Chapter 15

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Cross held out the chair for me then placed my napkin on my lap before he claimed his seat.

“When you said lunch, I didn’t think you meant this fancy, or I would have changed clothes,” I said.

He flashed a smile at me.

“You’re beautiful the way you are. If it makes you more comfortable, think of this as research. I heard the chef was a nymph and thought you’d like to sample the food.”

Nymphs weren’t very common at all, and I was curious what a nymph would serve.

My phone buzzed with an incoming text.

Shepard: I see you’re at Muschi. Are you alone?

Me: No. I’m with Cross. How is the fae debriefing going?

Shepard: Not as well as I’d hoped. Anchor said you had gone to Cross' place, but when I saw you at the restaurant, I worried. Please stay with him or me.

Me: I will.

“Shepard?” Cross asked as I put my phone down.

I nodded. “He was worried I was alone.”

Cross nodded and handed me a menu that was not in any language I had ever seen.

“Can you read this?” I asked.

“I’m a bit rusty in old fae, but I can manage.”

“Then you’ll have to order for me.”

“How about a little of everything?”

“Maybe not everything. Pick the top five you think I’d like.”

He ordered five appetizers, each of their soups, and five main meals. All in flawless, at least to me, old fae.

“How many languages do you know?” I asked after the server left.

“A few. Before English became a widely used language, traveling was often difficult. Using local guides was a necessity I often found difficult. So I vowed to learn the language of every country I visited.”

“How many countries have you visited?”

“Sadly, only a dozen. But I hope that will change in the future.” The way he looked at me said I could hop aboard the Cross Express and travel the world with him if I wanted to. The thought of exploring new places and eating new foods was tempting.

To prepare for the food’s arrival, I dug into my bag for my notebook and a pen.

“I’ll need the English equivalent name for these foods,” I said as I placed the notebook on the table.

I saw a slip of paper poking out of it and looked at it.

Call this number if you want to know why a certain vampire won’t die.

The number listed was in the D.C. area.

“What’s wrong?” Cross asked.

I handed it to him. “I think I picked this up at the Shadow Trade market earlier today. There was a chaotic moment when Anchor stepped in to break up a fight. I bumped into someone who was standing really close to me. I think they slipped me this note.

“Every time we’ve gotten messages like this in the past, nothing good has happened.”

“Agreed, but that was because you weren’t confiding everything then. Let’s call it together and find out what they want.”

After looking around to ensure no one was sitting close by, I took out my phone and put the call on speaker.

A peppy female voice answered. “This is Amberly. How can I help you?”

“Hello, Amberly,” Cross said smoothly. “I found your note about a vampire that won’t die.”

“You must be Everly’s friend. Thank you for calling back so quickly. Yes, we have the information you want. Let’s arrange a time to meet in person. Are you human? Non-human? What’s your name?”

“Non-human. You can call me Cross.”

I glanced from the phone to Cross when she didn’t respond right away. He smiled softly.

“My employer has an opening in her schedule at 10 pm tonight,” Amberly said without a hint of concern.

“And who is your employer?” Cross asked.

“Orphia Prince. I believe you’re acquainted?”

“I am,” Cross said. “And I’ll decline the meeting on behalf of myself and Everly. Please tell Orphia to stop what she’s doing. The rings aren’t meant for her.”

Cross disconnected the call and pocketed the note.

I was going to wait for him to explain, but the questions tumbled out unchecked.

“Who’s Orphia? If you know her, why does she want to meet with me? And what the heck did you mean the rings aren’t meant for her? Are you saying she’s the one who’s been trying to get them, not Adriel?”

He chuckled and reached for my hand, playing with my fingers as he spoke.

“Orphia is a woman I mistakenly once viewed with affection. She is a vampire, but not like me. She has no wish to co-exist peacefully with any of the races. Her only desire is complete dominion over everything.”

I captured his hand. “When you say you viewed her with affection, what does that mean? Ex-wife? Ex-lover? Master?”

“In her mind, perhaps all of those.”

“And in yours?”

“An ex-lover.”

He met and held my gaze, waiting for my reaction. However, I wasn’t sure what reaction to give. Was I jealous of an ex-girlfriend who was working with someone like Adriel? Absolutely not. However, it definitely concerned me. But more concerning was the fact that Cross’ apparently emotionally unstable ex wanted world domination.

“And the rings?” I asked. “Are those part of her world domination plan?”

“Yes. I left England to escape her centuries ago when she’d made her interest in my ring known, which is why you found me in that cave.”

“So you hid your ring, but what about the rest of them?”

“I have no control over the others. The rings–one for the vampires, one for the dwarves, one for the fey, and one for the werewolves–were never meant to be possessed by one person. Together, they could end the world we all know. However, without mine, her attaining the others would be useless.”

He lifted my hand and kissed the back of it.

“Rather than allow Orphia to steal any more attention from our lunch date, I would prefer to focus on you. After we finish here, there’s another cafe I wanted to take you to so we can review their aesthetics. The interior designer I’m working with called it a moody blend of modern and gothic. And after we look at the cafe, there’s a baking supply store I wanted to take you to.”

“All of that sounds amazing,” I said.

He released my hand while I focused on the food’s arrival, setting aside the problem of the rings and his crazy vampire ex for now.

While I sampled everything, Cross made notes for me. Once I was full and had sampled everything, he paid the bill, and we left.

“Thank you,” I said as we walked to the car. “Some of those dishes were amazing.”

And some were downright disgusting, but he already knew that from my reaction to tasting them.

“You are more than welcome, Everly. I hope it helps in your quest for the bakery.”

“Understanding flavor preferences definitely helps.”

We were still half a block away from my car when something dark darted out from under it.

I stared at the black cat in the middle of the sidewalk. It arched its neck, showing its sparkly collar, and Cross inhaled deeply. A second later, Cross and the cat were gone, and I was left alone.

Understanding Cross had taken off to chase Adriel, I grabbed my phone out of my purse to call Shepard.

“I wouldn’t do that,” a voice said from behind me.

I turned to look at a business-dressed man who didn’t look well. His briefcase was open, and rumpled papers hung out of the dividers. But what really worried me was his slightly askew tie and the small spot of blood staining his collar.

“What do you want?” I asked, even as my thumb swiped the screen to unlock it.

“I have a message for you. Reconsider the meeting, or she will meet with someone else.” He lifted his hand, and I retreated a quick step before seeing an actual printed photo in his hand.

My mom’s smiling face as she looked at my grandma filled me with fear so intense I could barely breathe.

“Take it,” he said.

With trembling fingers, I plucked my family free from his grasp.

“Call her back before it’s too late.”

He turned on his heel and walked away.

I lifted my phone and took three pictures of him. Then I took two long, calming breaths before sending his picture to Cross and Shepard.

Me: This guy might lead you to Adriel. He just threatened me with a photo of my family.

Cross was in front of me less than a minute later and hugged me.

“Forgive me, Everly,” he said. “I shouldn’t have left you alone.”

“It’s okay. I’m guessing you didn’t catch him?”

“No. Adriel disappeared into the sewer just as I received your message.”

Cross released me and pulled out his phone. Mine buzzed.

Cross: I have Everly. Stay focused on gaining the help we need. I’ll coordinate with Doc to send your people out to guard Everly’s family.

He sent another text I didn’t receive then pocketed his phone and took my shaking hand in his.

“Doc will make sure they’re safe.”

“How? They already took a picture of my family, Cross. What if they’re not there?” As I spoke, I found my mom’s contact number. Cross stopped me.

“If you call them now and they are unaware, your current state will worry them.”

He was right. I needed to be calmer, no matter what. I took several cleansing breaths before calling them on speaker.

My mom answered on the second ring.

“This is a surprise,” she said. “Is Vena causing trouble again?”

Her easy-going voice relieved me, and I forced myself to smile.

“Always,” I said. “She has a boyfriend now, though, so I don’t think she’ll be pulling me into her shenanigans for much longer.”

“Nonsense. You two have been inseparable for over a decade. That’s not going to change because of a man. What’s he like? Do you like him?”

“I do. He’s good with her. Hey, Mom, I was wondering if you’ve been watching the news lately.”

“The news? Why?”

“There are a lot of people going missing, and I’m just worried about you guys.”

“Oh, sweetie. You don’t need to worry about us. Those people that are going missing are from the city. You need to keep yourself safe.”

“I will. I promise. Does grandma still have that necklace that Vena gave her?”

“Of course. She never takes it off.”

“Good. Make sure she doesn’t. Give everyone my love.”

“I will. Love you, too, sweetie.”

Cross waited until I disconnected the call to ask, “What necklace?”

“After Vena’s grandparents disappeared, she bought my grandma a tracking necklace. She didn’t want me to lose my grandma like she lost hers.”

Cross hugged me again. “That won’t happen. Trust Shepard’s people. They will keep your family safe.”

His phone rang, and I listened to his one-sided conversation after he answered.

“Shepard knows what he’s doing.” Cross smiled briefly. “I’ve never thought otherwise. Thank your men for Everly and find a way to move them.” He paused. “Agreed. They’re unlikely to give up.” He listened again. “Thank you.”

He pocketed his phone and rubbed some warmth into my cold hands.

“Shepard had the forethought to have people watching your family since we left the mountain. The thralled humans who were watching your family have been removed, but to prevent this from happening again, Shepard’s people are going to move your family temporarily. They’ll win an all-expenses paid trip from the radio station your father favors. Expect another call from them soon.”

I let out a shaky breath and nodded.

“Is there anyone else that Orphia might use against you?” he asked.

Vena’s family was still safely tucked away at Shepard’s complex, and Vena was with Anchor. Other than them and my family, there wasn’t anyone nearby.

“Vena and I have friends from school, but they’re backpacking in Europe this summer.”

“I think they'll be fine then. Orphia won’t expend unnecessary energy abroad.”

He kissed my forehead.

“Are you willing to allow me to distract you for the rest of the day?”

“Please.”

Cross carried the bags inside the new place like they weighed nothing, but I knew otherwise. He hadn’t held back while shopping.

Construction crews were still on site even though it was getting late. They barely stopped working to swivel their heads in our direction to see who’d arrived.

“Let’s set this in the storage area for now,” he said. “Then I’ll take you to dinner.”

While he walked away, I looked around. The transformation was amazing, considering the short timeframe. All the walls, including the kitchen and bathroom walls, were there now, allowing me to visualize the space. More wires and plumbing were being added.

My phone buzzed with a message.

Mom: Our bags are all packed. I still can’t believe your dad won. How crazy is this?

I smiled, recalling my mom’s excited call hours ago when I’d been shopping with Cross. She’d shared that they’d “won” a two-week cruise for my parents and grandma. My mom was beyond excited since they both were self-employed and could leave immediately.

Me: I’m so excited for you. Please send me lots of pictures so I know you’re having fun and are okay.

“Your parents?” Cross asked as he joined me.

“Yep. They’re all packed and ready to go.” I smiled at him. “Thank you for this.”

“You’re welcome. I hope your mind can be at ease now that they’re safe. I want you to enjoy dinner.” With a hand on my lower back, he led me from the building.

“Where are you taking me?”

“It’s a surprise.”

A short drive later, we arrived in front of one of the higher-end restaurants downtown that took reservations months in advance.

A valet opened my car door and took my car keys.

“Enjoy your evening,” he said before he whisked off in my old car.

I looked at Cross. “Am I dressed okay for this place?”

He looked at our outfits, casual summer and hot vampire wear, and shook his head. “No. But I’ve reserved a private room. It doesn’t matter what we wear.”

“A private room? When did you reserve it?”

“When you were shopping earlier.”

I shook my head. “How? This place takes months to get into.”

“For some people, perhaps.”

He led me to a side path accented with pretty twinkle lights. A man wearing a full tuxedo stood outside the entry and welcomed us as he opened the door to an entryway decorated in rich blues and silver. Another man, dressed in a matching tuxedo, asked us to follow him and led us down a hallway with four doors. He opened one on his right, and I stepped into a room twice the size of my bedroom. It had the same design as the entry and was lit with a chandelier over a long table set for two with white candles stationed along its length. A champagne bottle sat waiting in a silver bucket filled with ice.

The man pulled out the chair for me and pushed it in when I sat down. He then poured the champagne, filled our water glasses, announced that the first course would arrive soon, and left.

“Are there no menus?” I asked Cross.

“Not here. The chef prepares his signature dishes.”

The idea intrigued me. A static menu would be nice for non-adventurous folks who stuck to what they liked. However, for foodies who got bored easily, I could offer a “baker’s choice” selection that changed monthly or even daily. It would allow me to test new items to see what would stick and what might need to go—not just for the bakery but the dessert and drink pairings that Shepard was thinking of offering too.

“What are you thinking?” Cross asked.

I realized I was staring vacantly at him and grinned.

“Sorry. I liked the idea of signature dishes. We should try something like that at our place.”

He reached across the table and took my hand. “Our place. I like the sound of that.”

I knew how much he liked it when his eyes flickered with black. His soft smile, along with his darker eyes, did things to my libido.

“Even though I’m not ready to move in yet?” I asked.

“I have no reason to rush you, Everly. I have all the time to wait.”

Hearing that made me sad. While I appreciated his patience, I also understood what he meant. He had no lifespan. At least, not a natural one. I was the one who was aging and had a time limit, which brought about another set of concerns.

“Have you ever lived with a human? For a lifetime, I mean.”

Cross looked down at our joined hands and played with my fingers lightly.

“I’ve never wanted to until you,” he said.

“What happens when I turn seventy?”

His gaze lifted and locked with mine. “I will hold your hand just like I am now and continue to love you for the rest of your life.”

It was my turn to look away.

“I frightened you.”

“No. You just gave me a lot to think about.”

The door behind him opened, and Shepard strode in.

“What are we thinking about?” he asked.