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I ignored him, keeping my memories of our first flight to myself. There was something amazing about flying with someone you love. Holding her would have been one thing, but watching her stretch her wings and discover the experience herself was something incredible. “I don’t know when I’ll tell Casey, but she needs to know about Vera.”

“Just remember, they usually shoot the messenger.”

“Yeah, I know.” I backed away. I was done intimidating him.

“Where’s Casey?”

“With the Laurents.”

He paled. “Do they know who her mom is?”

“No. Casey knows she might be a bear, but…”

“Make sure she doesn’t tell them.” His face reddened.

I nodded, secrecy was essential. “I will. You’ll be hearing from me.”

“You’re letting me go?”

“Yes. But make no mistake you’re being watched.”

“Gotcha. I have to do what I have to do.”

“Oh, one more thing.”

“Yes?”

“Nelly? We’re ready for you.”

Nelly, dressed in a tailored suit, walked in. “Just the way we discussed?”

“Yes. Do it.”

I excused myself from the room. I couldn’t be seen by Rhett again.

Nelly stood in front of him and closed her eyes. I didn’t understand the strange words she chanted, but I recognized them. She’d used it on my friends before.

From the hallway, I heard Rhett’s voice. “Where am I? What happened?”

You could never be too safe. Besides, someone who caved that easily was a dangerous person to work with. He’d give up everything in a pinch.

I headed back to my apartment but texted Casey first. Keep your mom to yourself.

Her text came back immediately. I am.

I wanted to tell her everything else, but I couldn’t do it over the phone. Her phone was almost for sure compromised. I also had to broach the Vera conversation carefully. Beyond her getting upset with me for it, I knew she wouldn’t take it well. I hoped that Rhett was wrong. Or, if he was right and she did go willingly, that she had a good reason for it. I pocketed my phone, hoping Casey was planning to return to New York soon. If not, I was going down to New Orleans after her.

Chapter Nine

Casey

My first day in New Orleans wasn’t particularly exciting. I spent most of it talking with Georgina and getting my measurements taken. My grandmother had introduced me to one of her seamstresses within an hour of landing. After getting everything set for my bridesmaid dress, Georgina decided it was time for me to meet the “important members of the community.” The names and faces blurred together, and I couldn’t even remember who was human and who wasn’t. Finally, when I thought I couldn’t take any more introductions or questions, Allie rescued me with an invitation to come by her house. I didn’t think it over long. I quickly excused myself from Georgina and her friends, and I waited for Allie in the lobby.

As glad as I was to have a break from Georgina’s constant appraisal, I wasn’t sure if hanging out at Allie and Levi’s mansion sounded any better. The fact that I was about to come face to face with my half-brother was hard to swallow. Allie assured me he’d be nice, but the guy made me nervous before I knew we were related. Now it seemed even scarier to see the king. I was beginning to see a pattern with the Laurents. They were all intimidating. I couldn’t imagine how much scarier Robert was. I laughed to myself as I imagined calling him Dad. I’m sure his reaction would be priceless.

“Are you coming?” Allie gave me a sympathetic smile as she leaned into the driver’s side of her lavender Land Rover. She’d hopped right out, probably expecting me to do the same.

I was holding on to my seat for dear life. “Do I have to?”

She laughed. “I promise he’s not going to bite. I think it’s better you talk to him at home first. He’s just Levi here. He kind of changes in his office. He jumps into ‘king’ mode.”

“When you put it that way…” I knew I couldn’t put it off forever. Short of hiding out in a cave for the rest of my life, I was going to have to talk to him.

“Come on. I promise it will be okay.”

I breathed out a few times before forcing myself to get out of the car. I wasn’t sure why Allie was being so nice to me, but I appreciated it. If I was going to face my new Pteron identity, I couldn’t do it alone. Toby was helpful, but he wasn’t a Laurent. As little as I knew about The Society, I understood that it was controlled by the Pterons, and that the different ruling families didn’t exactly get along.

After walking up the front steps and reaching the expansive porch, complete with large white columns, Allie pushed open the front door. I reluctantly followed, trying to ignore the twisting of my stomach. Couldn’t becoming a Pteron come with super courage?

“Casey, hey!” Hailey barely let me walk into the foyer before she pulled me into a hug. For a girl I’d only met once, she was really friendly. But maybe it wasn’t about having met me. It could have just been a Pteron thing. It’s funny how much had changed in the short time since I was last in New Orleans.

“Hey, Hailey.” I untangled myself from her embrace, feeling more relaxed than I’d been before the hug. Having a female Pteron to talk to might really come in handy.

I looked up from Hailey and immediately locked eyes with Levi. I froze. What does one say to their half-brother who also happens to be a paranormal king?

Luckily, he didn’t have the same problem. “Hey, sis.” He cracked this big goofy grin that immediately put me at ease. A hand gently patted my back, and I knew it was Allie.

“Hey, bro.” I fought to keep a somewhat straight face. At least he wasn’t hugging me or anything that awkward.

“This should be taped. Could you think of a better episode for one of those talk shows?” Hailey laughed. “Paranormal royal siblings meet for the first time.”

I shook my head. “I’ll pass, besides we’ve met before even if we didn’t know we were related.” The momentary ease started dissipating. This was really happening.

“Come on in.” Levi gestured for me to walk into the main area of the house. My breath hitched. The place was even more of a mansion than it looked on the outside. Each room was neat and perfectly furnished. The pieces were mostly white and beige with red accents. I still couldn’t quite comprehend how people close to my age could have such a place. Toby and Jared had fancy apartments, but this was something else altogether.