by Isobael Liu
Lilian gave Ben a frosty look. “You might want to investigate a man by the name of Stephan Cavanaugh. I really think he’s behind all of this.”
“We’re already investigating his whereabouts, but no one’s reported seeing anyone by that description in town.”
“Investigate harder.”
Ben stiffened. “I understand you’re upset, but there’s no need to take it out on me.”
Matthias and Turner returned. Matthias wrapped an arm around her, and she leaned against him as she took a shaky breath.
“If you think of anything else, you know how to reach me,” Ben said.
“Thank you.” She nodded.
Ben, Turner, and the fire marshal turned and walked away.
“I’m sure we can find you some clothes to wear,” Matthias said.
“The least of my concerns,” she replied, and stood back from him. “I’m tired of this. I’m tired of running and hiding. It has to end.”
He studied her face. “I agree.”
“Good, because either way, I’m doing it.”
“Doing what?”
Lilian gave a faint smile. “We have plans to make.”
Chapter 5
“You’re not going to find anything in the public library, Matthias.”
They’d gone back into town after leaving the charred ruins of her home. She needed to check out of the motel and go shopping for necessities. Matthias had taken her into Bonney Lake, a small town about an hour from Hawk’s Point, and to a local one-stop shopping mart to purchase what she needed, change of clothes and toiletries, as well as to place a few calls to her insurance company.
Matthias had suggested stopping by the local library to do some research, but she doubted it would do any good.
“The library here is bigger than the one in Hawk’s Point,” he said. “They might have better references to look into.”
“You don’t understand,” she argued. “They’re a secret organization. Not even the government knows what they are. If they have a public face, it’d be set up like the Masons or the Rosicrucians. The whole ‘we’re training a private army’ part isn’t public knowledge.”
He grinned at her and she sighed. “You’re impossible, you know that?”
“I know.”
Fifteen minutes later, they pulled up at the Bonney Lake Library. She scanned the general area, and sent out psychic feelers to read the surface thoughts of nearby people. Other than Matthias’s overprotective thoughts, she picked up nothing of interest.
The two of them made their way into the library and after getting a computer, they started their research. Matthias wasn’t experienced in using a computer and didn’t want to learn, so Lilian ended up doing the typing. He scribbled any notes they found interesting.
Two hours later, her stomach growled.
“Break time,” she announced as she stood up. “I’m starving, and this is getting us nowhere.”
“Maybe we should go into Seattle,” he said as he gathered up their notes.
She looked up at him, eyes widened with horror. “Oh, hell no. No way, no how, over my dead body, over your dead body, not even if it’s the end of the world and it held the only portal to safety. No.”
Matthias grinned.
“Don’t even give me that ‘I’m too cute so I’ll just grin and get what I want’ grin. I will not now, nor will I ever, go back there.”
Lilian started to turn, but stopped as a thought came to her. Before she could think twice, before he could try to distract her with one of his disarming smiles, she thrust her mind into his.
Matthias sucked in a harsh breath and fell back against the chair at the sudden onslaught. She felt wretched for the pain she might have caused, but this had to be done. She flowed through his mind like a shark after prey, catching mental eddies and currents of thoughts as she sought information from him. She found nothing to suspect him of duplicity. Well, other than being a werewolf and withholding that information until forced out, but it was nothing compared to the possibility he might have been undercover for the Custodes Secreti, in an elaborate plan to bring her back.
Lilian withdrew and sat back down, expelling a slow breath.
He growled low in his throat, and his golden eyes burned as he stared at her.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I had to make sure you weren’t trying to trap me.”
He glared at her. “What?”
“Stephan had planned to return me to them, take me to a meeting place so he could hand me off to them. I had to make sure your suggestion wasn’t a ruse to take me back.”
She could tell he was still angry from his closed off expression, but she could see he understood her reasoning.
“I really am sorry, but if I waited to ask, you could have hidden the thoughts, buried the memory. I needed to know.”
He nodded, and took a deep breath before releasing a drawn out sigh. “I understand. I just didn’t appreciate it.”
“Matthias, I wouldn’t have done it otherwise unless I felt it absolutely necessary. I really don’t like to use my abilities unless I have to.”
He nodded again and stood up, motioning for her to get up. “Let’s get you something to eat before you decide to attack little old ladies and boy scouts.” His tone held amusement, but his features clearly told her he was irked.
She sighed, stood up, and proceeded out to the parking lot. As they turned a corner, incoming library patrons took up the walkway and Lilian moved to one side to give them room. As she did so, her hand touched the wrought iron fencing that blocked the flowerbeds from the sidewalk. She jerked her hand away with a loud cry of pain. At once, Matthias had her hand in his and examined it.
“What’s happened?” he asked as he searched her palm.
“I don’t know.” She frowned. “I put my hand on the railing and the heat stung me.”
Matthias laid his own hand on the railing and withdrew it. “It’s not hot.”
She could feel the mark on her palm as it throbbed with a burning ache. Passersby eyed her, but said nothing as they made their way into the library.
Lilian looked over her palm. The mark had reddened, but otherwise was no different than before. There were no indications of sting or burn. “I don’t know.”
Matthias started toward the truck again. “Maybe you’re allergic to iron.” It was said as a joke, but they looked at one another and turned to hurry back into the library.
“Tell me everything you know which seems a little weird about yourself,” he said as they rushed into the library and to a computer.
“Well, gee, where to start.” She rolled her eyes at him. “There’s just a long list, you know.”
He gave her a pointed look and all but pushed her into the computer chair. He dropped down into the chair beside her and picked up a pencil and notepaper. “Allergies.”
“Umm, well. Lots of different kinds of medicines have an adverse reaction.”
He scribbled it down. “What else?”
“Salt,” she replied. “Salt makes me sick. Actually, if it’s already cooked in something, it’s fine, but when added after, or if I touch it, it makes me sick.”
Matthias added it to the list. “Wrought iron,” he said.
“I don’t know. It’s the first time that ever happened.”
“We could go test it elsewhere.”
“You’re mean,” she muttered as she turned to the computer.
He chuckled under his breath, leaned in to kiss her neck, and whispered, “I’ll make it up to you later.”
Lilian’s face grew warm, and she waved him off before typing a few words into the search engine. Her eyes scanned the results and she lifted a brow.
“What?” he asked.
“Well, according to this, I’m either a demon or a faerie.”
He blinked a few times before he looked to the screen and read the results himself. She grinned.
“I’m not either of those, so we can chalk this up to mythology hits. Sear
ch engines just find mentions of what you type in. See? This one is for a role playing game with faeries.”
He looked at her and whispered in a soft tone. “Considering who and what you’re talking to, you might want to rethink the last bit.”
Lilian frowned. “Now you’re being ridiculous.”
“Am I?”
“Matthias, be serious. You can’t possibly think I’m either of those.”
Matthias studied her face as she frowned at him.
“It’s so obvious,” he said at last.
“What is?”
“Think about it,” he said, his voice edging into excitement. “Your dreams, the white stag, the huntsman and the hounds. The salt and iron weakness, your abilities.”
His gold eyes glittered with enthusiasm.
“You’re insane. Does it look like I have wings or glitter? Do I look like a freaking Tinkerbell?” Too loud. It echoed a bit in the quiet library.
“Shh!” A few of the patrons hushed her.
She turned and glared at them. They were quick to look away.
Matthias chuckled and grabbed onto her hand. “I can see you’re in dire need of some food.” He dragged her out of the library and toward his truck.
Lilian tried to pull her hand from his, but he held on firmly.
“Food, then home,” he told her. “I want you to talk to someone.”
“Who?”
Matthias just about tossed her into the truck. “I want you to meet my family, but I want you to talk to our…” He hesitated a moment before he continued. “Healer, I guess you can call him. Shaman? Spiritual advisor? All of the above.”
He shut the door and jogged around to the driver’s side, closing the door once seated.
“Why? What’s he going to say?”
“He’d know more about the Fae than any library or search engine,” Matthias replied as he started the truck.
“Actually, a search engine doesn’t give you information…err, never mind.” Not the time to go into the finite detail of what the internet is or what a search engine did and didn’t do.
He gave her an odd look before he put the truck in drive and drove away from the library. From what she could see, he seemed to be a bit antsy, excited, and it kind of worried her.
“Okay, what is it?” she asked.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re like a kid on Christmas morning. Full moon tonight?”
He snorted. “Full moons have nothing to do with shifting. We can shift any time we want.”
“So what’s with the full moon thing?”
“The full moon makes us feel more primitive. We’re closer to our primitive side, but otherwise it doesn’t do a whole lot. What about you? Do the moon phases affect you?”
Lilian was taken aback by his question. She’d never even considered the possibility. She shook her head. “No. And it’s still a stupid idea.”
“Why is it you can accept your abilities and the fact I can change into a wolf, but you can’t accept the idea you may be something more than human?”
Because she already felt like a freak; she didn’t need it verified in any way. In her eyes, it didn’t make her special, it made her a mutant, a freak of nature, and she didn’t want it. She just wanted to be normal and have a normal life.
When she didn’t reply, he stayed silent, leaving her to her thoughts. She appreciated that about him; he just knew.
Matthias pulled into the drive-thru of a local fast food joint and ordered enough food to feed his biker gang. At least, she thought it would be. Maybe not, she thought ten minutes later, as she watched him mow through five large cheeseburgers while driving. She eyed her half eaten burger and shook her head.
When they returned to the—what the hell was she suppose to call it? Compound? Palace? What? When they returned, he helped her out of the truck and led her, a hand on her arm, to the courtyard, nodded to people who called out greetings to him. Many of them were in various states of undress, with men wearing what looked like nothing more than white cloth kilts, and women in white slips. Some wore more modern clothing, shorts and tank tops, others had swimsuits, and children ranged from being altogether naked to wearing the same as the adults.
They stared at her, although Lilian could see some of the female population had more than curiosity in their eyes. One woman, with blond hair and bright green eyes, glared at her with hostility.
“Where is my mother?” Matthias asked a nearby man.
“She’s in the solarium,” came a reply from a female.
Matthias nodded his thanks and led her away, but as they walked down the hall, the blond hair, green-eyed woman approached. She noticed the woman was perhaps only a little older than her, but beautiful. She carried herself with a regal pride.
“Matthias,” the woman said as she stepped up to them, her hands extended to him.
Ignoring me, she noted.
Matthias released her to take the woman’s hands. “Anoria,” he said in greeting. “Lilian, this is Anoria.”
Anoria gave her a brief look and dismissed her. “Matthias, will you be here for the evening meal?”
“Yes. I will be here, with Lilian,” he replied.
Anoria looked a little peeved but smiled. “Of course. I’ll be sure to include some form of simple entertainment for her tastes.”
Lilian bristled, offended. Now she understood Anoria’s problem. Jealousy, pure and simple, and she knew, without a doubt, her stay here would be rough.
She smiled oh so sweetly at Anoria. “Why, thank you, Anoria. I’m sure it won’t tax your brain too much to come up with a simple thought.”
Two could play that game.
Matthias’s lips twitched as he looked between the two women. Anoria snapped her gaze toward her, her green eyes narrowing. The two women stared at one another, and a feminine understanding passed between them.
Anoria looked back at Matthias, giving him a rather sultry, come hither smile. It sickened Lilian and she turned and headed down the hall. The only satisfaction she received from it was Matthias excused himself and followed after her, leaving Anoria standing there, alone, fuming. It didn’t take her psychic powers to feel the mental daggers shooting into her back.
Matthias wrapped an arm around her waist and walked alongside her.
“She’s a bitch,” she announced.
Matthias grinned. “Yes, she is. She’s Lupine.”
Lilian looked over at him and smirked. “Funny, and it’s not what I meant.”
He pulled her closer to him. “You’re a stranger and there’s a pack dynamic, a hierarchy.”
“Did you and her have something going on before me?” she asked.
“No,” Matthias said. “Nothing between us. I’m sure she wishes. I am the Alpha of the pack and it would bring her status up, but I’ve never had any interest in her in any way.” He looked over at her and grinned. “Why?”
Lilian cursed the blush creeping over her face. “Just wondering.”
He laughed, turned toward her and pulled her against him, ignoring the stares of the people around them. “Jealous?” he asked.
She glared at him. “Get over yourself.”
“He does act like he’s arrogant,” a female voice said from behind them, “but I assure you, it comes naturally.”
Matthias turned to the woman. Lilian tried to pull away from Matthias, but he wasn’t letting her go.
“Mother,” Matthias said in greeting.
“My son,” the woman replied.
When she looked back, she saw a statuesque blonde, with blue eyes. Her skin a lovely shade of cream, sun kissed but not tanned. She wore jeans and a tank top, with golden bracelets and armbands.
The woman looked her over as well and she felt out of place. She tensed and poked Matthias in the gut.
“Would you please let go of me?” she asked, exasperated.
Matthias released her, but kept a hold of her hand. “Mother, this is Lilian Quinn. Lilian, this is my Mother, Helena.�
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Lilian tried to twist her hand from him as she pasted on a polite smile. “It’s good to meet you, ma’am.”
Helena smiled at her, her blue eyes twinkling. “And good to meet you. Finally.” She gave Matthias a reproachful look before she glanced back at her. “Tiberius has told me about you.”
“What exactly did he tell you?” Matthias asked.
“Enough to wonder if I should be expecting a surprise in the next nine months,” Helena replied in a sardonic tone.
Lilian blushed. “I’ll kill him.”
Matthias laughed. “No, no surprises. I wanted to introduce her to you before we speak with Octavius.”
Helena nodded but continued to study her, making her feel a bit uneasy and anxious.
“I’m not one of you,” she said.
Helena smiled. “I know, my dear. You’re something entirely different but I can’t place it quite yet.”
Lilian frowned. “I’m human.”
“No,” Helena said. “There’s something more to you.”
Lilian’s heart stuttered at Helena’s words. She didn’t want to be different. To have a stranger point it out, someone who didn’t know her, pick up on it, hurt. She looked away.
“It needn’t be a bad thing, my dear. We are all different in our own way.”
Matthias lifted her hand to his mouth and brushed his lips over her knuckles. “Mother is right. If you were just Lilian, human, I doubt I would have given you a second glance.”
“Even after I spilled iced tea and cold water over you?” she asked.
He grinned. “Well, I might have noticed you for a bit then.”
“Is this a story I’d be interested in?” Helena asked with a smile.
“Maybe later.” Matthias laughed. “Lilian’s going red.”
Lilian poked him before looking at Helena. “It was nice to meet you.”
“Don’t let him walk all over you. Matthias is spoiled and tends to get what he wants far too easily. Make him work for it.” Helena winked at her and walked away.
Matthias blinked and shook his head. “I am not spoiled.”
Lilian laughed. “If your own mother says you are, then I’d say you are.”
Matthias made a gruff hmph sound and led her away to find Octavius.