“I’d like Ramona to give you a reading,” Harmony said.
I eyed her suspiciously. “Why? What’s going on?”
Ramona placed her hand palm up on the table. “Let me see your hand.”
“Only if you ask nicely,” I said.
Harmony moved to stand behind Ramona. “Callie, please. I’d like to help you and, to do that, I need input from Ramona.”
I blinked in confusion. “Help me? With what?”
Ramona snapped her fingers impatiently. “This is a favor. I don’t have time for stubbornness. I get enough of that at home with two teenaged granddaughters.” She rolled her eyes. “Between the belly shirts and the attitude, I’m ready to ship them both off to boarding school.”
Reluctantly I placed my hand in hers. She turned it from side to side before flipping it to inspect the palm.
“Are you human?” I asked.
“Yes. I inherited my third eye from my grandmother. It seems to skip a generation.”
“So your granddaughters have psychic abilities too?” I asked.
Her eyes met mine. “Why do you think they’re both so difficult? They’re twins to boot. Whoever coined the phrase ‘double trouble’ had them in mind, I’ll tell you that much.”
Harmony hovered anxiously behind the psychic with her arms wrapped around her waist. “Do you see anything?”
“I see a lot of things,” Ramona said, staring at my hand. “I’m just not sure how to interpret them.” She released my hand and leaned back in her chair. “Your lines are strange.”
“Gee, thanks for the insight,” I said. “Very helpful.”
“The earth line is impressive, but the fate line…” She frowned and bit her lip.
I cut a glance at Harmony. “Let me guess. My fate hangs in the balance?”
Ramona tugged absently on a hoop earring. “I don’t think I can be of help to you.” She looked up at Harmony. “I’m sorry, honey. I didn’t realize.”
“Didn’t realize what? That my hand would be defective? You can’t read my palm?”
“I can read it, honey. I just don’t want to. Some doors are best left closed.” She reached into her pocket. “Here, every customer gets one of these. Consider it a consolation prize” She slapped the souvenir on the table. It was a crab keychain with the name Olga’s Fortunes inscribed on the crab’s body.
I took the keychain and twirled it on my finger. “I’ll be sure to spread the word about your masterful readings.”
Ramona swallowed hard. “I don’t want any trouble here. I have a nice life. I’d like to keep it that way.”
I had no idea what she was so worked up about. How much damage could one bad review do? “Relax, I’m not going to talk smack about you. I have no interest in trying to ruin anyone’s business.”
Harmony placed a hand on the psychic’s shoulder. “Five minutes, please, Ramona. Then we’ll get out of your hair.”
Wordlessly, the so-called psychic vacated her seat and disappeared into a back room. Harmony sank into the available chair with a regretful sigh.
“I’m sorry I sprang this on you. I should’ve come up with a better plan.”
I peered at her over the scrying glass. “What are you doing here?”
“I followed you earlier, when you were getting your funnel cake.” She held up her hands. “No judgment. I didn’t want to be seen, so I hid with Ramona and waited for you to come back this way.”
“She’s a friend?”
“I used to walk the boardwalk on my lunch hour and she and I hit it off.”
“I’m sorry you lost your job.”
Harmony offered a rueful smile. “It’s okay. We weren’t a good match. The Pride needs someone less…diligent.”
“I thought your competency was the issue.”
The healer laughed. “Oh, it was, but not the way you think.” She seemed to catch herself and stopped talking.
“Why do you need to speak with me in secret?” I asked. “What were you hoping Ramona could see?”
“The Pride specifically said I was to have no contact with anyone from the organization from the moment I left the property.” Tears welled in her eyes. “They didn’t let me say goodbye or even collect my belongings. They sent a messenger to deliver the boxes to my home.”
Harsh. “I guess it’s because of the nature of what they do.” What we do.
The healer gripped the edge of the table. “Listen, I don’t have a lot of time. I told you I’d look into your genetic history. I came here to tell you what I found.”
If Harmony was going out on a limb to deliver this news, it had to be important. “And?”
“I don’t know how to tell you this, Callie, but Quinn Wendell died twenty-five years ago.”
I sat motionless, unwilling to even breathe or blink. There had to be some mistake. “That’s impossible.”
“I knew you would say that.”
“This is why they fired you,” I said, feeling my anger rise to the surface. “You don’t know how to run tests. You don’t know how to research. You lure me into a psychic parlor with someone who can’t even read palms. Why did they ever hire you in the first place? They must’ve been desperate.”
“Callie, listen.” She reached across the table for my hand and I jumped to my feet.
“No. I’m not listening to another word. First you tell me I’m human when that’s clearly not possible because I can do magic. Now you tell me my father’s been dead for twenty-five years when I’ve spent those past twenty-five years by his side.”
Trust no one. My father’s dying words. Maybe this was the conversation he’d envisioned when he imparted that last bit of wisdom.
“What’s your angle?” I demanded.
Harmony wore a pained expression. “I don’t know how to interpret what I’m telling you, but it’s the truth. I was hoping that Ramona could shed a little more light on the situation, but obviously something spooked her.”
“Spooked her?” My laugh was harsh and abrupt. “That’s how she covers her incompetence. I guess you two have that in common.”
Harmony’s blue eyes brimmed with tears. “I’m a skilled healer, Callie, and very conscientious. I stand by the results, no matter what you choose to believe. You’re one hundred percent human.”
“Then how do you explain the fact that I had fangs in the fight against Supai? Or that I can dream walk? Can a human do either of those things?”
Her mouth opened, but no sound came out.
“That’s right,” I said, my hand cementing to my hips. “My magic is way more powerful than I ever knew, so whatever garbage you’re trying to feed me under the guise of trying to help me, save it for someone more gullible.”
I fled the parlor and returned to the boardwalk. The bright sunlight nearly blinded me and I stumbled a few steps. I heard Harmony call my name, but I kept going. I needed to get back to Salt and the safety of my room. She wouldn’t dare follow me there. She was too worried about what the Pride would do if they discovered her breach of their agreement. My feet moved faster and faster until I realized that I was sprinting.
Quinn Wendell died twenty-five years ago.
Bullshit.
I blew through the entrance of the casino and headed straight for my room. I didn’t even stop to greet the security guards as I usually would. My heart thundered in my chest as I slammed the heel of my hand on the elevator button.
When the doors opened, I rushed inside, relieved that I was alone. Of course, the security cameras were there so I made a point of trying to maintain my composure. My head was spinning. It was only when I was safely within the confines of my room that I released a gasp of air. I perched on the edge of the bed and tried to make sense of Harmony’s news.
She was wrong; it was that simple. Why was I bothering to entertain the thought? The elders had fired her for her incompetence. Why did I think she was bringing me accurate information? It made no sense. I wasn’t human and my father was alive and well until Canute came alon
g and destroyed everything. Quinn Wendell raised me. Taught me to perform magic. Taught me to survive.
And yet.
The timing was interesting. Quinn Wendell reportedly died twenty-five years ago—the same number as my age. After my mother died, my father fled this area and never looked back. What if he’d faked his own death and left town with me?
My stomach churned. Harmony’s news was starting to raise more questions than it answered. I shouldn’t have run off like a startled child. What was wrong with me? Why did I react so strongly instead of choosing to hear her out? After all, she’d put her neck on the line in order to tell me what she’d learned and I’d basically spit in her face.
I stood and walked to the coffee pot, intending to make myself a warm cup of comfort caffeine. Only then did I notice that I was out of pods. Good job, housekeeping.
I glanced at the door, contemplating whether to venture into the casino. On the one hand, I wanted to be alone to process Harmony’s news. On the other hand, I wanted a cup of comfort.
In the end, caffeine won. I splashed water on my face before heading back down to the main floor. I ignored the alerts on my phone, knowing that the Pride expected me to report for duty. My head was in a haze and Dasim and Tefnut seemed lightyears away right now.
This time, I paused to say a quick hello to Roth, the security guard, and inquire after his family.
“You okay?” he asked. “You blew past us earlier.”
“I know, I’m sorry. I was desperate for the bathroom.” I patted my stomach. “All better now.” I figured that would be enough to keep him from asking any more probing questions.
“Not sure if you want coffee if you’re having stomach issues, but I heard there’s a BOGO happening at Adrenaline. You could get two and stash one in your mini-fridge for later.”
I wagged a finger at him. “This is why you’re my favorite.” I dashed toward the coffee shop, my thoughts immediately returning to Harmony’s news. If she was right and my father had ‘officially’ died, what would have been so frightening to force him into hiding? The more I considered the possibility, the more it made sense. We lived off the grid as much as possible. We didn’t have a house or regular jobs. We lived in the mountains and avoided attachments. Most notably, my father had insisted that I learn magic in order to defend myself. I’d always assumed it was to defend myself in the wild—from feral vamps and werewolves.
What if there was more to it than that?
I waited in line at the coffee shop, pondering what to do next. If the name Quinn Wendell meant anything to the supernaturals I’d met in Atlantica City so far, no one showed it. I went by Callie Wendell, so it wasn’t too far-fetched to think that someone would recognize the surname.
“Hey, Daphne,” I said, stepping up to the counter for my turn. “I hear it’s BOGO.”
The waif-like cashier smiled. “Sure is. Any special requests?”
“One with hazelnut and one with vanilla, please.”
“Coming right up. Charge the room?”
“Yes, please.” As much as I missed the wide-open sky and fresh mountain air, living in a casino had its perks. I liked the fact that the staff knew me. It helped me feel a part of something, much like Pandora’s Pride.
I smelled Oren before I noticed him. “You might want to consider a different cologne.” I turned around with a coffee cup in each hand. Sure enough, Oren lingered behind me. “Are you here for BOGO?”
“I don’t even know what a BOGO is,” he said with a divisive sniff.
“So snobby. Maybe we’d get along better if you lowered your standards.”
“Funny, Miss Wendell. I could say the same to you.”
I smiled at the vampire. “Nice one.” I continued walking and Oren fell in step beside me. “Is there something you need because, I’ll be honest, I’m feeling generally hostile at the moment?”
Oren fidgeted with his cufflinks. “You seem to be on the move quite a bit today.”
“How sweet of you to notice.”
“I need to choose a tree for the lobby on the lower level,” he said. “Perhaps I might ask your opinion.”
I stopped walking and looked at him. “Did you seriously just ask for my advice about a tree?”
“You grew up in nature. I thought you could offer invaluable input.”
I frowned. “Is this the kind of thing Ingemar had in mind when he asked for extra hours?”
“No, not at all. My employer understands that your time is worth more than that.”
I tilted my head, an idea forming. “Okay, but I need a favor.”
Oren seemed unwilling to believe the moment was real. “You need a favor from me, Miss Wendell?”
He scowled. “On one condition.”
“The condition is I help you choose a tree.”
Oren clucked his tongue. “I don’t think so. I get the distinct impression that your favor far outweighs mine.”
I rolled my eyes. “Fine. I will have a drink with you.”
“And dinner.”
“Lunch.”
He raised his chin haughtily. “I’m afraid I don’t do lunch fare.”
I bit my lip. The prospect of dinner in Oren’s company was enough to make me lose my appetite and that was saying something. “What if I give you my opinion on the tree and have a drink with you?”
“Dessert too.”
Hmm. He’d identified my weakness. It wasn’t in me to reject an offer of dessert. “You drive a hard bargain, Oren, but okay.”
The hint of a smile revealed his fangs. “What is this favor you need?”
“Why don’t we discuss it over trees?”
He appeared momentarily baffled. “You’d be willing to do that now?”
“Sure.” I glanced at the second cup of coffee. “Do you like hazelnut?”
He accepted the cup and we made our way to the lower lobby where five enormous trees stood in a row awaiting his inspection. “How about tonight at ten?”
“I can’t tonight. Another time.” I paused to admire the trees. “Definitely go with the dragon blood tree. If you run out of coffee, you can tell your guests to gnaw the root. The resin acts as a stimulant.”
“Duly noted.” He regarded the tree with its expansive canopy. “The red sap is a nice touch as well. Reminds me of blood. It will help our vampire guests feel at home.”
“Speaking of feeling at home, the favor has to do with my room.”
His nostrils flared. “I agreed to never break in again and I intend to honor my promise.”
“Not that, although that’s good. I’d like you to upgrade my room for the same fee. If I’m staying here long-term, I’ll need a kitchenette.”
His pale face brightened. “I think that’s an excellent idea. I can certainly arrange something for you.”
I peered at him. “Really?”
“Not at all. Mr. Halpain would want you to be comfortable here. If that requires an upgrade, then so be it.”
“Is there a room with a kitchenette and an ocean view? Because that would be stellar.”
Oren nodded. “And this is why I negotiated for dessert and drinks.”
“You’re not Ingemar’s right fang for nothing.”
A shout broke out behind us, not far from the entrance to the casino.
“Oh, dear,” Oren said.
A woman was trying to extricate herself from a larger vampire’s grip. “Get your claws off me,” she yelled. “I am not a bijou.”
Oren raised a judgy eyebrow. “In that skimpy dress, I can see why she’d be mistaken for one.”
I rolled up my sleeves. “I guess I’ll earn that upgrade now.” I marched over to the vampire. “Excuse me, sir. You seem to have mistaken this lady for your property.”
I was accustomed to feral vamps and werewolves. Encountering regular vampires in the wild—or at the casino—wasn’t my specialty.
The vampire ignored me and tugged on the woman’s arm. “Come on. We’re going to the roulette table. I’m feeling l
ucky.”
As she tried to wrench her arm free, I swung my arm and landed a punch square in his chest.
The vampire groaned and clutched his chest, releasing the woman in the process. “Why did you do that?”
“The house would like you to leave,” I said.
“The house?” he echoed.
I gestured around the lobby. “The casino owner. You know, as in the house always wins. The house.”
His eyes flickered with recognition. “I’m not ready to go. I only took a break to get a slice of pizza on the boardwalk. I haven’t earned back what I’ve spent yet.”
“Yes, one of the pitfalls of gambling, I’m afraid.” I tried to steer him toward the exit. “If you’ll just come with me, I can show you to the door.”
He elbowed me aside. “I’m not ready to go. I only just got back.”
“I don’t think you understand. It isn’t up to you. Mr. Halpain would like you to leave.”
The vampire stared at me in disbelief. “I need to earn back my money.”
“Not in this casino. Perhaps you’d be more comfortable at Sweetie’s further down the boardwalk.” I was going to regret that statement if I ended up tossing him out there too.
He seemed unconvinced and looked at the woman he’d been harassing. “I like this place better.”
I heaved a sigh. “Listen, pal. I don’t know how to break this to you, but I’m a very powerful mage and I have been instructed to remove any and all nuisances from this casino by whatever force necessary. Now I don’t want to do that because I’m wearing a nice outfit and I’ve had a couple of cups of coffee, which means I’m jittery and will soon need the bathroom. That being said, if you refuse to leave one more time, I’ll have no problem kicking your ass with magic.”
The vampire walked toward the exit in a huff and the woman hurried over to thank me.
“Where did you learn to punch like that?” she asked in awe.
“My dad.” My throat thickened saying the words out loud.
She offered a grateful smile and extended a hand. “The name’s Whitney. I’m local.”
“Nice to meet you, Whitney.” My smile faded as the name unearthed a memory.
Whitney.
High Stakes and Vampires (Pandora's Pride Book 2) Page 15