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“You need to pick something out. Georgina is going to flip if you don’t have at least one bag from each store.”

“Oh.” I hastily picked up a few camis with matching panties. Even if they were ridiculously over priced, at least they looked cute and fairly comfortable.

We checked out with a grinning clerk. From the smile on her face, Georgina must have paid well. Very well.

When we turned away from the counter, Georgina suddenly reappeared. For a human, that woman was stealthy. Maybe years of being surrounded by Pterons had taught her some tricks. I wondered if I innately had them too, just like the eyesight and strength. “Are you ready, girls?”

“All set.” Allie grinned. “Where to next?”

***

Maybe one day I’d get used to flying around in a private jet, but that day hadn’t come yet. I buckled myself into a seat next to Allie and across from Georgina. They both seemed completely at home on the luxurious plane. I closed my eyes for a moment, wishing I were more tired. Sleep was the only break I got from the insanity of my new situation, but now I barely needed it. So much had changed in just a few days. All it took was one shove from Murphy and my whole life was turned upside down. I curled my hands into fists. Just thinking about Murphy made me angry.

We were on our way down to New Orleans. Georgina wanted to do some research and show me a book or something. She also wanted me to really see New Orleans. I think it was her attempt at “welcoming me home.” I had a feeling not everyone would be as welcoming. Would Robert be there? Did I even want to meet my biological father?

My back twitched. I wondered if that’s how all Pterons felt when they flew in a plane. Maybe it was your body’s way of rebelling against letting someone else do it for you.

“You’re more than welcome to take a room at the hotel, but the guest room at our house is also open.” Allie pulled me out of my thoughts.

“Oh. I couldn’t put you out. I’ll get a hotel room.” It’s funny how I hadn’t even considered where I was going to stay. I really was out of it.

Georgina set aside a leather covered notebook. “Nonsense. Casey will be staying in my suite at the hotel.”

“You have a suite there?” Allie asked. Had she actually been surprised by something the matriarch of the family did? I wasn’t sure how I felt about staying with my grandmother, but I definitely wasn’t staying at Allie’s. That would be entirely too awkward.

“Of course. I also keep a full set of clothes. I never want to be caught unprepared.”

“You have a place in New York too.” It wasn’t a question. I just knew it.

“Of course.” She smiled. “For the time being, you can move in there, but the realtor seemed confident she’d find you someplace soon.”

“That’s generous, but—”

“Don’t argue with me. You will not be living in that hovel anymore.”

“It’s not that bad.”

Georgina grimaced. “You live in a closet.”

“How’d you know?” I glanced at Allie, but she wouldn’t have known either.

“There is only one bedroom, and by the mess of male clothing all over the place, I assumed that was your cousin’s. I found your excuse for a room while you were getting ready.”

“You snooped around my apartment?”

“No. I merely observed the housing of my granddaughter. I had to see just how desperate the situation was.”

“You make it sound like I’m living on the street.”

“You’re a royal Pteron, Casey. You deserve only the finest of everything. You will get used to your new position in society quickly.”

“Right now, I just want to understand how my mother ended up with a Pteron. You really think you can help figure that out?”

“Have you talked to your mom?” Allie asked.

“No. I figured I might as well wait.” I didn’t admit just how nervous I was about talking to her, or the fact that she was a bear. My gut told me not to reveal that information too soon.

“I pretty much avoided talking to my mom when I first started dating Levi. I know it’s a completely different situation, but I understand where you’re coming from.”

“I just wonder if she knew…” I left out any more questions about Vera. Murphy said she was my half-sister, and so far, no one had argued she was Robert’s daughter. So was she really Chris’s daughter?

“You’ll go home with more answers than you came with.” Georgina leaned back against the plush leather seat. “I can’t promise we’ll figure it all out in the next few days, but we’ll know more.”

“I’ll take anything I can get right now.”

“You’re not alone in this, Casey.” Allie reached out and squeezed my hand. The gesture meant more than she could have known.

“Thanks.”

“I actually had a question to ask you.” Allie glanced at Georgina. The older woman smiled and nodded.

“I’d love it if you’d be a bridesmaid for me. Would you be up for it?”

I sat up in my seat. “Oh. Don’t feel like you have to include me. I’m perfectly happy going as a guest.”

“I want you to be in the wedding party. It’s important to me.” Her smiled seemed genuine, but I hoped she wasn’t asking out of a sense of obligation.

I pushed my concerns aside and gave the only answer I could. “Then, of course.”

“Terrific. We’ll have to get your dress made.” Allie seemed relieved, like she’d been worried I’d say no.

I settled back into my seat, wondering how my life could possibly get more complicated. The problem was, I had a feeling it would.

Chapter Eight

Toby

Interrogating people wasn’t my favorite activity, but I was getting used to it. The trick was to intimidate while using the least force necessary. Pain could make someone talk, but it could also shut them down. The hardest type of interrogations were those of people you didn’t have any concrete evidence against, you just needed information.

“Hello? Is anyone going to tell me what I’m doing here?” An annoyed man’s voice called from down the hall. We were using one of the soundproof rooms at The Society’s New York headquarters. One perk of being in charge was never having to ask permission to do something—unless Levi wanted to butt in.

“Hello?” he called again, this time more tentatively. It’s surprising how quickly some people lose confidence.