Pia Does Hollywood (Elder Races, #8.6)(17)

“I didn’t think to pack it,” she confessed.

“No problem. Mom keeps a variety of swimsuits for guests, or if you want, we can always send out for one.” Bailey had taken them on a big circle around the property, and as they turned to stroll back in the direction they had come, she added, “Sorry, I’m not as good at hostessing as my sister Melly or my mom. I should have asked you if you’ve eaten breakfast already.”

“How is your sister doing?” she asked. Earlier that year, Melly had been kidnapped and held hostage by a ruthless Vampyre elder. In the process of being rescued, Melly and the Nightkind King, Julian, had rekindled an old love affair.

For some reason, Pia’s question made Bailey’s expression darken. “We don’t talk like we used to, but she seems well, and she sounds happy.”

Bailey didn’t appear to appreciate her sister’s rekindled relationship. It was time to move the conversation on to something else.

Pia told her, “I’m glad to hear it. It was a terrible thing that happened to her. And thank you for bringing up breakfast. We had a light breakfast on the plane, but I wouldn’t turn away a second chance to eat.”

The shadow passed from Bailey’s expression, and she gave Pia a quick grin. “We’ll be like Hobbits then, and eat second breakfast. And elevenses too, if you’d like.”

Pia laughed. She liked Bailey. “That sounds good.”

As they neared the house, a tall, elegant Light Fae woman stepped outside and strode toward them.

Tatiana, the Light Fae Queen, had finally freed herself of other obligations and was coming to greet Pia.

Pia took in the other woman’s appearance. When she had seen Tatiana at political functions, the Light Fae Queen had worn haute couture. She had the height, the beauty and the poise to carry off outstanding creations.

Now, the other woman wore black clothes and boots. The shirt was tailored, and the cut of the pants elegant, and if those boots cost under $5,000, Pia would eat her own sandals, but still, the outfit was much more plain than any she had previously seen Tatiana wear.

Instead of sporting a mop of curling dark blond hair like her daughters, which was typical for the Light Fae, Tatiana must have had her hair straightened, for it fell like a sleek waterfall to below her shoulder blades.

Her expression was poised and serious, and in the full, bright light of the sun, faint shadows darkened the skin underneath her eyes. The last time Pia had talked with her, Tatiana had been smilingly inquisitive, poking at Pia delicately like a cat batting her with a paw. Tatiana’s claws had been sheathed at the time, but you knew she had them.

Something’s wrong, Pia thought. She let the observation sit in the back of her mind, while internally, she braced herself.

“Good morning,” Tatiana said as they came up to each other. “Bailey tells me that you had a good flight.”

“Yes, we did,” Pia said. Then, because she sometimes had claws of her own, she batted gently at the Light Fae Queen. “Thank you for sending such a robust greeting party.”

Was that a flicker of response in those famous, beautiful green eyes?

“You’re welcome,” Tatiana replied. “We take the issue of your safety while you visit here very seriously. Please, come sit with me on the verandah. Bailey, would you see that refreshments are served?”

“Certainly. Pia and I were discussing doing just that.”

Pia told Eva, “Why don’t you go with Bailey?”

“Sure,” Eva said. Telepathically, she asked, You’ve got your phone?

Yes, in my pocket. I can text if I need you.

Bailey inclined her head to Pia, and she and Eva strode into the house.

Pia followed Tatiana to a white painted, wrought iron table and chairs that were tucked well into the shade of the porch roof. As they seated themselves, she told the older woman, “Your home is lovely.”

“Thank you,” Tatiana replied. “I’ve lived here since the early twentieth century, when moving pictures were just becoming all the rage. Perhaps sometime you might be interested in touring the Northern Lights Studios. We’ve kept a great deal of memorabilia, and it can be amusing to take the tour.”

At last, something that Pia could answer with complete honesty. “I would love that,” she said, even while she noted Tatiana’s use of words.

“Sometime,” the Queen had said, not “this week.” Was she beginning to let Quentin and Aryal’s paranoia infect her?

“In the meantime,” Tatiana said with a smile, “Bailey and I have been talking about possibilities for your visit. We wondered if you would enjoy staying at Melly’s beach house in Malibu. The beach is quite lovely, and the swimming and surfing is very nice at this time of year. The house is located in a gated community, and after what happened to Melly earlier this year, the security has been increased until the area is all but airtight. It’s a wonderful vacation spot. I’ve stayed there myself from time to time.”

But I’m not on vacation, Pia thought.

She watched Tatiana closely, but the other woman had many years of experience with being in the limelight, and her poise remained flawless.

Still, the suggestion said everything. Something was wrong.

It was oh, so tempting to accept the invitation. She could soak up some sun, get in some pleasure reading, and swim to her heart’s content, and probably even sneak in a few conjugal visits with Dragos.