Faeries Gone Wild Page 30

  Alec whisked her inside the building, where they melded with a throng of formally attired people moving toward the elevators. Tia felt a rush of excitement in the crush as Alec introduced her to friends, all the while keeping a possessive hand at her waist.

  Plainly, he was tremendously proud of her.

  She was proud of him as well for so many reasons. Not only did he conquer his fears, but he’d also come to accept who she was at rapid speed.

  The ballroom on the fifty-first floor proved to be a wonderland of gold foil walls trimmed in white with massive crystal chandeliers hanging from a high gilded ceiling.

  Tia did a starry-eyed pirouette to take in the ambiance. That was when the chiffon scarf fell off her head, landing on her shoulders.

  Alec’s smile faded as he inspected her hair, a lustrous platinum sweep high above her neck. “What the . . .”

  “Don’t touch it!” Her fingers flew protectively to the narrow silver leaf-encrusted arrow. “It holds everything together.”

  “That’s what scares me. Where did it come from, Tia?”

  “It’s of human origin . . . .”

  “Obviously. It’s a man’s tie clip.”

  “Oh. That’s rather disappointing.”

  “Did you keep it secret because it’s from the fire scene?”

  How frustratingly clever he was. “I kept it secret mostly to dazzle you, along with the dress.”

  “It isn’t from the fire then?” he asked in a near plea.

  “Sorry, but I couldn’t resist it,” she confessed in a gush. “Lying in plain sight beside your keys. Plain to me, anyway, with my sharpened night vision.”

  “I trusted you to return there alone.”

  “It was charred beyond human restoration. Strained even my skills. C’mon, Alec,” she reasoned under his growing thunder. “Your chief lord said they were tying up loose ends; surely the item was dismissed.”

  “Overlooked, not dismissed. Big difference there when it comes to evidence.”

  “You think it’s important then?”

  “You’d be amazed by what our lab of human minions could have done with it.”

  “I am sorry. Don’t let it spoil the whole party.”

  “The party is over as of now.”

  “You can’t mean it!” She grasped his lapels, but he already seemed half-gone as his head spun over hers.

  “I can’t explain right now, am not even sure you deserve an explanation.”

  “Give me thirty minutes, Alec,” she begged softly. “I don’t have to dance with John; just let me greet him, looking as I do. Then I will return the clip to the exact place I found it.”

  “That’s no good.”

  “Why!”

  “You’ve tampered with it, Tia. No one will believe it survived the fire.”

  “All right, all right.” She puffed nervously, rubbing her hands. “All is not lost. There was another piece.”

  “Another one!”

  “Yes, a smaller nugget with a post. I left it behind because I couldn’t think what to do with it.”

  “Thank God for that much.”

  “For all you know, I may have cracked the case wide open,” she nervily reckoned.

  “Not your case to crack. How the hell I wish you’d just butted out.”

  She retreated a notch. “Please take my word—”

  “Your word?” Alec’s features twisted in fury. “What good is that!”

  “What a horrible thing to say, Alec Simon.”

  “I feel horrible. Sick.”

  “Fine. You’re not my date anymore. Get unburdened.”

  “I think you mean lost. Get lost.”

  “Oh, just do it.” Tears streaming down her cheeks, Tia scooted for the safest haven known to females the realm over: the ladies’ room.

  Alec paced out front of the ladies’ room, knowing he already should be on the phone to Chief Mitchell, busily avoiding this affair. Even if it was the last thing he wanted to do. No, the last thing he wanted to do was leave Tia to her own foolish devices. She needed to leave. Now. He huffed over it some minutes before asking a blue-haired matron entering no-man zone to check up on a comrade in peach.

  “A spat?” she clucked.

  “Yeah. Sort of.”

  “You don’t look sorry enough yet.”

  “Please, check up on her.”

  The matron returned moments later to report no one was in the restroom. It probably would land him briefly in purgatory one day, but Alec barged inside for a look. Sure enough, Tia was gone, save for her chiffon scarf, which he found underneath a slotted vent.

  It occurred to him then that he knew more about Blot’s powers than hers. Stood to reason, however, that she was too proud to be stuffed into a cab and had opted for a squirmy trek through the building’s air duct system. Served her right! At least a part of him thought so, the part that was horrible. As sick as he felt, the night was only going to get sicker. Pocketing the scarf, he left.

  After all they’d been through, Alec didn’t think to look up once.

  With both exasperation and relief, Tia swooped down from the ceiling of the restroom. Willing her wings back between her shoulder blades, she moved to ease open the door and slip in behind a group of women. Snagging a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, she took a self-pitying slurp and looked around. The ballroom was jammed with milling guests. If Alec was still among them, he’d moved on. So must she.

  For a start, she would leave when she damn well pleased. After she had a word with John Winter.

  Tia began to mingle in the hope of spotting John, passing the time with firefighters she’d met at the station. Servers with trays of champagne cocktails kept going by and she kept accepting them. They dulled the pain as adequately as nectar fizzes did back home.

  Also like home, she seemed to have blown yet another romantic prospect. Her mother would not be pleased. Especially as there was less excuse. It wasn’t Tia’s scent or her singing this time. It was stubbornness grounded in humanity.

  “Too many of those can spoil your appetite.”

  The smooth male voice caused Tia to spin on her white strappy Jimmy Choos, slosh champagne on an elegant jacket sleeve. John Winter’s sleeve. He was positively resplendent from head to toe, his short gleaming hair the same unique shade as hers, his trim figure doing justice to his perfectly cut tuxedo.

  A breathless Tia presented him a dazzling smile. While he . . . stared intently at her hair.

  “We met in the park,” she began wispily.

  “Never mind all that, Tia. I know exactly who you are.”

  “How . . .”

  “A little leprechaun told me, that same day in the park.”

  “How strange he didn’t let me know.”

  “He left it to me because I asked him to, assured him it was the right thing.”

  Tia loosened up. “So, you remember your tryst with Mamma?”

  “Fondly. Though once I returned home, I did choose to move on. Hope you can understand.”

  The secret child in her put up a feeble protest. If only he’d returned once! But he had no way of knowing all he’d abandoned. And the journey back would have been a long uncertain one. “No hard feelings,” she whispered.

  “Blot tells me Maeve is doing well.”

  “Oh, she is. So, you have no doubts about my relation to you?” she pressed.

  “None. Your Winter features are prominent.”

  “I’m not here to make trouble for you,” she assured. “Alec has explained how sensitive your reputation is. He’s been emphatic about protecting it.”

  John scanned the room, nodding to passersby. “Where is he, anyway?”

  “He’s off cooling down,” she improvised. The cruel, insensitive goblin. “We had a little difference of opinion over the way I’ve handled this clip in my hair.”

  “You’re using it to grab my attention,” he stated practically.

  “Well, yes. With my hair done this way, I—”

 
“Don’t bother to explain. It was pretty nervy, but I myself have been guilty of grandstanding on occasion. Alec tends to be more cautious.”

  “Still, he’d do most anything to please you, sir.”

  “Am I wrong to assume you share those sentiments?”

  “I’d like nothing better than to be your daughter, your friend—anything!” Her joy and relief nearly bubbled over. “Though I have come to understand the prejudice humans carry for anyone Enchanted. Realize it won’t be easy for us.”

  “Sometimes human stupidity makes good business.”

  “How?”

  “When you leave yourself open to the impossible, you sometimes get a jump on everyone else.”

  “How?”

  “For the time being, let’s just say, I have no quarrel with the Enchanted.”

  She could only smile in bewilderment. “

  “Don’t worry about Alec,” John went on. “He can be relied upon. We’ll be one big happy family; I’m sure of it.”

  “Where to begin?”

  “Start by calling me Trey.”

  The mention of family, access to the revered nickname, all without a hitch. She could barely breathe. “What about your wife?” she thought to ask. “Alec says she’s wonderful, but I am bound to be a shock.”

  He pulled a small tight smile. “She’s totally manageable.”

  “I can barely find the words to express . . .” Turned out she didn’t need them, as he was no longer listening, but rather, making a phone call. To bring a company car around to a rear entrance, as it turned out.

  John disconnected and settled back on Tia. “There are no limits for you in my operation. If you can follow directions.”

  “Operation” seemed a little cold in describing familial ties. But Tia did at times struggle with human terminology and John was, after all, very businesslike indeed. “Thank you, Trey. I’m grateful for this chance.”

  “So it’s safe to assume you’ll run a quick errand with me.”

  “Now? Leave your own party?”

  “No one will miss us if we hurry.”

  She hesitated a mere half beat. “If you like.”

  “Good. We’ll take my private elevator down to the car. Don’t say another word, not even to my driver.”

  Alec bumped into Helen a short time later in the ballroom. The unassuming redhead always looked a little out of her league at these functions, in a way that even a designer gown like to night’s aqua stunner couldn’t cure.

  “Alec! So glad you’re feeling better.”

  “Have you seen Trey?” he asked with strained cheer.

  “Sure. Just caught him slipping out an exit with a woman in a peach gown.”

  “You know her?”

  “Why, no.”

  “Can you describe her at all?” he pressed more sharply. “

  “Young, blond. Frankly, dear, I’ve learned to look the other way.”

  Her words, spoken at this time and place of enlightenment, rocked him significantly. Alec was forced to humbly acknowledge that he, too, sometimes looked the other way rather than allow John’s image to distort. What mattered most right now was that the blonde in Trey’s grip had to be Tia. A vulnerable daughter in waiting who might not know better than to look the other way.

  “Thanks, Helen. For everything.” On impulse, Alec hugged her gently, knowing full well it might be their last.

  Tia didn’t know what to expect once John’s Town Car came to a stop on a dark street corner someplace in the city. John gave the driver instructions to vamoose, then alighted on the sidewalk to aid Tia, rather constricted in her gown.

  Turned out they were standing before the fire-gutted building on 56th Street. Grasping a lantern, John held out his arm. “Shall we?”

  Tia gazed at the orange fencing and warning signs still in place, then at the Town Car’s red taillights already winking in the distance. Unease crept up her spine and, presumably, into her expression.

  “Surely you can’t be surprised, Tia. After all, you brandished the clip.”

  “You know it’s from the fire?”

  “Of course, child. It’s mine.”

  Her jaw dropped.

  “You really didn’t know?”

  Tia shook her head. “I spotted it retrieving Alec’s key ring—after a little aerial inspection we made. Thought it would look good in my hair. Thought this particular style would remind you of Mamma.”

  His expression shifted oddly in the shadows. “Certainly it made all the difference. Lovely.”

  “So, what are we doing here?”

  “I want to utilize your charming powers for a small search.”

  “Alec is already so angry over my meddling here.”

  “As I said, he errs on the side of caution. And would prefer to protect me inside the confines of the law. But in this case, the law must be bent. Allow me to explain,” he said as her chin wobbled. “I lost the tie clip and a cuff link here a week before the fire, helping shift some furniture around for my wife. If Chief Mitchell were to uncover either piece of silver, I’m afraid he’d try to use it as evidence against me. You see?”

  Tia nodded with more confidence. “The chief doesn’t like you much.”

  “I hoped the pieces were lost for good. That is, until I spotted the clip in your hair.”

  “Both pieces were concealed in rubble and hopelessly charred. I only happened upon them due to my keen Fey night sight.”

  “Both? Did you by chance already come across the cuff link as well?”

  “Yes.”

  “What did you do with it?” he demanded.

  “Left it in the rubble. Unlike the clip, I judged it beyond repair.”

  His excitement was palpable. “I would be grateful if you’d retrieve it for me. Immediately.”

  Tia paused only briefly. “Would you like a lift through a window, like I gave Alec?”

  He gave a brusque laugh. “At my age, I’d rather enter by a side door.” Switching on the lantern, John eased them inside.

  Tia’s edginess grew as they delved into the black, dank space. Gagging slightly, she decided it looked a whole lot worse, even creepy, from the bottom up.

  John set the lantern on the floor and waved. “Go about . . . your thing.”

  “Give me a moment. I have trouble transmuting when I’m nervous.”

  “There’s nothing to fret,” he said impatiently.

  Tia took a deep breath and bowed her head. Before she could sink into a trance, however, an all too familiar third voice echoed harshly through the room.

  “Tia! What are you doing here?”

  She snapped up her head. “I was invited. And you?”

  “Please, stop and listen.”

  “You wouldn’t listen to me at the party. While Father was more than happy to listen.”

  “I’ll bet.”

  “Alec,” John snapped, “if you’re going to upset her, I’d rather you leave.”

  “That would make it easier, you lousy crook!”

  “Oh, so it’s that way now,” John mourned, affecting hurt.

  “Yeah, it is.”

  “You’re jealous of Tia.”

  “No!” Outraged, Alec held out his hand. “Tia, I know it’s a lot to ask—”

  “You are not the boss of me! Get that through your noggin.”

  “No, you don’t need any boss—”

  “What she does need is a father,” John intoned, smiling her way.

  “This is a very sad day, John,” Alec muttered.

  “Yes, you dropping the ball here when I need you most.”

  Tia inhaled as the men began to stalk round one another. “What is the matter with you two? I am capable of saving the day. I’ll fetch the cuff link and this whole arson matter will be settled to Trey’s satisfaction.”

  “Yeah, with your wings and sight, you’re the perfect partner in crime on this caper.”

  “That’s just cruel, Alec. What’s happened to you? Has Chief Mitchell offered you a bonus for d
ragooning Trey?”

  “Likely a promotion,” John suggested mournfully.

  “Don’t be such a little fool!” Alec boomed.

  Tia gasped. “You’re the fool, Alec. Mean and thoughtless.”

  “You’ve probably got a point,” he relented. “I’ve been blinded far too long by the lush Winter reality. I may not deserve you, but John deserves you even less. Don’t start down my slippery path, give him his way.”

  “You seem out of your mind,” John lamented.

  Alec’s retort lodged in his throat as a corner of the room lit up in eerie green. As Blot took shape in leprechaun regalia, Alec’s distrust promptly resurfaced.

  “Tia, m’dear, I heard your cries. Are you all right?”

  “How could you hear her cries?” Alec demanded.

  “I have kept a wavelength open out of deep concern,” Blot replied, tugging at his green velvet jacket.

  Tia seized the opportunity to outline the circumstance and seek his opinion.

  Blot beamed gently. “It seems you’re on the brink of a bright new start in life. Go for it.”

  “Hang on, Lucky Charms,” Alec cut in. “Suddenly you approve of Tia’s involvement with humans?”

  Blot sniffed. “A wise creature knows when he’s licked.”

  “Thing is, I sniffed something off about you that first day in the park.”

  “But you don’t know what,” Tia taunted. “Blot has been nothing but a wonderful protector of my mother and me.” Bowing her head, Tia began the transmutation to faery.

  Soon all would be lost—the arson evidence, Tia’s chance to detour John. Unless Alec could think of something. Then, recalling the stubborn tick in his brain about the leprechaun, it came to him. “I’ve got it, Tia! Blot and John only pretended to be strangers in the park. They already knew each other. Must have, because in the end, Blot addressed John as Trey.”

  “Everyone knows his nickname,” Blot sniffed. “I merely took the liberty.”

  “That is reasonable, Alec.”

  “It’s not reasonable that John allowed it. He should’ve been pissed as hell.”

  John smiled. “I’m softening in my old age. Now, Tia, if you will.”

  “What if they’re lying, Tia? You gotta wonder why.”

  “I don’t know what to wonder anymore!”

  “Believe in us,” Alec pleaded. “Trust me when I tell you the clip and the cuff link cast huge doubt on John’s innocence.”