Ruffle My Feathers (The Seven - Book 2) (9 page)

She slid down the door and sat on the floor, covering her face with her hands and sobbing into them. What was she supposed to do? If there was even the tiniest of chances that her dad could be cured, she had to take it.

But what if in doing so she made an enemy of Gabriel and Augustus and Layla. What if they weren't bad people? She'd seen Elysia at that party, and she'd appeared to be listening to what the fake security guard was saying into his hidden microphone. So did that mean she was involved in the bloodbath? And if she was, what kind of person did that make her and why was Elysia so interested in her?

There was too much swirling around in her head. She needed to talk to someone she could trust, someone who could help her make sense of it. Ellie. She needed to speak with Ellie.

But how?

Nevaeh thought about it for a few minutes, and then headed out the back door. The bar where she worked nights was only three miles from her place. Despite the heat, she could make the walk in under an hour. With luck, the owner, Mickey, would be there. She'd convince him to give her an advance or a loan. As soon as she got her belongings and the check Layla promised, she could pay him back.

Her mind was so occupied with trying to decide what she should do that the walk seemed a lot faster than it was. Luck was with her. Mickey was behind the bar, stocking the cooler with beer.

"Hey Nev. You're not scheduled 'till seven."

"I know."

"So how was the trip?"

"Interesting."

"No shit, we watched it on the tube. Crazy stuff."

"To say the least. And in the – uh, hubbub, I kind of left empty-handed. All my stuff's still there. I was wondering if there was any way you could advance me on my next check?"

Mickey paused in the act of shoving bottles of beer into the cooler. "Nev, babe you know I love you and you're a hell of a hard worker but I made it clear up front that I don't do advances."

"I know and I swear I wouldn't ask if it wasn't an emergency. Until Layla ships me my stuff, I don't even have car keys Mickey. Or a phone. And definitely no cash. Look, she's paying me mad money for that fiasco and I promise you that the minute I get the check I'll pay you. I swear it."

He frowned, leaned his forearms on the counter that separated them and studied her face. "How much cash are we talking about?"

"A hundred?"

"That's it?"

"Yeah, why?"

He grinned. "Cause normally when I get hit up for cash it's a whole lot more. Tell you what. I'll front you the money, and you pay me back tonight if your tips cover it. If they don't then you pay the rest from your next shift."

"I promise. Thank you. Thank you so much, Mickey. You're the best."

"Yeah, that's what all the girls say." He straightened and went to the register. When he returned, he handed her the money. "So I'll see you at seven?"

"Yes sir. And thank you."

He nodded and Nevaeh hurried out of the bar. Her cell phone provider had a store not far from the bar. She made her way there and waited in line for an associate to help her. When a young man called her name, she waved to him.

"Hi, I'm Daniel. How can I help you today?"

"My phone was lost."

"Oh that sucks. Did you have insurance on the phone?"

"Yes."

"Great. Just step over here to the counter and let's call up your account."

An hour later, Nevaeh emerged from the store with a new phone, updated with all of her information. She felt bad about the lie she'd told to get it and promised herself that when she got her original phone back, she'd return the replacement.

She found a shady spot and called Ellie.

"Hello?"

"Ellie? Hey, it's Nev."

"Nev! Oh my god, girl people have been looking everywhere for you!"

"Huh? Oh! Oh, well I'm fine."

"Where are you?"

"Home. Well, not exactly. I'm near the bar where I work."

"And you're not harmed? What happened to you Nev? Layla's been sick with worry."

"It's kind of a long story and the reason I called. I really need to talk to you Ellie. In person. The problem is, all my stuff is still at that estate, and so I can't drive my car. But I borrowed some money from my boss and I'm going to see if I can borrow a friend's car in the morning. If I can, would it be okay if I came to your house?"

"You know it's okay."

"Great. Thanks. I'm closing tonight at the bar so it'll be three or so before I call it a day. If I leave around nine I could be there around ten to ten-thirty. Would that work for you?"

"Perfect. That's morning nap time for Carson."

"Which reminds me, how is the little fella?"

"Feisty and cute as a button."

"I can't wait to see him. Okay, I better go. I'll call you when I'm on my way in the morning."

"Okay, hon. Talk to you then."

Nevaeh ended the call and stuck the phone in her pocket. She'd feel better once she talked with Ellie. She started the walk home, letting her mind wander back over the events of the last few days.

By the time she reached her duplex, she was more troubled than ever. Elysia claimed that Layla, Augustus, and Gabriel were not her friends, that they were using her for some nefarious reason. Nothing in any of Nevaeh's interactions with them led her to that conclusion. Nothing.

And Elysia
was
the woman she'd seen at the event. Neveah was sure of that. Elysia was the one Augustus was convinced was conspiring with Asha to coordinate the attack. Not to mention that Elysia had jabbed her in the neck with a needle and drugged her.

But she can cure Dad.
Hot tears flooded her eyes and spilled down her face.
God help me. If she is evil and did help with that attack that got so many people killed then how can I even be in the same room with her? How can I turn my back on people I believe are good?

But if I don't… what if she really can heal my Dad? How can I turn my back on that? He's my Dad. I can't let him fade away from this damn disease and die. I can't.

So where does that leave me?

Nevaeh raked her hand over her face then swiped them on her shorts. She was relying on Ellie knowing if Elysia was telling the truth, if Elysia really could heal her dad.

A sudden thought had her mood lifting. If Elysia was really Fae and could do what she did, maybe Ellie could too. Or her brother, Eldric. Maybe she didn't have to get in bed with a monster to cure her dad. Maybe there was another way.

Chapter Nine

I remember reading a quote once by Martin Luther King. "It's always the right time to do the right thing." Right now I wish I knew what the right thing is.

It's hard for me to think about Gabriel and believe that he's evil. The same goes for Layla. And even Augustus. I remember what it felt like when he was in my head. There wasn't anything evil, just a lot of concern for the people he cares about.

But I also remember being told by my dad when I was a child that often evil appears as what you want the most. Not scary or horrifying, but beautiful and alluring. That's how it traps you and sucks you in – by offering you what you think you want.

I don't disbelieve what he said – I just don't see it as being much help. I'm stuck between two things I want. On one side is my dad. Elysia says she can get him back for me. I want that so much it hurts. And on the other side is Gabriel. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want him. I do. More than I ever wanted another person. He's my dream.

But how can I choose between the two? And which choice is the choice that brings evil into my life? God, I hope Ellie has some answers when I see her. If I can find a way to do that. I really need to figure this out.

Nevaeh had just stepped into the sidewalk in front of the bar when a car pulled up and stopped. She immediately started walking backwards, intent on turning and running back to the bar if anyone got out of the car.

The passenger window rolled down. "Nevaeh?"

Nevaeh recognized the voice. Elysia. The last person she wanted to speak with.

"Nev?"

"Hey." Nevaeh walked over to the car and leaned down to look inside.

"Where're you headed?"

"Home."

"Walking?"

"Yes."

"Get in, I'll give you a ride."

Nevaeh's first instinct was to say no, but she suppressed the inclination. She still had not decided what to do about Elysia and if she was involved with the people who orchestrated the attack at Asha's estate, Nevaeh didn't want to make an enemy of her.

"Okay, thanks."

She got in the car and Elysia rolled up the window. "Do you always walk to work?"

"No."

"Then why are you walking?"

"Maybe because you drugged and kidnapped me and all my stuff, including my keys and my purse are at the estate, so I don't really have a choice."

"Oh. Oops!" Elysia actually giggled. Nevaeh wanted to punch her but instead looked away.

"I'm sorry, Nevaeh but as I told you, I feared for your safety."

"Well, I'm safe now, so you don't have to worry."

"But you're not. Surely, you don't think every Preterhuman is in New York? There are plenty in Florida and believe me, if Augustus wants to hurt you all he has to do is pick up a phone."

"But he hasn't."

"Yet."

"What does that mean?"

"Let's just say that I have it on good authority that sides are being chosen and if you're not on the right one, you could end up collateral damage. If you let Augustus talk you into doing something—"

"He hasn't tried to talk me into anything."

"Oh? And I guess he has no link with you even though you shared blood. Neveah, don't be naïve. Augustus can be in your head and you'd never know it."

If only.
Nevaeh wished that were true because then Augustus would know if this Elysia was trying to pull a fast one on her.
Or would he? What do I really know about him? What if he is trying to pull me into something bad?

Nevaeh wanted to scream. She just wanted to talk with Ellie. She needed someone impartial to advise her.

"So what do you think I should do?"

Elysia smiled at her. "I think you should test him."

"Test him? How?"

For a brief moment, Elysia's smile turned sinister and Nevaeh inwardly blanched. What the hell was she getting herself into?

Having reached Nevaeh's duplex, Elysia stopped the car and turned in her seat toward Nevaeh.

"That will be simple. You will contact Augustus and tell him it's imperative that he and Eldric come to Florida, to Eldric's sisters. You say that when you were abducted you overheard your captors talking about going there and capturing the doorway. They believe that if they take Ellie, her powers, combined with theirs will be enough to open the door."

"Oh yeah, that will fly like a lead balloon."

"Pardon?"

"Well think about it. I got abducted and overheard all that and got away … how?"

Elysia laughed. "Why you froze time, of course. That's how you escaped. How you got back here – pretty much the same. Invent something. You stopped time when you got to the airport, stole someone's ticket, and got on a plane."

Nevaeh hated to admit it but it might work. It would be believable to Augustus, anyway. "And just what do I get for all this help? You promised you'd heal my dad."

"And I will."

Nevaeh nodded and looked away. She needed to speak with Ellie before she did anything, which meant she needed to stall Elysia.

"Look, it's late and I'm tired and I don't want to make a decision until I'm rested and have had a chance to think about it. Why don't I call you tomorrow?"

"Why don't I call you?"

"Whatever. I just want to go to bed."

"Then I'll call you in the morning."

"I probably won't be up early."

"Fine."

"Okay." Nevaeh got out of the car. "Thanks for the ride."

"It's what friends are for." Elysia gave a wave and roared off.

Nevaeh made her way around back and let herself in. She was tired. Exhausted. But she had little confidence that she'd sleep tonight.

*****

Gabriel floated to a soft landing and kissed the laughing baby on his forehead. Ellie reached for her child and Gabriel obliged. She cuddled the baby to her then looked up at him. "I can't believe I let you do that."

"Are you kidding? The kid loved it."

"Yes, he sure did. You have a way with children."

"Maybe because I still am one – well in some ways."

Ellie smiled and turned towards the house. "Yeah, I can see that. Probably what made you so appealing to N—"

"To who?"

Ellie cut a look at him over her shoulder as she opened the door. "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

"What did she tell you?" He followed her inside and waited as she put the baby into his playpen in the family room.

"Not a lot. We only spoke briefly while she was in New York. She just told me about how she met you and how surprised she was at how … how nice you were to her. Please, have a seat."

Gabriel took a seat on the couch. "It was a little more than that."

Ellie straightened from adjusting Carson in the playpen. "Oh? On your part or hers?"

"Both. I think. I thought. Maybe I was wrong."

"Or maybe not. Look, I don't know what Nev feels. All I know is something is obviously bothering her and she wants to talk about it. And she should be here any minute."

"And you'd prefer that I not be here."

"Actually yes. No offense. I like you, Gabriel and Layla swears that you're the best person she's ever met and I trust her judgement. But Nev's my friend and I don't want her to think I've gone behind her back."

"I understand. I'll go."

"Hey, I do want to thank you for telling me your perceptions of what happened that night. Eldric told me about it but you and Nev – well you had some unique insight didn't you?"

"She's pretty amazing and has no clue."

"Eldric said there's a lot of interest in her. And now in her father."

"Yes, her father. She has no idea what really happened to him."

"If what you say is true and we don't know that yet."

"Are you going to tell her?"

"It's not my place, Gabriel."

He nodded. "Might I impose on you to ask her to call me?"

"Does she have your number?"

"I called her half a dozen times so I think she has it."

"Then I'll be happy to pass the message along."

"Thank you."

Ellie smiled and when he stood she took his hand. "I hope you and Nev work out whatever this thing is between you, Gabriel."

"So do I. Thank you, Ellie. See you soon?"

"I'm here twenty-four-seven."

Gabriel smiled and let her walk him outside. He took to the air, but did not head home. Instead, he headed in the direction of Nevaeh's duplex. He had to try to make her understand the danger she'd placed herself in.

*****

Nevaeh fought her way to consciousness. Sunlight assaulted her eyes when she cracked them open. What the heck was that noise and what time was it?

She fumbled around on the nightstand for her phone. 7:54. "What the…?"

It had been an hour and twenty minutes since she'd last checked the time. No wonder she felt like she was the walking dead. And who the hell was that banging on her door?

It took a minute to untangle herself from the sheets and make her way to the door. She squinted against the light as she opened it.

"I brought coffee." Elysia pushed passed her and into the duplex.

"Well come on it."

"My, aren't we grumpy this morning? Here have some coffee. It'll perk you right up."

Nevaeh waved away the take-out cup Elysia offered. "No thanks. What are you doing here? I thought we agreed—"

"I couldn't wait. This is important Nevaeh. For us and for you. We just don't have time to waste."

"Whatever. I have to pee."

She left Elysia standing there holding the two cups of coffee and headed for the bathroom. After taking care of her screaming bladder, she brushed her teeth and washed her face. That wasn't going to cut it. It was going to take a whole lot more than that to get her functional.

Not caring that Elysia was waiting, she got into the shower, washed, shampooed her hair, and then rinsed in cold water. Nevaeh took her time drying off and getting dressed. When she finally returned to the living area, Elysia was sitting on the couch with two empty cups on the coffee table in front of her.

"So, are you ready to get started?"

"Doing what?" Nevaeh walked passed her and into the kitchen. She had just enough bottled water and ground coffee to make a large cup in her coffee press. She poured the water into the electric kettle and stood at the counter watching it.

"You
are
going to help us, aren’t you?"

Nevaeh had been asking that question herself all night. She still didn't know what to do aside from stall. Seeing that Elysia was in a real hurry there was only one way she knew to delay.

"I am. But on my terms."

"Pardon?"

Nevaeh cut a look over her shoulder. "You heard me. I'll help you but you're going to cure my dad first. Once I see he's cured and I mean cured, not just temporary, then I'll help you."

"You bitch."

"Say what?" Nevaeh turned to face Elysia.

"Do you have any clue what I've offered? I offered to cure your father and this is the thanks I get?"

"I don't know what your problem is. I said I'd help. You're just going to do your part first."

"Or?"

"Or no deal."

"After all I've done for you and this is how you treat me? Where's the respect? The trust?"

Nevaeh laughed and turned her back on Elysia to pour the now-boiling water into the coffee press. "Respect? Trust? Do I need to remind you that you drugged and abducted me? Not a lot of reason there for respect or trust."

She turned to face Elysia again. "And trust is a two-way street. You want my trust you have to earn it. So that's the deal. Take it or leave it."

Elysia made a sound that was very similar to the growl of a cat. Not a house cat. A big cat. It unnerved Nevaeh but she refused to give ground. She stared Elysia down until Elysia blew out her breath and pulled out her phone. "Fine. I need to make a call. Can I get some privacy?"

"Yeah, you can have all you want. Outside."

If looks could kill, Nevaeh would have been toast by the look Elysia cut her. Nevertheless, she stomped from the room. A few moments later, the front door slammed.

Nevaeh poured herself a big mug of coffee and walked to the back door. The window beside the door was still covered with the plastic shower curtain. She needed to get that fixed as soon as possible. Shit, she needed to get her things. She'd try to call Layla later on and ask about that.

A few minutes passed before Elysia entered the duplex. "Fine. You have a deal."

"Good."

"So?"

"So what?"

"So are you ready to go?"