innocent label the day she took the crown.”

  “That’s bullshit.”

  “Is it?” She brushed several blond curls off her shoulder.

  “Yes.”

  “She took her place willingly in the end. Don’t bother denying it. She told me.”

  “She told you because you lied to her. She thought she could trust you.”

  “Her trust in me has nothing to do with her decision to become queen. She made her own choice, and she will pay the price for that decision.”

  “She made the choice because she loves Levi.” I wasn’t one to glorify love, but what Allie and Levi had was real. She didn’t really have a choice.

  “Love?” She laughed. “Do you even know what that word means?”

  “Maybe.” I knew it when I saw it, like with Allie and Levi, but it wasn’t something I could define, nor something that ever seemed worth worrying about.

  “No you don’t.” She shook her head. “Love doesn’t exist.”

  “Man, who hurt you?” I needed to keep her talking. Everyone had a weakness, and I had a feeling I’d just found hers.

  “Can I show you something, Jared?”

  “Do I really have a choice?” I wasn’t really in the position to negotiate.

  “For this you do.”

  “Why for this?” I tugged against the chains again even though I knew it wouldn’t do anything. Whatever magic she’d used had weakened me. I hadn’t even known what weakness felt like before.

  “Because I say so.”

  “Lovely.”

  “So what will it be? Want to see something?” Her eyes twinkled. She was entirely too excited about this.

  “Sure.” I was chained naked to a wall. She might say I had a choice, but we both knew I didn’t have one.

  “Keep your eyes open.”

  “Okay…”

  There was a strange buzzing and haze, like a shifter was shifting. I watched, half expecting her to change into an animal, but instead in Tiffany’s place was a woman at least thirty years older. Instead of curly blonde hair, it was short with a spattering of gray hair.