Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
CHARLI
Sam sobs, and I search the large kitchen, finally spotting a roll of paper towels in their holder. I walk over and pull two off. Dampening one, I wring it out, then pass both to Sam.
“Thanks, Charli.” She blows out a shaky breath and looks at the man in front of her. “Covey needs our help.” In halting words, she tells him about her visit last week.
My phone rings. Teague. I silence it.
Apparently, she went to see her niece, but the whole time she was there, her boyfriend Shane refused to leave them alone.
Insisted on taking them both out to dinner.
She tried to ask Covey questions about her life, but her niece only wanted to talk about Shane.
His promotion. How he takes care of her. Supports her.
“When I asked about her art, she told me it was a silly hobby she’d given up.
She’s been drawing since she could hold a pencil,” she wails.
“She knew I could feel her desperation. I opened my mouth to tell her to pack her bags, but she pulled me into her arms and gave me a hug. Whispered ‘don’t’ and thanked me for coming. ”
Her voice breaks. “Her spirit’s damaged.”
My phone rings for the millionth time, and with an apologetic glance at Sam, I answer.
“Damn it, Charli. Don’t hang up.”
Moving away from the two of them, I grab a paper towel and wipe away the tears falling down my cheeks.
“Are you crying?” He says something to someone in the background. “You’re killing me, sweetheart. Are you hurt? Sad? Say something. Please.”
“Sad,” I murmur, unable to explain why. Visions are private. If Sam wants to tell him, she can. “Why didn’t you have a shirt on?”
“What?” he asks, his voice rising.
“In the stairwell. When you saved me,” I explain, my voice dropping so Sam and her friend don’t hear me.
He exhales loudly. “I was across town. Flying was the only way I could get to you that fast. Now tell me what’s going on.”
Flying. Macklin mentioned some gargoyles could fly. “Sounds exhilarating,” I murmur as I hear Sam explain to her friend who I am. “How did you know I had a vision?”
“Our connection. There was a rush of terror, then nothing,” he pushes out, his voice gruff. “Same thing happened with the other two, but I didn’t put it together until now. When you have a vision, it’s like our connection disappears until it’s over. Are you okay? What do you need?”
“I’m…okay,” I answer slowly, wishing he was here so I could crawl into that big bed of his and have him wrap his arms around me. “Did you find him?” I watch Sam’s friend help her to her feet.
Another man rushes in with dark red hair and serious brown eyes, wearing a white chef’s coat, and scoops her into his arms.
Teague snaps at someone in the background, his voice muffled, then sighs. “I wish we were there with you. How’s Sam? Is Covey hurt?”
“Not great,” I tell him. “I can’t say anything else.”
“I understand. Covey’s like a daughter to Sam. She’s been worried about her. Hopefully, your vision will help her see what she needs to do.” Teague pauses. “The facility was empty. We’re following up on a few leads.”
Mavros is gone? Now what?
There’s a shout in the background, and Teague curses. “I’ve got to go. I’ll call you later.” He lowers his voice. “And Charli?”
A ping sounds, and Sam’s friend glances at his phone, raises an eyebrow, then shifts his focus to me.
I grip the phone. “Yes?”
“You scared the hell out of me. Next time, I call, answer. I need to hear your voice, hear that you’re okay. Got it?” His voice is quiet but demanding, and I murmur my agreement. “And tell Elijah he better make damn sure you get home safely.” He hangs up.
Bemused, I smile. Wait. How did he know where I was? I turn to find Sam’s friend standing behind me, his eyes watchful. “Elijah?”
When he nods, I glance over at Sam and see she’s calmed down enough to talk. “What did Covey say?”
Her body trembles, and the man holding her runs his hands down her back in a soothing motion. “She was sorry. And I was right.” Her voice breaks. “I didn’t want to be right, damn it,” she wails, her tears flowing again.
Elijah fills in the rest. “Covey needs our help to escape. Her boyfriend tracks her every move. If she stops too long or deviates from her route, he calls her, reminds her what happens when she worries him.” The gold in his eyes brightens, and the hairs on my arm stand up.
“She’s going to call back in two days. Same time. ”
I smile, and Elijah’s eyes grow cold in response. Swallowing, I rush to explain. “Same time.” I flip open my notebook to my sketch. “If she’s going to call back at the same time and she has to follow the same route each time, she must think she can get back to the phone she used today.”
All three of them move closer.
“That gives us time to come up with a plan to get her out of there. Starting with this store. Wyman’s grocery.” I point to the invoice lying on the desk where it clearly states the name of the store and the address.
Sam gasps and throws her arms around me. I stiffen, not wanting another vision, but when nothing happens, I relax and pat her on the back.
Two men stride into the room, and I can’t help but wonder what is in Greystone’s water.
Seriously. I mentally fan myself. One has brown hair with natural blond highlights cut short against his nape and longer on top.
His ocean blue eyes scan the room, landing on Elijah, and he lifts an eyebrow.
Elijah tilts his head toward Sam, and he quickly moves to her side and picks up her wrist. He presses two fingers to her pulse. Is he a healer?
I move on to the man who walked in with him. Maybe an inch taller than Elijah, his long blond hair is tied back in a loose bun, but unlike Elijah’s serious expression, his green eyes meet mine with a friendliness I don’t expect.
Elijah explains what’s going on to the two new men, then looks at me. “I’m going to run Charli home, then I’ll be back.”
The man with the blond hair steps forward. “If you need to stay, I’ll take her home.”
Elijah grunts. “I want you to start pulling together information on the city where Covey lives. Create a map and make sure you include Wyman’s.
Holt, help Sam, then let MacKenzie know you won’t be in the clinic for a few days.
Covey might have some injuries.” There’s a hard tone in his voice that tells me he’s used to being in charge. Both men nod.
“I can stay and help,” I offer, not wanting to be a burden when they’re already short on time. “Or I can get a cab or something.” Surely they have cabs here. I never thought to ask Teague or Macklin.
Elijah chuckles. “Teague would kill me if I let you help. Besides, I promised him I’d drive you back. Let’s go.”
At the mention of Teague, the other two turn to me in surprise. Not used to having so many men staring at me, I tear out my sketch and hand it to Sam. “Okay.”
Elijah slips on a pair of flip flops at the door. Am I the only one who finds it freaking cold here? I follow him out to the beat-up Range Rover in the garage. Teeth chattering, I hop in and hug my notebook to my chest.
He takes one look at me and turns the heat on full blast.
“Thank you,” I murmur, slightly uneasy being in the car with someone I don’t know. “You can drop me off at the office. I’ve got more work to do.”
Elijah nods. “What you did for Sam…I’m in your debt.” His voice is gruff as if he doesn’t like owing someone. I can relate.
“Sam and Covey are lucky to have all of you,” I tell him, wishing I’d had someone to call for help. “And let’s call it even.” When he gives me a puzzled look, I motion to the snow around us. “You closed the pass. Early.”
He shifts restlessly. “Were you in a similar situation?”
My fingers twist as I think about it. After seeing Covey’s situation, I’m thankful I didn’t have to endure years of Hank’s abuse. “Let’s just say…Greystone offered me an escape.” I take a deep breath and peer out at the pristine white landscape. Sometimes I wish the snow would stay forever.
His hands tighten on the steering wheel. “I’m sure Teague would understand if you took the rest of the day off.”
Sitting in my apartment alone sounded so appealing a week ago.
Now, not so much. “The office, please.” I remember what Teague said about the family who owns The Fork.
Elementals. Magic. I want to ask him to show me, but he’s a little too intimidating.
Maybe if he were the blond with the friendly green eyes…
He pulls up to the curb, and I look over at him. “Thanks, Elijah. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”
His eyes narrow as he regards me. “Whipping up a few extra feet of snow is nothing. What you did today…Sam’s part of my family. I won’t forget it.”
I smile and shake my head as I hop out of the vehicle. Without looking back, I walk into work, feeling much better than when I left.
It’s six o’clock before I’m able to finish, and already dark when I walk out the door and down the street toward home. Heavy footsteps fall in behind me, but when I glance over my shoulder, I don’t see anyone. Picking up the pace, I hurry inside and slam the door shut.
I wait, but nobody jiggles the handle. Obviously, I’m becoming paranoid. I step into the elevator and head up to my apartment, where I find a rack full of clothes, waiting by the door like a fairy godmother dropped them off. Along with a note.
Charli,
Teague and Macklin asked me to pull together a few items for you. Let me know if something doesn’t fit or you want to exchange anything.
Victoria
Stunned, I slide a hand over the colorful fabrics. It’s a whole wardrobe. Jeans. Pants. Skirts. Dresses. Tops. Plus, several pairs of shoes. They’re so gorgeous. But too expensive. There’s no way I can afford these. Sighing, I pull the rack into my apartment and shut the door.
Charli: Victoria sent over some clothes. Thank you but I’m going to have to return them. They’re too expensive.
Teague: They’re a gift.
Charli: I can’t accept them.
Teague: Don’t return. Little busy. Think we found Mavros.
Frustrating man. I roll my shoulders and slip into my most comfortable pajamas.
This is my last clean pair. I’ll have to do laundry tomorrow.
I eye the clothes on the rack. Maybe I can afford a pair of pajamas.
Flicking through the items, I’m surprised when I don’t find any and decide it’s a sign I shouldn’t keep them.
Dinner is a toasted ham and egg sandwich. Quick. Hot. Delicious. Exhausted from the long, emotional day, I doomscroll for about half an hour, then fall asleep.