Chapter 15
Chapter
Fifteen
“We should pay the bill,” I slurred.
Ari pointed at me, her finger dipping as she struggled to hold it aloft. “Three-way split!” she announced and waved the server over.
“As long as someone else does the math!” Evie cried, grinning as she waved her drink at me.
We’d all lost count of how many drinks we’d consumed, thanks to the handsome owner sending them over every time he saw an inch dip in the liquid in our glasses. The man was diabolical.
The server hurried over. Ari waved her card at him. “Three-way split for me and my gorgeous friends here.”
He glanced over his shoulder and when he looked back at Ari, he inclined his head. “I’m sorry, Miss Ari. I’ve been informed your money is no good here.”
Ari blinked. “’Scuse me?”
Evie started chuckling. “What about ours?”
He looked over his shoulder again. “Err. Consider tonight’s celebration a gift welcoming Emberwood’s Lady and her friends.”
Evie’s eyes narrowed. “Was the gift from that ridiculously good-looking man behind the bar? The one standing in the shadows and pretending we can’t see him?”
The server was trying hard not to laugh. Evie stood and swayed. “Hey! Come over here and talk to us!”
The male pushed away from the wall and sauntered over. Good gracious. He was stunning. Tall, dangerous, and moved like a predator.
Ari blinked like an owl before her expression turned into a scowl. “Thank you for covering our check,” she grumbled.
Evie cackled. “Don’t sound so grateful about it.”
I tried to cover my mouth with my hand, but I’d had so much to drink I merely waved it in front of my face because the thing had a life of its own.
The handsome fae grinned, showcasing straight white teeth and the gods forbid, a perfect dimple at the lower right edge of his mouth. “Ari and I have a thing where she scowls at me all the time and tells me to fuck off. It’s really quite adorable.”
“Fuck off, Locke,” Ari snarled.
His eyes glimmered with amusement. “See! Adorable, really. Even when she’s snockered, she’s still angry at me.”
Evie glanced back and forth between them. “Your food and service are amazing. I meant to get here sooner, but things have been heating up in the fae lands.”
Locke touched his heart and inclined his head. “Any visit from the fae queen is an honor.”
“Kiss ass,” Ari muttered.
Evie nudged her with an elbow. “Ari, this nice man just wrote off our entire check, and we ate our body weight in nachos. Can you be at least a little nice to him?”
Locke’s grin widened.
“I’d rather drown myself in a vat of pig guts.”
I blinked. “That’s awfully specific.”
“I’m afraid Ari and I got off on the wrong foot. I’ve been trying to redeem myself, but she’s been a hard nut to crack.”
Ari rolled her eyes but stayed silent.
“We’ll definitely be back very soon,” Evie said.
He gave us a little bow. “Locke’s the name. As you heard Ari growl, I’m sure. Later, she’ll probably take it in vain, but at least I’ll be out of earshot.”
Locke reached over and tugged on one of Ari’s dark curls. “See you around, Pixie.”
With a wink reserved just for her, he turned and walked away.
I was not ashamed to admit all of us ogled him until he turned the corner and we couldn’t see his blue-jeans-clad rear end anymore.
Evie fanned herself. “Ari, are you insane? You do not have to be in love with that man for him to show you a real good time.”
I laughed. “Listen to you, Evie. Giving advice you never would have taken a year ago.”
Evie shot me a dark look but then laughed. “True. I had some issues. But Ari here is stunningly beautiful and single. I’d consider taking that man for a spin around the block.”
Ari crossed her arms over her chest and sighed. “He’s an asshole.”
I tossed a chip at her. “Most paranormal males are assholes, at least initially.” I pointed at Evie. “Caelan?”
She rolled her eyes. “Huge asshole.”
I snorted, then pointed to myself. “Soren. Massive wanker.”
“You can’t use wanker if you aren’t English,” Ari said.
Evie rolled her eyes. “In Soren’s case, wanker is the word I’d use, too.”
“Ethan was an asshole, too,” I told Ari.
“Big time,” Evie added. “He’s growing on me, though.”
Ari stared at both of us. “Neither one of you are making me want to get to know him.”
Evie cackled. “What we’re saying is we had to get to know them before deciding they weren’t assholes.”
“I’m still on the fence about Soren,” I said. “He has yet to prove himself.”
We finished our drinks and left the restaurant with our arms entangled. My bag clinked as we walked.
“Did you steal a few bottles of Locke’s booze?” Evie asked, pulling the edge of my bag to peek inside.
“Travel potions,” I said. I brought them for Ethan, even though I shouldn’t have. When everything happened, I got out of there as fast as I could. Leaving the potions behind for him was a moot point now. He wouldn’t remember using them.
“Why so many?”
“Ethan.”
Evie looked up. “Oh.” She let out a soft sigh. “Sorry, friend.”
Ari came up behind Evie and peered inside the bag. “You don’t need those. I can take you wherever you want to go.”
“Yeah, but we aren’t joined at the hip, so I can’t snap my fingers and demand a ride whenever I want. And Evie is still shaky on the instant travel, so it leaves me with these or an old-fashioned automobile.”
“Yes,” Ari drawled, “but I’m here now, and unlike you two rule followers, I did steal a bottle.” She produced a massive bottle of Cliona’s special vodka.
Evie let out a delighted laugh and clapped her hands. “I like your new friend, Moira!”
“She’s good people,” I said. “So far.”
Ari snorted. “So…Tahiti? Greece? The Emerald Isles? London?”
Evie tapped her chin with her index finger. “Hmm. Let’s leave it up to Moira.”
My buzz was right at the beginning of wearing off. “I’m not sure I’m up for a round the world jaunt.”
Evie gasped. “Quick! Open that bottle!”
Ari twisted the cap and shoved the open bottle at me.
“I’m serious. I should probably go home. Tomorrow might be busy.”
Evie eyed me. “We could always go to Ethan’s land and see if we can find any clues.
You got Ari and me. Both fae, both quite clever.
And you. Since your mom was already in the clearing when you arrived and whacked you with her mojo, I bet you didn’t get the chance to look everything over. We could go there and take a look!”
Ari, a little drunker than me and Evie, nodded happily. “That sounds like a fantastic idea!”
“You both are way too buzzed to make good decisions right now.” But I was still buzzed enough for the idea to sound like a winner. I tipped the bottle back and took a long swill.
Evie let out a wolf whistle. “That’s the spirit!”
Ari took one of our arms in each hand. “Moira, focus on the spot you were when Ethan fell.”
“What about his wards?” I asked.
Evie rolled her eyes. “I can walk through most, and Ethan probably doesn’t remember he gave you access.”
“If we can’t get through, we’ll bounce back,” Ari said.
I passed the bottle to Evie. “And if we get surrounded by wolves?”
“Magic hands,” Ari said again. “Now close your minds and hold the picture in your mind.”
Evie giggled. “We ’bout to get in some trouble, girls!”
Ari’s bark of laughter was the last sound I heard before we faded away.
We landed in the silent clearing. I swayed on my feet and bumped into Evie, who bumped into Ari, who tumbled to the ground with a wet giggle.
“Shhhh,” I said, sounding like a slowly deflated tire.
Evie snickered and held a hand out to help Ari up but tumbled forward because she couldn’t keep her balance.
“You idiots,” a dry, amused voice came from behind us.
I sucked in a shriek and spun to see a tall, handsome man with gray eyes, ringed with gold. Evie lifted her hand and pointed at him. “Shit. Did we land on the wrong property?”
Caelan, Shifter Lord of Texas and Evie’s ex-fiancé, stared at his former lover, a fond smile curving his lips. “No. But you’re damn lucky I’m the one out here, and you didn’t run into Ethan.”
I went still. “You know.”
Caelan sighed and leaned against one of the tree trunks. “I don’t know shit right now. So I’m glad you’re here.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Something happened because a dead woman answered the door.”
Evie smiled up at him. Caelan shook his head and leaned forward to extend a hand. She reached for it and the Lord helped her up.
He brought her in for a hug and ruffled her hair before releasing her—a big change from several months ago when Evie stabbed him through the chest and threatened to end his entire line.
Evie patted his cheek and stepped away. “You didn’t say anything?”
Caelan snorted. “If I learned anything at all dating you, flower girl, it’s to expect the unexpected.
Sarah answered that door. My jaw dropped.
I opened my mouth to ask what the fuck was going on when I saw Kinsley right behind her slowly shaking his head no.
Then Ethan appeared and fuck me if he wasn’t batting an eye. ”
He slid that gray-gold gaze over to me. “I’m assuming this has something to do with you?”
I scoffed. “No. This has everything to do with my mother, though.”
“You by association, then.” Caelan rubbed his jaw. “This is where everything happened, I take it?”
I nodded.
“Alright then. You’re all drunker than Cooter Brown—”
“Who the fuck is Cooter Brown?” Ari stage-whispered.
Evie couldn’t stop giggling.
“It’s a southern saying,” I said. “Just go with it.”
“Riiiiiight,” Ari said, eyeing Caelan nervously.
“Since I’m the only one here sober,” Caelan continued, “I guess I’ll be the one looking for clues?”
“We all bring different things to the table,” I said. “If we find something, we’ll shout.”
“No,” Caelan said. “I’m welcome on Ethan’s property, but if he catches me out here snooping around and finds you three here…”
He shook his head. “Let’s just say we should avoid that if at all possible.”
“We’ll whisper,” I amended. “Should we split up?”
“Three drunk girls in the woods,” Caelan muttered. “What could possibly go wrong?”
Evie grinned. “You never know. Our brains are firing on all cylinders right now. We might find the cure for cancer in these woods.”
Caelan rolled his eyes. “Don’t stray too far. If you get into trouble, send me a vine.” With a wink at Evie, the Lord walked away, his sharp gaze sweeping the area for anything out of place.
I turned in a circle, slowly searching for anything I might have missed the first time.
Ethan’s scent was heavy in this area, along with my mother’s.
I could smell Jace and Kinsley, and the other wolves who came to get him.
My buzz was beginning to wear off again.
Probably for the best because now that I was standing here, I realized how dumb of a decision this was.
Ethan had all but thrown me off his property, and here I was trespassing just a few hours later. Man. Cliona’s vodka was dangerous.
“What are you doing?” A feminine voice whispered in my ear.
I shrieked and spun to see the object of my thoughts standing behind me.
The goddess Cliona, queen of the banshees and my BFF’s mother, smirked at me.
“What the fuck is happening?” I whispered. “Why is everyone here tonight?”
“Hmm.” She tapped her chin just like Evie had a little while ago. “Because your whore of a mother did something very naughty, didn’t she?”
I stared at her. “So it was her then.”
“Oh yes,” Cliona said. “I’m very interested to know where she learned that little trick.”
The goddess was dressed way down from her usual gown and slippers attire. She wore a pair of skinny jeans, flats, and an oversized V-neck t-shirt. Her ebony hair was down and loose, and her face was free of makeup. Cliona looked more like Evie tonight than I’d ever seen.
“Wow.” I blinked in surprise. “You look really good, Cliona.”
Her eyes lit up. “Really?” She glanced down at herself. “Thanks. Evie got me thinking about some things, and I bought these on a whim.” Her face softened. “She gave me the t-shirt and shoes.”
“How do they feel?”
Cliona sighed. “Like I suffered for the last few hundred years out of pure stubbornness.”
I chuckled. “Wait until you put on a pair of bamboo pants. Game changer.”
Cliona grinned. “Noted. I’ll look those up.” She glanced around the area. “Now, my dear, tell me exactly what happened before my daughter gets back and tries to talk us off the cliff.”
I gestured for her to follow and took Cliona deeper into the woods. She listened as I told her everything. The booze loosened my lips, unfortunately, and there were a couple of times Cliona gasped in horror. But when I was done, the goddess nodded.
“I understand now,” she said. “Before tonight I wanted to rush in and spear your mother, take her out before she could harm anyone else. But now I know her death is not mine to own.” Cliona touched her heart.
“I know what that burn for vengeance feels like, my friend. And I would never take that away from you.”
She let out a heavy sigh. “Tracking your mother has proven tricky. She is using unfamiliar magic to conceal her movements. I will help you as much as I can, even if this means staying my hand.”
At my grateful nod, she reached out to touch my shoulder. “This will not be an easy or timely fix, Moira. When the spell breaks, Ethan will remember everything.”
“If I kill my mother, will Sarah disappear?”
Cliona nodded. “But she must. Her death was foreseen, and balance must be restored. You may find Tess is more helpful in these endeavors than you think. Reach out to her.”
“I will.”
Cliona smiled. “Do not tell my daughter I was here. I don’t want to ruin the vibe.”
With a wink, she disappeared, leaving me standing in the darkness, wondering how my life had crashed and burned.