Chapter 16 #2
“You’re staying right here.” He held me in my seat. “I don’t understand what she’s talking about. Do you?”
“I know.” Elara spoke in a tone that made me look at her. “Waverly, there is nothing between Aldric and me. We’re friends, that’s all. Do you understand?”
I looked from her to him. “Is that true?”
“It is. And before you ask—no, I’m not married, nor am I in a relationship.”
“Even with Elara? Because she’s gorgeous.”
“Nope. Just friends.” He said it with a rather cheesy grin.
“Me either. I’ve had boyfriends, but then they find out I’m odd and they leave.” I shrugged.
“Great—neither of us is in a relationship, now—”
“Well, hot damn!” I cut him off by slapping the bar. “It’s my lucky night! I’m not in a relationship either—did I tell you that?”
“Waverly.” Elara touched my arm gently. “I need to ask you something, all right?” She leaned closer.
“Yes, ask away.” I leaned closer too. “But first—why is your tavern watching me?”
“You can tell it’s watching you?”
“Yeppers.”
Elara smiled. “Well, it has a bit of a voyeuristic side.”
“I knew it.” I glanced at Aldric. “Another point, Waverly!”
Elara’s voice softened. “My turn. Tell me—why did you come to Driftwood Pointe?”
“That’s an easy one. I’m researching a new series. For my book, because I write.” I paused. “That, and I saw the name on a map and it called me. But not on my cell phone.” I shook my head, pointing to my ear. “Here.” Then to my head. “And here.”
Elara’s expression sharpened. “Could you explain how Driftwood Pointe called you?”
“I had a dream. I was in a boat on dark water—I think it was nighttime. And the wind kept saying… your truth is here. Come claim us. The next morning when I woke up, I knew this was where I was meant to come.”
Nobody spoke. Finally, I smiled, a little weakly.
“That’s weird, isn’t it?”
“No, actually it isn’t at all.” Elara told me. “Keep looking—you’ll find what you’re looking for.”
“Can I take Aldric with me?” I put my finger to my lips. “Sh—don’t tell him, but I really want to kiss him.” I giggled. “At least to start with. Did you know he looks like the cover model for a book women hide from their church groups?” I winked.
Elara laughed her magical laugh. “Sure, you can take Aldric. But first tell me—are you magical?”
“Me? Are you asking if I got a letter from wizard school? Because I didn’t. I’ve checked. Several times.” I frowned. “I’m guessing it’s because I don’t have any magic. Do you think that’s why?”
“Probably. Is anyone in your family magical? Does anyone have any special abilities?”
I looked at Elara and blinked. “No. We’re just normal people. But can I buy powers somewhere? Because I would really like some.” I shot both hands out like I was Spider-Man shooting webs. “Can you see it? Wham, wham—I’d be shooting spells all over the place.”
Aldric placed his hand on my arm.
“Hey, good looking—where did you come from?” I leaned against him.
“Waverly, this is very important.” Aldric’s voice was steady and careful. “Do you, or have you ever had any powers? Any at all?”
I held up my phone. “Yes—I’m at 70 percent.”
“No.” He closed his eyes briefly. “Not battery power. Please listen—do you have any magic?”
I shook my head. “No, I don’t. But I think you do—and Elara too.
Only don’t tell her I said so. I don’t want her to think I’m weird.
” I blinked up at him. “Hey, did I tell you that I think you’re amazing?
Because I do. And sexy as hell. Sexy! I can’t imagine what you look like without your—” I blinked. “Can you imagine that?”
Aldric shook his head and looked at Elara. “Now what?”
“No doubt about it—she’s telling the truth. No one could lie with that much in them.” Elara glanced toward the door. “She’s human, at least as far as she knows. And I don’t sense anything.”
Aldric made a sound that was not quite a word. It contained, however, the full weight of a man who intended to have very strong words with three very small people at his earliest convenience.
Aldric frowned.
“Aww, sad face.” I touched his cheek. “Let’s turn that frown upside down, shall we?”
“Nothing?” Aldric ignored me.
“No—you were right,” Elara’s expression tightened. “As far as my senses can tell, she’s human.”
A pause.
“Which means something is calling to her.”
“You can call me—I’ll give you my number.” I reached for my phone but was overtaken by an enormous yawn. “Man, I’m tired.”
“No wonder, with the amount the Brownies gave her. Aldric, you’d better get her back to her room before she falls asleep—once she goes, she’ll be out.” Elara stood. “Waverly, it’s time to go. I enjoyed our chat.”
“Time to go? Alrighty.” I hopped carefully off my stool.
“I liked our chat too. And your little guys—they’re cute.
Bye.” I turned to leave, then leaned back.
“Wait. Can I take Aldric with me? Because I would absolutely climb that man like a tree.” I yawned and stretched.
“But first, unfortunately, I need a nap.”
“Aldric.” Elara’s voice dropped. “She won’t remember any of this. What are you going to do once she finds what she’s looking for?”
“What do you mean?”
“Are you prepared to let her leave? She’s clearly as smitten with you as you are with her.”
“She’s human. You know I can’t go through that again.”
“So you’ve said. But can you let her leave—never to see her again?”
“See who again?” I interjected.
“Me—I’m right here.” Aldric hooked my arm through his and looked back at Elara over his shoulder. “Not a word of this to anyone.”