Rise of the Gryphon (Belador #4)(58)
Nicole offered her hand and Lanna took it. “Nice to meet you. I’m looking forward to having company. My partner is out of town this week.”
“Thank you for invitation.” Lanna gave Nicole a polite smile, released her hand and backed away.
Evalle said a silent thank-you that Red, Nicole’s life partner, was a transportation engineer who traveled for work on occasion, which took her out of the picture right now. Standing just as tall as Evalle and the alpha female in this pair, Red would not be happy about Evalle bringing her gargoyle and Lanna to stay with Nicole, even though Nicole was a powerful witch.
Feenix bounced back and forth from one fat foot to the other. Nicole opened her arms for him. “Come on, sweetie.”
Batlike wings flapping, he made happy chortling noises all the way to her lap. She hugged him and petted his leathery greenish skin. “I think you’ve gotten an inch bigger.”
Feenix looked over at Evalle with shock. “What ith inch?”
Evalle held her index finger and thumb apart to show him. “A lot.”
Nicole patted his head between his little horns. “If you’ll play for a bit so I can talk to Evalle, we’ll watch television later.”
Feenix clapped his hands, wings flapping to lift him off her lap. “Nathcar! Nathcar! Danica!”
“I’m sure I can find a race tonight.” Nicole turned to Lanna. “I’ve got a couple whirligig type toys he’ll chase around once I cast a spell for them to fly. Would you get them out of that chest against the wall?”
Lanna retrieved a spiral piece of plastic that fit in the palm of her hand. She whispered something and the toy came alive, spinning up in the air, changing colors as it flew.
Feenix took off after the toy as Lanna sent three more airborne.
Nicole nodded in admiration. “Nicely done. Thank you.”
Turning around, Lanna said, “Watch this.” Then she disappeared.
Nicole shot a look of concern at Evalle, who waved a hand. “Don’t worry. She explained to me that she’s learning how to cloak herself.”
When Lanna came back into view, Nicole asked, “How long can you stay cloaked?”
“Twenty, maybe thirty minutes.” Lanna rubbed her head. “Sometimes hurts. Or I’m tired.”
Pointing across the room, Nicole said, “Go ahead and get settled in the guest bedroom. Lie down if you want.”
“Thank you.” Lanna gave Evalle a look. “Do not feel bad about this. I understand, and someday I will ask you to understand for me.”
“Fair enough.” Evalle thought about giving her a hug, but she’d never been one to hug much. “Either I’ll be in touch in a few days or Quinn will, and if not, you and Nicole both have Tzader’s number to call.”
The minute Lanna stepped into the guest room, Evalle sat down on the end of the sofa that had an open space next to it where Nicole could park her wheelchair. Evalle always felt at home here and was never quite sure if it was due to the comforting autumn colors in the room or some spell Nicole cast to infuse tranquility.
“Lanna is powerful,” Nicole stated. “More than a witch.”
“She’s Quinn’s cousin, and he doesn’t know what she is. Says she doesn’t either. Long story, but basically her mother disappeared nineteen years ago for I don’t know, like a month, and showed up again with no idea where she’d been or how she’d gotten pregnant.”
“I’m fine with it, but I’m concerned that she’ll get past my wards on the apartment.”
Evalle shook her head. “I don’t think so. She’s never trained with anyone. I’ve gotten used to her disappearing around the apartment and in the truck today. I think she enjoys having that control. Thanks for doing this.”
“I’m happy to help, but why am I doing this?”
Keeping her voice down, Evalle told her, “Quinn asked me to take Lanna while he’s gone to help the Beladors with a problem. A wizard is after Lanna, but I drove around with her and Feenix for a while to see if there was any chance we were being followed. I’ve got an SUV that’s warded against sunlight and unauthorized access, and I’m sure I had no tail today. Your place is warded, but if Lanna starts getting bad headaches, call Tzader or one of these Belador numbers and have her taken to headquarters.”
Evalle handed over a slip of paper, adding, “I would never bring danger to your doorstep.”
“I know that.”
“But don’t answer the door to anyone you don’t personally know or anyone besides Tzader or Quinn who says they’re here to see me or Lanna.” Evalle leaned forward, gripping the plush sofa arm. “If I’m not back in two days, please call Tzader and tell him you have Lanna. I don’t want you keeping her longer than that no matter what.”
Nicole reached over and put her hand on Evalle’s forearm. “Your gold aura is dark, almost a tarnished color. What’s going on?” Before Evalle could answer, Nicole’s grip tightened, then she lifted Evalle’s arm and used her other hand to slide the sleeve back, exposing the armband. “What is that?”
“That is a Volonte and part of the problem.” Evalle gave Nicole a brief rundown on what had happened since she’d entered the Beast Club in the mountains last night. “That’s why I need your help. I have to leave soon so that I can reach St. Marys tonight ahead of Storm. It’s six and a half hours down there. If I leave by noon, I’ll arrive just before dark so I can scout out all the docks to find the one taking fighters to Cumberland Island.” That would give her a four-hour head start on Storm.