Healing Eden (29 page)

Maybe something in the human realm would work. A shitload of Myrens made their living doing business in Evad, most capitalizing on their special gifts in ways humans would never perceive. Not that his gifts allowed for much in the way of commerce. Masking yourself to nearly undetectable levels didn’t exactly draw in sales.

Came in damned handy when you had to sneak into a place though. Maybe something in security or protection would work.

The wood floors above ground creaked.

Reese stepped from the walk-in closet and spread his senses around the house. Only one presence pinged back at him. Odd, he’d expected Ben to bring Beth along since she’d insisted on hearing about the mating and how Galena liked the cottage.

He pushed the bookcase door wide and chastised himself. The absent-mindedness wouldn’t do if he wanted in any kind of security firm.

He smiled, ready to greet his neighbors, and stopped cold.

Serena.

Her pale blue gown gave her skin a morbid glow and her eyelashes were wet and red-rimmed. Even her gown looked off, too matronly with its long sleeves.

“Don’t hurt me.” She wrung her hands, and her arms shook so badly he felt a need to reach out and steady her, a foolish notion for a woman like Serena. People like her could always fake an Oscar-worthy performance if they thought they’d get something out of it.

“I don’t make a habit of hurting women.” He shot a pointed look at the open door. “Then again, I don’t recall inviting you in so you may need to give me a decent reason.”

“I didn’t know where else to go.”

Reese strode toward the door and shut it. A quick check of the surroundings ensured him Ben wasn’t yet nearby. “What makes you think this was the right place to start?”

“Because I need help.” She hiccupped and swiped her nose. “I’m in trouble with Maxis and didn’t know what else to do.”

Reese lifted an eyebrow. “You’re just now figuring out he’s trouble?”

“You don’t understand. If you knew…” She turned away and pressed a hand over her chest. The action was a little over the top, which only nudged Reese another step toward disbelief. “His plans are awful. If I’d known what he wanted for the rebellion I’d have never gotten involved.”

“Then get un-involved. Tell Eryx about Maxis’ plans and ask for mercy.”

She bit her lip, gaze locked on the floor. “It’s not that simple.”

“Funny, I thought the same thing.” He tilted his head. Clio had mentioned a new intersection. What if this was it? Could he discount her story out of hand? “You should talk to Eryx.”

She shook her head and let out a whimper. “No, I really messed up.”

She lifted her sleeve.

Shock pushed Reese back a step. Of everything he’d expected, Serena hooking up with Maxis wasn’t one of them.

“He thinks I’m headed to Cush to learn more from my family on what’s happening at council. I learned where you live from his memories. If I stay too much longer, he’ll find me.” She let out another whimper and a fresh round of tears kicked in.

“Then tell me where he is and I’ll pass the information to Eryx on your behalf. We’ll raid and take him before he can do anything.”

“No.” Her eyes went dinner plate wide. Was it fear or panic? “He’ll know it was me and kill me before you can contain him.” She inched forward. “You know what he can do.”

Ah, so she knew. He’d have never suspected Maxis capable of sharing anything with anyone, let alone such valuable knowledge as his ability to kill via link.

“What are the plans?” he said. Anything she handed over would probably be complete crap, but it was worth a shot.

“If I tell you, will you ask Eryx to pardon me? He pardoned you. Surely he’d pardon me?”

So, she knew that too. For a woman who’d been tucked away with the rebellion, she was an informed little lady. “Eryx is nothing but fair, even for those who don’t always deserve it.”

She flinched and pressed her lips into a tight line. “Maxis is planning something in Evad. He said he needs to gather slaves and thought to start with teenagers.”

“When?”

She hesitated, her high drama blending with a subtle tremor. “In two days.”

Galena landed next to the high marble fountain at the center of the prestigious Cush neighborhood and glared at Serena’s home. She’d willingly left Reese this morning to support Ian and Brenna, but being kept from him for a mandated social call rankled.

Lexi touched down beside her, Jagger a tight presence at her side. “Whoa.” She craned her head to take in the architecture. “I always liked those pointy things on rooftops, but I think Serena’s family took it a bit far. What do you call that look?”

“Baroque.” Galena trudged forward, determined to get this task over with. She’d never realized how heavy her social persona sat on her shoulders until Reese helped lift the burden. “The period’s known for its drama and its tension in all things artistic.” She smirked at Lexi. “Fitting for our girl Serena, don’t you think?”

Lexi quickened her steps until they were side-to-side. “I was expecting all black with flames.”

Galena shook her head.

“What?” Lexi tried for innocent, but it fell far short. “She’s a demon bitch from hell.”

A snort sounded behind them.

Galena glanced back in time to see Jagger duck his head.

“I’m sorry Eryx wrangled you into this.” Lexi said, lowering her voice. “I told him I could handle it on my own.”

A heavy sigh slipped out before Galena could check it. Between Lexi’s earthy influence and Reese battering her long-practiced facades, she’d be swearing and pole dancing before the month was out. “It’s the right thing to do. Serena’s probably with Maxis and we could use some clues from her family. And trust me, you’ll need a little back up for this one. More than you know.” She opened the wrought iron gate and held it open for Lexi.

“Pretty uptight, huh?”

Nearing the front door, Galena angled closer to her shalla. “You ever read any historical books? Maybe a romance or two growing up?”

Lexi wrinkled her nose. “Chaperones and corsets and all that?”

“No, I mean the etiquette.” Galena pounded the knocker on the Blackwood entry and stepped back. “They’ve got a time and place for everything. When to be seen and when to call one someone.”

Lexi gaped.

“Like that, but up a few levels.” Galena motioned toward Lexi’s attire. The silk platinum gown she’d worn straight from council practically screamed her station, even without the crown. “The malress coming for a visit will bump that up to sheer ridiculousness.”

The door glided opened and a butler in fitted black wool pants and matching black overcoat stepped forward. Talk about scary, the skin below his eyes and along his jowls sagged and what hair he had left was dull brown with peppered gray. “May I help you?”

Galena lifted an eyebrow, a regal glare straight out of Eryx’s playbook. “Your malress and your malran’s sister visit your household and you greet us with cold words?” She tsked and forced her lips to a considering purse. “I doubt the Doroz patriarch would be pleased.”

Realization zapped the lower half of the man’s face to an animated grimace. He stepped back, chin dropped formally as he held the door open wide. “My apologies, Your Highnesses. Please come in and I’ll alert the master of your presence.”

No sooner had they crossed the threshold than the butler strode off, his quick steps ringing on the black and white tiles.

“I’m gonna call him Renfield.”
Lexi managed to keep her expression in check even though her voice rang ornery in Galena’s head.
“Admit it. He’s one creepy-lookin’ dude.”

“Dude?”

“What? It’s a good word. You should try it.”
She paused in the middle of the soaring foyer, the overdone crystal chandelier poised perfectly above her, and frowned.
“Seriously. Try it.”

Galena smiled and pushed every ounce of beach bum she could manage into the effort.
“Dude.”
She shook her head and let out a little chuckle.
“You and Reese are going to turn me into a rebel.”

Lexi’s smile stretched from ear to ear.
“Excellent.”

A booming voice sounded from above and quick footsteps pounded down the winding steps. “Your Highnesses.” A tall, slender man with shoulder-length salt-and-pepper hair tied in a queue hustled into view. Judging by the bright red across his cheeks and the lack of his formal overcoat, they’d caught Serena’s daddy completely unaware.

“My name is Reginald Doroz.” He dropped to one knee and the door beside Lexi opened. “Please, let me show you to the drawing room where we can talk.”

Lexi shifted for the door.

Reginald rose and reached for Lexi’s arm.

Jagger shot forward and cut him off.

“Apologies.” Reginald yanked his hand away and lowered his head. “I meant only to escort you in, my malress.”

“No offense taken.” At the far end of the room, Lexi settled into a high-backed plum wingback, her demeanor the epitome of sweet and innocent. “We didn’t intend to upset your household. Galena’s just told me so much about Serena that I couldn’t wait anymore to meet her.”

“You’re flirting with him?”
For the last two weeks, Lexi had slung four letter words with the best of their warriors. To see her batting her eyelashes at the old coot and slinging a coy drawl seemed incongruent.
“Maybe you don’t need my help.”

“Oklahoma accent. Works ’em over every time if you do it right.”
She snuck a wink in as Serena’s daddy sat ramrod straight in the chair beside her. “Is Serena here?”

“Yes, well.” Reginald coughed and fiddled with his shirt collar. “I’m afraid Serena’s not in residence at the moment. She’s a bit of a traveler and prefers to spend much of her time at her friends’ homes.”

His lips twitched, like his mind wanted to form a smile but the nerves kept shorting out in the process. “The flighty creature’s as reliable as an earthquake. Still, her taking off the same week as Inez has proven a particular challenge. Her mother is beside herself. So many social obligations and not nearly enough support.”

“Inez?” Galena knew most of the society families, but she couldn’t come up with one Inez on the list.

“Serena’s nanny,” Reginald said. “Or housekeeper now. My wife relies on her heavily when Serena’s not home to help. Appearances must be kept.” He bowed his head in Lexi’s direction. “I’m sure Your Highness understands.”

“Mr. Doroz, I’m beginning to think you run a rather lax estate.” Galena never would have thrown such a pompous statement at a decent being, but this guy was an ass. If he was heartless enough to call his daughter flighty in front of strangers she couldn’t really blame Serena for spending time away from home. “Your staff doesn’t recognize their sovereigns on sight, and deign to report for duty only when it suits them?”

“Oh, you misunderstand.” Reginald surged to his feet and lifted his hands in a placating gesture. “Inez is a devoted staff member, always here on time, and seldom a sick day. Not that one stays ill long in her presence. She’s a tolerable healer, a gift that’s blessed our family since we first hired her. Her disappearance is most unusual.”

“How long has she been gone?” This from Lexi, gripping her hands in her lap and angling her torso forward with what looked like genuine concern. “Is there anything we can do to help?”

“You’re kind to offer, my malress, but I’m sure Inez is fine.” He scowled toward the door. “I’m sure we’ll have refreshments for you soon. If you’ll give me a moment, I’ll check on them and let my baineann know you’re here. She’ll be devastated if she learns she missed you.”

He hurried toward the door.

Galena edged closer to Lexi’s side.
“You thinking what I’m thinking?”

“That our boys did some serious damage to Maxis in their mental showdown and needed someone to do a little pick-me-up?”
Lexi shot a grin at Galena, one that made Galena glad they were on the same team.
“Hell, yeah.”

Lexi stood and absently smoothed the silk along her hips as she glided toward the door.
“Let’s ditch this place and get you home for some lovin’. Who knows, maybe I’ll get lucky too.”

Reginald intercepted as they hit the foyer. “Are you leaving?”

“I’m afraid so,” Galena said. “As you can imagine, Lexi has a busy schedule.”

“We’ll leave you to whatever business you were about,” Lexi added. “When you see Serena, let her know we came by. I’m really looking forward to seeing her.”

Reginald blustered a farewell behind them, Jagger wedge protectively in-between them.

“You’re looking forward to seeing her?”
It was all Galena could do not to nudge Lexi in the ribs.
“Laying it on a little thick, don’t you think?”

“No, I really do want to see her. And then I want to pop her eyes out with a spork.”

“A spork?”

“Oh, geez.”
Lexi slung an arm around Galena’s shoulders.
“We need to get you out of Eden more.”

* * * *

Eryx landed outside the castle entrance and threw the front doors wide.

“She’s got Jagger and Galena with her.” Ludan touched down a step behind him, his gruff reminder filled with confidence Eryx couldn’t muster.

“You get a mate and send her into the nest of a woman who helped kidnap her and we’ll talk. Until then, shut it.” Eryx angled for the library.

“It was the right move.” Ludan came up on Eryx’s right. “They’d clam up if you went. Serena’s parents will yak all day with Lexi.”

Eryx strode to his study and the bar situated to one side of his desk. “You’re awfully damned chatty.” He tilted the first bottle and checked the label. Strasse, not what he wanted. Vodka, didn’t want that either. Schnapps, oh, hell no.

Balvenie Fifty.

Perfect.

Eryx finished pouring, but kept the lid off. Ludan was right. Lexi wasn’t in danger, not with Jagger with her, but he’d need at least two rounds good old-fashioned whiskey to take the edge off waiting. Maybe three.

The Scotch burned slow and warm down his throat. “Thought you were gonna do murder in front of the whole council before they finished with Brenna. How about you get loose-lipped about that?”