Hidden Hope (Hidden Saga Book 3) (5 page)

My chin lifted as I skewered him with my eyes. “If you loved her so much, why didn’t you go after her and get her back?”

Davis sighed and shook his head. “I was ambitious. My mind was focused on rising in the human political realm as well as in the Dark Court. A girlfriend barely out of her teens wouldn’t have helped me in the former, and a half-breed lover would definitely not have helped me in the latter. Sadly, at the time I cared more about my position than about love. At your age, you can’t possibly understand this, but it’s a long life for us, Ryann. There is time for everything, but not always all at once. I always intended to go back to your mother. I always knew where she was—I even visited her a time or two when I traveled to Altum on business.”

At my shocked expression, he continued in a placating voice. “Don’t worry. She didn’t even remember our interludes. I glamoured her to forget them until the time was right for us to be together for good.”

“You made her cheat on my father?”

“I
am
your father. She wasn’t cheating. She was mine. Just as she
is
mine and will always be. He was a companion I allowed in my absence to prevent her from being lonely.”

I closed my eyes, trying to hold down the water and bread I’d had since coming here. My poor daddy. “So then you lied—about me. If you saw her at times over the years, you
must
have known I existed.”

“I assumed you were his child. It’s so difficult for our kind to conceive. It normally takes decades of trying, and your mother and I were... together but a few times before she left me. I only realized you were mine a few months ago when she visited Atlanta and we reconnected and spoke at length. She mentioned your birthday, and I figured it out. I knew then it was time to re-enter her life... and yours.”

Ugh. This was my fault. “You came back because of
me
.”

“I told you—I always intended to reclaim her. But now the timing is right. I’ve reached the positions I sought in both human government and Elven leadership. That’s why I allowed her to keep the memory of our encounter in Atlanta and desire me again. And yes—once I knew about you, meeting my daughter was a big motivation for me. I’m sorry, Ryann.”

“Sorry for what?”

“For not being there. For not being the father I should have been—the father I wanted to be.”

The look in his eyes was so sincere, the tone of his voice so serious and true. All my instincts told me to believe him. I felt myself relaxing,
wanting
to trust him.

I can’t.
I blinked and fought to clear my mind. This guy had plotted against Nox, against his parents and Vancia’s. Probably. Shaking off the glamour-hold that was trying to pull me under, I scooted my chair back from the table.

“Mom’s been gone a long time. I’m going to check on her to see if she’s okay.”

Davis’s hand lifted in a calming gesture. “She’s fine. I
told
her to take her time.”

Freezing in mid-motion, I studied him with my jaw hanging open. “You glamoured her when you said that? It sounded like just a casual remark. Your Sway
is
strong.”

He beamed. “Your Elven knowledge is more advanced than I expected.” His gaze sharpened. “How’s yours, by the way?”

“My what?”

“Your Sway.”

Unwilling to let any more information about myself slip, I lied. “I don’t have it.”

He leaned forward over the table. “You must. You’re my daughter. And the thing that attracted me so strongly to your mother, in spite of her mixed heritage, was her powerful empathy glamour. You’re a blend of us. Your glamour must be remarkable. You just need to learn how to use it.”

Time for another lie. I shrugged. “Well, I’ve never felt anything. The human part of me must be dominant.”

His hand came down on the table hard, his handsome face screwed into a scowl. “No. I don’t believe you.” There was a pause as he studied me. “I want to hear you deny it in the Elven way.”

My heart started racing. “What are you talking about?”

“You know what I mean. Communicate with me mind-to-mind.”

No way was I admitting to that ability. Then he’d ask me all kinds of things I didn’t want to answer truthfully. “Um, that’s impossible. Does my mother know she’s engaged to a crazy man?”

His eyes narrowed at me. “You are bluffing. Show me your Sway
right now
.” The stern order came out loud and clear. Loudly and clearly enough that several of the nearby diners turned their heads in our direction.

Though the command was laced with glamour, I found myself able to resist it. Huh. The realization that he couldn’t sway me almost made me smile.

“Better lower your voice. You’re attracting a lot of attention,” I warned him.

Davis glanced around. Raising a brow and laughing, he flipped a dismissive wave in the direction of our onlookers. “Them? They can’t hear a thing.”

Suddenly, the chatter in the restaurant grew louder.

“What? What did you say?” a well-dressed woman at the next table shouted at her date.

He shook his head. “I can’t hear you.”

Similar comments filled the balcony, growing louder and louder and turning more panicked by the second. Soon I could hear even the patrons seated inside as they realized they’d suddenly been struck deaf.

My heart fell into the pit of my stomach, ice cold with fear. “What did you do to them?”

Davis grinned again and gave another wave. The noise ceased in an instant. Picking up a crusty French roll and coating it in butter, he said, “No more than you’re capable of doing, my daughter. I want to teach you to master your genetic gifts, to reach your full potential. We would be a formidable team, and I could really use the support of my family now—a usurper has surfaced in my kingdom. He has taken what is mine... temporarily.” Leaning forward, he lowered his voice in a confidential tone. “I always re-claim what is mine.” 

Davis sank his perfect teeth into the roll and ripped off a chunk, never breaking eye contact with me.

I did not like him. At all. He had just threatened Nox. Who else could the “usurper” be? And I hated that he was so sure he could just take anything he wanted—and anyone.

“You know, as her daughter, I have some influence over Mom, too. And you should be aware…
I’m
looking out for her
true
happiness.” I sounded way more confident than I felt. What could I possibly do against someone as powerful as Davis?

Mom returned to the table before he could respond.

“I don’t remember this place ever being so loud. I could hear people talking even inside the ladies room.” She took her seat. “Did someone take our orders yet? I’m starving.”

Davis laughed and smiled at her adoringly. “Me too, darling. My appetite is never-ending. When I look at what’s on the menu, I can’t help myself...
I want it all
.”

He gave me a wink then raised his hand slightly. A waiter sped over to the table. As he and Mom placed their orders, I fought a wave of appetite-killing nausea. I was a part of this man. This insincere, power-hungry, egotistical man.

As much as I hated the idea, I wished we’d had more time to talk privately and that I
could
communicate with Davis in the Elven way because I had some questions for
him
, and I wanted some straight answers. What did he really want with Mom? What did he know about Nox, and what did he have planned for him?

Maybe Davis wasn’t evil. Maybe he
had
gotten a bad rap from people who didn’t really know him. But he was scary powerful. And if he could strike an entire restaurant full of people deaf, could he also have influenced a pilot to crash a plane five years ago? And killed Lad’s father in cold blood?

I tried to get another few minutes alone with Mom before she left the restaurant with Davis. Over dinner she’d excitedly told me all about the quaint inn here in Oxford where he’d booked a room for them to stay the night. But he stayed close by her side and swept her away quickly after the meal.

The best I could manage was a quick whisper in her ear. “I’ll talk to you soon.”

Worried, I trudged downstairs to my car and slid behind the wheel. As soon as I got my seatbelt on, my phone rang. I was thrilled to see Nox’s name on the screen in a FaceTime request. I grabbed it and touched the screen to answer.

“Hello?”

“Hi baby. Oh, wow—you look beautiful. How’s my girl?”

Seeing his face and hearing his sweet tone choked me up. I had to blink back tears. “Oh my God, Nox, I’m so happy to hear from you.”

“What’s the matter? You look upset. What’s going on?”

“I just miss you. And... I had dinner with Davis tonight.”

His tone went dark and his expression changed, becoming an angry sneer. “I don’t want you around that slick bastard.”

I’d never seen Nox so intense. The hatred in his voice worried me. He was with Davis on a regular basis now. Was he able to hide his feelings from the former Dark Elf leader—or was he as transparent to him as he was to me? If Nox wasn’t careful, his desire for revenge would get him into trouble.

“Calm down. I’m fine. Mom kept pressuring me to meet him, and I had to do it eventually. I think it’s a good thing I did. He mentioned you.”

The anger lifted, replaced by instantaneous concern. “He did? What did he say? Wait—I thought he didn’t know we knew each other.”

“He doesn’t. He didn’t mention your name. He just told me he could use the support of his ‘family’ because someone had stolen his throne. He had to be talking about you.”

Now his eyes widened. “He asked for your help? Do you think he knows about your abilities?”

I shook my head. “I don’t
think
so, unless he’s a mind-reader. It’s just wishful thinking. And arrogance. I think he found it hard to believe he could possibly have fathered such untalented offspring. He asked me about my Sway—and he wanted me to communicate with him the Elven way.”

Nox’s eyes widened. “You didn’t, did you?”

“Of course not. I pretended not to know what he was talking about.”

He closed his eyes and let out a breath. “Good. That’s good. Vancia said as soon as he realized you were his biological child, he lost all interest in her. He’s been obsessed with meeting you.”

“Oh.” I shivered in the hot car. “That’s creepy.”

“Yeah. Please try to avoid him, and whatever you do, don’t let him know what you’re capable of. Let him keep thinking you’re just like any human.”

“I wish I was.”

Nox’s forehead furrowed. “No you don’t. Why would you say that? You’re perfect just like you are.”

“I
hate
that he’s a part of me. I hate that whatever special abilities I have come from
him
.”

“And your mom,” Nox reminded.

“Yeah, but he’s the powerful one. His abilities are like, super-strong. And he’s bad, you know? What does that make me?” My voice choked over the last few words.

“Hey now.
You
—are good. Don’t ever be ashamed of who you are. I love every part of you, no matter where it came from. Never doubt that.”

“Okay,” I managed to whisper.

“You don’t sound very convinced. I wish I was there right now, so I could convince you.” One dark eyebrow lifted as his tone turned seductive.

I laughed, blushing and suddenly feeling light-headed. “Okay, okay, I’m convinced. It’s just—what am I supposed to do with it? My Sway and my glamour? I feel like I shouldn’t be using it at all, considering the source.”

“It
can
be used for good, you know, even if your father doesn’t use his that way.”

“You’re sounding an awful lot like a Light Elf there, Mr. Dark King,” I teased, making him smile. “Hey, enough of my whining. What’s going on with you? You look exhausted.”

“Yeah. There’s a big party downstairs. Again. I’m sick of all this. There are literally people at my house every night now. It’s like Dark Elf Central over here.”

“Who are they? What do they want?”

“Well, the High Council’s around a lot, trying to teach me about my ‘duties’ and figure out my position on all these issues—like I even have one, right? Leaders from the Dark clans around the country keep popping into town to pay their respects or whatever. And there are all these strangers who just want to
meet
me. It’s so weird. I kinda wish I’d stayed anonymous.”

“You had no choice. If you’d done that, you’d be dead. Thank God Vancia was there to vouch for you.”

“Yeah,” he said, his tone distracted as he looked away from the screen. “Hey, speak of the she-devil—she’s here. Say hi to Ryann, Van.”

A beautiful face leaned over Nox’s shoulder, her blue eyes luminous on the screen, her platinum hair brushing his face. “Hello.”

“Hi. Um... how are you?”

“Fantastic.” She beamed. “I love it here. It’s so good to be back home in L.A., isn’t it, Nox? So many great memories here.”

His face came back onscreen, though his eyes weren’t directed at the camera. He was looking at her.

“Yeah, memories and practical jokes. There was a manta ray swimming in my bathtub this morning. Wonder who could have put it there?” He laughed, and the sound was joined by her musical laughter in the background as his eyes turned back to me. “We used to play jokes on each other all the time when we were kids.”

I nodded, stricken by the warm tone of his voice. And the thought she’d been anywhere near his bathtub. “Sounds like fun.” Suddenly fighting to speak past a painful lump in my throat, I blurted out a desperate thought. “Let me come out there. I miss you so much. I’ll get on a plane tonight. Grandma can handle the factory.”

Nox shook his head. “I wish, baby. But you know you can’t be seen with me here. I’ll have to come see you there.”

“When?”

“I don’t know. We’ve got shows all this week and next. There’s not enough time in between to fly there and back. I hate this. I thought the schedule was bad when I was just a musician. It’s even worse now with my new position. Hold on a sec.” He looked off screen and laughed again. “Okay, see you later.”

Clearly “Van” had taken her leave.

“Sorry,” he said. “Where were we?”

I swallowed and took a deep breath. “How’s it been... with her?”

“What do you mean?”

“You know... being reunited, getting to know each other again. Is she like how you remembered her?”

Nox had told me not only were he and Vancia childhood friends, they’d been very close. Their parents had been best friends, and the two children had grown up together until the tragedy that had separated them and caused them each to believe the other was dead.

She had spent the past few weeks in California with him to make sure he was believed about his identity and to help him acclimate to his new role. That was, unless she was actually there as a spy for Davis. Or for another reason entirely.

“In many ways, yes, she’s the same. But a lot has happened since we were twelve. She’s changed a lot. I’ve changed. She’s great, though. Reminds me of you in a way.”

The remark was unexpected. And irritating. My reply came out with a sour note that surprised me. “I’m sure you’ll miss her when she comes back here to be with Lad.”

“Um... I guess so. Hey, everything okay?”

“Sure. Why?”

“Well, you just sounded sort of... jealous there, or something.”

Time to fess up. He knew me too well. “I guess I am.”

And his whole face changed, the anger and darkness returning. “I thought you had no more feelings for him.”

What?
“No. No—Nox—I meant I was jealous of
her
being there with
you
all this time. You thought I was jealous of Vancia and Lad?”

He didn’t answer, but his expression told me he’d believed exactly that.

I sighed. “
You
are the one I spend all day every day missing. I’ve been listening to your songs non-stop. If I could climb through this phone right now, I’d tell you that in a way you wouldn’t be able to doubt.”

His face brightened a bit. He was obviously at least partially placated. But his tone still sounded a bit bruised when he responded. “He still wants
you
, though.”

My heart skipped a beat as I thought back to the conversation Lad and I had shared on the plane, when he had told me point-blank to break up with Nox. There was no point in telling Nox about it. It would only upset him needlessly. “He’s
engaged
.”

“It doesn’t matter. I saw the way he looked at you. And he
heard
you when you called for help. There’s still a connection.”

“Are you still hung up on that? I told you—it’s an old connection. A useless one. Maybe it only worked that one time because our lives were in danger.”

“So, what about now? You live right there—so close together.” He paused, the space filled with apprehension. “Have you seen him?”

“Well… yes. He brings me the saol water deliveries.” I rushed to add, “But I told him just today that we need a new system for that. I won’t be seeing him at all soon.”

There was another long pause. Nox looked down. When his eyes came back to the screen, they were haunted. “So then... it
does
bother you to see him.”

It did. But again there was no need for him to know about it—it had nothing to do with him. Or us. It was my own weird problem to get over.

“You’re reading into things,” I assured him. “We’re increasing production now that shipments have started. We need it in larger quantities than I can transport by hand. That’s all. Your car’s coming in very handy, by the way.”

That got a slight grin out of him. “
Your
car, you mean. And I wish you’d let me buy you a new one. That thing’s so big, I bet you can barely see over the steering wheel. Wouldn’t you love a nice little Mercedes coupe like mine? Maybe silver? Or red. I bet you’d love red.”

“No. No fancy cars popping up mysteriously. My mom will think I’ve become a drug dealer... or the mistress of a rock star,” I teased.

He let out a low growl. “I wish. I am
dying
to see you. I’ll make it happen soon, I promise.”

“Okay. I’ll hold you to that.”

“Look, I’ve got to go. And you’d better get on the road for home. Don’t you have to get to the factory early tomorrow?”

“I do.”

“Okay, babe. Love you.”

I kissed the screen as a response.

Nox gave me a sad smile. “It’s okay, baby. You’ll say it when you’re ready.”

The sweet words punctured my heart. I hadn’t told Nox I loved him yet. I couldn’t. Often I felt something close to that sentiment—but when it came time to say the words, they just wouldn’t come out. The only time I’d ever said them was to Lad. And exactly as Mom used to warn me, it had come back to bite me in the butt—or the heart, more accurately.

Now she’d changed
her
tune entirely, but the lesson had been burned into my soul. Loving Lad had led to excruciating pain. How could I open my heart to the opportunity for that level of pain again?

“Good night,” I whispered, on the verge of tears. It was possible I’d never be ready to say
I love you
. To anyone. Maybe I wasn’t even capable of that particular feeling anymore. It was so unfair to Nox.

“Night, beautiful.”

As Nox’s face disappeared from the screen and I tucked the phone away in my purse, I felt a whole different kind of pain. Being away from him hurt in a hollowed out, aching, needful sort of way. It might not have been love exactly—but he was a powerful addiction, and I was dying for a hit.