"Seriously, I got sick after the power outage and—"
"What power outage?"
"His place lost power during the storm."
"You were at his place." Her eyes widened.
"I. Got. Sick." I took a deep breath. "Look, nothing happened."
"Where'd you sleep?"
"In a guest room."
Her expression drooped. "Oh. Hey, where'd he sleep?"
"He was busy taking care of me. I have to get to work. Seriously." I took off my clothes for the second time that morning.
"Where'd he sleep?"
"Nothing. Happened." I put on my new clothes and went into the bathroom to style my hair.
Sasha followed me in. "Well at least you've forgotten about the professor."
I froze, holding the hot flat iron on my hair.
"You're going to burn your hair!"
I put the iron down. "What do you mean?"
"You've been so mopey since your math instructor vanished. I can't even think of his name."
"It's plastered all over town."
"I know, but I haven't paid attention in a while."
Sighing, I picked up the flat iron and continued straightening my hair. "His name is Professor Foley, and I wasn't moping over him."
She gave me a knowing look. "Anyway, I'm more interested to hear about your night at Carter's. Did you remember to get any pictures yet?"
"Just some selfies of the two of us."
"Before you got sick, right?" She arched a brow.
"Precisely." I put the iron down, fluffed out my hair, and fixed my mascara.
"Your lipstick is smudged." Sasha threw me a playful smirk.
I fixed it. "He did kiss me," I admitted. "But that was it."
She sighed dramatically. "You're either the most boring person alive or the most exciting, and totally holding out on me."
I sprayed some perfume and spun around. "I gotta get to work."
"Details. Later."
"Okay. I'll tell you all about us doing homework and making hot chocolate."
"Boring. Well, if you want your secrets, I can't blame you. But I'm going to use my wild, vivid imagination. Your choice."
"Texting my boss now."
Victoria: On my way. Hope I'm not late.
She was so formal with everything, I even had to properly spell out my texts.
Yurika: The wedding party is having lunch. You have an hour.
Victoria: Thanks!
Yurika: Carter said something came up, but please be on time.
Victoria: I will. I promise.
Sasha pouted. "Are you sure you don't have time to spill just one juicy detail?"
"Sorry. I gotta go." I grabbed my purse, hurried to my car, and then parked on the side of the road near campus. My mind was racing, and my conversation with Sasha hadn't helped.
One of Toby's missing fliers hung loosely on a pole. I climbed out and stared at the faded picture.
Someone bumped into me. "Sorry. You know what I heard?" He glanced toward the flier.
"What?"
"That his cult chopped him up and put the pieces into stew."
"You're disgusting."
He shrugged and kept walking.
I clung to the paper and got back into my car. It wasn't until I tried starting it that I realized I was shaking. I took a few deep breaths and finally drove to the Jag. I put on soft instrumental music. There was no way I could afford a repeat of the day I'd spilled nail polish on that lady's dress.
By the time I pulled into the Jag's lot, my mind had calmed down. I waved to the doorman as I entered ahead of the line.
Yurika shot me a grateful expression when I arrived. "A couple of the girls are already here. I'm going to start them with pedis. When the next ones get here, start them with facials."
"Do we have any help?"
She nodded. "Lucy and Julia will be here after their break."
"Oh, good."
"Tell me about it. We're going to need all the help we can get today."
And I was going to need all the focus I could manage. My mind kept wandering to both Carter and Toby, and when I was at the spa, I always found myself hoping Carter would pop in and surprise me. He rarely did, though, because his father kept him busy when he wasn't studying.
But it didn't keep me from wishing.
Chapter 26
Victoria
I rubbed the last bit of cream on the bridesmaid's face. "Just lay there and relax for a few minutes."
"This feels so nice."
"Good. Is the music okay?"
"Perfect."
Yurika ran in, her eyes frantic. "We're running out of nail polish remover. I thought we were fully stocked."
"Do you want me to get some more?"
"Yes," she snapped.
"Where is it?"
"Ugh. You really don't know?"
I shook my head. "It's always been in the cabinet."
She threw her hands in the air. "If I had time, I'd get it. It's in the big utility closet in between the kitchen and Master Jag's office suite. You know the one?"
"I think so."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Yes, I'll find it."
Yurika ran out of the room.
I turned to the bridesmaid. "I'll be back in a few minutes. The cream will be fine—it's working to both cleanse and moisturize your skin. If you need anything, just ring this bell here." I took her hand and guided her to the tray with the bell. "Julia's in the next room. She'll hurry over."
"I'm too relaxed to move."
"Sounds like it's working." I adjusted the warm blankets around her body and hurried out of the spa.
A line of people carrying what looked like a truckload of flowers walked by. There was no way I was going to get around them, and when Yurika was rushed, so was I.
I darted down a different hallway, hoping I was headed for the kitchen.
By the time I'd gone down a few turns, I realized I was lost. It was just a maze of dimmed halls, and I wasn't sure which one had brought me where I was.
Conversation sounded down from my left. I thought I heard the word wolf. Something inside me perked up. I pressed myself against the wall and listened.
"…supposed to find out if he's dead."
I gasped. Someone was dead in the Jag?
"Did you hear that?"
I covered my mouth.
"No. Did you check him?"
"I haven't."
"Stupid. When the boss says jump, you do it."
"I've never seen a dead body."
"So? Check the dungeon."
"Won't you do it for me? I'll owe you all my vacation days or something."
Somebody sighed. "What's his name?"
"Foley."
"You mean that guy who's plastered all over town?"
"Right. He's down there."
A cry escaped my mouth.
Footsteps sounded.
I glanced around. There was a door a few feet away. I had no other choice, so I ran inside and closed the door fast and as quietly as I could. Clothes hung all around. I darted behind some and pressed myself into a corner.
The door opened, lighting up the closet full of suits just like the waiters wore in the restaurant.
I held my breath.
"No one. Are you sure we heard something?"
The door closed.
I breathed again and slunk down to the ground, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure they could hear it out in the hall. I gasped for air and tried to listen for the men outside the closet once I calmed down. I waited a full five minutes, counting out the seconds, before I dared to open the door.
The hallway was empty.
I smoothed down my hair and went down the way the two men had been talking about Toby. There were a few doors, and I checked all of them. Most were utility closets, but the one at the very end opened to a dark staircase.
If there was a chance Toby was down there—locked in a dungeon—I had to see. Especially if they thought he might be d
ead. Tears stung my eyes. My insides felt like they were jumping around.
I clung to the rusty railing as I descended down the staircase. It was steep and narrow. Water dripped somewhere. When I got to the end, I came to another door.
Barely breathing, I opened it. I came to a hallway, and it was better lit. There were a few doors off to my left. I pressed my ear against the first one, but didn't hear anything. I opened it anyway.
It appeared to be some kind of cellar. Old, dusty canned food sat on shelves. Underneath them were brown bottles. Some were labeled moonshine.
This place was as old as Prohibition?
I opened the next door and found another closet full of old food and drinks. When I got to the next door, I fully expected to find more of the same.
Instead, it was a mostly empty room with chains hanging from the ceiling and the walls. It smelled of bile and urine.
Someone jumped out from behind the door, positioned to attack.
I screamed, my voice echoing around both the cell and the hallway.
"Victoria?"
I stared at the man. It took me a moment to realize it was Toby. And he was naked.
My eyes shut and I turned my head. "Toby! What are you doing here?"
"They're trying to kill me."
"We've got to get you out of here, but first I need to get you some clothes."
"There isn't time."
"You want to run through the Jag like that?" I exclaimed. "I know where some clothes are. Stay here."
With my eyes still closed, I spun around and ran up the stairs. He called after me, but I ignored him. I made sure no one was in sight, ran to the closet, and grabbed a suit.
When I got back down to the dungeon, Toby was standing outside his cell. I looked down at the ground and handed him the clothes.
"Thank you."
I turned around and tried to pretend he wasn't naked. "So, do you need anything?"
The sounds of him putting the clothes on echoed all around us. "To get as far away from this place as possible."
"Have you been here all this time?"
"Right in that room."
"What happened?"
"I'll explain later. Someone could come down any minute." He walked over to me.
I covered my eyes.
"I'm dressed now."
"Come on. We'll get out of here." I opened one eye, and sure enough, he looked like a server. Only the clothes barely hung on and his face was bloody and bruised.
"What did they do to you?" Instinctively, I reached for his face. "You poor thing."
"Let's go. The way I came in is pretty secluded."
"Because that worked out so well for you?"
"That wasn't where I was caught."
"Where—?"
"Come on." He grabbed my arm and led me up the stairs. I followed him down the maze of halls until we neared the kitchen. He took me down another turn. We passed a line of mops and then he opened a door, which opened to the outside.
Toby glanced around and then ran for the woods.
"We can take my car."
"Which is probably parked in the main lot, right?"
"Okay, never mind."
"I know the way to my home. Are you up for a run?"
"To your house?" All the rumors of cult members chopping people up ran through my mind.
His expression softened. "What's the matter?"
I shook my head. "Nothing. Let's just get out of here."
"How did you find me?" He took my hand and ran.
"I had some help. Are you going to be okay running barefoot?"
He glanced at me. "We used to do this all the time."
My mouth gaped. Had my dreams actually been real?
"Let's go. We'll answer each other's questions at home."
We darted through trees and bushes, jumping over exposed roots and ducking under branches. Unlike with my solo runs, I didn't fall once. I felt completely in my element, like all the pieces of a puzzle had finally come together.
Finally, we came to a large gate. He punched in a code and it opened. We ran inside and the gate closed behind us. A gorgeous blue home with plenty of decks and pointed peaks loomed in front of us.
"This is where you live?" It was even more impressive than Carter's place.
"Yeah, it reminds me of the one you always had your eye on." He squeezed my hand and led us up the stairs to the front door.
Before we reached it, the door opened, and a group of people piled out, cheering and talking over each other. I let go of his hand and watched as everyone hugged him and expressed their gratitude of seeing him alive.
I followed everyone inside. Toby put his arm around me, and it felt like the most natural thing in the world. "I have someone I want you all to meet."
Eyes widened around the room. They apparently knew who I was without Toby needing to say a word.
He squeezed my shoulders and kissed the top of my head. "This is Victoria—she's the one who rescued me."
All the attention turned to me, and the group of strangers practically piled on top of me, embracing and thanking me. Several people mentioned a pack.
"Give her some space, guys," Toby said.
"And get this man some food," I added. "They've been starving him."
We all went through a living room and then came to an enormous kitchen with a table big enough to seat an army. Toby introduced me to everyone, but the only names I could keep straight were the odd ones—Jet and Brick.
Everybody talked over each other. Toby leaned back in the chair, grinning wide. Even with the bruises and cuts covering his face, he was exquisite. I couldn't take my eyes off him.
He kept glancing over at me, seeming to enjoy my sight as much as I was his. Brick and another guy brought over plates and platters of steaming food, setting them all in front of Toby.
Toby waved his arms to the others. "Eat up, you guys." He turned to me, holding my gaze. "You, too."
"I couldn't. You need the food more than any of us."
"Yeah," said Jet.
"Eat," urged Brick.
"We don't need it," said another.
He laughed. "Okay, then. I can't tell you how nice it is to have actual fresh food."
Jet's brows came together. "Didn't you eat?"
"Scraps from a restaurant." He dug into some roast beef.
"Gross," someone said.
My stomach dropped. All the times I'd stuffed myself at the Jag with Carter, Toby had been in the cell forced to eat everyone's leftovers?
"In your human form?" someone exclaimed.
My head snapped up.
"Dillon," Jet exclaimed. He nodded toward me, still looking at his friend. "Remember? Memory issues." Jet looked at me. "Don't mind him. He's an idiot. Always has been, always will be."
"Hey!"
"Guys," Toby said. "Remember what we talked about before I was taken hostage?"
Both Jet and Dillon's heads fell.
"Sorry, sir," they said in unison.
I stared at them. As odd as their behavior was, it was also strangely familiar.
Toby pushed a platter of grilled salmon covered in a yellow sauce and spices in front of me. "Eat up. You need fuel after that run."
The smell of the meal not only made my mouth water, but conjured warm feelings.
He tilted his head. "We ate that together on several picnics."
My cheeks warmed and I glanced away. "Thanks."
Toby piled some fish on my plate. "Come on, people. I don't want to be the only one eating."
"You don't have to tell me twice." Brick grabbed a plate and piled on food.
I couldn't help smiling.
The front door slammed. "I heard Toby's back," came a familiar feminine voice. Soleil entered the room and her face lit up. "You are!" She ran over and hugged him, nearly knocking him out of the chair. "So good to see you!"
He chuckled. "Who told?"
"I'll never tell." Soleil winked. "But I was at the Faeble and I might have menti
oned it to Tap. Loud enough for everyone there to hear."
Toby shook his head. "Did everyone know about my imprisonment?"
"Just about." She sat on the other side of me and dished up some lamb and vegetables. "Once you've had a chance to rest, you'd better head over to the bar and say hi to everyone. Tap was worried sick—as was your pack. Gessilyn's been working nonstop on locator spells, but coming up with nothing." She turned to me. "How was it you found him?"
"How'd you know—?"
"Valkyries know just about everything."
My mouth dropped. Valkyrie?
She winked. "It's because we're so nosy. And we can drink people's essence. But you know all about that." She went on to talk about the fliers all over town and gossip from Toby's colleagues.
While she rattled on, I tried to make sense of everything. It hit me like a ton of bricks that I was at Toby's home. Everything had happened so fast—me finding him and then us fleeing the Jag to this mansion.
Was I really surrounded by paranormal creatures?
Could I be one myself?
Chapter 27
Victoria
Toby and I sat on the porch swing. He put his arm around me and smelled of a different soap than I seemed to remember. "I hope this is okay."
I nodded. Sitting there with him, it didn't feel like the majority of my life had been taken from me.
"Sorry about my… family. They can be a little overwhelming at times. Even for me."
"You mean your pack?" I glanced up at him.
"Yes. How much do you remember? Anything?"
I swallowed and held his gaze. My lips longed for his. But I couldn't bring myself to budge. Not when I'd been kissing Carter earlier that same day. Not when the man with his arms around me was my professor.
"What do you remember?" he asked.
Instinctively, I reached for his hand.
He laced his fingers through mine and leaned his head against mine.
"I have no idea. I've had some dreams, but who's to say if they're real or not?"
"Perhaps I can help."
My body shook.
He tightened his hold around me. "Or we can just sit here."
I took a deep breath. "I really want to remember everything. It sucks so bad to only be able to remember the last month of my life."
"Don't I know it." He kissed the top of my head again. "I really hope this doesn't make you uncomfortable. I get that I'm just your professor, but you don't know how much restraint it's taking me to hold back."
Lost Wolf (Curse of the Moon Book 1) Page 17