The Wolf Prince (31 page)

“Mom, Dad.”

Her mother looked up, then jumped from the sofa and ran to Darcy. “My poor baby.” She squeezed her tight, then held her at arm’s length, then pulled her back for another bear hug. “I was so afraid. Dad told me you were okay, but I refused to believe it until I saw you with my own eyes.” She suddenly let go of Darcy and turned a frown on Surlock. “Who are you?”

Darcy took Surlock’s hand in hers and pulled him close. “Surlock saved my life.” She glanced at her dad, who had moved to stand close to her mother. “Did you tell her anything?”

He suddenly grabbed Darcy and hugged her close. “I love you, baby girl.” Then he whispered, “No, I didn’t tell her. I’m a coward.”

This was going to be a long day.

The phone rang. A few minutes later, Ms. Abernathy came into the living room. “Jennifer’s on the phone.” She glanced at Darcy. “She hasn’t been back since the night of the party, so she doesn’t know a thing. I thought you might say something to her just to let her know you’re okay.”

Darcy nodded, then took the phone. “Hi, Jennifer.”

“And just what are you up to, girlfriend? I’ve been trying to call your cell since yesterday. It was as if you’d dropped off the
face of the earth. I was starting to worry so I thought I’d call the house. What? Did that handsome hunk kidnap you?”

Jennifer didn’t know just how close to the truth she was. “Something like that,” Darcy told her.

“I crashed at Peter’s, then we took a plane to Paris. We’ve decided to go into the party business together.” She laughed. “Do not even ask what got into us. Annette came along for the ride, and I have to admit, they make a great couple. And I’ve met this wonderful man who has the most seductive Parisian accent you’ll ever hear. I’m so sorry to leave you out of the loop, but I figured you and Surlock were having your own party.” She chuckled.

“Uh, my parents are here. Let’s talk when you get back.”

“Sounds good, darling. I have a feeling my news will top yours. This guy is very delicious.”

Darcy really doubted Jennifer’s news could even come close to hers, but decided now was not the best time to mention it. “Talk to you later.”

After she turned the phone off, Darcy looked at her mother. This was so not going to be easy.

“Mom, you’d better sit down.”

D
arcy stood outside her San Antonio office with Karinthia, admiring the new sign. Surlock came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.

“It looks good, doesn’t it?” he asked.

She smiled and nodded. “I finally have everything I want. My own business since my mother finally cut the apron strings, and best of all, I have you. I think she took the news that I’m part alien rather well.”

He nuzzled her neck. “Because she loves you—as do I.”

She chuckled and the three of them walked inside.

Okay, so it was sort of what Darcy had envisioned. She’d just never thought her business would be Alien Investigations, Inc. She and Karinthia had come up with a great advertising slogan:

When Karinthia had told Darcy the goddess had given her the task of finding impures and bringing them home, Darcy realized what her mission in life was supposed to be. With the help of Surlock’s family, they would make sure no more impures were
killed. At least, they would to the best of their ability, and maybe they would be able to capture Zerod and Nivla in the process. No one would be safe until those two were locked away in a cage.

And who else to investigate reports of alien activity than aliens? Not that anyone would know they were really aliens. But if clients reported something odd, they could investigate, and maybe save an impure.

“I have something that needs your attention in my office,” Darcy said in a loud voice as she pulled Surlock along with her. His sister snickered. Once they were behind closed doors, she turned and pressed her body intimately against his. “I don’t think she believed me,” she said, smiling.

“I don’t think so, either. Do you care?”

She shook her head. “Not really.”

When he lowered his lips to hers, she knew she had spoken the truth. She wanted to shout to the world just how much she loved him. Life was good.