Tori, page 16
“Of course not. It takes time to sort through all the problems and find a meeting ground. Then it takes more time to make it flow.”
“Well, you’re glowing, so I presume you and Connor have solved your differences.”
“Yes, but it’s a work in progress,” Genesis said. “It wasn’t easy, but the danger did make us work out our differences.”
“Well, I certainly have the danger factor. I hate knowing Devon got hurt.”
“This has to stop. We have to get to the bottom of this before anyone else does get hurt.”
“Ideas? All we do is talk. I need action. Something to do that actually moves this process along.”
“You need rest,” Genesis exclaimed. “You haven’t had any time for anything, you’ve been on the run so much.”
“And sleep last night was weird. There was another electrical storm at the cottage. Apparently, I was more interested in joining with it than anything else.”
Genesis turned to stare at her sister. “Electrical storm? Join?”
“It was the strongest one I’ve seen yet,” Tori admitted. “Incredibly strong.”
“I always hated those…”
“Hmm, and I always loved them.”
“They must be stronger because of the forest imbalance.”
“Maybe. Where is the black rock?”
Genesis pointed out the glass cupboard on the far side of the room. “It’s over there.” Motioning Tori to follow, she walked over and unlocked the outside cabinet. Inside sat a large glass box churning with dark energy.
“Wow,” Tori said softly. “There is so much…power in there.”
“I know. And it needs to heal, but I’m not sure how to help it.”
“It almost hurts to look at it.” But she didn’t turn her gaze away. She couldn’t. It needed her, but she had no idea how to help it. Genesis was chattering away, but Tori was barely listening.
“I was thinking that it needed a positive source of energy to heal, but it’s not like I can just open up the glass and let it loose.”
“No, it will steal the energy from everything around it. And in most cases, just perpetuate the problem.”
“Unless we can find something or someone that is strong enough in positive energy to feed it back to health.”
“Exactly. And a person strong enough to stand back at a distance and move the energy in the right direction.” Then Genesis groaned. “Actually, the energy wouldn’t need to move at all. Honestly, the pull these rocks exert is damn powerful. They will take what they need from the closest thing. So having that person be able to direct the energy is more important.”
“How many rocks like this are there?”
“There were dozens, but most…healed themselves from Portman’s body. This is the one I recovered from the pools.”
Tori stared in fascination at the swirling mass, as it darted around the corners of the box, searching even now for a way out. She shivered, sensing the force inside, that need to be whole again.
“It’s pretty scary.”
“Mm. And that’s why it’s here until we can find a solution.”
“I’m not sure I can help it, and yet I should be able to. I’m the forest worker. The one with the affinity for all things in the woods, but this…” She’d never seen anything like it. And couldn’t have imagined such a thing being possible. “Portman must have been incredibly powerful to do this to the rock.”
“Very, and of course, with that power came abuse, and he caused all kinds of mayhem.”
“And I’m feeling that now.”
“What do you want to do from here?” Genesis asked in concern. “Go to the forest and look at the knots happening, or head to the apartment and settle in? You do look tired.”
“I am tired,” she said, “But I’m not sure what to do. I want a game plan before I rest. I can’t just let this go.”
“Understood. That storm would have had a negative effect on your system. It might have tired you right out.”
“Actually, it had the opposite effect,” Tori admitted. “I was buzzed for a while, then completely wiped out.” She flushed, remembering. “Okay, so maybe not completely wiped out.”
Genesis laughed. “Why you don’t go to the apartment and lie down. It would be a good way to recharge while the men do their thing.”
She nodded. “I was trying to leave them alone for a bit. Discussions are heavy.”
“About?”
“I don’t know, exactly, but Devon is unemployed now.”
“Ah, Matt is building a team.” The girls looked at each other knowingly. “Let’s leave them to it.”
*
Devon watched the girls leave with misgivings. He knew they wouldn’t take off and do anything on their own, but he didn’t like being separated from Tori.
“They’ll be fine. Besides, I want to talk to you for a few minutes.”
Devon switched his attention to Matt. “What about?”
“You’re unemployed now, correct?”
“Yes.” He glanced at Connor in time to see a quickly concealed grin. “Why?”
Matt looked at Connor then back at him. “I need a hand here. I’ve hired Connor to be my right-hand man, and I’m looking for someone to head up the investigative security team.”
Devon’s eyebrows shot up. “Why me?”
Matt grinned. “Well, I could say to keep it in the family, but I also need your particular set of paranormal abilities. You’re a problem solver. Your mind works differently than mine or Connor’s. And that’s a good thing. You’ll come at the problems in a unique way. I need that.”
“Interesting.” And it was. It was also problematic. “You know how Grandfather is going to react, right?”
“Outraged. Pissed. And feeling like I’m stealing all his men, yes.” Matt eyed him carefully. “How do you feel about working for the enemy?”
“You’re hardly that.” He was still reeling from the ‘keeping it in the family’ comment. “Besides, there aren’t too many good options. I was considering setting up my own company. But this might be a good alternative.”
“Think about it. You don’t have to answer right now. And with everything going on, maybe take a little longer. It could get nasty, and Grandfather might do more than sling some verbal mud. Unlike Connor here, you are family.”
“Not really, and not enough to count. At least in his eyes. Chelsea is his favorite, but being a girl, she’s not even close to what he wants. He always wanted sons and grandsons to take over his empire.”
“He had sons, but he never gave them enough control or status to keep them in the business. And neither was he ready to hand over control. Now that he might be, they are all old and aren’t interested anymore. The younger generation isn’t trained and ready to step in. You have to groom your successors, and he failed to take that step.”
“True. Both his sons are out now, anyway. Whether by choice or by disagreement, they are no longer a major part of the company.”
“I didn’t know that.” Matt frowned, making notes on a large pad in front of him. “They appear to still be figureheads.”
“Yes, they are, but both ganged up on him a few weeks ago looking to step up and move him out. He retained control. And he’s pissed.”
The three men sat in silence. “That would be an interesting move on their part. Mason is going to be more subtle. And the two brothers just gave him the opening he needed. They are out, but he’s moving up. More discreetly.”
“And Chelsea is always right there,” Devon said. “Genesis was right.”
Matt nodded. “They are the ones we need to look at first. And we can’t forget the brothers; if they took out the three sisters, that’s a guaranteed reinstatement into Grandfather’s good graces.”
“True.”
Devon stood. “I’ll start there. And I don’t need to think about it. Thanks, I accept the job offer—starting when the women are safe. Until then, I’m not leaving Tori’s side.” He nodded to the other two and walked out.
Chapter 25
Tori unlocked the door to the small apartment. She understood that much of the furniture was gone, and it wasn’t going to be replaced as the lease was up soon. She had to decide if she wanted to keep it in the next ten days, and she didn’t know if that would be enough time. She stepped in and turned around. Damn, it was small. Even at the worst of the places she’d stayed at, she’d had enough room to turn around in. She walked through to the smaller bedroom and the tiny bathroom.
As she walked back out, Devon was just walking in with her one bag. She needed to return to the cottage and pack up some of her old things. It was going to be a while before she could afford new clothes. But then again, there was no reason for new. She had lots she’d left behind.
There was nothing like getting shot at to put things into perspective.
“I’ll go grab the groceries.”
Devon exited the apartment. She picked up her bag and took it into the small bedroom. The closet had a set of shelves and a small hanging rack. Plenty of space for what she needed. She quickly unpacked. Returning to the kitchen, she found Devon unloading the bags of food onto the counter. “Looks like you’re trying to feed an army here,” he said.
“No, I’m just hungry. And more so since being at the cottage.”
“The healing pools or the electrical storm?”
“No idea.” And she didn’t care. She unwrapped the makings for sandwiches and quickly put together several.
“We could go out to eat, you know,” he said in a conversational tone, watching her.
“Not required. I’m low on funds, and you’re low on employment.” She didn’t add that she had no job at all, so her money was now gone. She’d have to talk with Genesis as to whether there was more money available from Granny’s estate. “I already owe you for the groceries.”
“No, you do not.” He sat down and grabbed a sandwich off the cutting board. “I’m eating, too.” He took a big bite. “And besides, I got offered a new job today.”
She froze then looked over at him. “By whom?”
“Matt.”
She relaxed. “Good. I was afraid someone from Grandfather’s clan had approached you.”
“Well, I was approached in the market while you were getting the apples. But I turned Mason down. Gently, of course.”
She swallowed hard. “And you didn’t say anything?”
“I was thinking about it, but I wasn’t sure what to say. Besides, I need to stay on good terms with them. Especially if we want information.”
“Did he know about Matt?”
“I’m sure he knew that we’d been at the Center.”
She nodded. She stared down at the sandwich, now tasting sour in her mouth.
“It’s a great sandwich,” he said. “Thanks.”
She nodded. “It’s the least I could do.”
He shot her a curious look. “What’s the matter? You’re not eating.”
“Yeah, I am. Just pacing myself.” She picked up the sandwich again, determined to throw off the pain and heavy reminders. She’d been the idiot who’d kept walking away. She could have turned around and come back any time. Only in her case, she didn’t have a reverse gear. If it wasn’t for Devon forcing her to come back, she’d still be out there, trying to forage a living without him.
“Thank you.”
He paused, the sandwich halfway to his mouth. “For what?”
“For bringing me back.”
Then she took a big bite and refused to say anything else.
After cleaning up the rest of her meal, she turned to Devon. “If you don’t mind, I need to go to lie down now. I’ll see you in the morning.”
He snorted. “Yes, you will, but you’re also going to see me now. There’s no way I’m leaving you alone.”
“There’s no room for you here,” she said on a laugh, her insides warming at the thought. “Remember, this is a one-person apartment. There is no room.”
“Then you should have thought of that before we came here. We could have asked to stay at the Center.”
She shrugged. “If the offer had been forthcoming, I might have taken them up on it. Instead, I’d already mentioned the apartment, so…”
“Right.” His phone rang. He glanced at the number on the screen. “It’s Mason.”
*
He rose and walked to the doorway and opened it, stepping out to stand on the tiny landing at the top of the stairs. “Hey, what’s up?”
“Grandfather wants to talk to you.”
“About what?” His mind twisted on the possibilities. Go or stay? And why now?
“He didn’t say.” There were muffled voices in the background. “Be here in ten.”
And he hung up.
Damn. Devon didn’t like the sound of that. He quickly dialed another number he figured he’d be using a lot in the future. “Matt. I’ve just been ordered to Grandfather’s side. Not sure what’s up. I don’t want to take Tori, and I can’t leave her alone.”
“I’m fine,” Tori protested behind him. “It’s not that bad.”
He shot her a warning look as he listened to Matt arrange for security while he was gone. “Thanks. I’ll check in when I’m done.”
He closed the phone, realizing that although Tori was ready for bed, it wasn’t that late yet. “I’ll be back within the hour.”
A car pulled up outside the building and turned into the parking lot. Connor got out. He loped up the stairs. “Matt tagged me. I was still in town. Genesis is safe at the Center, so I’ll visit with Tori while you’re gone.”
“Ha. I’m going to bed. You can sit here alone.” Tori snapped before turning and walking back inside.
“Sorry, she doesn’t like the idea of a babysitter.”
Connor shrugged. “Too bad. Besides, I’m used to this. She’s so much like her sister.”
“Good to know.” Devon grinned. “I’ll be back as soon as I figure out what’s going on.” He was halfway down the stairs when he heard Connor call down, “Watch your back, Devon. Remember you’ve already been shot once.”
“Speaking of which, did Matt pick those men up yet?”
“No sign of them. We’re thinking they might have left town.”
Devon frowned. “Not good. Who knows when they’ll show up again? Or where.”
The truck was dark and quiet. He unlocked the driver’s door and hopped in. Turning on the engine, he pulled the vehicle out of the parking lot.
Just as he hit the main road and turned toward the large sprawling estate that Grandfather had claimed as his, he thought he heard a sound behind him.
He slowed and looked in the rearview mirror. Nothing. Puzzled, he kept going at full speed, but he couldn’t lose the sensation of feeling like he was no longer alone.
Chapter 26
Tori curled into as small a ball as she could behind the rear window. She’d never have made it if it wasn’t for Connor stopping to talk to Devon. Of course, Devon listened to Connor but had ignored her concerns. Well, there was no way in hell she was letting him go on his own. Grandfather would chew him up and spit him out as road kill.
She’d been there already.
The property was also huge, and for all they knew, the men who shot Devon were there. She knew the place, as she’d been living there for a few weeks just before the wedding, thinking that it was going to be her new home. The start of a wonderful life. Well, she’d quickly learned that was all bullshit. Grandfather was one scary dude.
And Devon had been shot once. No more.
Jessie chattered quietly in her ear. She smiled. She’d not have made it without his help. Like all spirit pets, he could appear and disappear at will, and whatever he was hanging on to could disappear as well. Invisible, she’d raced out of the apartment and down the stairs ahead of Devon, and when he’d unlocked the door, she’d slipped into the back of the box. Nice timing, because otherwise, she’d have been sitting in the parking lot, looking for a way to steal Connor’s car and follow him.
She hadn’t had a plan when she’d bolted, but instinct had told her to run, and she’d spent the last year following those same damn instincts.
The truck slowed. She narrowed her gaze, knowing that she might need to be invisible again if there was anyone watching at the gate. She didn’t know when security left for the night and the gate locked. Those that came and went had a security pass, but she doubted that Devon was on the acceptable guest list any longer. Especially after they had been tracked to the Paranormal Center.
They’d know Matt would be involved, and that would change everything.
She hated the thought of Grandfather pulling something nasty on Devon. She didn’t trust that bastard one bit.
The car turned into the big estate and drove up through the long driveway without stopping, so she presumed the gate had been left open for him. Even more suspicious. She didn’t doubt that it would lock and close behind him.
So maybe it was Grandfather’s vehicle, after all. She shrugged. So what? They’d be able to get off the property and call for a pickup. Connor might not be talking to her for a while after pulling her Houdini act, but Genesis would understand.
And she’d leave it to her to fix the situation with Connor.
The truck rolled to a stop. Devon shifted into park and turned off the engine. The lights in front shut off. Tori took a quick peek at their surroundings. There was a long parking lot at the side of the building, but he’d chosen to park in a way that would make leaving easier.
Smart boy.
He opened the door and said, “Good evening, Mason. What’s up?” If he’d move just a little bit, then she’d be able to squeeze out without being seen, but no, he was leaning on the window and talking. “Why the cryptic order?”
“I said he wanted to see you.”
At the low menace in the voice, Tori had Jessie turn them invisible again, and then she sat up and stared outside. They wouldn’t be able to see her, but she was damned if she wasn’t going to see what they were up against. Mason stood on the front deck, but all the lights inside appeared to be off. Normally, the front porch was lit up like a Christmas tree. But tonight, there was only one light on. And that made her more leery.
