Stay (2 page)

I ran my thumb over her hand. “Casey, you need to be completely honest with me. I can’t help you unless you tell me things.”

“I’m telling you what I remember.”

“You promise?” I hated pushing her. I wanted her to know I trusted her, but I had to be sure.

She leaned up and kissed me. “I promise.”

“Do you want to sleep some more?”

“Not a chance. I need to keep moving on with the day so I can stop worrying so much.” She stood up, easily shrugging off my hand. Sometimes I forgot how strong she was now. “I need to take a shower.”

“I don’t suppose you want company?” I hoped she would take my comment for what it was, a joke. I’d have loved to join her, but I knew sex was the last thing on her mind.

“You can join me.” She pulled off her top and slid off her panties. “I don’t want to be alone.”

My jaw dropped as I enjoyed the view of her retreating figure heading toward the bathroom. “Really?” Casey usually didn’t have a problem being alone. I hoped it was just an excuse to have me join her.

She glanced over her shoulder. “I told you yes.”

I didn’t need her to tell me for a third time. I shed my boxers and hurried after her into the shower.

“I don’t want to do anything. I just want you with me.” She turned on the water, and I waited patiently while she adjusted it to the right temperature.

“That’s fine with me. I’ll be good.” It wouldn’t be easy to resist her, but I’d do what she wanted.

“You’re amazing, Toby. Too good to be true.”

I took a long look at her as she stepped underneath the stream of water. “No, I think you’re the one who’s too good to be true.”

She closed her eyes as the water poured over her. I watched with the same awe as I did each and every time I got to see her body. I loved every single inch of her. She was so strong, yet so delicate at the same time.

She opened her eyes and caught me staring. “Oh. I guess I’m hogging all the water.”

I laughed. “That’s not why I’m looking at you.”

She stepped out from under the spray. “Oh?”

I took my turn under the water, glad to watch her eyes sweep over me.

She smiled as she watched. “I’m guessing you were doing exactly what I’m doing right now.”

“Pretty much.” I pulled her under the spray with me. I wrapped her up in my arms, needing to hold her, to feel her heart beat. She was okay. The sleep was nothing. Maybe if I said it enough times I’d actually believe it, but I didn’t. I couldn’t.

She brushed some wet hair away from her face. “Everything is going to be okay, isn’t it?”

“I hope so.” I wanted to give her more, but I couldn’t. Misleading her or giving her false hope wasn’t going to help anyone. I kissed her gently on the lips. I kept it light, wanting to respect her wishes.

“I think I’m a bad person.”

“What?” I took her face in my hands, ignoring the water pouring over us. “Why would you say that? Is this about what happened with Jared again, because I thought we had already moved on?”

“No. It’s more current.”

“Oh?” At least we weren’t going down that road again.

“I want you. I shouldn’t with everything else going on, but right now watching water stream down your body I just need you.”

“That doesn’t make you a bad person. I’m feeling exactly the same way.”

“Would we be bad people if we gave in to that urge?”

“No, but you’d be mad at yourself.” It took every ounce of restraint to say the words. The last thing I wanted was for her to add more guilt to her plate.

“I love you, Toby.”

“I love you too, Casey.” I kissed her again, but I kept it short and sweet. If I took things too far neither of us would be able to stop.

She reached around me and shut off the water. “I guess it’s time to get back to reality.”

“I guess so.”

I stepped out and grabbed a towel. I dried her off before I moved on to myself. I loved doing those kinds of things for her, the intimate things that you had to earn the right to do.

I hung up the towel and followed her into the bedroom. I had no desire to get back to reality, but I knew we didn’t have a choice.

We’d just moved back into the bedroom when the knocking started. Casey tensed. I was almost positive who it was, so I quickly got dressed. “I’ll take care of it. Take your time.”

“Thanks.” She started rummaging through my drawers.

I smiled. I loved how she made herself at home among my stuff. I tore my gaze from her and walked out into the main room. I waited just inside the door. “Who is it?”

“It’s me. Let me in!” Georgina hollered.

I opened the door, knowing that making the Laurent matriarch wait any longer than necessary would be a mistake.

“Finally.” She strode right in. She had no problem taking charge even in my apartment. “Where’s my granddaughter?”

“How’d you get up here?” I was going to have to double up on the security.

“Of course the doorman let me up.”

I refrained from a snappy retort. No member of The Society could say no to Georgina easily. She may have been human, but she was intense.

“Georgina?” Casey walked out of my room wearing a pair of my gym shorts and a worn-in blue t-shirt. She looked cute, but I knew her grandmother wouldn’t agree.

“Thank goodness.” Georgina wrapped her up in her arms. The two hugged for several moments before they finally broke apart. When Georgina picked her head up, I even saw tears sliding down her cheeks.

“You got here fast.” Casey smiled. She already seemed to have developed a bond with her grandmother.

“I came as soon as I could. I’m still trying to track down someone who knows how to reach Leviathan.”

“Jared’s the only one who knows.” I’d heard Levi tell Jared not to mention it to anyone else.

“Jared?” Georgina asked with confusion for a second, and I held in a laugh. “Oh. That’s Jett’s son.”

“Yes.” Casey wiped her eyes. “But he’s unavailable.”

“Unavailable.” Georgina set her large handbag down on the side table. “No one is unavailable to me.”

Casey laughed silently. “He saved me and went back in to get rid of the boss.”

“The what?”

Casey and I exchanged a glance. Evidently no one had clued Georgina in. “You’re going to want to sit down for this.”

“I could also use a cup of tea. You don’t happen to have any do you, Toby?”

I smiled. She knew
my
name. “Actually I do. Earl Grey okay?”

“Yes. That’s perfect.” She patted my arm. “I knew I liked you.”

I left Casey and her grandmother alone while I went to make the tea. I knew that was what the request was really about. Georgina was good at finding excuses to keep people busy when she needed to.

I took my time putting on the water. Having Georgina on my side was a good thing. If she wanted me with Casey she’d make things a lot easier for us. While I waited for the water to boil on the stove I started a pot of coffee. Casey would want some.

I gave the two the space I knew they needed, but it was hard not to listen in. Georgina was worried, and I didn’t blame her. Something just wasn’t right with Casey.

I tuned in and out of their conversation as I waited, and then the topic seemed to have changed to what had been happening with us. I poured two cups of coffee and the cup of tea for Georgina. I brought the tea and Casey’s cup in first. Casey smiled appreciatively when I set it down on the coffee table in front of her. She was sitting on the couch next to Georgina. I went back for my coffee before taking a seat on the love seat that was catty corner to the couch.

Georgina turned to me as soon as I was seated. “Tell me more about the boss.”

I took a sip of coffee. “There isn’t much to tell. No one seems to know who he is.”

“You really don’t remember anything more, sweetie?” Georgina put a hand on Casey’s arm.

Sweetie? Georgina really was a softie when it came to Casey.

“It was all a blur. There was chanting and maybe smoke. It was all so hazy.” Casey bit her lip which made me think she was hiding something. I couldn’t push for more answers in front of Georgina, but she needed to tell me everything.

“Sounds like quadrious witchcraft.”

“What?” Casey and I asked at once.

“It isn’t used much anymore. It’s a much older practice and completely forbidden.”

“What is it exactly?”

“It’s a multi-layered type of magic that influences the person both physically and mentally.”

“Oh. That’s kind of scary.” Casey shifted in her seat.

“For a Pteron the mental part wouldn’t be an issue.”

“But the physical part would?” Casey asked quickly.

“Yes. That’s why it’s been outlawed for well over five hundred years.”

“So theoretically I could be physically affected by what the boss did?”

Georgina hesitated for a moment like she was debating what to say. “Yes. Are you feeling any different?”

“She’s slept a lot.” I offered up.

“Maybe it was a weakening spell.” Georgina pursed her lips. “But that’s a lot of work for such a small thing. It doesn’t make much sense.”

“Does anything ever make sense with paranormals?” I leaned back and stretched out my legs. The stress was starting to catch up with me. Well the stress mixed with the knowledge that the magic could have influenced Casey mentally too, but Georgina couldn’t be sure of that yet.

“You don’t view yourself as a paranormal.” Georgina wasn’t asking a question.

I chose my words carefully. “I’m a Pteron, I accept that, it’s just that sometimes I miss being human.”

“You and me both.” Casey’s smile cut through everything and warmed me. She really was the only other person who understood how I felt.

“I’m surprised you came back here.” Georgina crossed her legs. “You could have run.”

“And in another life I would have. I would have taken Casey and never looked back, but that would have been cowardly, and it wasn’t what Casey wanted.”

Casey pulled her legs up under her. It’s how she seemed to be the most comfortable. “I just want everything to go back to normal. If we can just be sure that Vera and Jared are ok, it’s all over.”

“Do you really believe that?” Georgina’s voice softened as she addressed Casey. “Do you really believe things will settle down that easily?”

“I take it that you don’t?” I asked. The more time I spent with Georgina, the less intimidated I was. I was beginning to understand the way she thought.

“Things have been a mess in The Society since I was first introduced to it. In the beginning I actually believed it could change, but now.” She held out her hands. “Now I’ve stopped buying into delusions.”

“If Casey was influenced by the magic, is there anything we can do to get rid of it?”

Georgina leaned forward slightly. “You mean for the physical effects?”

Casey and I exchanged glances. Did Georgina know more than she was letting on?

“Yes,” I replied.

“Most of the healers I know wouldn’t have a clue what to do. Even my most trusted healer, Mayanne, couldn’t handle this type of magic.”

“But there are healers who can?”

Georgina smoothed out her skirt. “I’ve heard there are bears who can.”

“Bears?” Casey said the word slowly. “Great.”

“You are friends with a few, aren’t you?” Georgina asked. “Perhaps they might be of help. Just be careful to only give minimal details and say nothing to anyone but the most trustworthy.” Georgina’s expression seemed slightly off, like she was hiding something. She knew more than she was telling us.

I nodded. “Of course.”

“Have you talked to Robert—my father?” Casey seemed to still be struggling with how to view the man who fathered her. I understood. It was a lot to take in.

“No.” Georgina shook her head. “I didn’t want to tell you this, but I think it’s time we all put our cards on the table.”

Casey moved over to sit next to me. I took her hand in mine. I felt a burst of contentment knowing she came to me for support.

Georgina smiled lightly. She’d noticed, and if I wasn’t imagining things, she approved of Casey’s faith in me.

“What is it? What do you know?” I asked her.

Georgina sighed. “Robert never came back from Hawaii after the wedding.”

“Never came back?” I sat forward.

She shook her head. “Helen flew back with me, but Robert took off on his own. He said something about meeting someone, but he’s never returned.”

“Can’t you track the jet?” Casey asked.

“No. We always stay off the radar. That’s how Levi was able to hide where he was going too.” She took a slow sip of her tea. “I don’t know what to think now. Helen is beside herself. Of all times for Leviathan to be away.”

Casey moved back over to sit next to her grandmother. “Georgina, you must be so worried. I’m so sorry.”

Georgina nodded. “I’m just glad you’re all right. When I thought we’d lost you…” She wiped her eyes.

“I’m fine. Toby and Jared came to save me.”

“We need to get you down to New Orleans. Word’s spread about what happened after the wedding. We need to show everyone that you’re fine, and that things will return back to normal.”

“Why does everything have to be so much about appearances?” Casey sighed. “Who cares?”

Georgina took her hands. “You’re part of a royal family, Casey. Appearance matters because it’s what maintains control. If we let people know how chaotic things are, there will be hysteria and upheaval. It’s okay to be frightened and angry and any of the feelings you have, but you can’t show them. You have to stay strong. We have to stay united.” Georgina’s eyes lit up. “Wait. That’s it. It’s perfect.”

“What is?” I asked. What could possibly be perfect?

“You two.”

“Us?” Casey asked.

“Yes. You two. As a couple.”

“But how?” My mind moved a mile a minute. What was she suggesting? “We’re both Pterons.”

“Yeah? I already told you the rules are hogwash.”

“When did you say that?” Casey asked.

“I told him.” She nodded toward me. “Anyway, what could be stronger than a union between two of the strongest ranking Pteron families?”

“You want us to go public?”

“Go public?” She raised an eyebrow. “As if you weren’t before?”