Page 32 of Undead & Unfed

“What the hells this?” Willa asked. Selena and Lottie shrugged in unison.

“Hela!” Merlin greeted Lottie's mother, waving over a waiting bellhop to haul her several large suitcases and bags. Jianna kissed both Sein and Atlas on their cheeks as the group made small talk. All of a sudden, Wilder walked through the front door, eyes locked on Alex as she rushed into his arms.

Lottie, Selena, and Willa all stood with raised eyebrows and dropped jaws. “What the hell?” Mae asked as she walked up to the group. After finally pulling his mouth from her friends, Wilder looked over at his niece, motioning her forward. Lottie smiled, moving in for a hug.

“Niece, it’s good to see your face. You haven’t changed a bit.” The chuckled in unison at the joke.

“Uncle Wild, always good to see you. There’s much we should discuss before you get to the reason for your visit.”

Wilder nodded, knowingly.

“Baby girl!” Hela shrieked across the lobby, bouncing over in her fuchsia Manolo Blahnik’s. Lottie couldn’t help but smile. She and her mother were, more often than not, assumed to be sisters. Hela was beautiful with perfectly straight long black hair. She and Lottie shared the same bright green eyes. The biggest difference between the two was their height, Hela was only 5’4 and always wearing heels while Lottie was almost 6’0 and wouldn’t be caught in pair of heels for anything in the world.

“Hi Mom. I’m glad you’re here.” Lottie hugged her mother tightly.

“You must come and stay with me while I’m in town. Surely you can take some time off from that school. What is this, your fifth time?”

“I, um, I actually do have some time off. I’d be happy to stay with you.”

“Empress Liselotte, my darling” Atlas kissed Lottie’s hand as she shushed him. “No one, and I do mean, no one, calls me that.”

“My apologies, dearest.” Atlas grinned at her, knowing damn well she never used her full name or title.

Sein pushed his way between his brother and sister. “Sweetheart,” he nodded, hugging her. “Has Eve been around today?” he asked quietly.

Lottie smiled, nodding. “She’ll be here shortly.”

“Family, friends,” Wilder called out. “Please join us for breakfast. I understand Skipper’s has been opened early for this occasion.”

Wilder slipped his arm around Lottie’s shoulders. “We do indeed need to have a discussion before I meet with Mr. Bryant. Am I correct in assuming you know what’s transpired to summon us here.”

She nodded but stayed quiet.

“Am I also correct in assuming this has to do with your love-life.”

“Technically, but I’d like to explain.”

“Oh, you shall. Let us enjoy breakfast and then you can plead your case.”

“Plead my case, Uncle Wild? Can you elaborate?”

“The Jovial will vote, dearest. We’re here to wipe out the entire Bryant family including that boy that follows them around.”

Chapter Eleven

Nova sat on the balcony of her room staring out over the magical land before her. She played back the last few weeks in her head. Everything had happened so quickly and so fiercely. She knew, without a doubt in her entire being, that Lottie istheperson. Her person. She thought a lot of Cain, he was a good guy, but he followed her father too closely for her liking. She knew now that she couldn’t follow in her parents’ footsteps. She didn’t want to run the retreat or run for office. She wasn’t comfortable being in the spotlight.

Watching the sun rise through the trees, Nova wondered how to navigate the next weeks. She knew she needed to finish this retreat then, after talking to Cain, she would sit her parents down and explain that she was ready to venture off on her own for a while. Hopefully, off on herownwould mean spending more time with Lottie.If that’s what Lottie wanted too.She didn’t want to stay in this suite with Cain anymore. She was sure she could get her a room to herself. Maybe she would need to have these talks sooner rather than later.

“Nova!” Cain came crashing through the suite’s door, yelling her name loudly. “We have to get ready now.”

She rose from her chair, eyebrows raised. “What is going on? Stop yelling.”

Cain walked directly towards her, stopping only when they were toe to toe. “Yourgirlfriend,” he spat. “Called her uncles here.”

Nova jerked back as if she’d been slapped. “What?” was all she managed to say. Nothing was making sense in her mind.

Cain grabbed her shoulders. It didn’t necessarily hurt but Nova could feel the aggression radiating through him. “Lottie called the Jovial. McNamara is here.”

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