“He’s actually the one who let me in.” He stood, and I saw the white visitor badge on his jacket. “Strangely enough, I’ve seen activity on Nick’s keycard for the office lately, and it’s not me.”
Interesting. I didn’t realize he had access to those records. Though I was learning to never really doubt what access my uncle did or did not have. I went to go sit on my side of the desk. “What are you doing here then, all official-like?” Official typically meant that he needed a paper trail of his visit.
“I wanted to take my niece to birthday coffee. At a shop which you won’t get shot at.” He smirked. “Or are you still mad at me?”
I studied him for a moment. “I don’t remember why I attacked you. Also, you’ll have to come back around lunchtime. I just got here, and O’Donald isn’t going to just let me leave.”
“He left to help Liz on a case. I heard him take the call and watched him leave the building.”
I had almost forgotten that Liz had a case. “Okay, let’s go then.” I turned back around to head out of my office. I was trying to remember why I had attacked Oliver. I obviously hadn’t been in my right mind, or I would have just shot him.
“Don’t think too hard on it, Abigail. Whatever was in your system was making you see things that weren’t real.”
We walked out of the office and down the hall together. I realized that he remained quiet about the situation until we were in the stairwell. “Thrills is a dangerous drug. That’s why Levi wanted it off his streets. It killed one of his donors when it first appeared.”
“I could see how that could kill someone. I feel like a truck ran over me. I’m not sure what I felt when I was on it. There was the sensation that I was like floating all over, but some of the things I saw…” I shook my head.
Oliver nodded. “Some strong coffee will help that.”
“More strong coffee.” I laughed as we walked out of the stairwell. We walked past the reception desk and out the door.
He led me to his car, and we both got in. After he started the engine, we just sat there for a moment. “Happy Birthday, niece.”
I glanced at him. “You’re a couple days early on that.”
“I know, but after last night, I realized that I might not get the chance to tell you happy birthday. Your life becomes more and more dangerous, and I’m worried that you’ll die before I have a chance to tell you anything.”
I looked at the parking lot, watching PIB agents wander into the building a couple at a time. “I’m not going to just up and die on you. You sound like you’re planning on disappearing again.”
“I might have to for a bit. There’s a client who wants my help overseas. I haven’t told Levi about the job yet, but you’ve replaced me as his magical backup, so there is no reason for me not to take the job.” He put the car in reverse and backed out.
I let that thought sit with me for a moment. “Are you worried about me dying while you’re gone, or you dying?”
He laughed. “I’m more worried about you and the dangers that Levi has brought onto you. The job should only take me a couple months.”
It was strange that he was telling me this. Typically he just popped in and out of my life as he pleased. “I’ll be okay. My elemental abilities are under control, my magic is stable, and I’m already over the Thrills adventure. O’Donald has me on desk duty. There’s not much trouble I can get into.”
He didn’t respond as he drove to the coffee shop. We pulled up and silently walked into the shop. I glanced around, trying to make sure there was nothing strange around me.
We ordered coffee and went to sit at a table in the corner. “When will you leave?”
Oliver looked at me over his mug. “A week or so after the fancy party that the vampire council is throwing for you. Depends on how fast I can make the arrangements.”
I had almost forgotten about that. “Levi wants you there for extra security?”
“Yes. Besides, it’ll be a lot of fun to be at my niece’s party.”
I rolled my eyes. “I haven’t had an actual birthday party since I was four.”
Oliver nodded. “And even that one didn’t go as expected.”
I looked at him. “I don’t remember it.”
“Levi showed up afterward, and it upset your mother.”
I hesitated for a moment. “Oliver, did you know about the Cult coming after my mother?”
He stopped halfway to lifting his coffee to his lips and then put the mug down. “I had an idea that they were coming. I didn’t know when. I went to your house the night of the murder and tried to convince Lizzy to run away with you. Leave Tobias behind. He was the name that was on all the research they did together. I once believed the Cult killed her because she was in the way. But everything I’ve uncovered since, and what you’ve uncovered, has led me to other conclusions.”
“When I was drugged, I saw things in the house. Things I shouldn’t have been seeing. You and my mom in the kitchen. My mom sat with me on the couch and told me to sleep. Shadows moving around.”
“Your mother is always with you. Your subconscious was pulling bits of information together.” Oliver picked his coffee cup back up. “The drug let your subconscious take over.”
I wrinkled my nose. “I hope that never happens again. Because that was terrifying.”
My phone dinged, and I looked at it to see
