“You’re my granddaughter. I’ve always wanted a granddaughter, and now I have two.”
Allie seemed surprised by the words, and Georgina noticed.
“I nearly broke down when I thought we lost you. You are also a Laurent—although why you insisted on putting off the wedding is beyond me.”
“It’s only a few more weeks…” Allie ran a hand through her perfectly straightened hair.
“Where are you getting married?” I jumped on the opportunity to change the subject. It would give me time to think.
“Hawaii.”
“Oh, wow. I’ve always wanted to go there.”
“You will be at the wedding, obviously, but let’s stay focused.” Georgina patted the empty spot on the couch next to her.
I tentatively sat down. I was always braver and stronger when I was standing. My confidence seemed to waver when I sat.
“What lead?”
I stood up again, needing to lead the conversation. “Do you know how I found out what I am?”
“Only that you were forced to transform quite suddenly.”
“I was pushed off a building. The Empire State Building to be specific.”
“By whom?” Georgina stiffened. “Who did it? They shall be punished for—”
“A bear.”
“A bear? What were you doing with a bear?”
I laughed. I had to. Like I had willingly gone with Murphy? “It wasn’t by choice, and I’d only recently discovered he was a bear.”
“Who’d you think he was before that?” Allie asked. I’d forgotten that I’d never filled her in on all the details.
“He was my sister’s boyfriend.” I left out the part about him being the older brother of the guy who broke my heart and took my virginity. “They were dating when she disappeared.”
“She was taken by bears then.” Georgina spoke calmly, with no trace of emotion in her voice. I’m not sure if that was because she felt none, or because she was trying to stay calm for my benefit.
“Evidently.”
“What would the bears have wanted with her sister? If they knew who Casey was, why not just take her?” Allie’s forehead wrinkled in thought.
Georgia crossed her legs. “I don’t know, but I think the secret to discovering the answer lies in you, Casey. I need to learn more about you. I have one theory, but it’s going to take some research before I know anything definitive.”
“I’d sit down for this.” Allie gestured to the couch. “This may take a while.” It was nice to see Allie wasn’t afraid to speak her mind around Georgina.
I sat, sinking into the old couch cushions as I waited for Georgina to talk.
“How old are you, Casey?”
“I’m nineteen.”
“And your birthday is?”
“January 10th.”
“So that means you were born when Levi was almost four years old.”
I nodded even though I didn’t know exactly how old Levi was. It just seemed like what I was supposed to do.
“What do you know about your mother?” Georgina’s voice softened an octave, and that scared me. It meant she was trying to cushion a blow.
“She’s from upstate.”
“Upstate New York?”
“Yeah. She spent part of her childhood in Vermont, but then moved to New York.”
“And your grandparents on that side?” Georgina continued.
“They died before I was born.”
“So you never visited her hometown?” Her eyes never left my face.
I shook my head. “No.”
“And the man you thought was your father?”
“Yes…”
“Did you visit his hometown?”
“No… his parents also died before I was born.” Wow, it seemed sketchy even to my own ears.
“And this cousin…. Who are his parents?”
“My uncle and aunt. Dennis and Debbie. Why?” Finally, someone I’d met.
“Do you know anything about them? Where they’re from?”
“Also upstate, I think…” Had I really been that complacent? That naïve? I’d never given much thought to how little I knew about my family. Mom got upset when I brought it up, so as a point, I didn’t.
“In other words, you know nothing about your mother’s side of your family.”
“Pretty much.” I sounded dumb, but it was the truth. No reason to sugar coat it.
Georgina appeared deep in thought, but then she suddenly stood up. “Let’s go shopping.”
“What? What about your theory?”
“I need to do some research first, but let’s go shopping before we go down to New Orleans.”
“New Orleans? I can’t leave.”
“Sure you can. You can even invite your friend. If my hunch is right, you can use all the protection you can get.” Georgina walked out the door. I guess she wasn’t going to wait for us.
“Protection? What’s going on?” And was she talking about Toby?
Allie stood. “I wouldn’t argue. She’s not going to tell us anything until she’s ready.”
“I bet you’re right.”
“I am.” Allie smiled. “Are you going to call Toby?”
“I’m not sure. I probably should do this alone though.”
She nodded. “Yeah… I agree. Besides, Toby can get down there pretty quickly if you need him.”
Chapter Five
Toby
She came to me for help. She didn’t go to Jared, or even Eric. She came to me. Maybe it wasn’t as big of a deal as I was making it, but it was enough of a start. I’d take it, and I’d make it more. I’d lost a chance with Casey once. I wasn’t doing it again.
My determination was at an all-time high. The way she looked at me said it all. She missed me, and not in a completely platonic way either. If it weren’t for my bitch of an assistant, she’d have been with me already. I crushed the plastic tumbler in my hand. At least I wasn’t holding a glass cup. That could have been messy.
I leaned back against the couch. I’d have to deal with Nelly, but I wasn’t quite sure how to proceed. My dad may have been human, but he taught me a few things about women. His number one lesson? Tread lightly with a woman who’s been scorned. So maybe Nelly wasn’t a typical woman, but that just made being careful more important. She wasn’t allowed to use magic on a Pteron, but then again, she wasn’t supposed to screw up the love life of a Pteron either. After some deliberation, I finally came up with a plan. I got up and headed down to the office after texting Nelly to meet me.