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“Now let’s hope we can get out alive.”

“I’m going to shift into a bear. Stay with me.”

Something brushed against me. “Was that what I think it is?”

“My wing. Yes. We’re in business.”

“I guess I’m good at making men perform.”

“I’m not even going to comment on that, so we can get the hell out of here.”

We were greeted on the other side of the lake by two stern looking men. Their faces were fixed into scowls that made me wonder if they even knew how to smile.

Mom gave me an encouraging look, and I gave the same look back. I wasn’t sure which one of us needed it more.

The two scowling, towering men roughly secured the ferry to the dock. I held onto mom’s hand, not out of fear of what they could do, but out of fear of what I would do. My body was fighting to transform. I needed to stay calm, or I would have an even bigger problem on my hands.

“Who authorized you to transport these foreigners over here?” One of the two frowning men glowered at Maddock.

“Taliana. Mate of Gareth.” Taliana? There was that name again. Was that her real name? The two men stared at us with wide eyes.

The second man reached out a hand like he was going to touch her, but he dropped it before he did. “Is it really you?”

Mom let out a deep breath. She was trying to calm herself. I did the same thing. “Yes I have returned. This is my daughter, and we ask for safe passage to speak with Gareth.”

The deep breathing helped, and I felt the prickling sensation in my back lessen. Back in New Orleans, Hailey had taught me some good tips for staying in control. I’d needed them more frequently than I’d expected. I’d have to thank her sometime.

Calmed down, I focused on the conversation. What was this? I’d met plenty of paranormals since my run in with the wolf, but none of them acted even remotely like this. They were so formal.

“Your daughter?” The two men straightened. “By blood?”

Mom nodded. “She is my daughter by blood.”

They both smiled at me, like I was suddenly a heck of a lot more interesting. I’d learned that being interesting wasn’t usually a good thing in the paranormal world. It was far better to blend in. Too bad I never seemed to do that.

The first one leaned in closer. “And where is her mate?”

“She hasn’t taken one yet.” Mom squeezed my hand, and I assumed she was telling me to keep my mouth shut. The word mate was thrown around so much, but I didn’t completely understand it. What made it different than dating, or marrying someone even? I assumed someone would explain it to me eventually. Maybe Toby would. Whatever it meant, he was the only one I was interested in doing it with.

“No mate?” The other man seemed to be sniffing me. I leaned away. “But she is of age?”

“Yes. A few months over.”

“We will take you to Gareth immediately.” Both men reached out for my hand.

Daria laughed. “Easy there, boys.”

The second man glared at her. “You may return to the other side whenever ready.”

“I think we’ll stay here for a while. This might get interesting.” Maddock winked at me.

“That won’t be necessary. We will escort them to Gareth.”

Daria pouted. It was such a youthful facial expression that made it even harder to believe she was my mom’s age. “Fine.”

Mom once again took my hand. “We’ll see you soon.”

I was surprisingly reluctant to say goodbye to the twins. I had a feeling they’d be a lot friendlier than anyone else I met along the way. Daria grabbed my arm and pulled me in for a hug before she hopped back on the boat. “Don’t forget who you are and what matters.”

Before I could respond Maddock was already steering the boat away from the shore.

“Are you well?” One of the still nameless guys asked pulling my attention back from the retreating boat. I wished I were on it on my way back to Toby, but I’d come this far. There was no way I was giving up.

“I’m fine.” I certainly wasn’t going to let them know my weaknesses. I hoped mom gave me a hint of when to open up about things.

“Are you excited about your visit to Norco Island?” Evidently my short response wasn’t going to excuse me from the rest of the conversation.

“I’m ready for it.” I smiled at mom as I said it. I hoped that was an appropriate answer.

Her return smile let me know it was.

“Do you remember anything from being here?” the second man asked.

“I’ve never been here. At least I don’t remember it.” I glanced at mom.

She nodded. “Why don’t we wait and talk about everything with Gareth.”

“As you wish.” Again with the formal speech. This place was so strange.

As we left the shore of the island, we moved into the woods. Before long, the tree cover was thick enough to block out the sun. A sense of foreboding hit me, although I was getting that feeling so often now that I easily shrugged it off. The harder thing to shrug off was the prickling in my back. I felt so much safer with my wings out, but that wasn’t an option at the moment.

I was glad that Mom saved me from the uncomfortable conversation, but the awkward silence was nearly as bad. At least I didn’t have to worry about saying the wrong thing. I did have to deal with two giant bear shifters checking me out like I was meat. I wasn’t exactly sure who or what they thought I was, but it was something they wanted. Hopefully we’d get things ironed out quickly.

We walked for at least three miles. No one questioned whether I was tired, which was good on the surface, but bad because I was exhausted. The fatigue was back, and I didn’t have Toby to relax me. I had to stay alert and face all of this head on.

“Are you holding in there?” Mom whispered from beside me. She’d managed to slip in between me and one of the men. Either he hadn’t noticed, or he wasn’t going to argue.

“I’m fine. How about you?”

“Terrified.”

“I’m here.” I squeezed her hand this time.

“I know, and that’s what makes everything worth it.”

The sound of distant voices was the first hint that we were nearing our destination.

“Remember to follow directions. “

I nodded. “Please stay with me.”

“I’ll do my best, honey. I’ll do my best.”

We entered a clearing that was still covered by the thick canopy of the forest. I looked around at what at first glance looked like ruins. On further inspection I realized they were just well hidden buildings.

The men stopped walking. “Would you like to be brought directly to Gareth?”

“Yes.”

“Absolutely.” The first man nodded and started walking.

My mom’s hand tightened around mine. I took slow, deep breaths. Now was not the time to flip out and transform. “Stay calm. It’s all going to be okay.”

We followed the men up a steep set of stone steps. Mom never loosened her grip, and I didn’t mind. Her tight grasp was a reminder that I wasn’t facing any of this alone. We walked into a large sitting area that held a number of simple cloth couches and a few more elaborately upholstered chairs. Mom gestured for me to sit in one of the chairs. She stood next to me holding my hand. It was strange to sit while mom stood, but I was sure she had her reasons. Her whole body shook. I wasn’t used to my mom being afraid of anything. There was only one exception I could remember, it was the night someone was snooping around our house. Mom made me sleep in her room for a week.

“I will get Gareth.” One of the men nodded at mom and left the room.

She let out several deep breaths. I wished I were feeling confident enough to comfort her, but I wasn’t. The exhaustion was worse, and all I wanted to do was curl up on one of the couches and go to sleep.

Footsteps outside the room had my mom’s entire body tensing. In response mine did the same thing.

“Taliana?” A male called.

I glanced at the tall, dark haired man standing in the doorway.

“Taliana?” He remained in the doorway watching her like he didn’t know what to do.

“Hello, Gareth.” Mom watched him carefully.

There was an awkward moment where I wasn’t sure what he was going to do, but then he started taking long strides into the room. “You’ve returned.”

“I have.”

His face softened and he closed the distance between him and my mom. He pulled her into his arms, offsetting my hand. I watched in shock as he held her against him and started to cry. She did the same thing. What was going on? I was prepared for a fight, but not for this. I held onto the arms of my chair to keep a bearing.

After several moments, Gareth stepped away from Mom. “And is this our daughter? Is this Astrella?”

Astrella? Who was he talking about?

Mom shook her head. “No. She is not with me today, but she is well. This is my other daughter.”

“Your other daughter?” His voice rose. “You bore another daughter?” He walked over to me. “Whose is she? Who dared lie with my mate? Was it Chris? I will have him killed.”

“No! Chris is innocent, Gareth.” Mom grasped his arm. “I was never willingly with anyone but you.”

“Are you sure she is not mine?”

Mom nodded. “I’m positive.”

“Tell me. Tell me how that could be true.”

I wanted to know the same thing. Clearly she’d had sex with Robert. What was she getting at?

“I will tell you everything if you’ll give me a chance.”

He nodded. “I would give you a million chances.”

My chest tightened. Was he for real? He reunites with his mate and finds out she has an illegitimate daughter, yet he’s all lovey dovey?

Mom sat down on a couch and he sat down next to her. Nearly on top of her. I just watched, feeling like a voyeur watching something I wasn’t supposed to.

“Ok, Taliana. Tell me everything.”

She nodded. “I’m glad we’re all sitting.”

As soon as Vera shifted back into a bear I started pushing the rocks out of the way. I’d successfully broken us out of our little prison, but we still had to find an exit. I hoped Tiffany had really left us for dead. Even with my strength back I didn’t feel like getting into a fight just then. I had no clue what magic she’d used against me, but I was determined to never experience its effects again. When I got to Levi I’d have to talk to him about wiping it from existence.

We’d barely made it halfway down the main corridor of the cave when I heard footsteps. I touched Vera lightly to get her to stop. I’d retracted my wings to make it easier to walk, but I was ready for whoever was coming, I just really hoped it wasn’t that nasty witch again.

A faint light announced their approach from where we hid behind a boulder.

I watched, waiting to see what we’d be facing.

“Hailey?” I yelled out in surprise. What was she doing there? And the bigger question was why was she with a bear? I refused to believe she was going to double cross me too.

“Get away from him!” Hailey lunged for Vera, but I jumped in front of her. Hailey stopped short just in front of my hand.

I looked right into her eyes. It was the best way to calm a Pteron down. “She’s with me.”

“A bear?”

“I could say the same thing about you.”

Vera made a small snarl next to me which I assumed was her way of asking if Hailey was safe.

“She’s a friend,” I reassured Vera, “But I don’t know who this bear is.”

“He’s Toby’s friend,” Hailey replied. The bear growled.

I laughed. “Yeah, I wouldn’t want someone calling me that hawk’s friend either.”

Hailey shoved me. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

“How’d you guys get in? Is the entrance still open?”

“Yeah, come around this way.”

It was much easier to move around with Hailey’s light guiding the way, but it was strange to be moving in a group like ours. Two Pterons and two bears? I wondered when the last time that had happened.

We wound our way around the cave, until finally the smallest stream of sunlight came into view. We all picked up the pace, anxious to leave the cave behind. At least I was, and I was positive Hailey was too. I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating. Pterons and caves don’t mix.

We dashed out into the sunlight. I’d never take the sun for granted again. I gazed up at the sky with adoration. For a while there I’d actually wondered if I’d ever see it again.

I couldn’t spend too long staring up. I transformed, needing to feel the warm rays on my wings and once again relieved that whatever Tiffany had done to me had worn off, or rather Vera had helped me fight it. I didn’t see her. I did however see Hailey standing there with her hands blocking her eyes.

Oh yeah. I was still buck naked.

“Please put some pants on.” Hailey groaned. “I don’t know how much more of this I can take.”

“Owen would be glad to know you hide your eyes when a guy’s naked.”

“I do it specifically when you’re naked, Jared. Not all guys.”

Vera appeared next to me in her human form. She was wearing short shorts and a tiny tank top again. They may have been the same ones she wore when we’d met her the day before. Had it really only been a day? It had felt like an eternity since I’d last seen everyone else.

“Give the poor girl a break,” Vera held out a pair of pants. “Put these on.’

“What are these?”

“They’re called pants. It’s kind of the in thing right now for people to wear.”

Hailey laughed. “I like you. I’m Hailey by the way.”

I stepped into the too short pants while the girls introduced themselves.

“I’m Vera.” She bent down to pick up something off the ground. I tried not to stare, but man what an ass.

“Jared, stop checking out Casey’s sister.”

“You know Casey?” Vera said with excitement.

“Yeah. She’s really cool. She also speaks highly of you.”

“Ok, girls. Enough chit chat.”

Both girls turned to glare at me.

“Where’s the other bear?” Had I really been so distracted I’d just let him disappear.

“I’m here.” A fairly tall and very broad guy with blond hair walked over. “I’m Eric.”

“Jared.”

“I know.”

“Did you guys just happen to be here?” We had a lot to do, but I still didn’t know how they’d found us. Maybe this meant Casey and Toby had made it to safety. But Casey. Her head. I had to tell them.