he opened my door.
He must have noticed my
shocked expression, because he
laughed. “Sorry to startle you.”
“Nice house.”
He smiled. “Thanks.” He held
out a hand. I awkwardly accepted
it.
We walked around the car, and I
met up with Owen. He quickly
scooped my hand up in his. Levi
walked up to the wrap around
porch, and we followed. Before he
could get his key in the lock, the
door was thrown open. A large
golden retriever ran out on the
porch and jumped on Levi.
“Get down, Sally!” Levi yelled at
the dog.
“Don’t yell at her!” A brunette
walked out onto the porch. She was
wearing jeans and a t-shirt with her
hair tied up in a knot on the top of
her head, but she had this ethereal
beauty that made it look like she
would fit more on a runway than a
home—even one as grand as this
one. I knew at once it was the
queen, Allie.
“I wouldn’t yell if she didn’t jump
up on people,” Levi grumbled.
Allie ignored her husband and
walked over to me with her hand
outstretched. “You must be Daisy.”
“Yes, hi. Nice to meet you.” I
accepted her firm handshake.
“Come right in. Sorry about the
dog.” She smiled apologetically.
“It’s fine. I grew up with two
labs.”
“Oh, those are great dogs too.”
She gestured for me to walk inside.
I listened, assuming Owen
would follow us in.
I looked around at the tall
ceilings and beautifully refinished
hardwood floors. “You have a lovely
home.” Try amazing. I’d never been
in a place quite like it before.
“It’s a mess.” She bent down
and picked up a truck. “I’m sorry. I
finally got the little guy down and
ran out of time to clean up.”
“Don’t you guys have maids?” I
regretted the words once they were
out. I didn’t want to make her
uncomfortable.
She smiled. “We have a house
cleaner, but only once a week.
Otherwise it’s up to me to pick up
after everyone.”
“I clean too.” Levi walked over
and kissed her on the cheek.
She smiled. “Occasionally.”
“Hey, you’ve been complaining
we never have company. I brought
you company.”
“With no notice. I would have
hired a sitter and had dinner
catered.”
“Allie isn’t much of a cook,”
Owen laughed.
Allie nudged Levi. “I’m getting
better. Right?”
He smiled. “You are fantastic,
babe. No question about it.”
“Do you want to be in trouble?”
She narrowed her eyes.
“What?” He held up his hands as
if in defense. “I was being honest.
You’re a great cook.”
“I heard some sarcasm there.”
She flushed.
“Keep up with this over sensitive
stuff, and I’m going to worry you
are pregnant again.”
She swatted at him. “If we didn’t
have company you’d be regretting
those words.”
“And my guess is I’ll be
regretting them after they leave.”
He pulled her into his arms. “Have I
told you lately that I love you?”
“Sweet talk isn’t going to work.”
“It won’t?” He rested his
forehead against hers. “Even if it’s
really sweet?”
Allie shook her head. “And on
that note, let’s move into the living
room. I’m sure our guests would
like to get on with the evening.”
Allie and Levi walked through a
large archway. I pulled Owen back.
“Are they always like this?” I
whispered.
He laughed. “Most of the time.
Entertaining couple, aren’t they?”
“You could say that.” I followed
them into the living room.
I took a seat on a beige couch,
glad when Owen sat down next to
me. Allie and Levi sat down across
from us on a loveseat.
“Levi didn’t get a chance to tell
me to what I owed the pleasure of
your company, Owen. My guess is
this is more than a purely social
visit?” She crossed her legs.
“We need to take a look at
some maps. We have to find a
place.”
“A place? Very descriptive.” She
huffed.
“Do you know anything about
the Allures?” I asked.
“I’ve read about them. They are
an ancient mythical creature if I’m
correct.”
“Ancient yes, but not mythical.”
Owen put a hand on my leg.
“Wait, you’ve seen them?” Allie
sat up.
“Daisy’s got one in her.” Levi
didn’t move an inch when he spoke.
“Uh, what does he mean?” She
watched me warily.
“Oh, I ate one for breakfast.” I
needed to lighten the mood.
Allie laughed. “Funny.”
“Glad you figured out it was a
joke.”
She laughed again. “I’m not that
gullible, but what is Levi talking
about?”
“Short story is she was given a
magic paste that apparently had
Allure essence in it. She’ll fully
become one if we don’t stop it.”
Levi stood up. “I’ll pull out the
maps. Owen, want to join me?”
He wasn’t really asking, and
Owen stood right up. He glanced
down at me. “We’ll be right back.
“Please find something,” I
pleaded.
“I’ll do my best.”
I watched as they walked out of
the room.
“Can I get you something to
drink?” Allie snapped me out of my
daze. “I know I should be asking
how you are, but I already know
you can’t be doing great. A drink is
the only thing I can think to offer.”
“You are nothing like I
expected.”
“What did you expect?” She
walked over and sat down next to
me.
“A pampered princess type girl.”
“Sorry to disappoint you.” Her
eyes twinkled.
“About that drink you offered?”
“My guess is you need
something strong.”
“As strong as you’ve got.”
“Come with me.” She led the
way into the next room and
stopped in front of a large
mahogany bar. “Pick your poison.”
She gestured to a row of top shelf
liquors.
“Vodka.” I didn’t drink much
liquor, but I preferred Vodka.
“Neat?”
“That works.” I didn’t plan to
drink much, so I wanted to be easy.
She poured two glasses and
handed me one.
“To the boys finding what you
need on the maps.” She lightly
tapped her glass against mine.
“Cheers.” I sipped the strong
liquor and welcomed the burn as it
went down my throat.
Allie took a sip. “A few years
ago I wouldn’t have had this.”
“You’ve changed your drink
preferences?” I asked. The whole
situation was strange. Having
drinks with a queen was never in
my plans.
“Yes. I’m not sure how much of
that comes from being queen
versus being a mom.”
I laughed. “My guess is both
contribute.”
“So you and Owen, huh?” She
sipped her vodka again.
“Yup, me and Owen.”
“Other than the whole Allure
thing, are you doing well?”
“I’m crazy about him.”
“And the sex?”
I coughed on my drink.
She held out a hand. “Sorry, had
to ask.” She laughed. “I’m nosier
than I used to be.”
Why not be honest? “It’s great.”
“He seems happy. Stressed but
happy.”
“I’d say that sums me up, but
my emotions aren’t that simple
anymore.”
“Are you like an Allure? I read
something about them being able
to manipulate feelings.”
“I can somewhat. I’m trying to
avoid it.”
“The worst part about being a
human in this paranormal world is
that I’m susceptible to everything
while Levi isn’t. At least my kids will
be immune.”
“Will all of them be Pteron?” I
couldn’t imagine having kids that
weren’t human. Then again I
couldn’t imagine not being human
myself but that was already starting
to happen.
“Yes. That gene is dominant.”
“What’s that like? Having kids
that have wings?”
“You’re changing the subject.”
She swirled around the liquor in her
glass.
“I am.” There was no reason to
pretend otherwise.
“Sneaky.”
“I am legitimately curious.”
“It’s different, but I knew what I
was getting into. My guess is it’s
going to be more of a challenge as
they get older.” She glanced over
her shoulder, and I assumed she
was checking to make sure Levi
wasn’t listening. “I’m worried they’ll
look down on me, or I’ll feel left out
because I can’t fly.”
“That would be hard.” I didn’t
beat around the bush. She hadn’t
with me, so I would give her the
same courtesy.
“Like I said, I don’t know what
changed my liquor preference
more.” She took another sip.
“I’m sorry for this unexpected
visit.”
“It’s fine. Owen is like family.
I’m surprised Levi even called in
advance to let me know.”
“I made him.” It was the least
we could do.
She smiled. “Why am I not
surprised?”
“Men don’t think about things
like that.”
“No, they don’t. And to be
honest some women don’t either.”
“Yes, I’ll agree there.” I’d
definitely met my fair share of
those.
“How are you feeling?” She
leaned back against the bar. “
“Emotionally I’m a mess, but
physically I’m feeling normal
enough.”
“I know you’ve got to be
terrified, but we’re going to figure
this out.”
“If it’s possible.”
“You know it is. Otherwise you
wouldn’t be here.” She gave me a
knowing look.
“Ladies?” Levi called from the
doorway. “Starting without us?” He
took Allie’s glass and sipped it.
“You’re drinking vodka now?”
She shrugged. “There are worse
things.”
“Find anything?” Allie and Levi’s
banter was cute and all, but I didn’t
have time to waste.
“Yes and no.” Owen walked over
with a roll of paper under his arms.
“Are those the maps?”
“Yes. I want to show you
something.” He walked toward the
kitchen and laid out the map on the
table. “This is the map of all known
cities and locations in the world.”
“Where’s Energo?” I stood next
to him.
“That’s the thing.” He tapped
the map. “It’s not on here.”
“Or this one.” Levi rolled out
another map next to it.
“So how does any of this help
us?” I could feel my frustration
rising along with panic.
“Owen doesn’t think Kalisa was
lying about Energo.” Levi leaned a
land on the table.
“Why would she have lied? What
could she have possibly gained by
that?” I agreed with his
assessment, but that didn’t mean it
helped us at all.
“If she’s telling the truth, then
there are only two possibilities.”
Levi tapped the maps.
“And they are?” I was growing
increasingly inpatient.
“Either Energo is another name
for a place.”
“Or?”
Levi rolled the maps back up.
“Or it doesn’t exist in our world as
we know it.”
“Uh… if it doesn’t exist in our
world, where does it exist?” Allie
scrunched up her forehead.
“Allie, do you still have those
books you borrowed from my
grandma? The ones about all the
ancient creatures?”
Allie put a hand under her chin.
“No. Georgina made me return
them in less than forty-eight hours.”
“Georgina?” I asked.
“My grandma, don’t ask.” Levi
shook his head.
“Wait, do you think the places
described in those books are real
then?” Allie leaned forward.
“The Allures are still around…”
“Does this mean we’re paying a
visit to Georgina?” Owen’s eyes
brightened.
“Yes.” Levi nodded. “But she’s
out at the country home. It’s going
to be a drive.”
“Doesn’t matter.” Owen grabbed
my hand. “I’m not going to pretend
Georgina is the easiest person to
get along with, but if anyone is
going to be able to help, it’s her.”
“Then why didn’t we go to her
first?” I asked what I thought was
an obvious question.
Levi laughed. “Because no one
just goes to Georgina, except for
family, and even we’re careful. The
matriarch of our familiar is intense.”
“But most of that is an act.” Allie
took my empty glass from me.
“She’s more bark than bite unless
you get on her bad side. If you do
that, well, then you’re in serious
trouble.”
“But you think she’ll help us?” I
clasped my hands together.
“She’s always had a soft spot for
Owen.” Levi grinned. “Now if this
was Jared it would be another
story.”
“Who’s Jared?” I asked.