by Vella Day
“You know I am, and I have reason to be.” He told him that two of Toma’s daughters were missing.
“Oh, shit. Are you thinking Toma had something to do with it?” All cheer suddenly disappeared.
“Maybe.”
“You don’t think he’ll come after Lily, do you?”
“I don’t know what to think. I just wanted you to be aware that Lily’s client has trouble on his hands.”
“I just hung up with her and so far, she’s fine. In fact, she’s at her office doing paperwork. Do you want me to tell her about the women’s disappearance?”
“Not yet. I know Lily said she wouldn’t go alone if she had to speak with Toma again, but I would feel better if we had some eyes on her—at a distance at least.”
“Understood. I’ll be there just in case,” her brother said.
That was all Birk could ask for. “I appreciate it. I plan to tail Toma to see what he’s up to. I’ll let you know what I find out.”
Once he disconnected, Birk took flight. It was time to find out more about Mr. Thresh Toma.
“Where are you with your report?” Alea asked as she peered down at Lily.
She had been working on the paperwork for the last few hours. “I filled out what I could, stating just the facts as you requested. I also added what Josh said about Toma claiming more was inside the warehouse than what was really there. Before I sign off on it though, I want to ask a few more questions. It is possible someone stole Toma’s equipment from the warehouse and then burned down the building to cover his tracks.”
Alea nodded. “That’s a bit of a stretch. With his daughter in the house, I’m pretty sure she would have seen or at least heard them taking the building materials.”
“I agree, but it’s what Toma thought happened.”
“Did he file a police report claiming theft?”
Damn. “I forgot to check. I’ll get right on it.”
Her boss studied her for a moment then straightened her shoulders. “Is something wrong, Lily? Usually, you are so on top of things.”
Birk happened. Actually, being attacked again by Nelor last month and then assaulted by the men who wanted to punish her brother’s mate, had turned Lily into someone she barely recognized. “I’m good.”
“All right then. Go ask your questions and then finish up the paperwork. The police can take it from there.”
“I will. I plan to interview the ex-wife for her perspective on Thresh Toma.”
Alea smiled. “That’s a good idea. The more we know, the better. If he did start the fire himself, I sure as hell won’t pay him a dime.”
Lily smiled. She liked her boss. Alea was a no-nonsense woman. As soon as Alea headed back to her office, Lily made the phone call to the A.P.P.—the Avonbelle Province Police. After being routed to several people, she finally spoke to the person who recorded the claims.
“No,” the clerk said. “We have a record of a call into emergency services from an Anita Sussex about the fire, but there’s been no follow-up claim about any theft on the Toma warehouse.”
“Thanks.”
This case was looking more suspect by the minute. After shutting down her computer, she stuffed her report into a folder and headed out to find the former Mrs. Toma. Lily could only hope this woman wasn’t as crazy as her husband claimed.
After following Toma for most of the day, Birk had almost begun to believe the guy was on the up and up. Toma spent his time checking on both of his development projects, never sneaking off to some dark alley to do any kind of illegal deed.
Just as Birk was about to head home, Toma made a detour to the Dragon’s Tail Casino. While gambling wasn’t against the law, it reinforced what Declan had said about Toma going off the deep end when his wife divorced him.
Not wanting his prey to accuse him of stalking, Birk debated waiting outside until Toma finished, but he then decided it would be easy enough to explain his presence at the casino. He too needed to blow off some steam. If they chatted, Birk would offer his sympathy about his two daughters, all the while studying Toma’s reaction.
It was show time.
The interior of the casino was rather large with multiple stations ranging from slot machines, horse betting stations, and dealer tables. Given the size, Toma might not notice Birk at all. Once inside, Toma made a beeline to one of the tables.
Wanting to keep an eye on his man, Birk bought a bucket full of change and headed over to the slots and sat down at one near where Toma was plopping down a pile of chips. Birk estimated it to be about five hundred Denlars—not much more than what he spent for a few days of groceries.
Birk wished he had the ability to become invisible in his human form so he could hover over Toma, but even at this distance, Birk could see the man’s mouth twitch and his hands shake. If he hadn’t seen Toma grab Lily, he might even be sympathetic to the man’s emotional state.
Birk slowly played the slots while he kept a visual on Toma. Curses came from his direction, and when Birk looked over at him, Toma was tossing back another drink. He then slammed down his glass, cursed, and strode away from the table, mumbling and clutching his fists, looking like he wanted a fight. Apparently, things hadn’t gone his way tonight.
Not that Birk wanted to enable the man’s habit, but he didn’t mind donating to the cause if he could learn whether Toma had anything to do with his daughters’ disappearances.
He stepped up to Toma and held out a wad of Denlars. “I see you’re down on your luck,” Birk said, pressing the bills into Toma’s hand.
The man’s eyes widened. “What’s this for?”
“Thought you could give it another go. Nothing is worse than a cheating dealer.” Birk nodded to the employee. He didn’t like to lie, but it seemed to be the best way to draw Toma to his side.
“You know him?” He didn’t wait for Birk to answer. “I thought I saw him deal from the bottom of the deck, the motherfucker.”
Birk wouldn’t confirm or deny it. “Tell you what. If you win, return my money and give me half of your winnings. If you lose again, you don’t owe me anything.”
“What’s the catch?”
Toma had a right to be suspicious. “Actually, I heard about the disappearance of your daughters and figured you could use a pick me up.”
It must have been a play of the light because Birk swore the man’s eyes watered. Toma stabbed a hand through his messy hair. “You’re right. I’m so upset, I can’t think straight. I’m on pins and needles waiting for a ransom call. I don’t even want to think of the alternative.”
Birk hadn’t expected that answer. “So you’re trying to win enough money to pay a ransom?”
“Yes.”
Most of the demands were for hundreds of thousands of Denlars, but he saw no need to mention that. “Do you have any idea who might have taken your girls?”
“No.”
From the way his pupils dilated and then broke eye contact, Toma knew exactly who had them, but Birk wasn’t under any delusion that Toma would tell him. No, this was about gaining the man’s trust on the off chance he’d leave Lily alone. “See if you can win us some money.”
To Birk’s surprise, Toma seemed to calm down. After a half hour, he managed to earn a few hundred Denlars. After one more hour, his winnings were quite hefty. Toma gathered his chips, changed them back into Denlars, and then stepped over to Birk who was watching from across the aisle. “Here’s what you lent me and half of the earnings. I owe you one, and I won’t forget what you did.”
Birk could only hope that was true. “Try to keep out of trouble, and good luck finding your daughters. Do the police have any clues?” He knew the answer, but he was curious what they’d told him.
“Those idiots have no idea where to look. They said they can’t do much without the kidnappers contacting me first. What a crock.”
“That’s pretty much standard in these types of cases—or so I’ve heard.” Not wanting to further engage with the man, Birk left, hoping Toma di
d the same.
As soon as Birk crossed the street, he called Kyle who thankfully answered right away. “Hey, I was just about to call you,” Kyle said.
“Did something happen?” Birk’s heart pounded.
“No. Lily had a busy day and is now safely tucked into bed. What about you?”
Birk released his clenched fist. “I followed Toma who ended up at the casino. He seems genuinely upset about his daughters disappearing, but I think he knows more than he’s saying.”
“Do you still think Lily is in danger?”
“Probably. Toma will be even more unpredictable, and the man already showed his temper at the drop of a hat with her. If you could watch her for a few more days, I’m hoping something will break.”
“No problem,” Kyle said. “I’ll have to tell you, she is heeding your warning. When she went to interview Toma’s ex-wife today, Lily drove around the block a few times before she parked and went inside.”
“Was she lost or being cautious?”
Kyle chuckled. “I’m hoping the latter. Next time you see her, you might ask her what she found out. I’d rather she not know I’m involved.”
“I will. I need to speak to Declan first to see what he learned. Depending on the outcome, it might be time to tell Lily everything.”
Kyle said nothing for a moment. “Everything, as in Toma’s daughters are missing or everything as in you are her mate?”
Birk shook his head. “I wish she was ready to hear we’re mates. I don’t want to rush her.”
“I’m sure she will appreciate that, but Lily is a strong girl, despite how she responds to men. You’ll figure out when the time is right.”
“I sure as hell hope so.”
Chapter Five
Birk had barely slept last night thinking about this Toma case and how it might affect Lily. Even though he’d talked with many of his fellow Guardians, nobody had heard anything about a kidnapping or the sale of two women in their twenties. Declan and the others planned to expand their search today, but to help things along, Birk had asked a few of his siblings to put out a few feelers around town. He could only hope something panned out soon.
Frustrated at the lack of progress, he headed to the Caspian mines and went straight into the office. Nessa happened to be at her desk. “You’re just the person I need to talk to,” he said.
His sister was dressed in her usual khaki pants and baggy shirt with the Caspian logo on the pocket. Despite the dirt smudges on her cheek, she looked good. The glow of happiness did wonders for her.
She looked up and frowned. “I’m not a fan of dark circles. You need to sleep more.” Birk swallowed a response. “So, tell me what can I do for you today, my troubled brother? And no, I don’t know anything more about the missing women.”
Damn. Kyle must have told her. “I’m worried about Lily.”
“Because she’s working on the Toma case? Or because she’s your mate and you’re just being your usual over-protective self?”
All he could do was shake his head. “Did Kyle tell you we were mates?”
“No. The moment I saw you with Lily after her attack, I could sense the bond forming between you. Let’s be honest. Once your bodyguard duty ended, you haven’t been yourself. You never used to mope around. Even Declan has commented on it a time or two.”
“Can’t anyone keep a secret around here?” Birk pulled up a chair in front of her desk and dropped down onto the seat. “I think I’m going crazy.”
Nessa smiled. “Ask her out again.”
His sister wasn’t as smart as he thought. “You don’t think I’ve tried that? She keeps turning me down.”
“And why do you suppose that is?” his sister asked, leaning on her elbows and looking way too smug.
Birk stilled. “You know something I don’t?”
Nessa chuckled. “You have to ask me that?”
Now he felt like a fool. Women had a second sense about these things. “Sorry.”
She smiled. “Look, I know you’re upset that Lily hasn’t thrown herself at your feet, but I can hazard a guess why she wants little to do with you.”
Birk sat up straighter. “Why’s that?”
“She likes you too much.”
A laugh burst out, but it held no mirth. “You’re jerking my chain, and I don’t appreciate it.”
Nessa tilted her head and sighed. “I’m being serious. What if you two became romantically involved and made love?”
“I’d be the happiest man on earth.”
“You might be, but in the process, she’d be naked and you’d see her back.”
Birk didn’t see the point. “I know that asshole burned her, but it’s not like I haven’t seen what fire can do to skin before.”
“Would you be repulsed?”
His sister was talking crazy. “Fuck no. Lily can’t help what happened to her.”
Nessa leaned back. “She hasn’t come out and told me exactly why she’s so skittish, but Kyle said that every man she has been close to has rejected her once they see her scars.”
Birk pushed back his chair. “Then I’ll tell her I don’t care about what her back looks like.”
Nessa shook her head. “She won’t believe you.”
“Why not?”
His sister sighed. “If you are that clueless, I can’t help you. What you need to do is to take a break and do some deep thinking. Hopefully some answers will come to you.” She snapped her fingers. “And I have just the place.”
“I tried taking a weekend off, but it didn’t do any good.”
“Don’t judge until you hear my suggestion.”
“I’m not going to some fancy spa or portal down to Earth for a bit. I’m needed here.”
She held up a palm. “I have something closer in mind—like an hour away.”
Then why didn’t he know about it? “Where is this amazing retreat? Believe me, I would do anything to get a new perspective on things.”
“Have you ever been to the eternal flame?”
“Maybe fifty years ago.”
Nessa studied him. “Do me a favor and check it out. While you are there, be sure to toss a coin in the fountain and make a wish.”
Birk didn’t even want to know what superstition lay behind that request. “How will going there help me figure out what I can do to earn Lily’s trust?”
“When I went there with Kyle, we ran across a wise woman by the name of Fay Forrester.”
That name sounded familiar. “The one you said was tiny and had wings?”
“Yes. She could disintegrate—if that’s the right word—into hundreds of fireflies and disappear.”
He didn’t believe in fairies. Most likely Nessa had conjured her up since she’d wanted answers about who was trying to kill her. Maybe he should save himself a trip and talk to the Four Sisters of Fate instead. They were wiser than anyone. The problem was that unless it was a matter of life and death, they were reluctant to give advice or help. “If I go and nothing happens, will you talk to Lily for me; tell her I don’t care about her back?”
“When you return, we’ll discuss your options.”
That was all he could ask for. “I’ll see you soon then—hopefully with a plan.”
Birk wasn’t sure why he agreed to visit some old flame, but Nessa acted as if it would help. Right now, he had to take whatever advice he could get, especially since his sister and Lily seemed to be growing closer.
Once outside, Birk shifted then took off toward the spot where the four provinces of Tarradon met. It was said that the flame was a symbol of the cooperation between the provinces, forged long before he existed. If he recalled correctly, the flame was situated in a dense forest surrounded by an untouchable preserve.
As he flew to the middle of the realm, his mind began to relax, and he was able to enjoy the beauty of Tarradon. The hills were a lush green and the air sweet. He almost believed what Nessa said was true—that Lily didn’t hate him. In fact, she might even be attracted to him, but that
she feared he’d reject her. That actually made sense. All he had to do was let her know they were mates, and she’d understand that he would never leave her.
Lily was beautiful, and it didn’t matter to him if her body wasn’t as perfect as she wanted. He loved her just the way she was. In fact, part of Lily’s allure came from her having been a burn victim survivor. Birk had been around long enough to know that people who were conditioned to believe they were less than ideal would not take someone’s word for it. That meant he’d just have to show her.
By the time he spotted the flame, his spirits had risen. Because of the density of the trees, he landed in an open field two miles from the actual site, shifted, and trekked in on foot. He thought he might run into a tourist or two, but it seemed as if he had the whole forest to himself.
Today, the birds seemed to chirp louder than usual, and the air smelled cleaner. It was said this part of the realm possessed magic, and it just might be true.
When he arrived, no one was there. No fairy. No shaman. Nobody.
Did you expect someone to walk out of the forest and tell you how to win over your mate? his dragon asked.
Of course not. But a guy could hope.
Birk stepped over to the fountain, dug a hand in his pocket for a coin, and then turned his back to the water. Nessa wouldn’t believe him if he said he’d made a wish, so he decided to video it for her. With the phone camera in hand he pressed the video button. “Nessa, this is for you. May Lily fall madly in love with me and want to be my mate.”
He tossed the coin behind him, and when he heard it splash, he shut off the video.
Clapping came from his right and startled the shit out of him. Birk spun toward the sound and relaxed when he spotted a petite blonde. She looked as if she were trying hard to hold in a laugh. For some reason he felt compelled to explain. “My sister told me that wishes often come true here, so I had to toss in a coin.”
The stranger moved closer. “They do come true, if it is meant to be.”
“Good to know.”
She held out her hand. “I’m Fay Forrester.”
Holy shit. “The fairy?” he blurted.