Storm: The Empire Chronicles (14 page)

I
was still
on a high from kissing Vera. I’d never imagined I could get so much out of a kiss, but I did with her. It was as though she could convey emotion through her lips, and I greedily wanted more. I’d never get enough of Vera in any way, and I was hoping I wouldn’t ever have to give her up. I would though if it was best for her. I knew I’d do anything for Vera, and that simultaneously excited yet terrified me.

I wanted to get lost in her. To forget about everything else and enjoy her, but I couldn’t. I reveled in our fantasy of free time while on the plane, but the second we touched down in New Orleans, I knew it was time to snap back to reality.

I didn’t want to call Nadia. I hated the thought of contacting any girl and making her think I had interest in her. The only one I wanted was Vera, and that wasn’t going to change. Wanting to do it or not, I didn’t have a choice. It was the only way I was going to find her mother, and Vera seemed to think she was our best chance.

“Hey.” Nadia answered on the first ring.

“Hey. How’s it going?”

“What do you need now?” There was amusement in her voice that didn’t match her words.

“It’s a strange request that I really don’t want you to take the wrong way.”

Vera snickered. I’m sure she was afraid Nadia would come to the same conclusion when I asked about her mom.

“Just ask it. I’ll take it the way I’m going to take it.”

“I need to find your mom.”

She laughed.

“I told you not to take it the wrong way.”

“What way was I going to take it? You worried I’d think you were into her?”

“I don’t know.” I didn’t particularly want to admit my concern. “I don’t have the best reputation.”

“You don’t have that reputation.”

“Ok, then will you help me out?”

“I’ve been waiting for you to ask.”

That couldn’t be good. “Waiting? Why?”

“There’s a lot you don’t know.”

“I know more than you think.” That didn’t mean I’d accepted it all yet, but I was getting there.

“Maybe, maybe not.”

“Are you going to help me find her?” I was getting impatient.

“Finding her is the easy part. Helping you with whatever you need her help for is the hard part.”

“Why is that?”

“Because there are only a few reasons you’d be asking about her, and none of them are good.”

“What’s the address?”

“I can’t tell you it, but I can pick you up.”

I looked at Vera assuming she’d been able to hear the conversation through the phone. She nodded. “Ok, we’ll met you at Royal and St. Anne.”

“Be there in fifteen.”

“That soon?”

“It isn’t every day Jared Florence requests to see my mother.”

“And let’s hope it remains that way.”

“Bring your bear with you.”

“My bear?” My body went rigid.

“Come on, you didn’t think I believed she was human, did you?”

Vera blanched.

“I like her, and I don’t think you should be leaving her alone. I’m not the only one who’s noticed her and knows
who
she is.”

“Who she is?” That was different than knowing she was Ursus.

“Yes. Who she is,” Nadia repeated herself.

“We’ll be waiting.”

“Good. See you soon.” Nadia hung up.

“Um, what was she implying?” Vera ran her teeth over her bottom lip.

“I don’t know, but I don’t like it.”

“Because things were going to be too simple. Or normal.”

“What about our situation was starting to feel simple or normal?” As far as I was concerned nothing was anymore.

“Ok, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but I was starting to get used to it.”

“I think that’s more of a statement about you than the situation.”

“Because I get used to things?”

“Exactly. You’re tough.”

“Tough is a good thing, isn’t it?”

“Why do you sound hesitant? Of course it is.”

“Unless it hardens you.” She pursed her lips.

“You’re not hardened. You’re perfect.”

She snorted. “Perfect?”

“In my book. That includes the way you infuriate me. I like that.”

“Glad you do.” She smiled as we walked down the road to our meeting place. We arrived a few minutes later and tried to blend into the crowd. We didn’t know who or what was looking for us.

Neither Vera nor I moved when the cherry red Tacoma pulled up at the curb. Instead I kept waiting for Nadia to show up.

The passenger side window to the truck rolled down, and Nadia yelled out, "Are you going to get in?”

Vera and I looked at each other. Neither of us had thought for a second the truck was hers.

I opened the door and gestured for Vera to get in first. I didn't like the thought of being sandwiched between them. By the expression on Vera’s face, she didn’t like it either.

Nadia barely looked at us. “I’m thirty seconds late.”

“And you know that?” I glanced at the digital clock on the dash. It couldn’t be telling her the seconds.

“I aim to be on time. Always.”

“I never knew you were like that.”

“Because I always pretend to be a ditz around you.” Nadia pulled out onto the road.

Vera let out a loud laugh.

Nadia shrugged. “Those are generally the kind of girls he wants around.”

“So you dumbed yourself down to get with him?” Vera didn’t hide her distaste.

“Yeah… no. I’m not into him. He’s all yours.”

“You sure act you you’re into him.” Vera crossed her arms.

“Act is the key word.”

“Why would you do that?”

“Because my mom told me too.” Nadia laughed.

“Ok, this is getting weird.” I groaned. “What’s really going on?”

“I already told you there’s so much you don’t know.”

“So change that. Fill me in.”

“We need to see my mom first.”

“Where is she?” I watched the streets of New Orleans disappear as we continued toward the outskirts of town. “You never said she was outside the city.”

“Because you wouldn’t have agreed so easily.”

“Why are you making such an effort?”

“I already told you… well sort of.”

“Your mom told you to help us today too?” Vera turned toward her.

“Well to help Jared, and you’re with him.”

“And you know who I am?” Vera put a hand on her chest.

“You’re from Norco.”

She nodded slowly. “Technically, but how would you know that?”

“My mom pretty much knows everything about everyone.”

“Including my mom.” I knew so little about my mom that despite all the more pressing issues I was anxious to learn more.

“Yes. Especially her. They grew up together.”

“Do you know what happened? What really went down with her and my dad?” I tried not to sound as desperate as I felt. I hated being the one who didn’t know the answers.

Nadia shrugged. “I know what my mom told me. I was way too young to remember it.”

“I guess I’ll add that to the list of questions to ask your mother.”

“Be real. That was already on the top of your list.”

“Not quite the top.” Figuring out how to erase the veil was the top.

“I’m curious what beats that out.” Nadia looked across Vera to me.

“I’m surprised you don’t know.” Vera slumped down in the seat.

“It bothers you that I know who you are.” Nadia turned onto a small road.

“Yes. I didn’t even know who I was.” Vera seemed lost in thought.

Nadia glanced at her momentarily before returning her eyes to the road. “You two are up to something.”

“We’re always up to something.” I smiled to myself.

“I had no idea you even had a girlfriend. When did this happen?”

“It’s been awhile.” It had been, although it had all happened in the future.

“What’s a while?”

“Longer than you’d think.”

“You should feel special, Vera.” Nadia’s expression was unreadable.

“Oh, I feel very special.” Vera grinned.

“You seem different.” Nadia looked over at me again.

“In what way?”

“Less idiotic.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“I dumbed myself down for you, but it’s not because you aren’t smart. Why do you hide how smart you are? I’ve never understood it. It’s not like Levi would care.”

“I’ve never hidden anything.” I didn’t care what anyone thought of me. Until Vera.

“Yes you have. You like to act like the dumb player.”

“How well do you know her?” Vera turned to me. “Earlier you didn’t make it seem that well.”

“It’s not.”

“Then how do you know so much about him? Or at least think you do.” Vera added. I was glad she added that part. I hoped she didn’t believe I’d been purposely hiding things from her. Besides, trying to hide my intelligence sounded pathetic. Although I had some flaws, that wasn’t one of them. I’d merely focused on what mattered to me at the time. That had nothing to do with intelligence.

“I watch really well.”

“Meaning you’re a stalker?” Vera’s protective side was kind of hot.

“I have never stalked him. I’ve kept a watchful eye. It’s not a bad thing.”

“This is my second stalker conversation in twenty-four hours.” Albeit they were very different conversations.

“Who was your other one with?” Vera asked.

“Levi.”

“Who’s stalking Levi?” Nadia asked with alarm.

“No one. It’s who he thought he was stalking.” I wondered how things were going for him and Allie. They seemed to have hit it off immediately this time. I wondered why Tiffany’s attempt to mess with Allie’s mind didn’t work beyond sending her back to New York.

“Levi is stalking someone?” Nadia raised an eyebrow.

I shook my head. “No. Not really.”

“Stop while you’re ahead.” Vera touched my arm.

Nadia gave me a funny look. “For now I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.”

“That’s probably a good idea.” Vera stretched out her legs in front of her.

We settled into a silence as Nadia continued to drive away from the city. I ran my fingers over Vera’s hand, needing to keep contact. Finally, Nadia turned off on a small country road. She continued down until the pavement stopped, and it switched to gravel. Wherever we were going was literally off the beaten path.

For her part, Vera didn’t seem too fazed by the drive or leaving the city. I guess after everything else we’d been through, this drive was nothing.

Nadia pulled to a stop in front of an old and partly dilapidated farm house. It was the kind of place that was probably nothing special even in its heyday, but I knew the choice of abode couldn’t have been accidental.

“Leave your judgments at the door.” Nadia opened her door and got out of the truck.

“What judgments?” I joked as I hopped down.

“The whole goal is to blend in. We get it.” Vera jumped down while gazing at the property.

“Right.” Nadia seemed pleased with Vera’s response. She walked directly to the front door. I glanced at Vera to make sure she was on board before following Nadia.

“Welcome to Elana’s.” Nadia knocked on the door, and the door swung open.

I walked in with Vera at my side hoping, not for the first time, I wasn’t walking into a trap.

“
W
elcome
.” A woman who didn’t look much older than thirty-five greeted us at the door. “I’ve been waiting a long time for this visit.” She looked at Jared in the way you’d look at someone you once knew well but haven’t seen in a long time. There was something almost familial about it.

“You must be Elana.” I held out my hand. Jared held back for some reason.

“Yes, pleasure to meet you, Vera.” She shook my hand warmly, putting her other hand on top of mine.

Her use of my name jarred me even though Nadia had prepared me for it. Hearing it from the lips of someone I hadn’t met still took time to get used to. “Same to you.”

“Have we met?” Jared held out his hand.

“Many times.” Elana took both of his hands in hers. “But you were much smaller the last time you were inside this house.”

“I’ve been here?” He glanced around at the surprisingly spacious kitchen. The house looked so small from the outside, but the large blue and white kitchen had tons of storage, a large table, and yet still had plenty of empty space.

“Yes. Many times.”

“Oh.” He seemed to contemplate her words. “I have absolutely no memory of it.”

“I’m not surprised. You were very young, but I have something for you.” Elana walked over to a cupboard and shuffled through some papers before pulling out a worn long business sized envelope.

Jared accepted the envelope which bore his name in beautifully written script.

“Go ahead, open it,” Elana encouraged.

Jared turned the envelope in his hand before nodding and breaking the seal. He pulled out a single sheet of lined paper.

I looked over his shoulder. Rude or not, I needed to know what the letter was about. I stepped away quickly. It was written in a language I couldn’t read. The only word I recognized was Jared.

Jared’s face fell. “I can’t read this.”

“You can’t at all?” Elana stepped toward him.

He shook his head. “Nope.”

“His magic hasn’t awakened. I told you that.” Nadia leaned back against a tall white wooden cabinet.

“But you said he appeared changed, and I felt it. I felt him close.”

“But he’s still all Pteron.”

“We should tell them.” Laying our cards on the table was probably our best option. We didn’t have the time to play things safe.

“Tell us what?” Elana asked with interest. “What are you holding back?”

“This is a veil.” Jared ran with my suggestion.

A slow smile spread across Elana’s face. “Is it?”

“Yes. It seems based off my memory so I had to have been part of making it, but I don’t know how. I’ve been told my mother may be behind it.”

“You know who your mother is then?” Elana studied Jared. “You didn’t seem surprised by the mention of awakening magic.”

“She’s a witch. I know that.” He’d accepted that faster than I would have expected. Getting sent back in time probably made it easier to believe.

“How far in the future did you travel from?” Nadia asked.

“Not far. Only a little over a year.” It felt so much longer though. So much had changed in our lives and The Society in that short time.

Elana nodded. “Which means the intent of the veil was very specific.”

“How do you know that?” Jared asked. “How does the short time lapse change anything?”

“A veil to go far back into time is usually broad, but not so with recent ones. There’s no reason to go back to a recent time unless it’s for a very specific purpose.”

“I wish I knew. I also wish I knew how to erase it.” Jared’s shoulders slumped.

“You wish to erase this veil?” Elana’s eyes widened.

“Yes. I’ve messed things up, and we need to get back.” Jared looked away from all of us.

“You haven’t messed anything up. You’ve merely changing the order of things.” Elana caught a book that started to slip from a shelf. She seemed to have predicted its fall.

“Tell that to Levi.” Jared brushed off her words.

“Hmm?” Elana watched Jared.

“I messed things up so he didn’t meet his mate.” Jared looked out a small diamond shape window.

“Are you sure about that?” Elana raised an eyebrow.

“Wait, is that who he’s stalking?” Nadia stood up from where she leaned. “Is it his destined mate?”

Elana shrugged off her daughters comment. “Are you sure they will never meet?”

“They have met… but it’s different.”

“So have you actually messed anything up? It’s even conceivable you made things better. There really is no way to know. ” Elana smiled.

“We can’t stay here. We have to erase this veil and return to reality.” Maybe Allie and Levi were okay, but Casey wasn’t. Who knew if she’d ever connect with Toby?

“Fair enough. I assume that was your mother’s intent, Jared.” Elana clasped her hands together in front of her.

“Can you help us? Can you help us erase it?” There was desperation in Jared’s voice.

Elana nodded. “I can most likely, but only if your magic is awakened. At least one of the parties who made the veil have to be part of the erasing process. You need to connect with your anchored partner in your own time.”

“My mom,” Jared nearly whispered.

“Yes.” Elana nodded. “We have to assume it was her. For a witch to work a veil without you being consciously aware of it meant she already had a connection to you. There is no stronger or closer bond than the one between parent and child.”

“What’s with this letter?” Jared turned over the paper in his hands. “I assume you can read it?”

“You should look at it again once we’re done.”

“Done with what exactly?” Jared tilted his head to the side.

“Awakening your magic.” Nadia made it sound obvious. “That’s the first step. We can’t do anything to help you without that.”

“Ok.” That made sense. “What do we do?”

“Not so fast, I have a few questions for Vera first.”

“For me?” The skin on the back of my neck prickled.

“Do you know who you are?”

“Vera Bates. Although that wasn’t my birth name.” Astrella would never be my name, but I was getting used to the idea that some people thought it was.

“You’re of Norco.”

“How do you know?” I hadn’t even known that until a few weeks before.

“I’ve seen you in my future castings. I was aware of your birth and your awakening.” Elana smiled as though the visions were positive ones.

“My awakening?” I wasn’t aware I’d had any awakening.

“The first time you shifted,” Nadia explained.

“Oh, ok.” That had definitely been an experience. One that I’d never forget.

“Isn’t awakening a good description?” Elana watched me.

“It works.” Although I’d prefer freak-out.

“You must be in this veil for a reason too.”

“Not really. I kissed him and got pulled back.” I still couldn’t believe it had happened that way.

“Jared decided to pull you back.”

“I doubt that.” I shook my head.

“Maybe subconsciously.” Jared nodded. “I wanted her with me.”

“For whatever reason, Jared wanted you back here. Either that or his mother did. There’s no reason to hide from that.”

“What does it matter? Does it change things?” I struggled to come up with a reason.

“The reason you’re here changes plenty. We should be sure there wasn’t significance to you returning.”

“Vera is the one who suggested we find you.” Jared pointed to me. “That’s reason enough.”

“You were?” Elana seemed impressed. Either that or surprised.

“Yes. I heard you were friends with his mother and would know more about all this.” I’d taken the lead and run with it. It had seemed random, but everyone and everything in The Society was connected.

“Pray tell me, who suggested it?”

I considered what to say. I’d held it back from Jared, but something told me to level with Elana. Maybe it could help us. We’d already admitted so much already. “Her name was Cleo.”

Elana grinned. “Cleo? You were sent from Cleo herself?”

Cleo herself? Was the Mere more important and respected than I realized? “I wouldn’t say sent as much as referred.” She hadn’t told me I had to go or anything.

“Same difference. How is she?”

“She seems fine.” I didn’t have anything to compare her current health with.

“And her daughter?”

“Anastasia? She seemed good. Ready to see more of the world though.” I did feel for the girl, and I planned to keep my promise whether we erased the veil or not.

Elana nodded. “She’s lived a very protected life.”

“I can tell.” I didn’t know why though.

“Did she tell you anything else? Cleo that is?”

“Nope. Just that you’re old friends with Jared’s mom, and you’d be most likely to help us.”

“I’m surprised she spoke so highly of me.”

“Why are you surprised?” I hadn’t been expecting that reaction.

“We didn’t part on the best of terms the last time I saw her.”

“Oh.” Asking for more details on that one might open another can of worms. We didn’t have that kind of time.

“But that’s history. Let’s focus on the future.”

“So how do you suggest we awaken his magic?” If that was the first step, we might as well get started on it.

“It’s simple really.”

“Simple is good.” Very good. “Let’s hear simple.”

“I sense origin crystals. Do you have any?”

“Yes.” I tapped the purse over my arm.

“Ok. That’s typically the hardest part. Let’s move into the other room.”

Elana walked through an arched doorway, and we followed. I hoped we were making the right decision.

She led us into a large library with a circular rug in the middle of the room. The ceiling was painted a dark navy blue that matched the covers of the many books lining the ancient bookshelves that looked like they might fall apart at any moment.

Jared and I exchanged looks. It felt more like returning to pre-school than doing anything about helping with his magical abilities, but I wasn’t going to argue.

“All right Vera, you’re on.” Elana gestured to me.

“I’m on?” I felt my forehead furrow. “What does that mean?’

“Activate the crystals.”

“Uh, isn’t that your job?” I thought that was the reason we were sitting on the rug.

“You are the daughter of Gareth, are you not?”

“Yes.” I couldn’t deny that.

“Then do it.”

“I have no idea what you’re expecting me to do.” Gemma had told me I could use them in powerful ways, but that didn’t mean I knew how.

“Well you better figure it out, or neither of you are going anywhere.” Elana leaned back on one hand.

“Um, then we’re not going anywhere.” I hated the thought of letting Jared down, but I had no choice. There had to be another way.

“Maybe she’s right. Maybe you can do it.” If Jared was trying to sound convincing he wasn’t doing a good job.

“I don’t even know how to touch them. Won’t they burn me?”

“You’d be able to handle their power.” Elana sat up. “In theory at least.”

“Let’s not go with theory.” I healed quickly, but that didn’t mean I wanted to deal with severe burns. We had enough to worry about. “Do you have gloves I could use?”

“Yes.” Nadia stood and disappeared from the room. She returned a moment later with a pair of thick black gloves. “These should work.”

I eyed the gloves for a moment before accepting them and putting them on.

I carefully extracted a crystal from the bag and held it in my hands. “Now what do I do?”

“You tell us.”

“I have no clue.”

“Close your eyes and think about it,” Elana instructed.

I listened. I closed my eyes and thought about the crystals. Nothing happened, so I concentrated harder, thinking about the so-called gifts I had. One was to use the crystals and the other was vision—to dream walk to the future. That was it. I opened my eyes. “I need to dream walk.”

Elana smiled. “That didn’t take you long. You don’t actually have to be in a sleep-state to dream walk though if you use the crystals. The crystals should be enough for you.”

“But you can do that too. You said you cast—”

“Stop right there. I said cast future spells. That’s different from your innate gift.”

“How do I do it?”

“Why don’t you try before you ask questions?” Elana’s eyes twinkled.

“Well the crystals aren’t doing anything right now.”

“Take off the gloves.” Nadia gestured to my hands. “They’re probably blocking your ability.”

“But what if she gets hurt?” Jared put a hand on my leg as if to stop me.

“She’ll heal.” Nadia explained calmly.

“That’s not okay.” Jared shook his head.

I ignored everyone and pulled off one of the gloves. I tentatively touched the crystal. It burned, but I held on. I fought against the urge to let go, and several seconds later the pain subsided.

I took off the other glove and held the crystal with both hands. I laid down on the rug and closed my eyes and thought about Jared’s new form. The power. The feeling of his hand in mine before we fell asleep. I held onto those thoughts and visualized pulling them back with me. I felt a flash of pain, and then everything went dark.