“I had company.” I decided to let him draw his own conclusions and eyed Alex over Levi’s head, giving his stare right back to him. Levi turned around to see what held my attention.
Scowling, Levi drew in a breath. He evidently thought my lunch was with Alex, and I decided not to correct his assumption.
“Do you want to hang out tonight?”
“No, thanks.” I turned to head into the office.
A hand on my shoulder made me jump. I had expected Levi to take the hint and leave, not follow me back. Obviously, I was delusional. This was Levi.
“Am I missing something? What’s up?”
“You’re not actually allowed back here you know.”
Ignoring my statement, he asked again. “Why don’t you want to hang out? I thought you had fun yesterday.”
“Yeah, it was fun. But that doesn’t mean I want to hang out every night.”
“Okay, what happened? Is it him?” Levi asked pointing at Alex.
“No!”
Levi visibly relaxed. “Then what is it?”
“Why does there have to be a reason? Is it that impossible to believe that I’m not interested?”
“You are interested. Don’t bother to deny it. You weren’t faking it on the beach.”
“Could you lower your voice?” I hissed, wishing that Levi could be more discreet.
“Wait, this isn’t about this morning is it?”
“Well...”
“Oh, I can explain that. I told you I work for my dad, those men I was with are his advisors. I figured you didn’t need to meet them.”
“Oh…” I felt lame for caring so much but I wasn’t really ready to accept such a flimsy excuse. Still, I certainly wasn’t going to let him know that it bothered me.
“But wow, I’m flattered that it got to you.”
“Don’t push it,” I warned.
“So… tonight?”
I crossed my arms, trying to disguise my hurt with anger. “No thanks.”
“Wait, I thought we cleared everything up?”
“It doesn’t really matter. I still don’t feel like going out.”
“Then we can stay in... I can bring over some DVDs, or we could order something.”
“You want to stay in and watch a movie?”
“Sure, why not? Besides, it’s a good excuse to get into your room.” He grinned slyly.
“As tempting as it sounds, I’m going to pass.”
He sighed in frustration. “Okay, then what are you doing tomorrow morning?”
“I’m working…”
“Could you get out of it?”
“Depends on what for.” Despite myself, I was intrigued.
“It’s another surprise, but this time wear jeans and tennis shoes.”
“Where would we go that I would need those?”
“You’ll see.” Kissing me on the cheek, he left without waiting for my answer. I wondered what I had gotten myself into.
***
I might have agreed to spend the next day with Levi, but my curiosity wasn’t satisfied. I now knew that he wasn’t quite human, but he still hadn’t mentioned anything about the hotel. Between the lack of information and the way he blew me off, I needed answers. So far, everything about the Pterons seemed amazing, but a part of me feared he was still hiding something.
Getting into the elevator to head up to my room, I pushed the button for the basement, but like Billy had explained it did nothing. I didn’t know much about elevators, but there was definitely a slot for a key card. Maybe you needed a card to gain access. I figured Dad could get me that access if I wanted. I gave him a call when I reached my room.
“Why would you need to get down there?” Dad asked. I could barely hear him over the loud voices in the background. Then I heard a door slam and it got quiet.
“Oh, I’m just trying to learn the lay of the building. You know, get a better grasp of the property.”
“Oh, that’s terrific honey. It’s so nice to hear you interested in what I do.”
I rolled my eyes, glad he couldn’t see. Like this was something he actually did.
“So, can you get me access or what?”
“Sure. I’ll call the head of security and get you cleared for a master card. Just give it a few minutes and go to the desk and make a new card, okay?”
“Thanks Dad. You can get back to whatever it was you were doing.”
“I’m at a function, sweetie. Take care of yourself and I’ll get back to New Orleans as soon as I can.”
I waited a half-hour for good measure before heading down to the front desk. Adie was working and I noticed her eyeing me as I made the card.
“Is there a problem with your room key?” she asked suspiciously.
“Eh, no. I just need to be able to check something out for my dad,” I muttered as I finished up. “Have a nice night,” I called and waved as I walked away towards the elevator. Fortunately, the elevator was empty when it opened.
I inserted the key card, and pressed the basement button. This time it lit up. “Okay, that was easy,” I said to myself as the elevator descended. Considering how easy it was to figure out, I started to feel silly for even bothering to snoop.
The elevator doors opened into pitch-blackness. I hadn’t even considered bringing a flashlight. I reached for my phone in my back pocket. Using the illumination from the screen, I stepped out and heard the elevator doors slam closed behind me.
Barely able to see a foot ahead of me, I inched forward, reaching a hand out before me to brace myself. Before long, my palm hit onto to something hard and cold. I realized it was a door. Using the light from the phone to search for the handle, I yanked the door open, half expecting it to be locked. It wasn’t, and light flooded through the doorway.
I felt the wings before I saw them, but it was the sight of so many black birds that made me jump. As the flapping died down, I moved through the doorway and turned around. Lanterns lit the interior space beyond the door and I watched five crows facing me from the side of the door I had just been on. Levi had told me they were originally crow shifters, but these birds in front of me seemed creepier than the Pterons. I wondered if Levi could communicate with the regular birds. I’d have to ask him. That is if I made it through my search of the basement first.
Letting the door close behind me, I tentatively stepped forward again, but I was distracted by the rich marble floors and walls around me. Detailed carvings that looked a lot like hieroglyphics were etched into the marble slab. In the dim light I made out a bunch of different animals, but most of the pictures were of birds.
I wrapped my arms around myself. Now that I could see, I realized just how cold it was. I walked down the corridor, a little spooked by the flickering lights of the lanterns. I noticed a number of doors ahead of me. Selecting the nearest one, I opened it, relieved that the lighting continued.
Entering the large circular room with rows of stone seating built into the side, I was struck most by carvings of two large birds on the marble floor. Rubies were inlaid in the pictures, giving the birds a majestic feel. I’d never seen gems used in flooring before, but it was gorgeous.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
I startled, turning around to face the source of the female voice.
“Natalie, umm hi,” I stuttered.
“I’d ask you why you were down here, but really it was bound to happen with you dating Levi and all.”
“You know Levi?”
She smiled. “Yes, I know Levi.”
“Wait, so are you a—”
“Yes, I’m a Pteron. I had a feeling he let you in on the secret, but I wasn’t sure.”
“Wow. Umm, so I’m guessing this whole place down here has something to do with you, right? I mean all the bird stuff?”
“Of course.”
“What’s this room for?”
“For meetings. I really can’t tell you more.”
“Why not?”
“It’s not my place. You sh
ould talk to Levi if you want answers.”
“Why does it have to be him?”
She hesitated. “Because he’s the one who’s brought you in.”
“Brought me in? You mean like in on the secret?”
“Yes, he must really think you’re special.” She smiled.
“I guess, but I don’t know what makes me different from the rest of the girls he dates.”
“The key word is dates. He has never really dated anyone seriously as far as I know. He’s usually more of a one date kind of man.”
“You mean he’s a player?”
“That’s one way of putting it.”
I raised an eyebrow. “I know that, I’m not letting myself get too attached.” I hoped my words were true.
“I’m not telling you that to scare you off. I’m letting you know he’s been different with you, that’s all.”
I chose to press on with my own question, ignoring Natalie’s implication. “Are you going to tell Levi I was down here?”
She looked towards the door suddenly. “I won’t have to.”
“What do you mean?”
“Doing some exploring?” Levi materialized through the doorway, walking towards us at a quick pace.
I tried to come up with an excuse but realized it was pointless. “All right, you got me.”
“Natalie, can we have a minute?”
“Sure. I’ll see you at work tomorrow morning?” she asked.
“Allie won’t be at work tomorrow, we have plans.” My mouth dropped open as I listened to him order her around. I waited for her rebuff. It never came.
“Of course. Goodnight.”
I stared after her as she left, debating whether I should just follow. My curiosity got the better of me.
Levi closed the gap between us, standing directly in front of me. I couldn’t help but shiver. I knew it was just Levi, but somehow he seemed a little scarier now that I was all alone with him in a room below ground that wasn’t even supposed to exist. His next words did nothing to alleviate the growing unease.
“What am I going to do with you? You ever heard the saying ‘curiosity killed the cat’?”
I said nothing, watching him carefully, repeating over and over to myself that the guy who kissed me so intensely the night before wasn’t suddenly going to turn on me.
“I think I know what to do.”
I tensed.
“Are you afraid?”
“Maybe.” I said in barely a whisper. I shivered again.
He leaned towards me and I held in a breath. Confused and at a loss of what to do, I closed my eyes. I opened them seconds later when I felt his lips on mine. I pulled away, and he laughed.
“You were actually scared, weren’t you?”
“Give me a break, Levi, it’s creepy down here and I really know almost nothing about you. Of course you scared me.”
“Well, you’re not going to learn anything down here, let’s go upstairs.”
“At least tell me what this room is for.”
“It’s for meetings, Al. You happy?”
“Meetings? Is that really all you are going to give me?”
“Listen, I’d tell you more but then I’d have to kill you, and I already scared you enough for tonight.”
“Levi!”
“Okay, okay. What do you want to know?”
“Everything. What is this? How do the Pterons fit in? Were you joking when you said there were actually vampires? What else is there—?”
“Whoa. Slow down there, babe. I can’t answer them all at once.”
“Well, you have to start somewhere.”
“Does it have to be here? I can think of a few more comfortable places to discuss this.”
“If this is another attempt to get into my room, forget it.”
“Fine. This is the meeting room for The Society. The Pterons oversee it, but the council includes members from several different shifter groups. Lower lying groups like the vampires don’t have seats.”
“Vampires are low lying?”
“They suck blood from people, how much more of a bottom dweller can you imagine?”
“True. But I don’t know... they seem more glamorous in books and movies.”
“Yes, because books and movies always get things right.” He shook his head.
“Fine. So why are the Pterons in charge?”
“We’re the most powerful. Our hybrid form helps, as does our strength.”
“So is your strength one of those abilities you promised to tell me about later?”
“Yes. Not that it should surprise you.” He folded his arms across his chest, accentuating just how muscular he really was.
“No, I guess it isn’t surprising.” It was hard not to be impressed by his incredible physique. Even without knowing his secret, he appeared superhuman.
“If that about answers your questions, what do you say we get out of here?”
“This isn’t over, but I’ll take what I can get for tonight.”
Levi walked me back to the elevator. He stayed behind, telling me he had a few things to do. I accepted his answers; glad I hadn’t found anything more sinister. I reminded myself that this was just a summer fling—no reason to worry too much.
Chapter Eleven
Levi waited for me by the front entrance of the hotel the next morning. He grinned, and in the light of day I couldn’t believe he had scared me the night before. I followed him outside to find his car. His black BMW matched him perfectly. It was such an obvious fit that I headed toward the passenger side door before he even told me it was his.
“How’d you know it was mine?”
“You said you were parked down here, and it seemed more you than an old Civic or a pickup.”
He smiled and I could tell he was thinking. “I like how you don’t hold back, Al. You just say it like it is.”
“So you are really sticking to the Al thing, huh?”
“It fits.”
“Whatever.”
Taking the day off was a little too easy, and I felt bad about how quickly Natalie agreed when Levi asked. When I double-checked with her in the morning, she insisted I take the whole day and not worry about coming in that afternoon. I argued at first, but I could tell she wasn’t going to budge. I had decided to stop worrying about it by the time I slipped into Levi’s car, dressed as he suggested in jeans and sneakers.
“Are you ready to tell me where we’re going?
“Patience, patience.”
I yawned, tired from a fitful night of sleep. No matter how much I liked surprises, I couldn’t deny the slight apprehension permeating my otherwise good mood.
Levi pulled up in front of a construction site. “Seriously? Do I seem like the type to like construction work?”
“No, but I think you’ll like this.” He smiled.
“Okay...” I stepped out of the car wondering where he was going with it.
A man in a hardhat greeted us as we walked closer to the house. “Levi, you made it.”
“Hi, Phil. Of course. I brought another set of hands with me.”
“I can see that.”
“Allie, this is Phil. Phil, Allie.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said politely, taking his outstretched hand.
“The pleasure is all mine. We are always looking for new volunteers.”
“Volunteers?” As the question slipped out, I looked around me, noticing for the first time that most of the people weren’t your typical construction types.
“Yes. We’ve been doing rebuilding work since the storm, but it seems there is always more work to be done.”
“I’m sure.” Aware of the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina everything clicked. Levi had taken me to a rebuilding project.
“Do you know how to use a hammer?” Levi asked.
“I can’t say I’ve ever used one, but I’m game to try.”
***
Hours later with a tool belt slung around my hips and a hammer in my hands, I had success
fully nailed together more boards than I could count. Sweaty and physically exhausted in a good way, I accepted the bottle of water Levi offered.
“Having fun?”
“Yeah, I actually am. It seems I have a hidden talent for hammering nails, huh?”
“It seems so.” He laughed lightly, taking a swig from his own bottle. “We can head out if you want. I think Hailey wanted to steal you later.”
“Steal me?”
“Absolutely, today was all mine, remember?”
“Do you do this a lot?” I asked.
“Usually once or twice a month. I did more right after Katrina, but I never really stopped.”
“I’m glad you brought me.”
“See, I’m not all bad.”
“No, only 90%,” I teased as we went to give back the tools.
“Ouch, this only buys me 10%?”
“What can I say, I have expensive taste.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
***
Hailey was waiting for me in the lobby when Levi dropped me off. She followed me up to my room and flipped through some magazines while I showered and changed. “Did you have fun today?”
“Surprisingly, yes. I never would have thought construction would be my thing but it was fun, aside from the fact that my forearms are killing me. Honestly, I’m just shocked Levi does it.”
“You know I’m not exactly a Levi cheerleader, but he’s really not that bad, and no matter what you can say about him, he loves this city.”
“Yeah, I get that sense.”
“He’d do anything to help this place, and the city needs him.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think that’s for Levi to explain.”
“Great, another opportunity for him to give me two word answers.”
Hailey chuckled. “Yeah, he’s pretty good at that, isn’t he?”
“The best.”
“You ready to go shopping?” she asked, replacing the magazines in the neat pile where I left them.
“Sure, but you never told me what was up with this impromptu shopping trip. Not that I need an excuse to shop.”
“I wanted to hang out without the guys for once. There is only so much of my brother I can take.”
I laughed. “Let me grab my bag.”
***
Hailey drove us uptown in her red Jeep Cherokee. “Are you aware that your car matches your hair?” I asked as she wove her way through traffic.
Flight Page 9
