Lust (4 page)

he opened my door.

He must have noticed my

shocked expression, because he

laughed. “Sorry to startle you.”

“Nice house.”

He smiled. “Thanks.” He held

out a hand. I awkwardly accepted

it.

We walked around the car, and I

met up with Owen. He quickly

scooped my hand up in his. Levi

walked up to the wrap around

porch, and we followed. Before he

could get his key in the lock, the

door was thrown open. A large

golden retriever ran out on the

porch and jumped on Levi.

“Get down, Sally!” Levi yelled at

the dog.

“Don’t yell at her!” A brunette

walked out onto the porch. She was

wearing jeans and a t-shirt with her

hair tied up in a knot on the top of

her head, but she had this ethereal

beauty that made it look like she

would fit more on a runway than a

home—even one as grand as this

one. I knew at once it was the

queen, Allie.

“I wouldn’t yell if she didn’t jump

up on people,” Levi grumbled.

Allie ignored her husband and

walked over to me with her hand

outstretched. “You must be Daisy.”

“Yes, hi. Nice to meet you.” I

accepted her firm handshake.

“Come right in. Sorry about the

dog.” She smiled apologetically.

“It’s fine. I grew up with two

labs.”

“Oh, those are great dogs too.”

She gestured for me to walk inside.

I listened, assuming Owen

would follow us in.

I looked around at the tall

ceilings and beautifully refinished

hardwood floors. “You have a lovely

home.” Try amazing. I’d never been

in a place quite like it before.

“It’s a mess.” She bent down

and picked up a truck. “I’m sorry. I

finally got the little guy down and

ran out of time to clean up.”

“Don’t you guys have maids?” I

regretted the words once they were

out. I didn’t want to make her

uncomfortable.

She smiled. “We have a house

cleaner, but only once a week.

Otherwise it’s up to me to pick up

after everyone.”

“I clean too.” Levi walked over

and kissed her on the cheek.

She smiled. “Occasionally.”

“Hey, you’ve been complaining

we never have company. I brought

you company.”

“With no notice. I would have

hired a sitter and had dinner

catered.”

“Allie isn’t much of a cook,”

Owen laughed.

Allie nudged Levi. “I’m getting

better. Right?”

He smiled. “You are fantastic,

babe. No question about it.”

“Do you want to be in trouble?”

She narrowed her eyes.

“What?” He held up his hands as

if in defense. “I was being honest.

You’re a great cook.”

“I heard some sarcasm there.”

She flushed.

“Keep up with this over sensitive

stuff, and I’m going to worry you

are pregnant again.”

She swatted at him. “If we didn’t

have company you’d be regretting

those words.”

“And my guess is I’ll be

regretting them after they leave.”

He pulled her into his arms. “Have I

told you lately that I love you?”

“Sweet talk isn’t going to work.”

“It won’t?” He rested his

forehead against hers. “Even if it’s

really sweet?”

Allie shook her head. “And on

that note, let’s move into the living

room. I’m sure our guests would

like to get on with the evening.”

Allie and Levi walked through a

large archway. I pulled Owen back.

“Are they always like this?” I

whispered.

He laughed. “Most of the time.

Entertaining couple, aren’t they?”

“You could say that.” I followed

them into the living room.

I took a seat on a beige couch,

glad when Owen sat down next to

me. Allie and Levi sat down across

from us on a loveseat.

“Levi didn’t get a chance to tell

me to what I owed the pleasure of

your company, Owen. My guess is

this is more than a purely social

visit?” She crossed her legs.

“We need to take a look at

some maps. We have to find a

place.”

“A place? Very descriptive.” She

huffed.

“Do you know anything about

the Allures?” I asked.

“I’ve read about them. They are

an ancient mythical creature if I’m

correct.”

“Ancient yes, but not mythical.”

Owen put a hand on my leg.

“Wait, you’ve seen them?” Allie

sat up.

“Daisy’s got one in her.” Levi

didn’t move an inch when he spoke.

“Uh, what does he mean?” She

watched me warily.

“Oh, I ate one for breakfast.” I

needed to lighten the mood.

Allie laughed. “Funny.”

“Glad you figured out it was a

joke.”

She laughed again. “I’m not that

gullible, but what is Levi talking

about?”

“Short story is she was given a

magic paste that apparently had

Allure essence in it. She’ll fully

become one if we don’t stop it.”

Levi stood up. “I’ll pull out the

maps. Owen, want to join me?”

He wasn’t really asking, and

Owen stood right up. He glanced

down at me. “We’ll be right back.

“Please find something,” I

pleaded.

“I’ll do my best.”

I watched as they walked out of

the room.

“Can I get you something to

drink?” Allie snapped me out of my

daze. “I know I should be asking

how you are, but I already know

you can’t be doing great. A drink is

the only thing I can think to offer.”

“You are nothing like I

expected.”

“What did you expect?” She

walked over and sat down next to

me.

“A pampered princess type girl.”

“Sorry to disappoint you.” Her

eyes twinkled.

“About that drink you offered?”

“My guess is you need

something strong.”

“As strong as you’ve got.”

“Come with me.” She led the

way into the next room and

stopped in front of a large

mahogany bar. “Pick your poison.”

She gestured to a row of top shelf

liquors.

“Vodka.” I didn’t drink much

liquor, but I preferred Vodka.

“Neat?”

“That works.” I didn’t plan to

drink much, so I wanted to be easy.

She poured two glasses and

handed me one.

“To the boys finding what you

need on the maps.” She lightly

tapped her glass against mine.

“Cheers.” I sipped the strong

liquor and welcomed the burn as it

went down my throat.

Allie took a sip. “A few years

ago I wouldn’t have had this.”

“You’ve changed your drink

preferences?” I asked. The whole

situation was strange. Having

drinks with a queen was never in

my plans.

“Yes. I’m not sure how much of

that comes from being queen

versus being a mom.”

I laughed. “My guess is both

contribute.”

“So you and Owen, huh?” She

sipped her vodka again.

“Yup, me and Owen.”

“Other than the whole Allure

thing, are you doing well?”

“I’m crazy about him.”

“And the sex?”

I coughed on my drink.

She held out a hand. “Sorry, had

to ask.” She laughed. “I’m nosier

than I used to be.”

Why not be honest? “It’s great.”

“He seems happy. Stressed but

happy.”

“I’d say that sums me up, but

my emotions aren’t that simple

anymore.”

“Are you like an Allure? I read

something about them being able

to manipulate feelings.”

“I can somewhat. I’m trying to

avoid it.”

“The worst part about being a

human in this paranormal world is

that I’m susceptible to everything

while Levi isn’t. At least my kids will

be immune.”

“Will all of them be Pteron?” I

couldn’t imagine having kids that

weren’t human. Then again I

couldn’t imagine not being human

myself but that was already starting

to happen.

“Yes. That gene is dominant.”

“What’s that like? Having kids

that have wings?”

“You’re changing the subject.”

She swirled around the liquor in her

glass.

“I am.” There was no reason to

pretend otherwise.

“Sneaky.”

“I am legitimately curious.”

“It’s different, but I knew what I

was getting into. My guess is it’s

going to be more of a challenge as

they get older.” She glanced over

her shoulder, and I assumed she

was checking to make sure Levi

wasn’t listening. “I’m worried they’ll

look down on me, or I’ll feel left out

because I can’t fly.”

“That would be hard.” I didn’t

beat around the bush. She hadn’t

with me, so I would give her the

same courtesy.

“Like I said, I don’t know what

changed my liquor preference

more.” She took another sip.

“I’m sorry for this unexpected

visit.”

“It’s fine. Owen is like family.

I’m surprised Levi even called in

advance to let me know.”

“I made him.” It was the least

we could do.

She smiled. “Why am I not

surprised?”

“Men don’t think about things

like that.”

“No, they don’t. And to be

honest some women don’t either.”

“Yes, I’ll agree there.” I’d

definitely met my fair share of

those.

“How are you feeling?” She

leaned back against the bar. “

“Emotionally I’m a mess, but

physically I’m feeling normal

enough.”

“I know you’ve got to be

terrified, but we’re going to figure

this out.”

“If it’s possible.”

“You know it is. Otherwise you

wouldn’t be here.” She gave me a

knowing look.

“Ladies?” Levi called from the

doorway. “Starting without us?” He

took Allie’s glass and sipped it.

“You’re drinking vodka now?”

She shrugged. “There are worse

things.”

“Find anything?” Allie and Levi’s

banter was cute and all, but I didn’t

have time to waste.

“Yes and no.” Owen walked over

with a roll of paper under his arms.

“Are those the maps?”

“Yes. I want to show you

something.” He walked toward the

kitchen and laid out the map on the

table. “This is the map of all known

cities and locations in the world.”

“Where’s Energo?” I stood next

to him.

“That’s the thing.” He tapped

the map. “It’s not on here.”

“Or this one.” Levi rolled out

another map next to it.

“So how does any of this help

us?” I could feel my frustration

rising along with panic.

“Owen doesn’t think Kalisa was

lying about Energo.” Levi leaned a

land on the table.

“Why would she have lied? What

could she have possibly gained by

that?” I agreed with his

assessment, but that didn’t mean it

helped us at all.

“If she’s telling the truth, then

there are only two possibilities.”

Levi tapped the maps.

“And they are?” I was growing

increasingly inpatient.

“Either Energo is another name

for a place.”

“Or?”

Levi rolled the maps back up.

“Or it doesn’t exist in our world as

we know it.”

“Uh… if it doesn’t exist in our

world, where does it exist?” Allie

scrunched up her forehead.

“Allie, do you still have those

books you borrowed from my

grandma? The ones about all the

ancient creatures?”

Allie put a hand under her chin.

“No. Georgina made me return

them in less than forty-eight hours.”

“Georgina?” I asked.

“My grandma, don’t ask.” Levi

shook his head.

“Wait, do you think the places

described in those books are real

then?” Allie leaned forward.

“The Allures are still around…”

“Does this mean we’re paying a

visit to Georgina?” Owen’s eyes

brightened.

“Yes.” Levi nodded. “But she’s

out at the country home. It’s going

to be a drive.”

“Doesn’t matter.” Owen grabbed

my hand. “I’m not going to pretend

Georgina is the easiest person to

get along with, but if anyone is

going to be able to help, it’s her.”

“Then why didn’t we go to her

first?” I asked what I thought was

an obvious question.

Levi laughed. “Because no one

just goes to Georgina, except for

family, and even we’re careful. The

matriarch of our familiar is intense.”

“But most of that is an act.” Allie

took my empty glass from me.

“She’s more bark than bite unless

you get on her bad side. If you do

that, well, then you’re in serious

trouble.”

“But you think she’ll help us?” I

clasped my hands together.

“She’s always had a soft spot for

Owen.” Levi grinned. “Now if this

was Jared it would be another

story.”

“Who’s Jared?” I asked.