“That’s beside the point. So can we just chat in the A.M.?”
He slipped in through the window to stand next to me. Some people think cats are super graceful. Those people have never seen Greyson move. “Can’t wait until morning.”
“No? Why? What’s going on?”
He sighed. “There’s a bridal shop in town. Ever After. This evening, an hour before closing, all the wedding dresses turned black.”
I dropped my arms. “Oh, that’s awful.”
He nodded. “Corette, the woman who owns the shop, isn’t happy. She’s a witch, and nothing she’s tried has made the dresses right again. Also, she’s engaged to Stanhill, the middle Ellingham brother’s rook, so this situation just got escalated.”
I shrugged. I had no idea what a rook was, but that was beside the point. “I’m still not sure why you’re here.”
His eyes narrowed. “Because Hugh Ellingham would like to see you.”
I pushed my hair off my face. “Fine. Tell him to call my office in the morning, and I’ll—”
“No, he’d like to see you now.”
Realization struck me. “He sent you to bring me back.”
Greyson nodded. “Yes.”
“How does he know that I might have something to do with the black dresses?”
Greyson pursed his mouth and glanced at the ceiling.
“You told him about me, didn’t you?” I put my hands on my hips. “I was in bed.”
“I’m sorry.” Greyson slipped his hands into my hair, took a step toward me and kissed me. I tried to protest, but just for a second. His mouth was weapons-grade hot.
When I started kissing him back, I felt his mouth curve into a smile and he broke the kiss. “Get some clothes on, lass.”
“Kissing me doesn’t make this summons any better.”
He raised a brow. “Not even a little bit?”
It did. But I wasn’t telling him that. I swept away toward the bedroom. “You owe me big-time.”
“Duly noted,” he called back.
I threw on jeans, a tank top and flip-flops. I wasn’t interested in impressing anyone at this hour, and like Cooper had reminded me earlier, I was royalty. The Ellinghams might own this town, but my uncle controlled Christmas and my father could arrange for snow to bury the whole town, so these vampires had better remember who they were dealing with. Not that I was inclined to call in those kinds of favors, but I could. And that had to count for something. I put on my diamond-stud earrings—a college graduation present from my parents—for good measure.
I grabbed my purse and walked out, picking up the shopping bag with the box in it on my way past the coffee table. “Are you driving?”
“Happy to, yes.”
“All right, let’s go.” I stepped toward the door as Greyson stepped toward the window. “Whoa. Do you think we’re jumping off the fire escape again?”
“I am parked right outside.”
I sighed. We’d done that only once, but I hadn’t known that’s what we’d been about to do either. It had been sort of fun (terrifying, but better once my feet touched ground), but to do it deliberately was something else.
He crooked his finger at me and smiled. “I can make it so you don’t notice a thing.”
Reluctantly, I walked toward him. “How’s that?”
“You’ll see.” He slipped back onto the fire escape.
I joined him out there and pulled the window shut. It wasn’t locked, but I wasn’t worried about that. “Okay, what are you going to do?”
He put his arms around me, still grinning like a fool, and pulled me against him so that there was no gap between us. No gap.
Then he kissed me again. I let him. It was the least he could do for interrupting my bedtime. Also, he was a tremendous kisser.
My head went all fizzy, and my stomach followed with a kind of light, floaty feeling.
Then he pulled back. “See?”
“See what?”
He released me to spread his arms wide. “We’re not on the fire escape anymore.”
I looked around. We were on the sidewalk outside the warehouse door and next to a sleek black muscle car. I hooked my thumb at it. “This yours?”
“Yes.” Pride gleamed in his eyes.
“What is it exactly?”
He ran his hand along the side with the same kind of touch I imagined he’d use on a woman. “A 1969 Camaro.”
“I suppose now you’re going to tell me how it’s got four on the floor or a super shifter or some other mechanical thing that I don’t understand.”
He laughed softly. “I don’t know a thing about cars, except that this one is exceptionally good-looking, very fast, and incredibly fun to drive.” He strode around to the passenger’s side. “Now, if you’d be so kind as to get in. There’s another vampire who’d very much like the pleasure of your company.”
I can’t lie. Hugh Ellingham’s house was impressive, but getting to see a magazine-worthy house didn’t make up for missing out on sleep. I could be a little cranky when I was tired. In case you hadn’t noticed.
At least the ride over had been fun. Greyson hadn’t been lying when he’d said his car went fast.
An older, silver-haired gentleman let us in. “Very good, you’re here.” He nodded at Greyson. “Mr. Garrett.”
Greyson nodded back. “Stanhill, this is Jayne Frost. The Winter Princess.”
Stanhill sketched a bow, which was unexpected and nice. Although unnecessary.
“Pleased you could join us, Your Highness.”
I smirked. “You make it sound like I had a choice. And just Jayne, please.”
Greyson made a little noise in his throat that sounded like a warning. I didn’t want to get him in trouble, but I wasn’t going to be a wilting flower, either. I had the Frost name to protect, after all.
Stanhill held out his hand toward the house behind him. “Mr. Ellingham is in the library. If you’ll just follow me.”
And we did, because what choice did we have? But meeting in a library didn’t sound so bad. Especially because you were supposed to be quiet in a library. So, you know, no yelling.
The room was impressive. And loaded with books, which was cool, but I was more of an e-book girl myself, now that I was in a place where electronics worked.
The man I assumed to be Hugh Ellingham walked toward us. He was dark-haired and not unattractive, but he was as reserved as Greyson was wild. Even at this late hour, he was in a suit and tie. Or maybe that was because of our meeting. I couldn’t be sure.
I already knew he was a vampire, but even if I hadn’t, I would have been a little intimidated by him. There was a sense of power about him. And the kind of assurance that came from having had that power for a long time.
My father was the same way. Had the same air about him. But my father was Jack Frost, the Winter King. And as far as I was concerned, this guy was just a vampire with money. I lifted my chin. “You must be Hugh Ellingham.”
He smiled and didn’t seem nearly as intimidating. “I am. And you must be Princess Jayne.”
“Just Jayne, please.”
“And you may call me Hugh.” He gestured toward one of the long leather couches. “Please sit. Can I get you anything? Coffee? Water?”
“No, I’m fine. Thank you.” I sat, and Greyson joined me on the next cushion.
Hugh took the chair closest. “I’m very sorry to disturb you at such a late hour, but we have a situation on our hands.”
I nodded. “I heard about the wedding dresses.”
Stanhill, who’d taken up a post by the door, snorted. “It looks like a bleedin’ funeral in Corette’s shop.”
I looked at him. “I can imagine.”
“Yes,” Hugh said. “And you need to fix it.”
“Me?” I stared at him, happy I’d left the box in the car. “I’m not responsible for this.”
“We know about the incident with the item you purchased at the Greshams’ estate sale.”
I turn
ed to Greyson. “I suppose you told them.”
He had the decency to look apologetic. “Things are happening in town. People want to know why.”
“How do you know it’s not just this town’s general weirdness?”
Hugh cleared his throat. “I don’t think so.”
“But how do you know? I get that there could be a connection, but I’m not sure how you can know.”
He glanced at Stanhill. “If you would.”
Stanhill nodded. “Right away.” He left.
I had no idea what that was about. “All I’m saying is we don’t really know what’s causing this. And even if it is the box, I have no idea what was in it or how to put it. The most I’ve been able to find out so far is that it’s most likely a jinn-related creature. That’s it.” I didn’t like being on the hook for this. All I’d done was some shopping! And the Greshams were really the ones to blame.
Stanhill returned with a silver tray bearing a corked bottle of dark liquid and a short drinking glass. He set the tray on the table in front of us.
“Thank you,” Hugh said.
Stanhill returned to his spot by the door.
Hugh uncorked the bottle and poured some of the dark liquid into the glass. I knew right away what it was. I could tell by the color and the bubbles and the unmistakable smell.
He pushed the glass toward me. “Can you tell me what that is?”
“I can do that without tasting it. But I will.” I took a sip. “It’s my favorite drink. Dr Pepper. But it’s…off somehow. Too sweet. And for me, that’s saying something.”
Hugh’s expression turned smug. “Then I believe we have our proof, Miss Frost.”
“How so?”
His smugness disappeared, replaced by a look of sadness. “Because that beverage you just tasted is actually a sample taken from our beautiful falls.” He gestured at the bottle. “About the same time Corette’s wedding dresses turned black, the water flowing from the mouth of the falls turned into this.”
I grimaced. “Are you telling me this Dr Pepper might have had fish in it? Or frogs?” I didn’t really want to think about the grossness factor.
“Miss Frost, what I’m telling you is that there is clearly a connection to whatever you released from that box and what is happening in town. Now, any of us could have released this magic just as easily, so it’s not as though we’re trying to place blame or take punitive measures. This was obviously an unfortunate, supernatural accident. We simply want your help in solving this problem as quickly as possible.”
I sighed. “I’d be happy to help. But I don’t know anything more about this than you do.”
Greyson nudged me. “You could show them the box.”
Hugh nodded. “That could be useful.”
I glanced at Greyson. “I guess you should give me the keys.”
He stood. “No need. I’ll fetch the box.” He looked at Hugh. “Be right back.”
As he left, Hugh smiled tightly. “I am sorry we had to meet this way. I had planned to invite you to a dinner party and welcome you properly, but with my wife being pregnant, things have been a little off schedule lately.”
“Did I hear my name?” A pretty woman with an obvious baby bump walked through the door. She approached me, hand out. “Hi, I’m Delaney. You must be Jayne Frost. It’s such a pleasure having the Winter Princess in our home.”
I stood and shook her hand. “Delaney? As in Delaney’s Delectables?”
“That’s me.” She peered down at the table. “And I can see that neither my husband or Stanhill have bothered to offer you anything decent.”
“No, they did, but I declined.”
She smiled. “But that was probably before you knew what I have in the kitchen.”
This was Delaney. From Delaney’s Delectables. My favorite sweet shop in town. Possibly my favorite sweet shop ever. I wasn’t stupid. “And what might that be?”
She started ticking things off on her fingers. “Chocolate-drizzled raspberry crumble bars, mocha marshmallow brownies and butterscotch brown butter blondies.” She shrugged. “I’ve been on a bar cookie binge.”
My mouth came open, and my stomach growled in response. “Oh my.”
Delaney grinned. “Tell you what. I’ll fix you up a little sampler plate, how’s that?”
“Sounds perfect.” I smiled back, no longer sore about being kept from my beauty sleep. “Thank you. I love your store, by the way. Your stuff is amazing. I buy a big box of goodies every week for the employee break room. And a box for myself,” I added a little sheepishly. “Winter elves love sugar.”
“Excellent.” Delaney’s grin widened, and she looked at her husband. “I hope you’re being nice to Jayne. We need more winter elves in town.”
He nodded as Greyson came back in, bag in hand. “Yes, my love, I’m being nice. I promise.”
“Good,” she said. Then she turned to me. “I’ll be right back with that plate.”
“I’ll help you, miss,” Stanhill said.
She left with Stanhill, and Greyson handed the bag to me. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.” I took the box and lid out and set them on the table beside the tray of undomesticated Dr Pepper. “This is the box that held whatever’s causing this mess.”
Hugh reached for it, but asked, “May I?”
“Of course.”
He picked it up and turned it over in his hands. “No markings that I can see.”
“I didn’t find anything written on it either.”
He lifted it and gave it a sniff, then wrinkled his nose.
“You smell something?”
He nodded, then took a second, longer sniff. “Magic. But that’s as far as my skills can take me. This needs another opinion. From someone far more educated on the subject.”
I was about to fill him in on what Imari had told me when Delaney came back with Stanhill. She was carrying a small stack of plates, and he was carrying a large serving platter heaped with goodies that included far more than just the three types of bar cookies she’d described earlier. I saw truffles and fudge and at least three other kinds of regular cookies. Including chocolate chip and sugar.
My little sugar-fueled heart nearly broke with joy. But I reminded myself that the reason I was here wasn’t to stuff myself silly. At least not immediately. “I’ve already shown the box to a woman named Imari. She’s a genie. Or was. Not entirely sure what she does now.”
“She’s a massage therapist at the Nocturne Falls Spa.” Delaney put the napkins and small plates on the coffee table, then moved the tray with the bottle of magical Dr Pepper off to the side, making room for the platter of goodies. “I see her once a month for a massage. She’s a lovely woman, but I didn’t know she’s a genie.”
Stanhill put the platter down, took a brownie for himself on a napkin and went back to his spot by the door.
I was itching to load one of those little plates up. I didn’t. But I wanted to.
Thankfully, Hugh took a plate and put a few cookies on it, breaking the ice. “She keeps pretty quiet about that. Retired genies tend to be very secretive so as not to be hounded for their wishes.”
I finally reached for a plate. “I can understand that.” One brownie, one blondie, one sugar cookie and two truffles. About a third of what I actually wanted, but a good start. “Anyway, she didn’t know what was in the box either, other than a jinn-related creature who could have some naughty tendencies. Do you have someone else in mind that might be able to help?”
Delaney sat on the arm of Hugh’s chair. “What about Pandora? Or Corette? Or any of the Williams girls? They’re all strong witches.”
“True,” Hugh said. “But Corette already did her best to return the wedding dresses to their natural state and had no luck. This magic feels beyond their reach.”
“Agreed,” Greyson said. “Might I have a look at the box?”
Hugh handed it over. “You think it might be something older, don’t you?”
Before Greyson answe
red, he lifted the box to his nose the same as Hugh had done. “I do. Especially if this Imari thinks it’s jinn-related.”
“Roma?” Hugh asked.
“Could be a Gypsy spell, but it’s not one I’m familiar with.” Greyson looked up. “It’s old. And even if Imari said she didn’t know exactly what it was, I agree with her assessment that it’s something from the jinn family.”
“What makes you think that?” Imari hadn’t said, which made me wonder if she’d known more than she’d let on. Maybe she’d thought it would reflect badly on her. Or maybe she just hadn’t known.
He rubbed his finger on the inside of the box, then held it up. Iridescent green shimmered on his fingertip like leftover Christmas glitter. “All jinn leave a trace like this behind. Genies, pixies, sprites, imps, ghouls, you name it. It’s the residue of their magic.”
Hugh blinked. “That’s very helpful, Greyson. I had no idea you were so well versed in these types of supernaturals.”
“The Roma are very careful when it comes to things in the spirit world.”
“I see,” Hugh said. “Anything else you can share with us?”
Greyson took a napkin and wiped his finger off, leaving a shiny green streak on the white paper. “Whatever it is, it’s young and playful and mischievous. And probably a little angry from being cooped up.”
I nodded. “That mostly jives with what Imari said too. How do you know that?”
“The residue is green. If it had been blue or yellow, we probably wouldn’t have had a single thing happen in town. But we should be very glad it wasn’t red. Red is the worst.”
“That’s something, then, I guess.” But I wasn’t feeling very encouraged by his information. Mischievous and angry wasn’t good. As we’d already been shown. “How are we going to figure out what this thing is and how to deal with it? Birdie Caruthers is trying to get me an appointment to see Francine Gresham, the woman who originally owned this box, but apparently she’s not big on visitors.”
Hugh’s brows lifted. “Francine Gresham owned this box?”
“Yes. Do you know her?”
His mouth bent like he’d just tasted something sour. “After a fashion. And no, she’s not big on visitors.” He thought for a moment. “It pains me to say this, but I might know someone who can help. And as much as I hate to be beholden to her for anything, I don’t think we have a choice. I can’t have Dr Pepper flowing over the falls. We need that water clean and available, or the town runs the risk of being discovered. I have to go to the source.”
Miss Frost Ices The Imp: A Nocturne Falls Mystery (Jayne Frost Book 2) Page 7
