The Forgotten One (11 page)

“Doors? What are you talking about,” Tamara asked. “And what other beings are here? Am I going to have nightmares?”

Lars rolled his eyes and wrapped his arms around his woman. “You just had to open your mouth. Nothing to worry about, but just to be on the safe side, please don’t flip out if you meet some other species.”

Willow stepped in front of him, frowning. “What others? I want to know.”

Alton leaned against the door and pulled her into his arms with Dylan giggling as he nibbled his arm. “I can’t name them all, but there are Nymphs, Spirits (woodland and water), Sasquatches, Griffins, ROC’s, and for this area...” he stopped and smiled. “I do believe I have a way to find what we need, the
Chillaid’s.

Maxim smiled as did Baal, nodding. “Perfect, they would know where she is and they could also help us with the threat that is coming too, but you know they don’t socialize with any others?” Baal stated. “Let’s start moving towards the hotel. Their brothers are waiting for us.”

“Wait, what are
Chillaid’s.”
Both Tamara and Willow asked as he opened the door next to him, moving away from Willow and scanning around before reaching back for his woman.

“Alton tell us.” Willow frowned up at him as they made their way down the stairs, stepping out on the sidewalk. The sun was out and there was a breeze, the scent of fresh baking made him take a deep breath.

“Yeah, I never get tired of that smell either. Now start talking,” Willow stated putting Dylan down, but holding onto his hand as they moved down the road.

He frowned and glanced down at Willow. “You do know being a pest is not attractive.”

“And ignoring the subject is annoying, especially when I know I will get the answer sooner or later,” she snapped back, and tried to take her hand out of his.

“When she’s pissed, her hair colors flair and the stripes on her skin are more pronounced,” Maxim smiled. “Very pretty.”

She growled and he laughed. “Calm down, we’ll explain,” he kissed the top of her head. “The
Chillaid
have been here as long as the humans, but they chose never to associate with the humans, because they knew what would happen to their world.” He stopped at a shop and stared at the model in the window. “Dylan how would you like to work on this one with me and Maxim?” He pointed to the model in the window.

“Really? You like to do models?” he moved up to the window. “I haven’t done that one, but it looks like fun.”

“Then let’s get it. We can work on it while we stay at the hotel.” Alton moved into the store when he felt a little hand slip into his. He looked down to see Dylan at his side, smiling up at him.

“Come on, squirt, let’s get your model,” he said as Willow watched from the side, a big smile on her face. Maxim stood behind her, his arms around her.

“Narav, I know you’re back there. I need that model you have in the window for my son,” Alton yelled out, turning to greet one of the
Chillaid
. The man appeared to be normal with a bald head, but Alton knew better.

“How did you know?” the man asked, before he moved to the window to get the model.

“I know as you know what I am. We are having a meeting later tonight and would like to invite you and the others to discuss a few problems that have come up that might even effect your people.”

The bell above the door rang and Alton knew Baal had stepped into the little shop with Laurann. “Naray, Jerd, it’s good to see you back from your trip. I hope you will listen to my son-in-law and join us tonight. There is much we need to discuss. Oh, and please tell your Nib to come. I would love to discuss how on Earth she made those chocolate stray things. I ate eight of the last bunch she gave me before Dylan had one,” she teased.

The man laughed. “I’ll tell her and I’ll be there, but you know I don’t talk for the others. Dylan, here is your model and I know my woman just made a fresh batch of those treats so I’ll have her bring you some tonight, but this time we’ll make sure Dylan gets some before grandma.”

Dylan nodded and took his model, hugging the box and then going to show his mom. Alton held out his hand. “Thank you. May I make a suggestion?” He nodded to the front of his store. “Protect yourself. What happened last night is only the beginning.”

The man took his hand and shook it. “I’ve already started, but thank you. I’ll see you tonight and I will try to bring the others that are around here.” The man told him, taking the money for the model and ringing it up.

“Great, we’ll see you then.” Alton turned and made his way outside.

“How did you know they were there?” Willow’s mother asked as soon as they were outside.

“I have a few friends and I know the signs. I’ll be contacting them also, hopefully they’ll be able to get here tonight.” Alton looked down as Willow wrapped her arm around his waist.

“Thank you,” she nodded to Dylan, who was showing Maxim the model. “That will keep him busy in a good way while we figure this out.” Willow turned to frown at her mom. “And why didn’t you tell me about them?”

“It wasn’t my story to tell,” her mom stated, and moved away from her.

“What the hell?” she stepped forward to reach for her mom, but Alton held onto her.

“Let it go. I’m sure she’ll explain in time.” Alton whispered and kissed the top of her head.

Chapter Seven

She had never been more hurt than when her mother turned away from her. Willow closed the door to the pain inside her, smiling at her son as he chatted away to Maxim as they made their way to the hotel. Tamara moved up next to her and bumped her hip.

“You’re not fooling me,” she whispered. “And we’ll be talking later,” she said.

Willow stopped and glanced down at her sister. “There is nothing to say, but I do have something to show you.” She grabbed onto her hand and dragged her to a small shop, one of her favorites, knowing that Marissa would be there. “This place is my favorite shop, half of her things are from the swamp people who don’t get out into the city.” Willow detoured around a corner, which had Alton growling.

“We need to get to the hotel,” he said behind her.

“Then go, we’ll be right behind you after I show her this place,” Willow told him and stepped into the shop, smelling the evergreen candles burning.

“Oh, my God!” Tamara moved around the shop, touching and staring at the handmade things. “Look at this?” Tamara held up a quilt. “I want to get this for the babies. There are three of them. Two blue and a pink one.”

“We don’t know what I’m having yet, but damn they’re beautiful.” Tamara moved up and ran her hand over the blankets.

“They’ll be my gift to my niece and nephews. Wrap them up, Marisa,” Willow moved to the back of the store after handing the blankets to the lady. She knew what to get next for Maxim.

“What do you have there?” Alton came up to her and stared down at the shirt.

“I thought Maxim would like this, but this one is for you.” She moved over to the other rack and pulled out a pair of black boots, gator. “Mind you, they don’t kill the animals, but when they come across dead ones or ones hurt real bad, they use everything. This was a rare gator and I knew they would be perfect.”

Alton picked up the boots and looked them over. “They are nice,” he took off his shoe and slipped the boot on. “Perfect, usually it takes a while to find a great pair of boots.” Alton smiled up at her, while taking off the boot. “I do have to say this store is a treasure trove, but we really have to get going.”

Willow sighed and glanced at Tamara who had her arms full. “Damn, you’re quick,” Willow laughed as Lars shook his head and took some of the things she had out of her arms, moving up to the cash register. “I have to take some things back for Gage’s parents, not to mention a few of my friends.” Tamara followed Lars to the cashier. “We have to come back here before we leave. I didn’t go through half the store.” She nodded to the stairs and Lars laughed.

“Yes, baby, I’ll make sure we come back.” Lars paid the bill and winked at his grandfather. “I have a feeling we will be making yearly visits here.”

“I have a feeling this will be one of our favorite places, as well,” Alton laughed, reaching in his pocket for his wallet, but Willow wasn’t having it.

She pushed him out of the way. “Put it on my card, Marsha.” Willow glanced over at Alton who was frowning.

“I would have paid for that,” he grumbled.

“Then it wouldn’t have been a gift,” she said and went to grab the bag, but Maxim took it from her, placing a kiss on her cheek.

“Thank you, Little Kitty. Let’s get going. Hedrick, Ana and your folks have moved to the hotel already.” He wrapped his arm around her, while Alton once more stepped out of the door before they did, checking their surroundings.

“Oh, Marsha...” Maxim tugged on her hair and whispered in her ear.

“She is human. You can’t explain what is going on, but I’ll make sure Alton comes back and suggest that she goes on a vacation for a week,” Maxim told her.

“Thank you and don’t forget to tell your Grams I can’t wait to see the quilt she’s making for me,” Willow said even though she wanted to say something to her friend. Willow stepped outside and Alton smiled down at her.

“Not to worry, I’ll pay a visit to her tonight and make sure she and her family leave the area for a few weeks.” He reassured her as he took her hand into his, squeezing it as they moved closer to the hotel.

Half-way to the hotel, Willow stopped moving and rubbed her chest, a very heavy sensation was pressing down on her, making it hard to breath all of a sudden. She grabbed onto Maxim’s arm, steadying herself.

“What’s wrong?” Alton and Maxim turned to her, brining Dylan next to her. “Lars, take Tamara to the hotel now,” Alton ordered as he grabbed onto her and transported them all to the hotel lobby.

But something was seriously still wrong, her legs shook and Willow couldn’t stand and it was getting harder to breath. “Take. Care. Dylan.”She got out, scared she wouldn’t be around to see her son grow up.

“Willow!” her mom screamed as she slowly looked up to see her father and mother come running to her. She tried to call her mom, but nothing was working as Alton lowered her to the ground.

“Check for a spider bite,” her father ordered as they started to strip her down right there in the lobby. “Lars, take Tamara up to the penthouse and both of you strip, destroy the clothes now!” her father ordered, but Willow couldn’t understand, she didn’t feel anything bite her, but she also knew she couldn’t feel anything now as her men stripped her down there in the lobby.

Tears slipped down her cheeks and Maxim wiped them as they fell. “No one can see you. Your father and mother have a shield around us. Shit, there on her leg,” Maxim said as she tried to look down but couldn’t.

“The spider is dead, but it got her leg good. What do we do?” Alton snarled.

“Move out of the way,” Agares appeared next to them, shocking everyone. “Do you really believe I’d allow someone to destroy my family?” He grumbled, looking down at her legs. “Hold on Willow, this will hurt and for that I’m sorry,” he told her.

Her father reached down and put his hand on his father’s shoulder. “You won’t ask for anything?”

“Your daughter will die if I don’t do this, and no,” Agares said, as extreme heat entered her leg. It was so hot Willow thought for sure she was burning. Her screams were silent as the heat rose up her leg, thigh, and through her body. She closed her eyes trying to think of anything positive, but nothing.

***

“She’s passed out from the pain, but the poison is gone. She’ll sleep for the next few hours.”Agares stood, as a blanket was now wrapped around her body. Agares turned to his son. “I will not ask anything from my grandchildren,” the man sighed and watched as Maxim lifted their woman up into his arms.

“I know you don’t believe me, but I’m tired. I want family around. I’d like to help with the threat coming. I’ve started to dispatch others to help in certain areas. I won’t be around much, but I’d like to be part of this family,” he asked his son, which had never happened before from the look on Baal’s face. “But first, I have someone to take care of.” Agares turned his gaze on Willow. “Benitta has gone too far, it’s time to bring her home. I will take as many of her children as possible, but the little ones, like the one that bit her, will be hard to find. They scatter, so just keep your eyes open.” Her grandfather looked down at Dylan who was holding onto his leg, staring.

“Your mommy will be fine, little warrior,” he told Dylan, ruffling his hair before disappearing.

“Let’s take this upstairs,” Baal stated.

Alton lifted Dylan in his arms. He clutched the model in his arms, but his gaze never left his mom. “Is she really going to be okay?”

He looked over to his grandmother and she held out her hands to him. Alton took the model from him as Dylan went into her arms. “She’ll be fine. Your great, grandfather healed her. Right now she is resting, while her body is healing.”

“A spider bit her,” Dylan whispered and shook at the same time.

“When we get upstairs, we are going to give you a nice hot bath. If I’m not mistaken, I even put your boats in the bathroom for you.” Laurann placed a kiss on his head and looked back at Baal. “Do you believe he’s going to do what he said?”

“Yes, one thing is for sure. My father never says what he does not mean. He will find Benitta and she won’t escape his anger. I should have known I wouldn’t be able to keep the news of the others coming.”

The elevator opened and they moved into the penthouse, turning to the left the apartment that had been assigned to them when Lars stepped out of their apartment, keeping the door partly ajar.

“There were two spiders in our clothes, but they were dead. I don’t know why they didn’t bite, but I don’t like that we didn’t even know they were there. Where did they come from? We went into two stores. One of them has to be loaded with them.”

“Or both?” Alton stated.

“Well, I guess it’s time I visit both stores then. Stay here, I’ll be back.” Baal disappeared.

“Bring Tamara over, give us an hour to check ourselves over. It’s time to sit down and decide what we are going to do.” Alton told his son, who nodded.