“You’re not fine,” Hailey snapped. “You’re wishing you gave up your wings. You were the same way on our trip back to New Orleans.”
“I love her more than this.” Flying reminded me of the decision I wasn’t allowed to make for myself. A part of me was angry at her for not giving me the choice, but she’d done it out of love. When I remembered that, it was impossible to stay angry.
“But this is who you are. She made the right choice.” Hailey didn’t falter. She truly believed what she said, but I happened to disagree.
“You can’t know that. You aren’t me, and you aren’t her.” No one could know.
“If she let you trade in your wings, I’d doubt her love for you. Now I don’t.” There was a note of approval in Hailey’s voice. Her level of respect for Daisy had grown.
“Maybe I didn’t get through to her. I didn’t show her how strongly I felt.” I’d gone over every moment of our time together trying to find a reason for her decision beyond sacrifice.
“You’ve never been good at expressing your feelings, but I think you did it just fine with Daisy. I saw the way you looked at each other.” Hailey sped up to match Dad’s pace. I followed.
“I’m excited to meet this Daisy.” Dad met my gaze. “She seems like someone worthy of you.”
“She’s more than worthy of me.” She was everything. So much more than what I ever could have dreamed of. And maybe that’s why I lost her. I was never meant to have someone who could make me so happy.
“Snap out of it Owen.” Hailey punched my arm. “I can tell you’re being self-deprecating.”
“Don’t act like you know me better than you do.” I closed my eyes and savored the feeling of the wind on my face. For a split second I was able to forget about how much I’d lost.
“But I do know you that well. It’s not an act.” Her voice softened.
“I’m not being self-deprecating.” I opened my eyes and reality came crashing back.
“Then what were you thinking about?”
I flew away from Hailey, needing my space. “None of your business.”
“Because I’m right.”
“Nope.” I didn’t even glance over.
“Yes. I am right. Admit it.” Hailey followed me.
“Why do you care so much?” She was getting under my skin, and she knew it. That meant she wasn’t going to give up.
“Because you’re my brother. Remember? I’m beginning to think you don’t listen when I talk to you.”
“I’m fine. Stop worrying.”
“I’m having flashbacks to when you two were kids.” Dad laughed. “I’m not sure that I like it.”
“Did we really fight that much as kids?” Hailey asked.
“You don’t remember?” Dad chortled. “The two of you spent more time in your rooms than out of them for a while. Almost every time you got in trouble it was for fighting with each other.”
“It was always his fault.” Hailey laughed.
“Hardly, but not worth the argument.” I was too worried about Daisy to get into a stupid fight with Hailey.
“Now I know there is something wrong. You never give up an argument that easily,” she huffed.
“There’s a first time for everything.” I hoped that was enough to pacify her for the moment.
“We’re almost there.” Dad broke through our pointless argument.
“I still can’t believe he’s lived this close the whole time,” Hailey whined.
“We had our reasons.” Dad made it clear he wasn’t going to continue that particular line of conversation. He was a man of few words, so when he used them, you needed to listen.
“Where are we landing?” I asked the most imperative question.
“Right over there.” Dad went into a steep descent. I remembered him doing that when I was a kid. It was one of the games he’d play, making us keep up with him. I spent so little time with my father as an adult, that being with him now brought back a flood of memories.
“I thought Jim lived in Baton Rouge?” We were passing over the downtown.
“He's outside the city, but look who’s talking. Weren't you living like a hermit in some cabin in the mountains?” Dad landed in forested area.
I landed beside him. “Technically, yes.” I remained transformed for a moment while I surveyed the area.
“Just know your uncle isn't exactly used to company, so ignore anything strange he does.” Dad retracted his wings, and I followed his lead.
"Don't you love how Dad is telling us all this now?" Hailey nudged me.
"Is he going to be happy to see us?" I pulled on my t-shirt. I wasn’t about to meet someone without being fully dressed.
"You never know with him. Sometimes he is. Sometimes he isn't.” Dad started to walk through the woods.
"Wait, have you seen him since we were born?" Hailey matched Dad’s pace.
"Of course." Dad looked anywhere but at Hailey.
"Of course?" Hailey gasped. "What's ‘of course’ about it? You have never mentioned the man."
"Calm down.” Dad turned to look at her. “I told you your mother and I did what we thought was best."
“All right, whatever. I guess it doesn’t matter now anyway.” Hailey sped up and passed Dad.
I understood her frustration, but now wasn’t the time to get into a fight. I followed behind her. Dad passed us and led the way to a driveway that wound up toward a large Mid-Century Modern style house. “Nice house for a hermit.”
Dad turned to me. “He’s not a hermit.”
“Okay, sorry.” I held up my hands in defense. “For a loner.”
“He’s not a loner by choice.” Dad knocked on the door, and we waited.
Nothing happened, so Dad knocked again. I tried to quell my growing frustration that we might have wasted hours for nothing.
Finally we heard the sound of someone moving around the house.
The door flew open, and a man with dark hair and only the barest hint of grey stood in the doorway. He was younger than I expected and was wearing a pair of thick glasses. Pterons never needed glasses, so he must have been wearing them for purposes of style. His eyes scanned us. “I don’t remember ordering any delivery.” He held a black fedora hat in his hand as though he’d just taken it off or he was ready to put it on.
Dad shrugged. “Yeah well, sometimes you get something even when you don’t order it.”
Hailey and I exchanged looks. Dad seemed to think his brother’s reaction was normal, so we went with it.
Jim turned to us. “And these are the kids. Not much of kids now, huh?”
Dad smiled. “No. Not kids anymore.”
Jim nodded with a seriousness that seemed overstated for the situation. “I should probably update the pictures I have up.”
“You have pictures of us up?” Hailey raised an eyebrow.
Jim laughed. “Nice to finally meet you, Hailey.” He pulled her into a hug. “I’m your Uncle Jim.”
Hailey stiffened in his embrace. “Nice to meet you too.”
“And Owen?” Jim released Hailey and gave me the same hug. I was probably even more startled than Hailey. “Yeah, nice to meet you.”
He released me. “Well, come in.” He walked away from the door, and Dad gestured for us to follow him inside.
The walls of the entryway were covered in bright modern art, and the color continued throughout the large open main floor. The house itself might have been older, but the inside was recently updated. The only part that looked original were the hardwood floors.
“You finally decided to tell them about me?” Jim turned on the light, illuminating a large and modern kitchen.
Dad walked toward the expansive concrete countered island. “Yes.”
“Which one needs my help?” Jim pointed to where Hailey and I waited.
“How did you know we needed help?” Hailey walked toward him.
“Otherwise you wouldn’t be here.” Jim turned to me. “Finally quit The Society? I heard you were a
wfully high up.”
He knew about me, which was more than I could say about him. “I resigned with no set plans to return.”
He grinned. “I knew you’d see the light.”
“But that’s not why we’re here.” I straightened my shoulders. I was uptight.
“So this is about you?” Jim watched me.
“Yes.” No reason to put off the inevitable. We needed his help and, as always seemed to be the case, time was of the essence.
“It’s about a girl.” He rested his chin in his hand.
“How’d you know?” Hailey asked.
“Because when a man needs help it is usually with his profession or a woman. He already made it clear he isn’t here about his job.” His eyes twinkled. My uncle was enjoying our late night visit. I couldn’t say the same for myself.
“Very true assessment.” Dad smiled.
“I assume by the late hour and the fact that I am finally meeting these kids that this girl is pretty important.” Jim rested a hand on the counter top.
“Owen was willing to give up his wings for her,” Dad explained.
That description wasn’t enough. “She means the world to me.”
“But to give up your wings?” Jim walked around me. “Not to mention how could that even be an option? I assume she wasn’t asking you to cut them off?”
I winched at the thought. “No. It was the Elders, they are—”
“The Elders of Mount Majest?”
I nodded in surprise. “Yes, you know of them?”
“I absolutely know of them, but why would you be dealing with them?” Clearly he knew exactly who I was talking about.
“Because the girl I love was turned into an Allure.”
Jim’s eyes widened. “Oh shi—”
“Yes. He knows how bad the situation is.” Dad cut Jim off. He’d always gotten mad when people cursed in front of Hailey. He was way more protective of her than he was of me.
“How far gone is she?”
“She’s got to be fully turned by now. We went to the Elders for help, and they offered to assist us in exchange for my wings. She wouldn’t let me.” No matter how many times I said it, it never got easier.
Jim nodded in understanding. “Because she loved you.”
“I know that’s why she did it, but I would have gladly sacrificed them to save her.” I reached around and touched the spot on my back which hid one of my wings.
Jim sighed. “All right, I need all the details. The entire story.”
“You think you can help?” A wave of hope swelled through me.
“Possibly, but only if you are completely honest.”
“Where should I start?” I wasn’t going to waste a minute.
“How did you meet her? Who gave her half their essence, and why did she accept it?”
“Wait.” I froze. “You actually know about this stuff?”
“Of course I do.” A funny expression crossed his face, and then he smiled.
“What? What aren’t you saying?” He was holding something back, and generally that wasn’t good.
“Your dad didn’t tell you what I do, or why I’m here.” Jim made a statement. It wasn’t a question.
“No, he didn’t.” Hailey crossed her arms. “He told us nothing.”
“Well then maybe I should share my story first. It might help persuade you that it’s worth divulging the details.”
“Okay,” I quickly agreed.
“But let’s sit down for this.” He gestured to the two large couches in the adjoining family room. “Anyone want coffee? Tea?”
“We’re fine,” I took a seat on the couch. I wanted answers, and I didn’t want to wait.
“Ok, if you say so.” Jim sat down on the arm of the couch across from me. Hailey sat next to me, and Dad sat down by Jim.
“I still can’t believe you didn’t tell him.” Jim narrowed his eyes at my dad.
“I wasn’t sure if you wanted them to know.” Dad looked at the floor. He was regretting his decision to keep the truth from us. Eventually I’d have to talk to him about his reasoning, but it wasn’t the right time.
Jim stood and walked over to the other side of Dad. “They’re my niece and nephew. Of course I want them to know.” He took a seat.
“You should have told me that.” Dad stared at his lap.
“You didn’t trust them.” Jim looked at us even though he was talking to dad.
“Now I do. They’re adults.”
“And I’m done hiding out anyway. By what Owen’s told me already, I was right. Ignoring the truth isn’t going to help anyone.” Jim clenched his jaw.
“What does what I told you have to do with anything?” I asked.
“Everything. My whole life’s work.” He let out a slow deep breath as if trying to control his anger.
“And what’s your life’s work exactly?” That detail might help explain things.
“Technically I’m a professor at LSU.”
“And non-technically?” Hailey slumped down on the couch.
“I am an expert in extinct and rare paranormal and supernatural creatures.” Jim beamed, clearly proud of his true profession.
Hailey and I exchanged a look. That wasn’t a job either of us had heard of.
“How exactly did you get into that?” Pterons generally focused more on themselves. We weren’t interested in anyone else unless they threatened us, and most creatures lacked the strength and resources to do that.
“It was always a fascination of mine. It started with understanding the downfall of the Dire kings. The more I studied them, the more I discovered creatures that had lived with them but no longer exist.” Jim’s face became increasingly animated as he spoke.
“Including Allures?” There had to be a reason Dad brought us to Baton Rouge.
“Yes, including Allures.” Jim stood and crossed the room as if to get something or go somewhere, but then just as suddenly he sat down. “Have you met any? I mean besides the girl, although I assume you haven’t seen her since she fully changed.”
“Yes. Three full Allures.” Unfortunately. I wished I hadn’t had to meet any.
“And how was that experience?” He crossed his legs at the ankles.
“Hated two of them, one was tolerable.”
“And the tolerable one was female?” Jim raised an eyebrow.
I didn’t like his insinuation. “I’m only interested in Daisy.”
“Daisy, huh?” He raised an eyebrow.
“What does that matter?”
“I knew a Daisy once. Fiery little blonde with one heck of a personality. I met her during college, and I never quite forgot the experience.” He got a far off look on his face.
I brought him back to reality. “She’s got brown hair.”
“I figured she wasn’t the same one, but the name brings back some good memories.”
“Can you help Owen?” Hailey asked. “Is there a way to stop the change?”
“This is where your details come in. I’m still confused as to how she could have become an Allure without being in love with one. That’s usually how the process works. An Allure finds someone he or she wants as a mate. They offer half their essence in exchange for companionship.”
“She was given a paste,” I replied quickly. I knew how things usually went, but Daisy wasn’t in love with an Allure. She’d been in love with me.
“What kind of paste?” Jim asked with interest.
“A magic one she got from a witch in the quarter. It was called Seduction’s Kiss.” Hailey filled in the details she now knew well. The story turned my stomach every time I heard it. Had I responded to her original flirtation at the bar maybe none of this mess would have happened. I’d been so determined to keep people out that I hadn’t even considered giving her a chance.
“And why are you involved in this?” He turned to Hailey. “Aside from familiar obligation. I know how those are.”
Dad coughed. “I’m sure you do.”
“I’m
here because my brother needs help. That’s it.” She met Jim’s eyes.
Jim shook his head. “There is always more.”
Hailey didn’t give an inch. “He’s my only brother.”
“Keep going.” Jim gestured with his arms.
“And I want him happy.”
“Fine.” Jim shrugged. “You’ll fess up eventually.”
“Does it really matter why she’s here?” I didn’t want Hailey put on the spot. She’d done nothing but help me.
“No. Continue. I’ve heard of Seduction’s Kiss, but as far as I know no French Quarter witches are handing it out to tourists nowadays.”
“Daisy thought it was a hoax. A tourist trap sort of thing, but it wasn’t. She was given it years ago. She got more attention, that was it, but returning to New Orleans activated it somehow and she started to change. We were desperate and went to Georgina for help.”
“Georgina?” Jim raised an eyebrow. “Why would you have done that?”
“Because we needed help.” I chose my words carefully. If he was on the outs with The Society, he probably wasn’t best buddies with the matriarch of the royal family. “She did what she could.”
“But that means Georgina knows Allures still exist?” Jim leaned forward with his hands on his knees. “She believed you?”
“She did without too much convincing. Levi knows too.”
“The King?” Jim’s eyes widened.
“Yes.”
“How am I only finding out about this now?” Jim glared at Dad.
“I only found out about it a few hours ago. My kids evidently have been keeping secrets.”
Jim stood and began pacing around the room.
“Dragos are around too.” I figured it couldn’t hurt to get my uncle on my side.
“What?” Jim stopped his pacing and stepped into my personal space. “What did you say?”
“Dragos. I met a few. They are not my favorite, and the ones I met were incredibly arrogant.” I thought about the winged creatures that had taken us to the mountain.
Jim gasped for breath. “Where? Where did you see them?”
“Near Mount Majest. They helped us get to the Elders.”
Jim grinned. “Incredible.” He nodded his head. “Tell me everything about them.”
I had him exactly where I needed him. Invested. “After you help me with Daisy.”
Lost (The Allure Chronicles Book 3) Page 5