“I’ll get a security detail set.” Jared disappeared down the corridor.
“Do you think it’s odd that Allie didn’t call you?” I didn’t want to piss Levi off, but Daisy had an excuse not to call me. “We’re going off the assumption the girls left voluntarily. If that’s the case, why didn’t she give you a heads up? Doesn’t this seem weird to you? She knows how much you worry about her.”
“I think she would have unless she purposely didn’t want me to know where she was going.” He took out his phone again.
“And why would she do that?” I was treading a fine line but finding the girls was top priority. If that meant I made Levi uncomfortable then so be it. “She isn’t one to keep a lot of secrets.” At least I didn’t think she was. They never seemed to have any communication problems now. In the beginning, that was a different story.
“Because she was planning to do something dangerous. You’re right, she knows I worry about her. That’s exactly why she wouldn’t have called me. She didn’t want to be stopped.” Levi’s expression darkened. “And yes, I know what that means for you as well. We have to assume this has to do with Daisy.”
“Yes.” I pushed away the guilt over Allie being involved. Levi was the one to suggest she spend time with Daisy. I was also positive Daisy hadn’t forced Allie to help her with anything. She was far more likely to have tried to do whatever it is she wanted to do by herself. She would have done exactly what Allie did. She never would have called me even if she had a phone. Except, she wouldn’t have been motivated out of worry that I’d stop her, it would be worry that I’d get involved. Which is why I knew Hailey had to be involved in the decision-making progress. Daisy would have kept Allie out of it. I was positive.
We’d find them, and it wouldn’t matter in the end. “We do have to assume it’s because of Daisy. Assumptions can be dangerous, but in the scope of our situation with the Elders it’s the most logical explanation. I can’t imagine any other reason they’d have driven off that way.”
“Unless it’s Hailey. That’s the other option.” Levi looked at the palm of his hand before flipping it over. “Could she be into something?”
“The only thing she’s into right now is helping Daisy.”
“True.” Levi nodded. “But could she have discovered something when she was with your uncle? Maybe that was the impetus for leaving so quickly?”
“I had the same thought myself. Something had to have precipitated them leaving before we got back. The only thing we know of that changed since we left is Hailey’s arrival.”
“You don’t think Taylor got them into a mess, do you?” Jared reappeared. “Made up a story to lure them out?”
“They aren’t stupid.” None of them were. “And Daisy doesn’t trust Taylor. I heard some of their conversation, and Taylor is trying to become an Allure again at all costs. Daisy isn’t going to roll over and give up her life.”
“I knew I didn’t like that girl.” Jared grimaced.
“Let’s find the car.” Levi started walking toward the elevator. “We’ve wasted enough time already.”
“If they aren’t at the car, we’ll figure out where they went. I agree they’re smart, but that doesn’t mean they can disappear without a trace.” Jared inserted his key card and the elevator went up the ground floor.
When the doors opened in the lobby, we came face to face with the same girl who had called my name earlier. “Owen, hey!” She waved her arms around even though I was right in front of her.
I studied her face again, finally placing where I knew her from. “What are you doing here, Marta?” Marta was a waitress at the diner in Coleville. There was absolutely no reason for her to be in New Orleans—especially not at The Crescent City hotel unless she was something entirely different than I thought. I used to think I could tell whether someone was human or supernatural—now I knew the truth. There were so many more creatures out there than any of us knew about. “I’m say it again. What are you doing here?”
“Hey.” She put her hands in front of her. “Easy there. Don’t shoot the messenger.”
“Messenger?” I looked at her again. “What message do you have for me?”
“Who is she?” Jared pointed to Marta. There was a time when he would have flirted with a girl like her. She fit his busty blonde type. But that was a time before Vera.
“I’m a friend of Owen’s,” Marta replied before I could.
“She’s from Coleville,” I further explained. “But I don’t know what she’s doing here.” I assumed it couldn’t be a good reason. I’d thought she’d seemed like a nice girl. Perfect for Clyde, but looks can be very deceiving.
“I have a message for you.” Marta flicked her blonde hair off her shoulder.
“One you had to be here in person to give?” I narrowed my eyes. “I find that hard to believe.”
“I have a message neither of us want someone to intercept.” She glanced over her shoulder and back at us. “There are eyes and ears everywhere.” She glanced over her shoulder again. Either she was paranoid, or she knew something I didn’t.
“What are you?” I knew for sure she wasn’t human. Otherwise she wouldn’t be talking openly in front of my friends. She knew who they were. She would have also had no way of finding me. I hadn’t made it a point to get to know many locals in Coleville.
“What I am isn’t important. What’s important is the message.” She grabbed hold of my arms. Her grip was far tighter than I would have expected. I tried to carefully shake her off. When she didn’t get the hint, I pried her hands off.
“What’s the message?” Levi loomed over Marta’s relatively small frame. I knew he was just as impatient as me. I also knew everything was different now that Allie was missing. Finding her was top priority. Lucky for me finding Allie would hopefully mean finding Daisy. If they weren’t together, the outlook was bleak.
Marta appeared unperturbed by Levi. “The message is don’t underestimate the Allures.”
“The Allures specifically?” I was more concerned about the Elders. They were more powerful than the Allures.
“Yes.” She stepped around Levi. “They came into town yesterday.”
“To Coleville?” I tried to figure out why they were out there. They were looking for Daisy and not me. What evidence would have sent them to Coleville? I’d just been in Colorado, but not to visit that town.
“Violet got her claws into Clyde.” Martha mimed her own hands being claws.
“Why?” I was getting more confused by the situation every minute. “How could Clyde possibly help? Please don’t try to tell me he isn’t human.” He was more human than almost anyone I’d met.
“He’s human.” Marta’s bottom lip tugged as if she wanted to smile but was hiding it. “That’s part of the problem. He’s so easy for her to manipulate it isn’t funny.”
“Ok, so get to the point. What can this Clyde guy who’s just a human do?” Jared asked. He’d stayed fairly quiet which meant he’d been listening.
“I’m not sure. What have you told him?” Marta watched me expectedly.
“You think I told him anything about my life?” I’d barely even put up with the guy let alone dished out personal secrets.
“There has to be a reason she went to him.” Marta tapped her foot. “I assumed you’d know.”
“Why do you care?” Everyone had a motivation. I needed to figure out what hers was. And what she was. It was unnerving not knowing what kind of creature I was speaking with.
“Because I do.” She tapped her foot again. “And you are lucky I do. I will bring nothing but help. There is no ill will here.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“Where are you headed?” She nodded toward the door.
“How do you know we’re headed anywhere?” I asked.
“You came upstairs. You are headed somewhere.” She rolled her eyes. “You can give me some credit.”
“I need to find Daisy.” I decided to admit I didn’t know where
she was. Maybe Marta mysteriously could help with that too.
“She’s not in this world at the moment.” Marta pressed her lips together in a firm line.
“What?” I felt my eyes bug out. “What are you saying?”
“I am not saying she’s dead.” Marta quickly amended. “Just not in this world presently.”
“I assumed that.” I’d have been in a much worse state if I believed Daisy was dead. I’d have been on a rampage.
“Then what do you mean?” Levi asked. “And is Allie with her?”
“Allie?” Marta furrowed her brow. “The queen you mean?”
“What other queen would I be talking about?” Levi frowned. “And I expect a straight answer. No dancing around it.”
“How am I supposed to know where she is?” Marta frowned. “I am not the keeper of the queen.”
“You know where Daisy is, or where she’s not,” Levi pointed out. “What stops you from also knowing the whereabouts of my wife?”
“I know about Daisy because of who she is.” Marta clasped her hands in front of her.
“Because she’s an Allure?” Jared asked.
“No.” Marta shook her head. “Because of her connection to Owen. I thought that much was obvious.”
“How would that be obvious? Nothing you’ve said explains that at all.” I fought to rein my annoyance in. Marta was slowing us down, and she had better have had a good reason for that.
“Oh.” Understanding crossed her face. “I forgot that you don’t know what I am.”
“No. We don’t.” Levi scowled. “We have no time for this. We need to find Daisy.”
A loud commotion by the bar had us all tensing. It didn’t take long to realize it was just a bunch of drunks. The bartender, one that had been there for years now, escorted both of them out the front door of the hotel.
“There’s no we involved in this.” Jared jumped back into the conversation as though no time had passed. “We don’t know who or what you really are, so why would we want you to go anywhere with us?”
“Because I have Owen’s best interests at heart. Well, if I had a normal heart.”
“How do we know that’s true?” I took one more glance at the bar. Order had returned. The workings of the hotel weren’t our problem exactly, but Allie’s dad owned it, and with The Society headquarters in the basement we didn’t want problems. “We’re supposed to take you at your word? The last time I saw you, you were serving food at a diner.”
“I’ve seen you in far worse places than that. And there is no reason to look down on that sort of work.”
“I’m not looking down on waitressing. Not at all. I’m commenting on you showing up out of nowhere, refusing to tell us who you are, and then insisting you come with us.”
“I will come with you no matter what.” She blinked a few times, and I could have sworn I saw something glitter. “Just because you don’t see me doesn’t mean I’m not there.”
“Great. Now she can turn invisible. Fantastic. Keep the stories coming, sister.” Jared stretched his arms over his head. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m ready to go.”
Marta beamed. “Your anger is flattering on you. Most people don’t look good mad, but you do.”
“Tell that to my wife.” Jared smirked. “But this isn’t angry. This isn’t even close to angry for me.”
“I am aware. I am also aware that you are angry quite frequently. It is only reasonable to assume that your wife knows that already.” Marta sounded completely different than she had in Coleville. As our conversation wore on her voice became lighter and sweeter.
“Do you know where Daisy is, or just where she isn’t?” I pulled us back to the important topic of conversation. I already knew Marta wasn’t the small-town girl she’d pretended to be. She was something else entirely.
“I know where she isn’t. I may be able to discover where she is. I know who took her there.” Her voice lightened even more. This time I could have sworn I heard bells ringing.
“Huh?” Between the change of voice and her vague words I wanted to make sure I was following. “Who took her away?”
“He was saving her. I appointed him with her safety, and he’s done fine so far.” She put her arms behind her back.
“What?” I felt my anger boiling. “I’m in charge of her safety. Not someone random.” Who did she think she was appointing anyone to go anywhere near Daisy?
“Glendale wouldn’t want to be called random.” She lifted her chin. “In fact he would be offended by such a characterization.”
“Glendale?” I knew that name. Why did I know it? Then it hit me. “The cat? You sent the talking cat to protect Daisy? Are you out of your mind?” I already knew that answer. Absolutely, but then again had I met anyone on my journey to save Daisy who wasn’t out of their mind?
“He’s protected her before. He is quite fond of her, which is why he was most willing to help her again this time.” Marta rolled her neck around. “Is there anything else I need to answer before we leave? You made it sound as if you were in quite a rush.”
“Where is she? Where did the cat take her?” My muscles quivered.
“Wait. I got lost at the phrase ‘talking cat’. Is anyone going to fill me in?” Jared looked longingly at the doors. He was itching to go.
“I have no idea who she’s talking about either.” Levi pulled out his phone once again. He must have been holding out hope Allie would suddenly call him.
“Where were you headed?” Marta asked. “You never told me where, but we should go there at haste. Maybe Glendale left a message for me there.”
“A message?”
“Yes.” Marta nodded. “Although I can’t promise he did. He wouldn’t want to leave a trail. The whole purpose was to rescue her.”
“Rescue her from who?” Levi pocketed his phone. “The Elders?”
“The Elders aren’t her biggest concern.” Marta glanced around the lobby again. “I already told you who you need to fear.”
“The Allures?”
“Especially Violet.” Marta said in nearly a whisper.
“Of all the Allures she seemed the least awful.” Roland was by far the worst. I’d seen the way he looked at Daisy.
“Because she’s female. That’s why you think so. You did not view her as competition. You let your fear and jealousy blind you to the real danger.” Marta wagged a finger in front of my face.
“Roland is dangerous too.” No one was going to convince me otherwise.
“Not more dangerous than Violet.” Marta’s expression darkened. “It is a mistake to forget that.”
“Who cares?” Jared let out a long breath. “Daisy is in danger. And most likely Allie is too, and Hailey. Let’s do something about it. We know we’re going to be facing enemies. Let’s find the girls. No matter who they are with, we can protect them.”
“As I said, I do not know where Allie is, and Hailey is not in this world right now either.” Marta closed her eyes and then reopened them. “Yup, she’s not.”
“You can tell where Hailey is because she’s his sister?” Jared asked.
Marta nodded. “Yes. They share blood and a true bond.”
“Let’s find Allie’s car.” Levi headed straight for the front doors.
“Am I going to need to fly you?” I asked over my shoulder to Marta as I followed Levi.
“No. I can get there myself.” Marta gave a smug smile.
“You have wings?” Jared studied the part of her back that was visible underneath her white tank top.
“Yes, but none you can see.” Marta grinned bigger.
“Oh. Great. More of the invisible talk.” Jared’s voice dripped with skepticism.
“Seeing isn’t always believing, Jared.” Marta nearly skipped out the door.
“You know my name?” Jared called after.
“Yes.” Marta stopped right outside the door. “Why is that surprising?”
“Just that I never told you it.” Jared steppe
d out of the way so a couple could enter.
“I didn’t need anyone to tell me. It is my business to know everyone in Owen’s life.”
“Why?” I didn’t get why she was fixated on me. I wasn’t the one who was royalty. “Why is my life your business?”
“It is in your interest that we table this conversation. It is far more important that we find Daisy.” Marta disappeared around the corner after Levi.
“You always manage to find the weird ones.” Jared patted my shoulder.
“I think she found me.”
“If she helps us find Daisy, more power to her. If not, well then you have an obsessed fan with a screw loose.” He turned his finger around in the universal sign for crazy.
“I’ll second that.” I reached the shadows, pulled off my shirt, and released my wings. At least we were headed toward Daisy.
17
Daisy
Knowing you are about to be transported doesn’t make the process any better. It might actually make it worse. It means you know what’s happening to you when your feet leave the ground and the place you once were disappears as if it never existed.
After whirling around floating weightlessly through a blurry haze of colors, we landed with a thud on a hard floor. I ran my hand over what I soon discovered was concrete.
“I liked the grassy forest clearing better.” I picked myself up off of the floor. Thankfully I didn’t have any injuries beyond some bumps and bruises.
“I had to think fast.” Glendale licked his front paw. “Don’t think I enjoyed this landing either.”
“Where are we exactly?” Hailey stood up beside me. She positioned her body so she was between me and the others.
I glanced around the darkened room. The concrete floor matched the countertop of a bar that spanned two walls of the room. A few empty bottles and glasses lay behind the counter as if the last people inside had left in a hurry. A few stools were strewn on the floor around the room as were more liquor bottles and more cobwebs than a haunted house. “Do I want to know why you selected an old bar for a meeting place?”
Love (The Allure Chronicles Book 4) Page 13
