Read Online Search (The Empire Chronicles #2) by Alyssa Rose Ivy - Free Book Online

is?”
    “No. Casey knows she might be a bear, but…”
    “Make sure she doesn’t tell them.” His face reddened.
    I nodded, secrecy was essential. “I will. You’ll be hearing from me.”
    “You’re letting me go?”
    “Yes. But make no mistake you’re being watched.”
    “Gotcha. I have to do what I have to do.”
    “Oh, one more thing.”
    “Yes?”
    “Nelly? We’re ready for you.”
    Nelly, dressed in a tailored suit, walked in. “Just the way we discussed?”
    “Yes. Do it.”
    I excused myself from the room. I couldn’t be seen by Rhett again.
    Nelly stood in front of him and closed her eyes. I didn’t understand the strange words she chanted, but I recognized them. She’d used it on my friends before.
    From the hallway, I heard Rhett’s voice. “Where am I? What happened?”
    You could never be too safe. Besides, someone who caved that easily was a dangerous person to work with. He’d give up everything in a pinch.
    I headed back to my apartment but texted Casey first. Keep your mom to yourself.
    Her text came back immediately. I am.
    I wanted to tell her everything else, but I couldn’t do it over the phone. Her phone was almost for sure compromised. I also had to broach the Vera conversation carefully. Beyond her getting upset with me for it, I knew she wouldn’t take it well. I hoped that Rhett was wrong. Or, if he was right and she did go willingly, that she had a good reason for it. I pocketed my phone, hoping Casey was planning to return to New York soon. If not, I was going down to New Orleans after her.

Chapter Nine
Casey
    My first day in New Orleans wasn’t particularly exciting. I spent most of it talking with Georgina and getting my measurements taken. My grandmother had introduced me to one of her seamstresses within an hour of landing. After getting everything set for my bridesmaid dress, Georgina decided it was time for me to meet the “important members of the community.” The names and faces blurred together, and I couldn’t even remember who was human and who wasn’t. Finally, when I thought I couldn’t take any more introductions or questions, Allie rescued me with an invitation to come by her house. I didn’t think it over long. I quickly excused myself from Georgina and her friends, and I waited for Allie in the lobby.
    As glad as I was to have a break from Georgina’s constant appraisal, I wasn’t sure if hanging out at Allie and Levi’s mansion sounded any better. The fact that I was about to come face to face with my half-brother was hard to swallow. Allie assured me he’d be nice, but the guy made me nervous before I knew we were related. Now it seemed even scarier to see the king. I was beginning to see a pattern with the Laurents. They were all intimidating. I couldn’t imagine how much scarier Robert was. I laughed to myself as I imagined calling him Dad. I’m sure his reaction would be priceless.
    “Are you coming?” Allie gave me a sympathetic smile as she leaned into the driver’s side of her lavender Land Rover. She’d hopped right out, probably expecting me to do the same.
    I was holding on to my seat for dear life. “Do I have to?”
    She laughed. “I promise he’s not going to bite. I think it’s better you talk to him at home first. He’s just Levi here. He kind of changes in his office. He jumps into ‘king’ mode.”
    “When you put it that way…” I knew I couldn’t put it off forever. Short of hiding out in a cave for the rest of my life, I was going to have to talk to him.
    “Come on. I promise it will be okay.”
    I breathed out a few times before forcing myself to get out of the car. I wasn’t sure why Allie was being so nice to me, but I appreciated it. If I was going to face my new Pteron identity, I couldn’t do it alone. Toby was helpful, but he wasn’t a Laurent. As little as I knew about The Society, I understood that it was controlled by the Pterons, and that the different ruling families didn’t exactly get