Lina knew that look. Lovesick puppy. Every man in her house wore that look at one time or another. Hell, she probably wore it a few times herself.
That wasn’t a look easily faked.
“You’re into, what, that freaky stuff?” Lina asked.
Daniel laughed. “Yeah, and having two dragon mates is totally vanilla. What we do is totally consensual. I wasn’t sure if I’d make it out alive from our first date. I only knew she was my mate and I loved her.” He looked down at her and stroked her hair. “I’d kill and die for her, believe me. Just like I’m sure your mates would for you.”
Lina’s face reddened. “Okay, I got it. Touché. Sorry.”
“No, it’s all right,” he said. “I appreciate that you feel protective of her like that. That’s the mark of a good friend.” He reached out a hand to Lina to shake with her.
Lina accepted it. “I think she’s probably going to do more to save my bacon than the other way around, but thanks.”
Daniel walked over to the sideboard to fill a plate. Callie smiled at Lina and leaned in close. In a low whisper, she said, “Besides, Sir is fucking hot in the sack.”
“I heard that,” he playfully said from the sideboard. “Wolf ears, pet.”
“Who says I didn’t mean for You to hear it, Sir?” she innocently shot back.
His amused laugh vaguely reminded Lina of a wolf’s howl.
The rest of the group, minus the attorney, made it into the dining room a few minutes later. Zack took point on the discussion after they sat down. “We figured you’d probably want to get some sleep first,” he said. “But after that, I’m guessing you want to start that search?”
Lina nodded after glancing at the housekeeper, who silently stood inside the doorway, ready to refill drinks or food. She didn’t need him to hit her over the head with a sledgehammer. They would ixnay the alktay about the ablettay while the staff was around. “Yeah. After I’ve had a nap would be good.”
Her men didn’t need to ask her if she was in the mood to fool around. They were asleep almost before their heads hit the pillows. She lay there for a moment staring at the ceiling. This felt surreal. A week ago, she was in Yellowstone. Now, she was in a house—her house—outside of Paris.
Okay, their house, because even if it was hers, she considered it theirs.
She closed her eyes. Immediately, she found herself standing along the side of a rural road. She got the distinct feeling from local trees and vegetation that she was in Florida, confirmed when she spotted the wrecked car on the other side of the road. The tag on the back was for the Sunshine State.
It looked like the accident had just happened, from the way steam still rose up from the front end. As she approached, she realized there were two occupants in the front. Both appeared dead.
The scene changed. She was still there at the wrecked car, but now there was a tow truck driver preparing to winch the demolished car onto the back of a flatbed wrecker. Three men who looked identical and distraught stood there, talking with a Florida Highway Patrol officer. The Lyall brothers…
Lina opened her eyes. She was safe in bed between Rick and Jan.
She was way too tired to think about it right then. What she wanted was sleep. Just good old dreamless, boring sleep. She closed her eyes again.
By the time Lina awoke seven hours later, she felt reasonably human again. Jan and Rick were still softly snoring on either side of her. She carefully climbed out of the bed via the end and made her way into the bathroom. There, she drew herself a hot bath and settled in for a relaxing soak. She’d already finished and dressed when Rick and Jan dragged themselves out of bed.
“I’m going down to Bertholde’s room,” she said.
“Do you want us to come with you?” Rick asked.
“No. If I’m not safe in this house, then I’m pretty much screwed. I want some alone time there.” She took her cell phone with her. Around her, the house felt quiet, no sounds of the others stirring yet. She made her way downstairs and found Bertholde’s room again.
She shut the door behind her and threw the curtains open to let light into the room. She sat on the bed and called Lacey. The Seer answered immediately.
“There you are. I was beginning to worry.”
“Sorry. I had to sleep.”
“Where are you?”
Lina looked around. “I’m in Bertholde’s room. Sitting on her bed.”
“Good. Get up and go to the back staircase.”
Lina stood and walked out into the hall. She didn’t know where the back staircase was. She assumed it was in the opposite direction of the main staircase.
“Let me find it.”
“Okay, tell me when you do.”
Lina made two more turns and found it. “I guess this is it.”
“Is it anywhere near the kitchen?”
“I don’t think so, but then again, I’m lost.”
Lacey laughed. “What’s it look like?”
“Stairs.”
“No, dear. Carpeted, banister color, that type of thing.”
“Oh. No carpet, just wood.”
“That’s it, then. The service staircase by the kitchen is carpeted. Slowly ascend the stairs. One step at a time. Do not rush.”
“Um, okay.” Lina took the stairs one at a time.
“Anything?”
“What am I looking for?” Various pictures and photographs lined the wall. Was it something hidden behind a picture?
“Listening for, Lina. Listening.”
Ten steps up, she heard it, a slight squeak. She continued on to the top of the staircase. It was the only step that squeaked. She returned to it and sat on the step below it. “I think I found it.”
“Grab the step and pull out.”
She did. With a little tugging, it gave way. Inside the riser she found a secret compartment containing an envelope sealed with Bertholde’s wax seal.
Lina lifted it out and closed the step.
“Well?” Lacey asked.
Lina’s name was written on the envelope in Bertholde’s handwriting.
“I found it,” Lina softly said. “How did you know?”
“She must have planned it. She mentioned to me at least five different times the last several times we talked about that squeaky step. Obviously, she was leaving a clue for you and for me. Good luck, dear. Call me if you need me.”
“Okay. Thanks.” Lina hung up and stared at the letter. Instead of opening it there, she found her way back to Bertholde’s room and locked herself in.
She opened the letter. In it, a very short message.
Put the animals back on their home. Carefully. And exactly.
Lina sat there, thinking. Then her eyes fell on the gap on the shelf. That has to be it. She said “on” their home.
She bolted upstairs for her room, ignoring Rick and Jan’s questions as she rummaged through her shoulder bag for the little figurines. Finding them, she ran back downstairs, nearly plowing over Zack in the process. He followed her back to Bertholde’s room and watched as she painstakingly put the little figurines back on their matching dust spots, exactly as they had been aligned.
“What’s that supposed to do?” Zack asked.
She shushed him and stood there, looking at them. They were, from left to right, the wolf, dragon, unidentified cat, and bear. Lina studied them from various angles.