Chapter 194: Invited
The house was empty when I arrived home. Even my faithful Galleytrot had gone off somewhere. So much for watching over me every moment.
Honestly, I was happy he was out. I was getting a little tired of being babysat by a drooling, pony-sized rug. At least I was able to make him stay home when I left the house earlier. The mess he would have made in the back of my car... I adored him and Sassy both, but it would be nice not to have silver and black animal hair all over everything I owned.
While my mind contemplated finding a magic solution to pet hair I could market to normals, I felt the touch of someone approaching. I immediately tensed at the feeling, knowing immediately a werewolf came to call. But this time the visitor was alone and wide open with her intentions. That's why I was so willing to open the kitchen door and let Charlotte in.
"It's nice to see you," the bodyguard said. She smiled like she meant it. I found myself smiling back and wishing I hadn't.
"What do you want?" So much for my manners. She didn't react to my tone or my words, however.
"I've been asked to invite you to the hotel," she said, her accent thickening her words, making her sound exotic. "The Mistress wishes time to talk to you in private."
Oh hell no. Like I was going to cheerily wander into the lion's den and present myself up as dinner. Not born yesterday, nor was I interested in having my mother tear me a new one when she found out I'd done something that incredibly stupid.
"Thanks," I said as my mind churned and my demon laughed at the very idea. "But no thanks."
Charlotte nodded slowly. "I was told to compel you to come," she said, voice now soft, eyes downcast. "But I will not obey." She met my gaze again. "I have delivered my message."
She turned and left without another word before I could wonder what they would do to her if I didn't go. I could only imagine how angry Odette would be and that the young woman would be punished. For the first time I felt real empathy for the weres and considered perhaps they weren't free agents after all.
What hold did the Dumonts have over them?
Just as the door swung quietly shut behind Charlotte, I felt a powerful hand grasp my upper arm, squeezing so the nails bit into my skin through the thin fabric of my shirt. I turned and met Gram's faded blue gaze, hers so intense I tried to pull away.
"You're going to go with her," she said softly, "and you're going to keep your eyes and ears open."
I gaped at her. "You're not serious." What was she thinking? Mom would kill both of us.
"I am." I was only now feeling her. She'd shielded herself from everyone, it seemed. Now the magic we'd once shared reached out and joined me. "And you won't be alone."
Okay, I already had a demon and a Sidhe princess in my head. I didn't need Gram there too. But the subtle touch of her barely registered and I sighed. Like she was giving me much of a choice.
"Fine," I said. "But you're the one who's explaining this insanity to Mom." I winced at my choice of words. Gram just cackled and pinched my cheek.
"Done," she said. "Git!"
That's how I found myself driving alone physically but crowded mentally up the winding road to the hotel twice in two days, heading for the very place I really didn't want to go. And yet I was curious, too. What Odette thought she could learn from me I had no idea. But with Gram riding along, maybe we could uncover far more than I gave away.
At least, I hoped so. The only way I could screw this up was to lose control of my temper.
Oh boy.
I tried to make a plan, but without knowing what to expect each one I came up with devolved into me fighting the entire Dumont clan and werewolves single handed like some Amazon super hero while glowing like a blue star. Not good and way too much imagination thrown in.
Gram's magic finally snapped my attention back with a sharp jerk before sending me a soothing touch.
Be yourself, she sent. You'll infuriate her. I grinned at her nasty chuckle as her voice faded out.
Hmm. Myself, huh?
That I could handle.
As I pulled into the hotel parking lot, I realized the Dumonts had visitors. A car I recognized sat near the front door. Celeste's ancient brown Volkswagen Jetta crouched on its boring black wheels. The Dullmobile.
So what was one of the most powerful witches in our coven doing chatting with Odette Dumont? I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt. After all, I was here, wasn't I? But considering the number of times Celeste and her cronies challenged Mom's authority in the last year, not to mention her personal attacks on me, I was more than a little suspicious of her motives.
I was fuming by the time I slammed Minnie's door, stomping my way to the entrance, ready to call Celeste out. Just as I reached for the handle, the door opened wide, Charlotte standing there. She looked relieved long enough for me to see it, a small smile of gratitude touching her lips before she spoke.
"The reason for your visit, Miss Hayle?"
Um, what? "I was invited. By you. Like ten minutes ago." What was I supposed to take responsibility for being here or something?
Oh. Yeah. All right, then.
"I'm here to see Odette," I said, trying not to clench my teeth.
"Of your own free will?" Charlotte's eyes seemed to be trying to tell me something, but I was too angry to even want to figure it out.
"You betcha."
Was that a grin wiped suddenly from her face?
"Then be welcome." She stepped aside with a private wink.
Games. I hated them. What was with witches and stupid freaking games?
My mood had not improved by the time I made my way from the front door to the open parlor. I barely glanced at Raoul who stood guard, flicking my power at him on the way by in my irritation. He flinched, but held his ground.
Good for him.
The look on Celeste's face as I entered was almost worth it. I'd never seen so much shock and guilt in one expression in my entire life. And while she covered it quickly, I had my answer as Gram sighed in my mind in clear satisfaction.
What exactly did she have to feel guilty for, the traitorous cow? And James? He stood there next to her, eyes down, cheeks red, hands trembling as he shoved them in his pockets. Conspirators, both.
I was no tattletale, but I couldn't wait to tell Mom.
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