Found (The Crescent Chronicles #3) Page 2

  “So everyone here is a shifter?” I watched a sea of dancers move by. It was an interesting crowd. Although almost everyone was dressed formally, a decent number of party goers were in masquerade attire. I wondered if that was usual.

  “Almost entirely. We let in a few witches this year, and one other Pteron mate, but that’s it.”

  “Isn’t that boring for Pterons though?” Pterons were only supposed to date humans. The only one who seemed to mind this rule was Hailey. She had a thing for at least one shifter.

  “I don’t know, is this boring?” Levi looked at his friends.

  “No, I don’t mind taking a night off.” Jared winked.

  I rolled my eyes. “Ugh. You really are gross. Do you think you’ll ever date the same girl for more than a day?”

  He shrugged. “If I meet the right girl, sure.”

  Owen laughed. “Yeah right. Good luck with that.”

  “You should talk—” Jared stopped himself. Probably deciding it wasn’t worth setting Owen off. Poor Owen was still brokenhearted over a girl who ran from him when she found out what he was.

  I sipped my champagne guiltily. It was hard to enjoy a night out when Jess was being held hostage. Levi could tell me about the importance of waiting till the right moment a hundred more times—I still wanted to get her out immediately. It was impossible to be calm.

  “What’s wrong?” Levi put a hand on my leg. I hated how perceptive he was getting about me.

  “I’m just worried about Jess.” I enjoyed the way his strong hand felt on my leg. It gave me a comfort I was learning to appreciate more and more.

  “How is worrying going to help? Try to relax, I promise it’s going to be okay.”

  “It should be me, not her.”

  “No, it shouldn’t!” He slammed his free fist on the table, spilling several glasses of champagne in the process.

  “Wow, man. Chill out,” Jared said carefully. Even he understood the danger of pushing Levi too much when he was angry.

  “Then tell her to not say stuff like that. It shouldn’t be you.” I didn’t need to look at Levi to know his eyes were probably darkening.

  I touched his arm. “I just mean she shouldn’t be punished. None of this is her fault.”

  “It’s not yours either.” He grabbed a napkin and cleaned up some of the champagne that had spilled on the table in front of me.

  “Do you want to dance?” It seemed like the best way to calm him down. Funny how it went from him comforting me to the other way around.

  “Yes.” He got up and took my hand. He led me onto the dance floor. “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay. I know this is stressing you out too.” I wrapped my arms around his neck as he put his around me.

  He leaned down and gently kissed me on the lips. “I love you, Al. I can’t even think about losing you.”

  “People love Jess too.”

  “I know. Her boyfriend is with her. If the Blackwells were going to hurt her, they wouldn’t have him there.”

  I rested my head against his chest. The music was fast, but we were barely moving. “I hope you’re right.” I kept telling myself that Toby would never hurt Jess or her boyfriend. Emmett had been one of Toby’s best friends in high school.

  “I am.” Moving his hands to my hips, Levi made us move faster. Before long, I got lost in the rhythm of the music and having Levi’s body pressed against mine.

  We danced until I needed a break. “Let’s have some more champagne.” He let me lead him back to the table. He was grinning like a little kid. I loved how happy I could make him sometimes.

  “It’s about time.” Jared poured champagne into both of our glasses without us asking.

  “Oh, you missed us?” I took a sip.

  “Of course, Princess. Although you two looked like you were having fun.” He nodded toward the dance floor.

  “We were.” Levi put his hand back in its usual spot on my leg.

  “Aren’t you guys going to dance?” I asked.

  “With who?” Jared finished off his glass.

  “Each other. Or, come on, there are plenty of girls here. You really won’t dance with other shifters?”

  “Not if I have a choice,” Jared grumbled.

  I nabbed a strawberry from the fruit salad that had somehow materialized on our table while we danced. I assumed Hailey was behind it—I couldn’t imagine Jared or Owen ordering fruit. “I’d ask you to dance, but Levi’s going to veto that.”

  Levi shifted slightly closer to me. “Yes, I will.”

  “What about me? Do I get to dance with Allie?” Hailey set down her empty glass.

  “Will you stay somewhere in this area?” Levi grabbed another strawberry for me before I even finished the first.

  “Yes, we’ll stay in sight. Normally I’d give you a hard time, but we do need to be careful with Allie.” Hailey turned to me. “No offense.”

  “I get it.” I ate the second strawberry before getting out of my chair again.

  Hailey and I walked onto the dance floor hand in hand and danced for a while. Levi watched us with an amused expression on his face. I knew he liked how close Hailey and I were. I think it made him feel more secure that my best friend was a Pteron. It gave me another reason to feel like part of The Society. Well, one of my best friends. My other best friend was a kidnapping victim.

  My stomach turned. Dancing didn’t seem like so much fun.

  “I need to use the bathroom.” The champagne had gone right through me.

  “Sure. Let’s tell Levi first.”

  We walked back over to the table in a way that felt like checking in. Even though I knew it was necessary, there was still something belittling about it.

  He kissed my cheek. “Come right back though.”

  “We will.”

  There was a huge line in the bathroom, but Hailey pulled us all the way to the front. I’m guessing people figured out who we were, because no one got mad. After washing my hands, I couldn’t find Hailey. I assumed she’d finished first, so I walked out of the bathroom to look for her. I’d only made it a few steps when two strong arms came around my waist. They weren’t Levi’s.

  “Hello, gorgeous.” The voice was low and husky. It sounded off from how the owner of it usually sounded, but it had to be him.

  “Toby?”

  “Come with me quietly.” His lips brushed against my ear.

  “What are you doing here?” I struggled in his arms, but he wouldn’t let go.

  “I said quietly.” His arms tightened.

  Every part of me wanted to scream for help, but it might have been my one chance to get Jess back. “Okay.”

  We moved into a shadowed hallway behind the bathrooms, and I finally looked up at his face. Even without the dim lighting, I wouldn’t have seen much. He was wearing a masquerade mask. “Let Jess go.”

  “I will, eventually.” He put a hand on my hip. I fought the urge to shrug him off. I needed any information I could get. “I swear you get more beautiful every time I see you. And this dress.” He moved his hand around to my back. “This dress is killing me.”

  I tensed as his hand continued to move down. “What the hell is going on? Why do you have her?”

  He laughed. It wasn’t the laugh I remembered. It was colder somehow. “I thought we already discussed this, sweetheart.”

  “You want me to come willingly. What does that even mean?”

  “So he hasn’t told you anything, has he?”

  “Anything about what? At least he told me he wasn’t human. That’s more than you can say.” I struggled to keep my voice down.

  He ran a hand down my cheek. “Oh, Allie. My sweet, Allie. I was waiting until the right moment.” This wasn’t Toby—not the Toby I remembered at least. It felt like someone had taken over his body—except for the way he said my name. That was the same.

  “And when would the right moment have been?”

  “Our wedding night.” His voice softened. Like the way he said my name
, it gave me hope that the real Toby was still in there.

  “Our wedding night? You were delusional enough to think we’d get married?”

  “It wasn’t a delusion. I knew it from the first time I kissed you. I’ve been waiting years to really have you.”

  “Really have me?”

  “Has Levi not shown you what real sex with a Pteron is? I assumed he’d be doing it every chance he could. I would.”

  “You mean while transformed?”

  “Of course. It was always good. So good. But it’s going to be so much better.”

  He reached for my left hand, looking at my ruby ring with distaste. “I would have shown you who I really was once you were wearing my ring.”

  “Your ring? You have a ring too?”

  “Yes. You’ll be wearing it soon enough.”

  “What?”

  “We don’t have much time. I’m sure he’s already looking for you. I just needed to see you and give you a message.” He rested his hand on my hip.

  “Message?”

  “Have you been thinking about our kiss?” He pulled me against him. If I had any doubt about what was on his mind, it was made crystal clear by what was currently pressed against me.

  I shook my head.

  “I’ve been thinking about it constantly. I already knew you still had feelings for me, but it was nice to get a physical reminder.”

  “I felt nothing. You kissed me against my will.”

  “That’s not true. You wanted the kiss, Allie. If you’d be honest with yourself, you want more. You want me—all of me. Do you remember what it used to feel like? Do you remember what it was like to have me on top of you, to have me in—”

  I slapped him across the face. I used his momentary surprise to step away from him. He touched his cheek and grinned. “I love this feisty side. Things are going to be so much more fun the second time around.”

  “Was that your message?”

  “No. My message is that I’m still setting things up. When I tell you it’s time, you come home to me willingly. I’ll let Jess go, and your life can go back to normal.”

  “Normal? But you said I’d have your ring. Isn’t it the same thing? I’d be trading one prison for another?” I said the words even though I didn’t quite view my relationship with Levi that way anymore.

  “It won’t be a prison, it will be a palace.” He inched toward me again. His closeness felt stifling.

  “You can’t break the bond I have with Levi. This ring isn’t coming off.” I touched my ruby ring. It had become such a constant part of me. I wondered if it was like wearing a wedding ring, or if it was something more because you could never take it off.

  “I’d tell you I hope you figure out what you are on your own, but I’m kind of looking forward to telling you myself—when I finally take you to bed again.” He put his hand back on my hip. “God, I want you right now.”

  “Please just let Jess go.”

  “Not a chance, Allie. Go have fun with your friends. You won’t be seeing too much more of them—I can promise you that. Oh, and tell anyone I was here, and we will hurt her.”

  “What?”

  “Right now we’re treating her well, but that can change at any time.”

  “Why can’t I tell?”

  “This visit needs to stay our little secret.” Without warning, he disappeared into the crowd, and I was left even more worried and confused about what to do than before.

  I walked back toward the bathrooms. Hailey was waiting outside with the guys next to her. She ran over and hugged me. There was panic all over her face. “Where the hell were you?”

  “I’m sorry, I went looking for you.”

  Levi moved in front of Hailey. “Next time, wait.”

  “I will.” I looked down, not wanting to meet his eyes. I didn’t want to lie to him, but I was afraid Toby would somehow find out if I didn’t.

  “It’s almost midnight. Let’s get some more champagne.” He led me back toward our table. I didn’t complain. I couldn’t stop thinking about Toby’s words and his confidence that I’d get back with him. What was he talking about when he asked whether I knew what I was? I needed more information, and the one person I knew wouldn’t give it to me was currently holding my hand.

  Chapter Three

  Despite the insanity of the night, I did get my New Year’s kiss. Levi made sure to make it memorable. He stopped to grab my coat, a detail I would have forgotten, before leading me outside a few minutes before midnight.

  “This is going to be our best year yet.” He leaned in, planting a tiny kiss on my lips. “The best.”

  The fireworks started as he kissed me again. By the time I stepped back, breathless, the show was in full force. “I didn’t know New Orleans did fireworks on New Year’s.” I had to talk loudly over the explosive noise.

  He grinned. “They don’t.”

  “You mean—this is you?” I pointed at the incredible show above us. The colors were fantastic, and I felt like a kid again waiting for each set.

  “I wanted it to be memorable.” He took my hand.

  I glanced around, surprised I didn’t hear any cheering or anything. “Wait, why isn’t anyone else out here?”

  “They were instructed to keep everyone else inside until 12:05.”

  As if on cue, people started flooding out.

  I laughed. “Right on time.”

  “Exactly. Want to go home?” I wasn’t surprised when he asked me. The kiss let me know there was much more to come. I needed him. The only thing that was going to calm me down was a night with Levi. It might even save me from the killer headache I could feel forming. I’d been getting them every few days since leaving for Vermont, and Levi had a knack for getting rid of them just by being near me.

  “Yes. Definitely, yes. We just need to call Hailey.”

  “I already told everyone we were leaving.”

  “How’d you know I’d want to?”

  He started to button my coat. I hadn’t bothered with it when we came out. “Great minds think alike.”

  ***

  “I’ve been waiting for this all night.” Levi unzipped my dress, letting it fall onto the floor of his room.

  “You aren’t the only one.” I unbuttoned his shirt and pulled his white t-shirt over his head. I ran my hands down his chest, still marveling at how muscular he was.

  “Happy New Year to me.” He unclasped my bra and pulled down my panties at the same time. His eyes devoured my naked body, and I unbuttoned his pants, tugging off his boxers. He stepped out of his pants and shorts before taking a seat on his bed. He pulled me onto his lap, and I wrapped my arms around his neck.

  I was glad no one else was home. It was impossible to be quiet with Levi. It was made even harder when I felt his firm wings under my hands. Usually he warned me when he was going to transform, but he surprised me. I opened my eyes to see his eyes completely black. He moved faster, and I dug my nails into his back.

  He brought me over the edge and joined me moments later. I leaned forward into his chest. He kissed the top of my head. “How did I make it my whole life without you?”

  “Hard to believe, huh?”

  “You know it.”

  We got under his sheets, and I hoped the feeling of physical completeness would be enough to get me to sleep. At least my headache was gone.

  ***

  Two hours later, I was still wide awake and incredibly thirsty. I needed a glass of water. I slipped out of Levi’s arms and legs. It was no easy feat. He had me all tangled up. If I opened my suitcase I’d wake Levi, so I grabbed my underwear and Levi’s dress shirt. I’d heard everyone come in, but the only one staying in the living room was Hailey, and she was probably sound asleep.

  I eased the door open quietly and closed it as silently as I could. Hailey left a lamp on, but the apartment was eerily quiet. I poured myself a glass of water from the pitcher in the fridge.

  “Allie?” Hailey called sleepily.

  “Yeah. Sor
ry if I woke you up.”

  “It’s not a problem.” She sat up. “But, uh, nice outfit.”

  I laughed and took a seat on the couch next to her, using her blanket to cover my legs. “I didn’t want to wake Levi opening my suitcase.”

  “You know you could probably unpack. I’m sure Levi would be thrilled to give you some drawer space.”

  “I’m not moving in with him. I like living with you.”

  “You don’t have to totally move in…”

  “Do you want your own room or something?”

  “No. Of course not!” She looked offended.

  “I was just checking.”

  “Are you doing okay? Are you really just out here for water?”

  “Would you be mad if I told you I wanted you to wake up?”

  She laughed. “No. What’s going on?”

  I took a moment to gather my thoughts. Suddenly the red and blue checkered fleece blanket seemed really interesting. Eventually I looked up. “Were you really joking about the Pteron magnet thing?”

  “Yes, I was kidding.”

  “But is it possible…” I had to know.

  “Isn’t anything possible?”

  “Hailey. Come on.” I sipped my water.

  “I don’t know. Why don’t you ask Levi?”

  “I can’t. Every time I ask him anything about it, it somehow goes back to my sex life with Toby.” I shuddered. I still couldn’t believe Toby had been there earlier that night.

  “Call Helen. If anyone knows, she would.”

  “Helen? How can I even bring it up?” The thought of asking Levi’s mom hadn’t crossed my mind.

  Hailey shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s the middle of the night and that’s the best I can come up with.”

  I set down my empty glass on the coffee table. “Thanks. I’ll talk to her.” The more I thought about it, the better it sounded.

  “Did you girls forget to invite me to the slumber party?” Jared came out of his room in just a pair of boxers.

  Hailey covered her eyes. “Put some clothes on.”

  “No, thanks. Are you girls hungry? I want pancakes.”

  I curled my legs up under me. “Pancakes? It’s three a.m.”