Storm: The Empire Chronicles (8 page)

"Although I might hurt him if he touches my mate." Levi laughed.

I wondered if he’d be laughing later. "Already territorial before you even meet her?"

"If she's the girl from my dream, then yes.” He grinned.

“That actually sounds kind of sweet.” It sounded like the Levi I’d met before.

“And I’ll take that as our cue to go.” Levi turned and headed further into the dark basement. I followed behind, hoping his whole secret exit idea worked. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with Tiffany again. We needed to get to Casey first.

Jared wrapped his hand around mine. “We’ll get to her.”

“How did you know I was thinking about that?”

“I know you.” His words were simple, but they packed a punch. They meant far more than he probably thought.

“You do. Almost too well.”

L
evi led
the way down the long dark hallway. Jared kept his hand wrapped firmly around mine. I wasn’t afraid for myself, but I was terrified for Casey. Murphy wasn’t usually that quick to act, but I wasn’t going to relax until my little sister was safe. The problem was she was going to have to swallow a whole lot of information quickly—especially if we were never able to erase the veil. I still didn’t understand how that worked. Did the veil become part of real time? Hopefully I’d never need to know.

Levi stopped in front of a large gate and looked into a screen where a laser scanned his retinas. There was a beep, and he opened the metal gate.

“High tech.” I nodded toward the scanner.

“Too bad it doesn’t help when the ones you’re worried about are in charge of security,” Jared mumbled.

“Very little can help that.” I squeezed Jared’s hand. He was busy reassuring me, but he had a lot on his plate too. I loved how strong he was, but sometimes everyone needs someone to lean on.

“I’m guessing there’s a story behind that?” Levi watched us carefully.

“Quite a long one. I’ll share it when we have the time,” Jared explained.

Levi nodded. “There’s a lot you’ll have to explain at some point.”

We continued through another dark tunnel and another gate with a scanner before Levi turned and started up a set of steps. He pushed open a thick metal door. This one wasn’t protected by a scanner.

Levi stepped out first and held open the solid metal door for me. Jared followed behind.

We were standing in a dark alley between two buildings. I surveyed the alley and the street at the end. I didn’t notice anyone, but that didn’t mean no one was watching.

“We have no choice.” Jared pulled off his shirt and released his long black wings. Levi did the same.

“I know.” I waited as Jared wrapped his arms around my waist.

“This is going to be a longer and higher flight.” He took off without giving me a moment to reply. It didn’t matter. It didn’t matter how long we were airborne as long as we got there. I wasn’t born with wings, but I was born to fly. I’d never get tired of the feel of the wind or watching the ground get smaller and smaller as Jared moved us higher in the sky.

“She’s a natural.” Levi grinned.

“She is. There are perks to being with a shifter. I don’t have to worry so much.” Jared sounded lighter. Happier. Flying seemed to always be the best medicine for him.

“You don’t have to worry about me at all.” I didn’t like him worrying about me. I could take care of myself.

“Just like you don’t have to worry about me, but you still do.”

“True enough.” I smiled. I enjoyed worrying about Jared. I enjoyed caring about someone other than my family. It was a new feeling for me.

“Wait, you’re agreeing with me too easily. Are you feeling okay?”

“You know what I’m feeling.” I closed my eyes for a moment and then reopened them.

“We’re getting there.”

“I know.” I decided to change the subject before I got upset. “I bet this is easier than flying three of us.”

“When did you fly three people?” Levi asked.

“It was three bears, and right before I ended up back here. There’s so much more to tell you, but first we need to get Casey and Allie.”

“Is Allie her full name, or is it short for something?” Levi soared up a little higher.

“Allison.” Jared followed.

“Okay.”

“But she doesn’t like to be called that.”

“I’ll try to remember that detail.” Levi laughed.

“Don’t. It’s much more enjoyable when you annoy her.”

“I thought you wanted us together?”

“I do, but that’s not how your relationship works. Especially not in the beginning, and you still argue now.”

“And I like that?” His voice lilted slightly.

“Yes.”

“Good to know.”

I laughed. “You’re weird, Levi.”

“You’re calling the future king weird?” Jared teased.

“Yes. He doesn’t intimidate me.”

“That’s good… maybe.” Levi took off ahead of us.

We fell into silence as we continued the flight. I don’t think any of us had enough light banter left.

I went back to my thoughts about Casey and Murphy. And about how much of an idiot I’d been to trust him and leave my family behind. Being young wasn’t enough of an excuse. Neither was finding out my true identity. I never should have left Casey, even if I was trying to help her. If only one of us was going to college it was going to be her, and I wasn’t going to subject her to me. I’d been a bad influence. But in the end, leaving had left her open to getting hurt. She’d felt abandoned, and that changed her life in ways I never imagined. I wondered what she’d say when she saw me. This time she won’t understand why I left. I sighed. There was nothing I could do about that. We had to protect her, even if that meant she hated me.

Finally we started to descend.

“You know where I grew up?” I asked. He must have since he’d flown us there.

“Yeah. I make sure to look up any locations that could be useful or important.” He spoke off handily.

“Should that freak me out?”

“No. It shouldn’t. It’s his job. He’s going to be my director of intelligence.” Levi winked.

“Yes, he is.” Once we landed in the shadows of my parents’ backyard, I stepped out of Jared’s arms. It was strange to be back in a place I’d spent so much of my life. Yet the place seemed like a world away. The smell of recently cut grass permeated the air, and the near silence was in sharp contrast to the city we’d just left. We were back in the ‘burbs.

“Oh wait. I guess… so how do you do in the position?” Levi asked with interest.

Jared retracted his wings. “I do fine, but I quit once I found out about my dad.”

“What does your dad do that causes you to quit?” Levi retracted his wings and pulled on his t-shirt.

“I told you I would explain all that, but not yet.”

“How are we going to avoid my parents?” For some reason that question hadn’t occurred to me before.

“We’re not.” Jared pulled on his shirt. I’d miss the view, but at least he looked more normal that way.

“Uh, yes we are.” I wasn’t ready to face my parents yet, and they weren’t going to just let us take Casey with us.

“Are you forgetting who Taliana is?” He used my mom’s first name.

“Wait.” I stopped. “You think she can help?”

“She will believe us. No question. Especially when we tell her about Norco and your father. Plus, she knows more about the healing arts and their version of magic than Gemma. She may know something about erasing a veil.” Jared was so animated. He had hope, and I didn’t want to dash it, but there were some realities we needed to face.

I chose my words carefully. “Chris isn’t going to like this.”

“Who’s Chris?” Levi asked.

“My dad. Not biological.” But he’d always be my dad. I hadn’t appreciated him enough. He’d been there for me even though he didn’t have to be. I owed him so much.

“Okay…”

“Her mom ran away with her daughters. Chris is her friend, and he helped,” Jared gave a sufficient description of the events.

“Why did she run?” Levi raised an eyebrow.

“She knew she was carrying your dad’s baby.” I blurted it out.

“Uh, what?” Levi’s eyes bugged out. “Is that some sort of joke?”

I cringed. “Ok, I win the idiot of the year award.”

“Explain. Now.” Levi glared.

I nodded, unable to do anything but explain. “Yes. Your dad and my mom. It was neither of their faults.” No reason to get him angry at the wrong person.

“It was a witch’s doing.” Jared met Levi’s eye.

“But magic doesn’t work on Pterons’ minds.” Levi shifted his weight from foot to foot. “My dad can be a complete ass, but he wouldn’t risk sleeping around. He could have lost the crown.”

“She didn’t get into his mind. She blacked-him out a different way. This witch is powerful.” Jared’s eyes darkened.

“So your sister is my half-sister? Is that what you’re trying to tell me?” Levi crossed his arms.

I nodded. “Yes. I know it sounds out there, but it’s true.”

Levi turned to Jared. “Is it?”

Jared nodded. “Yes, but remember Robert loves Helen. This news doesn’t change that.” Jared’s voice softened.

“That’s not my concern right now.” Levi turned to look at the house.

“Got it.” Jared quickly dropped the subject.

“All right, if we’re going to talk to my mom, we might as well ring the doorbell. I don’t want them calling the police if we try to break in.”

“Should we be with you when you knock?” Jared asked.

“Yes. I’m not the one who wants to do this, so I’m definitely not doing it alone.”

“Your dad isn’t going to try to kill us, is he?” Levi ran a hand through his brown hair.

I put a hand on my hip. “Are you really that worried about a bear attacking you?”

“No, just trying to prepare myself.” He smiled.

“Let’s do this thing.” I walked around toward the front of the house, hoping the guys would follow. At least they’d put their shirts back on. I’d like to say that my parents wouldn’t jump to conclusions if they saw me with two half-naked guys, but they would have. I had a bit of a reputation in my teens.

I walked up the front steps with a quick glance over my shoulder to make sure the guys were with me. Once they were flanking me, I tentatively reached out and hit the doorbell. It was strange to ring the doorbell of my childhood home. I’d never been a visitor there before.

Nothing happened at first. I wasn’t surprised since it was late enough they’d all be sleeping. I didn’t ring again. I wanted to give them some time. A moment later I heard the sound of footsteps on the stairs and the door flew open.

“Vera?” Chris’s eyes widened.

“Hey, Dad. I’m home.” I took in his messy hair and his backwards t-shirt. He’d run downstairs in a hurry.

“What?” He reached out a hand to me. It almost seemed like he hadn’t noticed the two 6 feet plus men standing with me. Then he abandoned my hand and pulled me against him. “It’s really you.”

“It’s really me.” I wasn’t sure what to say or do. I knew so much now and had so many emotions running through me that I could barely think straight. I stepped back from his embrace.

“Vera’s home?” Mom ran down the stairs with Casey on her heels.

My eyes locked with my sister’s. Casey was there. She was ok. I sighed with relief.

“What? You’re back?” Mom asked several questions at once as she hastily tied the belt on her pink cotton bathrobe.

“Yeah. I'm here.” I smiled sheepishly.

She pulled me into a near bone crunching hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” Her words were mumbled against me.

“I missed you too, Mom.” I reluctantly let go.

"Who are they?" Casey pointed to the guys. Of course the first words she’d utter to me would be about them. She was an eighteen-year-old after all.

"Some friends." It was the simplest explanation.

"Please tell your friends to wait outside. We all need to talk." Mom blinked back tears.

I shook my head. "They need to talk too."

"Whatever it is they want to say can wait." Chris crossed his arms.

"That one is Levi Laurent." I pointed to Levi. I hadn’t wanted to pull the royalty card, but I didn’t have another choice. Leaving the Pterons outside wasn’t going to work.

"What did you say?" Mom leaned forward.

"You heard me right. He’s heir to The Society throne." I didn’t want to be argumentative with my parents, but I had no choice.

"The Society?" Mom made a sorry attempt at acting confused.

"Don't bother. I know you know. I know who and what you are."

"I am sorry for intruding at this late hour, but would it be possible for us to come in?" Levi turned on more of an accent. Did he think his southern charm was going to change anything?

"Yes." Mom stepped away from the doorway. “Please, come in.”

Chris grunted something, but stepped back. I guess even he wasn’t going to mess with Levi. The guys stepped inside, and Jared carefully closed the door behind them.

I tried to alleviate the tension with Casey. "Hey sis, how are you?"

“How am I?” She crossed her arms, holding on to each elbow with her hands. “That’s all you’re going to say to me?”

“I wish I could say more, but I have to talk to Mom first.” I wanted to tell Casey everything. I wanted to make her understand I’d never meant to hurt her, but I couldn’t do that yet. I needed to try to get my mom to believe me first.

My mom nodded. “Yes, we need to talk.”

“You need to talk to me too.” Casey gritted her teeth. “You left me.”

“I thought I was doing the right thing.” And it had been a much harder decision to make than I’d let on. Leaving Casey behind had been one of the hardest things I’d ever done.

“You weren’t.” Her face was completely serious, and her eyes were full of hurt.

“I know.” There was nothing else I could say yet. “And I will talk to you, but I need to talk to mom alone first.”

“And that’s fine.” Mom nodded. “Everyone else can wait.”

“I have every right to talk to her too.” Chris’s words sounded innocent enough, but knowing he wasn’t my biological dad gave more meaning to them. He was claiming a right to me.

“I want to talk to you too, Dad, but I need Mom.” I didn’t feel great about excluding him from the conversation, but I couldn’t talk in front of Casey, and I knew there was no way they’d leave her alone with the guys.

“We won’t be long.” Mom gestured for me to follow her upstairs.

I waited until she’d closed the door to her bedroom behind her to start talking. “I don’t really know where to begin.”

“Are you hurt?” She watched me with an unflinching stare.

“No.” I was, but not in ways she was going to be able to fix. I’d have to take care of that myself.

She pulled me into another hug. Tears fell from my eyes in an endless cascade. I’d just seen her, but for some reason that didn’t make this reunion any easier. If anything it made it harder, because I knew she’d end up in danger. Our trouble was only beginning. I wanted to change things, but I couldn’t. All I could do was focus on protecting Casey and trying to get rid of the veil.