Rise of the Gryphon (Belador #4)(46)

She went to the giant window, where rain slapped the glass and blurred lights of downtown Atlanta at night. Her cousin had much money and liked to be high above Peachtree Street. So many umbrellas opened against the drizzling rain, she could not see who was down there. Dark and gloomy skies. Much like her mood.

Where was her cousin?

Suddenly her head throbbed. She dropped Quinn’s shirt and grabbed her head, but nothing stopped the pain that came and went.

It meant Grendal, the wizard, was here in this country. Not close, but not far either. She could not let him capture her again. Last time, she had been his prisoner in Transylvania, and he’d forced her to drink a potion her powers had not liked. She’d escaped, but Grendal had found her again. She could feel it.

Her fault that he’d found her, but no choice. Innocent nonhumans would have died if she had not drawn on elements to save them.

Grendal was in Atlanta.

What if he had found Cousin Quinn and harmed him?

She rubbed at the sharp pain in her head. Was not logical. If the wizard knew she hid in her cousin’s hotel, he would be here now.

The snick of a keycard sounded from outside the hallway door, then her cousin entered.

She released the nervous breath she’d been holding.

Cousin Quinn walked in with his wool jacket in hand. He wore the same light blue shirt she’d seen on him last night. His clothes had suffered. Quinn’s eyes were tired. He had suffered, too.

She might have a paranoid imagination, but she had good reason. Her cousin was a powerful Belador expected to fight dangerous supernaturals.

“Hello, Lanna.” He moved slowly. Not just tired, but an unhappy slow.

Who had caused this pain in his eyes? Too weary for a man in his midthirties. “You are exhausted, Cousin.”

“Everyone is. Another long day in Treoir.” His gaze immediately assessed the room, where magazines were piled on the sofa and the remote sat next to her leg. “Did you stay in?”

“Yes.”

“All day?”

“I am eighteen. We are lazy at this age. Enjoy movies and boys.” She hoped that sounded like a careless teenager, something she’d never had the luxury to be.

Quinn dropped onto the sofa, pushing aside her things.

He needed fun in his life. What could she do for him? She offered, “Would you like drink?”

“Not yet.” He pointed at a chair across from him. “Have a seat. We need to talk.”

She sat heavily. Here came round three of “Lanna must go home.” She had to think of a new way to delay. Hard to do when her head wanted to explode. Going back to Transylvania was not possible. Grendal would have someone there watching for her return.

Scrubbing a hand over his face, her cousin leaned back, his arms outstretched over the back of the sofa, one finger tapping quietly. “I tried to fix it for you to visit for a while, but I haven’t heard anything, which I take to mean the time extension VIPER gave you for remaining in this country is up at daylight.”

“I see.”

“Don’t be hurt, Lanna. VIPER appreciates your help with the Svart trolls, but VIPER still has to follow protocol for visitors with powers. If they let you stay without going through the proper channels, someone will use that as a precedent later on. I’m glad to see you, but it’s time to go home.”

She would leave soon and find somewhere else to hide in this country.

“Lanna.”

“Yes.”

“I can feel your brain spinning, but you aren’t staying in North America. I have to provide proof of your leaving, which means a second VIPER agent has to be on site with me when you depart to confirm your transportation. Don’t get any ideas about slipping out before tomorrow, because I won’t leave you alone until this is handled.”

She should have left today. Now she was trapped.

Grendal would capture her again. He would . . .

Her head throbbed. She clutched each side. Her body trembled.

“Lanna, stop! You’re shaking the building.”

She looked up and took in the room. Curtains waved. Dishes in the glass cabinet rattled. Furniture vibrated.

Quinn stood and leaned forward, reaching toward her, then pulled his hands back. Probably remembering last time he grabbed her. His voice was full of concern. “Calm down. Take a breath and relax.”

“Yes. Sorry,” she mumbled, propping her elbows on her knees and dropping her head into her hands.

When her cousin spoke again, he kept his voice low and soothing. “Time to tell me the truth.”

“About what?”

“Whatever is scaring the bloody hell out of you.”

When she lifted her gaze to him, he sat down again and propped his elbows on his knees, fingers steepled beneath his chin. “I will help you. You know that, but you have to tell me what’s going on.”

“I . . .”

“No more lies. We’re family. I won’t let anything or anyone harm you.”

Sincerity in his voice broke through her determination to handle Grendal on her own. Either that or she could not think with so much pain. She wanted to tell someone, needed to know she did not have to fight Grendal alone, but she could not allow that wizard to hurt Cousin Quinn.

He waited patiently.

She finally gave up. “I have trouble at home.” She peeked at him, but his face showed no reaction. “That is why I come here. Mama said you would help me, but . . .”