Aleron in a tux defied words, and several cougar types had nearly broken a claw to get a look at him when they’d walked into the lobby.
“Here goes nothing,” she muttered, her legs leaden. There was so much on the line tonight, and she reminded her ridiculous heart to get over any silly dreams of fairy-tale endings. There was one route to save Lach and no fairy godmother to swoop in and save her.
She held her head high and drew her shoulders back. The emerald dress fit like a lace glove. A last glance in the mirror before they’d left her apartment had her loving her body. Goddess bless Zum for providing Elspeth with the ultimate middle finger to all the jerks who’d stare at her. She wouldn’t have another chance to flaunt her curves so blatantly, and she was going to floor the engine tonight.
She stepped into the archway, but before she’d moved hardly a foot, Zum barreled toward her like the tide rolling in, dressed in a clingy red silk jersey gown, her slicked-back, jet-black hair striking.
She slipped an arm around Elspeth’s waist, her other hand holding a drink, and shot her an all-teeth smile. “Where in the hell have you been?” Zum asked. “I’m sweating up my Spanx, and Seanair’s cutting a sharp eye in my direction.”
Even with the princess-cut diamonds sparkling in her ears, Zum’s eyes stole the show, their blue-tinged, icy hue reminding Elspeth of a glacier.
“He knows I’m never the first guest and that I usually sneak in. If he wanted me here early, he should have contacted me.” She steadied her breath to calm the forest’s worth of butterflies in her stomach.
“True.” Zum looked over her shoulder at Aleron. “Looking sharp, EB. So far, I’ve detected no elemental funny business.”
“I feel safer already, HG.”
Easy-Bake and Half Gallon. At least they were getting along.
Zum held up a finger as she knocked back the rest of the clear liquid in her highball glass, the pine scent of gin distinctive. “Saw Seanair 2.0. I have to say, I kinda dig your middle bro’s surfer-scientist vibe, even though he has the personality of a starched tablecloth.”
“Graham is nothing like my grandfather.” Elspeth had seen her brother rarely once he’d left for college, the lab and academia his preferred family. The middle sibling and an odd duck, Graham had never gotten along with Lach, or, really, anyone. He’d taken off for Cal Poly right after high school. Now he was almost thirty, and beneath his windswept light brown hair and smarter-than-thou smirk hid a wickedly brilliant mind.
“Give him time. We all know who’s next in line.” Zum put a hand to her mouth and winced. “Sorry. I’m two gins in. Don’t listen to me.”
Elspeth smiled at her tall, deeply tanned brother’s approach and supposed he was somewhat misunderstood too. Lach was a doer, an artist, a dreamer. Graham was a thinker, a planner, and painfully blunt.
“Has Seanair seen those yet?” She nodded toward Graham’s low-top trainers, thankful he’d had the sense to go monochromatic, black, and leather.
“Not sure. Don’t care.”
No surprise there.
She stepped over and hugged him. “What drew you away from the lab?”
Graham ran a hand through his rough-cut hair. “Who else? When Gangsta Grandpa calls, it’s in my best interest to answer. He says he wants to talk to me.” Obviously wishing he were anywhere else but there, he folded his arms and looked around, shifting from side to side, the movement subtle but there. Fire and Air Duals could not be still.
“Are you sticking around for a few days?” She hoped to get some time with the brother she rarely saw.
“Hell no. He’ll talk, I’ll listen, then I’m back on a plane.” He stopped fidgeting, and his expression turned awkward, like he didn’t know what to say. “Since I can’t refuse a family command performance, I’m getting a beer. If I have to be here, I will be buzzed.”
A chime sounded. Graham gave her a sardonic smile and headed into the crowd. In seconds, three hundred or so people moved slowly toward their seats.
“I suppose we should head to our table,” she said to Kazumi as they watched her brother make a beeline for the bar, the crowd parting, making way for an almighty Lennox.
They walked toward the center of the room with Aleron close behind.
“I’ve never had dinner on a throne before,” Kazumi said. “I’ll bet the food tastes better up on Mount Look At Me.” A rosy blush crept into her cheeks. “Oh, and I saw Ross. He’s freakin’ awesome and switched my assigned seat with Graham’s so I can hang with you.”
“Are you ever going to ask him out?” She looped her arm through Zum’s.
“There’s no point. I like him too much to just fuck him, and my parents expect me to marry a Japanese Water before I become Magnus.”
“I’m sorry.” She’d seen one too many sets of meddling parents. There weren’t many families with the Fukadas’ strength, but a pairing with a powerhouse Earth like Ross might gain them more than they’d ever dreamed.
“Don’t be sorry. It’s the bane of children of traditionally minded parents everywhere.” They stopped a few feet from the dais steps, and Kazumi pulled her aside, shooting Aleron a give-us-some-space look. “Here’s the scoop. The Costa family, Seanair, and the three of us are up top, so it should be nice and boring. And I asked Mom about the Foussés, and she said to check the archives for the Winter’s Hail Coup.”
“Okay.” She couldn’t recall seeing anything about a coup anywhere in the database. “Do me a favor and ask Ross to look in the archives for me?”
“Sure thing.” Zum wagged her brows and one-eyed the bottom of her cocktail glass. “I need a last gin before I ascend to my seat. You want anything?”
“No, thanks.” She looked to Aleron, cupped her hand, and tipped a pretend cocktail.
He stepped back into hearing range and glared at Zum. “No drinks. I’m on duty. You are too.”
Zum waved a dismissive hand. “Liquor’s mostly water. This is like taking communion. I’m fine. Mom says the weird Earth vibe over the city has diminished to almost nothing, thank the Goddess.”
Surely the night would go without incident. With this much power in the room, the Astrux wouldn’t dare show up. Every element was represented, the room awash with bespoke tuxedos, diamonds, and Alpha-level power. Plus, the staff was made up of mostly Beta-level Natura, so only a blatant fool would dare show up uninvited.
“I’m sorry your mother didn’t get the Northeast lieutenant position. She deserved it.” Elspeth spied Masako Fukada holding court in a group of Waters.
“All’s fair in love and organized crime.” Zum raised her glass in a mock toast. “One last thing. Don’t think I’ve forgotten about your birthday. I’ve got big plans for you, girl. We’ll get through this snoozer gala, and then we’re getting our party on after Yuri’s visit. Maybe we’ll do a repeat trip to Freddy’s and bring Easy-Bake with us. A gallon of rosewater lightning might get a smile out of him.”
So what if she didn’t have power? She should cut loose this year anyway. Twenty-four was supposed to be a major birthday for Naturas, and she could still have a damned party. “I could stand to live a little before I go.”
“Good, because it’s already planned for two days after Yuri leaves. Back in a flash.” Kazumi dashed for the bar as another take-your-seats chime rang.
Aleron followed close behind her up the steps to their table and pulled out Elspeth’s chair, then took the seat to Elspeth’s right. Elspeth read the name on the place card to the left, and her heart nearly stopped. She hadn’t considered Rob Costa, Jon’s son, would be there, much less seated next to her. Not with his illness, or rumored “poor health.” Once diagnosed, Naturas with the tripowered disease did a slow disappearance, fading from public events and work, until their existence was forgotten.
But tonight was all about Jon Costa, appearances, and saving face.
She glanced again at the card as Jon came toward her, his hair now a distinguished gray. When was the last time she’d seen him? She couldn
’t recall, but his warm smile hadn’t changed. He reached into his pocket as he came around the table.
“You look lovely, so like your father. It’s been too long.” Jon held out his hand. A small, iridescent white bead lay in his palm. “I found it a few days ago at our beach house. We don’t see them much anymore, with what’s going on in our oceans, but I hoped you might like it.”
“You’re always so kind to think of me. Thank you.” She took the pearl and leaned up so he could kiss her cheek. Jon Costa had been a midlevel lieutenant for years and as devoted a father. “Congratulations. Your promotion’s much deserved.”
“Thank you. It’s always good to see you, Elspeth. Your parents would be so proud of you.” He went to his seat as a gorgeous redhead who had to be his daughter took a seat beside him.
“I’m Liz.” The redhead nodded, her eyes full of concern for Rob.
She latched on to the usual pleasantries to get her head back in the game. Seanair christened the top of the stairs, and with her grandfather mere feet away, she had to pour on the poise and grace.
She finished her how-are-you, I’m-fine, isn’t-this-a-beautiful-night nonsense with Liz, then leaned forward to take a drink of ice water. There was no reason to feel hurt that Seanair had made his way through the tables below, shaking hands and slapping backs, but hadn’t even glanced her way.
Two hands grabbed the seatback beside her. Jon’s and Liz’s expressions tightened, and she didn’t have to look to know Aleron had tensed up like a lion sensing a threat as he watched a man so obviously sedated he shouldn’t be standing. One look, and the rumors proved a sad truth. Rob Costa, Jon’s tripowered son, pulled out the chair and took his seat.
All she could think was she was witnessing Lach’s fate. He’d spend his last days as a shell, a medicated shell, barely able to function and wanting to die.
She took a harsh breath. No. No, that wasn’t going to happen. As the Goddess was her witness, her brother was not going to die a slow, dishonorable death. Not while she had one breath left in her body.
Or one uterus to sacrifice to the Russians.
Whatever it took…
No, no, no.
Aleron caught the problem, the Fire stench like burnt hair. He’d assumed the place card a courtesy thing. He hadn’t imagined the guy would dare show up. Elite One had been tracking Rob Costa for weeks. Rob sitting next to Elspeth was a nonstarter.
Kazumi came to the table, and he used the opportunity to pull out her chair as an excuse to whisper to Elspeth, “Switch places with me.”
“Elspeth dear, you look positively gorgeous,” Seanair drawled, stopping him in his tracks.
Their leader practically glowed, his eerily magnetic charm like a beautifully poisonous snake drawing the gazes of the room’s guests.
Elspeth rose and put a hand on Aleron’s arm, her expression don’t make a scene, it’s fine.
Right. ’Cause a Passive could tell exactly what was going on.
She moved toward the gloating bastard.
“Hello, Grandfather.” Elspeth leaned in and kissed his cheek. “It’s been a while since you’ve seen Kazumi. I asked her to join us.”
The sugary scent of her white lie caught in Aleron’s throat. She was covering for her event-planning cousin, Ross, of course. Seanair had likely dictated the seating arrangements and wouldn’t appreciate a last-minute switch.
Seanair nodded at Kazumi, and his eyes sparkled, no doubt because he was trying to figure out how he could use the change to his advantage.
“Miss Fukada, what a pleasure to have you join our table. I think so highly of your mother.”
Seanair’s sour lie grabbed at Aleron’s senses like a swallow of skunked wine.
“Thank you, sir.” Kazumi gave a slight nod, her eyes a little too gin-glassy. “I’m honored.”
Aleron’s power coiled, ready to strike. Jon Costa was all smiles except for several quick glances at his obviously ill and high-as-a-satellite son. Why would Seanair want Rob at the table? Rob had maybe a month before he met his maker. No one knew. Why bring that danger into the room? Why—shit. Just when he thought Seanair couldn’t be a bigger asshole. Rob was obviously the night’s special shiny object, something Seanair could dangle in front of Elspeth, a live example of where Lach was headed.
So she would go through with the wedding.
“Let’s all take our seats, shall we,” Seanair ordered, the words clearly not an invitation.
Everyone obeyed, and Aleron shifted his chair toward Elspeth, throwing up a third layer of Fire energy around her.
“That’s not nec—” Liz stopped at the grip of her father’s hand.
Aleron raised his brows, a simple move that shut smart people’s mouths.
The drugs would likely prevent any sudden outbursts, but tripowereds were unpredictable, and he would take zero chances with Elspeth’s safety.
Then, of course, she did the thing he needed her not to do. Invited damn disaster.
“I’m Elspeth Lennox.” She put her hand on Rob’s. “I’m sorry I didn’t introduce myself when you sat down. It’s such a pleasure to meet you, Rob.”
Rob stared at his plate, his gaze moving to the three wineglasses at the corner of his gold-trimmed place setting. His head turned slowly, like the move pained him, and he rested his gaze on their joined hands.
Goddess don’t let him suffer too long.
Aleron fired off the prayer to the Goddess he wouldn’t call benevolent, but the poor guy. To be caged like that, a sound mind inside a rebelling body, feeling your self-control slip.
Goddess kill him. Kill him if he ever got like that. Kill him before his poor family had to do the job. He’d seen the tripowered disease as a nuisance, something unlucky Naturas got that he then had to handle—and fast—before the afflicted took out, say, a bridge on a major freeway. Like the woman a few years ago in Atlanta.
Rob’s bloodshot eyes evidenced the fight he waged. The gravely ill man wanted out. In that moment, Aleron lost what little respect he had for Jon Costa.
Rob was alive only because his father didn’t have the balls to end his terminally ill son’s pain.
“Th-thank. Y-you.” Rob looked up at Elspeth and struggled to form a smile.
Several servers arrived, refilling water glasses and setting down fresh bread and butter. No one else at the table gave Rob even a cursory glance, as if ignoring the illness would make it go away, except Jon and Liz, who stared at Elspeth like she was the second coming of the humans’ Christ.
Elspeth rubbed the back of Rob’s hand. “I’ve known your father for years, yet you and I’ve never met. I’m happy you could come tonight. Your dad deserves this honor. He’s such a good man.”
“He is.” Rob managed a short nod.
Aleron picked up his water glass, his gaze roving the tables below like a good little bodyguard. Seanair chatted up Kazumi for several minutes, moved on to Jon and Liz, then spent several minutes giving specific instructions about champagne to a poor Beta-level server.
Aleron listened to Elspeth’s un-Lennox-like small talk and genuine interest in Rob, who seemed to perk up like a wilting plant that’d been given water. He caught the stares coming from the people at the tables below, those lingering glances from guests captivated by Elspeth’s permeating charm, their eyes wide that she’d treat an obvious outcast like he was the same as anyone else.
Seanair stood. Silence swept through the ballroom.
He lifted a crystal goblet, and the other guests followed, turning the large space into a twinkling field of raised glasses. “Before we begin the celebration of Jon Costa’s much-deserved promotion, I’d like to propose a toast to my beloved granddaughter.”
Seanair turned a hawk’s gaze on Elspeth. She smiled, though the color drained from her face. Beneath the table, Aleron fisted a hand in his napkin, the need consuming him to grab her, shield her, take her away. He cleared his mind, killed his anger, and schooled his expression to avoid Seanair’s detection.
“To Elspeth’s happiness with her betrothed, Yuri Burkov, who’ll join her soon here in New York,” Seanair proclaimed, hoisting his glass higher. “I welcome the alliance between our families. May Elspeth and Yuri’s upcoming union be prosperous and blessed.”
Aleron cut his gaze past her smile of pure grace to her lap and the wad of silk in her hand. She slipped her other hand from Rob’s, raised her own glass, her smile faltering when she noticed Rob’s slump back into catatonia. She nodded, turned her head to acknowledge the room, and took a sip from the tall flute.
Aleron’s gut twisted at the actuality of her leaving.
Something still didn’t sit right with this arranged marriage. He wanted to hear more about this treatment for Lach. Better yet, see how the Russians managed to halt a disease that had no mercy. Elspeth finished the champagne in her glass in three swift sips.
“Please excuse me.” She rose from the table and looked to her grandfather, who gave her a curt nod.
Aleron stood, shot a quick I’m-on-it-sir glance to Seanair, and trailed her down the steps. A short train of rich emerald silk billowed out behind her. She moved quickly through the ballroom, across the lobby, and into the ladies’ room. Rapidly scanning, Aleron sensed no other element energy inside. He’d give her two minutes. No, one. He leaned back against the wall, checked his watch.
Seanair’s voice snuck into the lobby through the closed ballroom doors. Speech time. Maybe tonight he’d be more long-winded and give Elspeth a chance to breathe.
He cast out his power to check on her, and a wave of sorrow pummeled him. He punched open the first and second doors and heard the gasps and sobs and retches.
“Elspeth, it’s me.” He wasn’t sure she heard him.
She’d barely made it into the stall, the door not closed, her hands braced on the toilet seat.
“Leave me. Alone.” Her breath hitched, and she raked her hand over the toilet paper roll, ripping off a long swath.
He raced to the sink, grabbed a stack of fancy hand towels, and dampened them.
The Call of Fire: A Natura Elementals Novel Page 14