Flirting Under a Full Moon - By Ashlyn Chase Page 0,92
just said, “Get in the elevator. Press the button for the top floor, and good luck.”
“Aren’t you coming with me?”
Adolf worried his lip. “I don’t think so.”
“Are they expecting me?”
Without answering, the kid let go of the door and rushed off.
“What the…”
Nick’s stomach suddenly felt as if he’d swallowed a flock of hummingbirds. He straightened his back, lifted his chin, and said, “I can do this.”
At that moment, the elevator door opened. Shit. Are they listening?
He concluded they probably were and moved slowly toward the elevator. The doors remained open, as if waiting for him.
Everything will be all right. This is for Katie and Brandee. Mother Nature will see that as altruistic, right?
Stepping into the elevator, he continued his mental pep talk. Before he could push the button, however, the doors slammed shut and he took off like a rocket.
“Holy…”
When the rapid ascent stopped, his feet felt like they’d left the floor for a second. The doors whooshed open, and he paused a moment to take in the scene before he stepped out.
The glass dome overhead, the white-robed gentlemen strolling and talking to each other, plus the forest in the far-off area indicated he’d found what he was looking for.
It’s go time.
He stepped off the elevator prepared to ask one of the gods where Gaia might be when the woman herself came out of her forest and strode over to him.
“Nick Wolfensen, brave soul. What on earth would bring you here again?”
“Gaia, I need your help in two different matters.”
“Two?” She shouted so loudly that some of the gods stopped talking and stared at them.
“The first is something you’ll want to know about right away.”
“Don’t presume to tell me what I want. Just state your business quickly so I can spit you back out onto the sidewalk as soon as possible.”
Like gum. His mouth went dry, but he had to press on.
“Gaia, there’s a dragon on Long Island who is in police custody at the moment, but they won’t be able to hold him forever. He’s dangerous. I discovered his plan when I was protecting a fire mage here in Boston. He hired some thugs to kidnap her so he could use her for her ability.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Lovely.”
That’s all she has to say? One sarcastic word?
“I’m well aware of this dragon. He set the Chicago fire. That’s when I took his power to breathe fire away. Now you’re telling me he hasn’t learned his lesson and wants to burn down Boston too?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She raised one eyebrow.
“I mean, Goddess. He must have wanted revenge on you, and he was ready to use an innocent to do it. The girl hadn’t even come into her power yet. She was just about to when he nabbed her.”
“I see.” She began to pace.
Nick wondered if she “saw” at all. Did she have to rely on mortals to be her eyes and ears on the street? Were her powers that limited? And if Mother Nature was his target, how did the dragon know she was based in Boston?
“Did he know the Council hangs out here?”
Her lips thinned. “Yes. I had him brought here for his punishment. I should have sent him back where he came from, but I was busy and angry, so I just spit him out on State Street and let him find his own way home.”
“I thought you could just poof anybody anywhere. You did it with me.”
She threw her hands in the air. “I have to be everywhere at once. Taking care of this, stopping that. Why can’t people just fuckin’ behave themselves?”
She halted and slumped over as if discouraged. When she straightened, she took a deep breath. “Wolfensen, I’m glad you came to me with this. I don’t know what your other question is, and I don’t care. This takes priority over, well, everything. I just let a dam break for this, so in case you were wondering, no, I can’t do it all. But I can and will deal with what’s-his-name.”
“Martin Irwin.”
“Yes. I had forgotten. Well, Martin’s ass is grass. I’ll be back momentarily.”
She disappeared into thin air. Nick didn’t quite know what to do. Should he wait for her? Or should he just leave and forget the other matter?
One of the gods strolled over to him. It was the same one Mother Nature had called “Apollo” before.
“You did well, Nicholas. What was the other question you had for Gaia?”
“I’m glad you asked. I’m not sure if I should discuss it with her or