Dark Queen’s Quest Read online

  “When do we leave?” Yamanu asked.

  Kian looked at Amanda. “Will one week be enough for the new wardrobe and everything else you are planning for Alena?”

  She huffed. “I can do all that in two days. But Alena needs to learn Slovene, Roni has to create her fake past, and someone needs to go to Alaska and get Ovidu over here or directly to New York.”

  7

  Mey

  “We are good.” Derek flipped through the photos he’d taken that morning. “The dragon lady will approve.”

  Mey let out a relieved breath. “I’m glad it’s a wrap. I could use a break.”

  He lifted his eyes from the camera. “Aren’t we supposed to start shooting for a new campaign tomorrow?”

  Wiping the lipstick off with a napkin, Mey shook her head. “It’s a small one-day job, and I’m going to ask Dalia to give the assignment to someone else. I need a couple of days to find out what’s going on with my sister.”

  Julie folded her chair. “Didn’t you say that she texted you last night?”

  “She did. But I’m still uneasy.”

  “Well, good luck with your sister and with Dalia.” Julie slung the chair’s strap over her shoulder and lifted her makeup bag.

  “Thanks. Depending on the boss’s mood when I talk to her, I’ll see you guys either tomorrow or a couple of days after.”

  “Do you want a ride home?” Derek asked.

  “No, thank you. I’m going to Jin’s old place to collect a box she’s left for me.”

  “I can take you there.”

  She patted his arm. “It’s okay, Derek. Take Julie home. I want to stay here a couple of minutes.”

  “Okay. Just be careful.”

  She rolled her eyes. “It’s the middle of the day. I’ll be fine.”

  As Derek and Julie walked away, Mey sat on the bench and pulled out her phone to read the text message again.

  Sorry I couldn't get in touch before. We have no reception here, and I’ve been incredibly busy the entire week. There is just one spot with a barely-there connection, and I’m sending the text from there. Don’t worry about me, I’m doing great. Please call Mom and Dad and tell them that I’m okay, and that I can’t call them from here. I’ll try to send you another message next week. I love you, keep doing what you’re doing. Modeling is the best job.

  Mey must have read it a hundred times, trying to find a clue between the words to what was going on with her sister.

  After the first message that Jin had sent upon arrival, this was the only other communication Mey had gotten from her, and it felt off. Mey knew her sister better than anyone else on the planet, and that didn’t sound like Jin.

  Well, it did and it didn’t.

  Jin didn’t like using shortcuts and emojis. She always wrote in full sentences, which was rare for someone her age. So that part fit. And yet, something wasn’t right.

  What kind of business operated in a place without cellular reception? And what about landlines? The internet? Email?

  Mey should have suspected something when Jin couldn’t tell her any details about the company that had hired her. Her sister had signed a nondisclosure agreement and couldn’t even give her the company’s location.

  There were only two things that she’d been allowed to share with her family. One was that a furnished apartment was part of her compensation package, and she didn’t have to bring anything with her other than clothing. And the other one was the impressive salary and the huge bonus that awaited her at the end of the five-year contract she’d signed. Except, the bonus was contingent on exemplary performance, and that was open to interpretation.

  Mey suspected that it was just bait, and that Jin was never going to get it no matter how hard she worked.

  In fact, Mey had been uneasy about the entire thing. But Jin had been excited about getting hired right after graduation and the excellent salary and benefits she’d been offered. Naturally, she’d refused to listen to her older sister’s misgivings about an offer that was too good to be true.

  And that wasn’t all that Mey found odd.

  Other than the money and the secrecy, she wondered where Jin fit into all of that. Her sister had graduated NYU with a degree in business management, not foreign affairs, not computer engineering, not rocket science, or anything else that qualified her for super confidential work in a place that was shrouded in mystery.

  Perhaps Jin was working in Area 51?

  Mey chuckled. Unless the government was entering business negotiations with aliens, they had no need for Jin. And even if they were, they would have hired someone with experience and not a fresh college graduate.

  She read the message again, pausing at the last sentence. Jin had never thought that modeling was a great job. In fact, she’d preferred working as a part-time bartender to posing in front of a camera. When Mey had offered to hook her up with the agency, her sister had laughed at the idea, saying that it was a mind-numbingly boring job.

  On more than one occasion, Jin had said that she couldn’t understand how an intelligent woman like Mey could be doing it for so many years, and that she should quit modeling and go to fashion design school.

  That would have brought them one step closer toward their dream of one day creating their own fashion line, with Mey in charge of the creative side and Jin of the business.

  Was the remark about modeling a clue? Or was that Jin’s way of apologizing for hurting Mey’s feelings?

  Perhaps Mitch would know something.

  For no particular reason, Mey didn’t like Jin’s boyfriend, and normally she wouldn’t have called him, but perhaps Jin had sent him a message with another clue.

  Pulling out her phone, she called him, but the call went straight to voicemail.

  “This is Mitch. Leave me a message.”

  “Hi, Mitch. It’s Mey. Call me when you can.”

  Perhaps he was at work?

  The coffee shop where he worked was only a ten-minute brisk walk away.

  Slinging her satchel’s strap across her body, Mey started in that direction. If he wasn’t there, she would just get a cup of coffee and continue to the dorms.

  Mitch and Jin had only been dating for a month or so, and the relationship was not likely to survive the long distance. Especially since communication was so limited.

  That was the one good thing about that freaking job. No more Mitch.

  She was aware that her dislike for him might have nothing to do with the guy himself but with her general disappointment with men. After all, Jin had started dating Mitch the same week Mey had ended her year-long relationship with Oliver, and it hadn’t been an amicable breakup.

  She still fumed whenever she thought about it.

  When she’d moved out of the studio she’d shared with Oliver, Mey had rented a four-bedroom apartment with two other models. She’d invited Jin to join as the fourth and even offered to pay for her room, but her sister had refused.

  The dorms were cheaper and the social life was better.

  At the coffee shop, Mey found Mitch working the register.

  “Hey, Mitch, do you have a minute?”

  “What would you like to order, Mey?” His eyes never reached her face, stopping at her cleavage.

  Or rather lack thereof. Since there was nothing to stare at, she had a feeling he was just doing it to annoy her.

  Jerk.

  “A tall coffee.” She pulled out a five-dollar bill and handed it to him. “Now can we talk?”

  He poured her a cup and then turned to the other guy behind the counter. “I’m taking a five-minute break.”

  The guy waved him off. “I got it.”

  “Let’s go outside.”

  The coffee shop was tiny, with only two tables, which were both taken. Talking on the sidewalk was the only option.

  “Did Jin call or text you since she left for her new job?”

  He pulled out a cigarette and lit it. “Nope. She broke things off with me before leaving. She said that long-
distance relationships never work.” He cast Mey a lascivious once-over. “Is that why you’re here? To check if I’m still single? Because I am, but not for long.”

  What had Jin seen in that guy?

  “No, that’s not why I’m here. I’m worried about her. She doesn't answer my calls, and she’s only sent me two text messages since she started her new job. She says there is no reception there, but I don’t buy it.”

  “Why?”

  The slight edge in his tone gave Mey a pause, and she decided against sharing with him what she suspected was a clue in Jin’s message.

  “Because even if that’s true, and they have a lousy cellular reception, they must have other forms of communication. She could have called me using a landline or sent me an email. I’m sure she is working on a desktop, not an abacus.”

  He took another puff on his cigarette. “Some employers are very strict about employees using company time and equipment for their private business. Maybe since Jin is new, she has to follow the rules.”

  “Yeah, I guess you are right. I’m just used to talking with her every day, and this communication silence makes me uneasy.”

  Mitch stubbed out his cigarette and flicked the butt into the gutter. “Your baby sister is all grown up. Get used to it.” He pulled the coffee shop’s door open. “If you do change your mind about hooking up with me, you have my number. And if you don’t, feel free to pass it along to your model friends.”

  “Goodbye, Mitch.”

  He nodded. “See you around.”

  As the door closed behind him, Mey let out a breath. Mitch was a dead end. The good news was that Jin had broken up with him. The bad news was that Mey had only one avenue of investigation left, maybe two.

  Gabi, Jin’s old roommate, might know something. Her sister had left a few things behind that she wanted Mey to pick up, so it was a good excuse for a visit and potentially some snooping around.

  Mey pulled out her phone and sent Gabi a message. I want to stop by and pick up the box that Jin left for me. When is a good time?

  The return message came a few moments later. I’m in class. Back in an hour. Don’t be late. I need to leave for another class.

  Perfect. I’ll see you there.

  8

  Yamanu

  Yamanu crossed his arms over his chest and put his feet up on the opposite seat. The limousine that Ragnar had sent for them was big enough for ten people, but only Alena, her butler, and he were sharing it to the hotel. The others were arriving by taxis, so it wouldn’t be obvious that they were all together.

  Kian had insisted on that precaution, but Yamanu saw no reason for it. They could all be part of the entourage following Arielle the famous model around. Nevertheless, Eva and her family had taken one cab, and Uisdean and Ewan another.

  With a yawn, Yamanu closed his eyes.

  For some reason, he’d been unable to get any shuteye during the flight. Low level excitement had been churning in his gut and keeping him awake, and he was trying to figure out what was causing it.

  The mission was more like a vacation, so it wasn’t about that, and he’d been to New York many times before, so it wasn’t about experiencing a new place either.

  It was like a premonition of good things to come.

  Perhaps he was looking forward to spending time with Alena and getting to know her better. She was his favorite out of Annani’s four children, mostly because she wasn’t as intense as her siblings, and he enjoyed her gentle nature and soft femininity.

  Being around Alena wasn’t taxing, it was relaxing, and that was a rare quality.

  He was also expecting to have fun with Arwel, Uisdean, and Ewan. The four of them could commandeer the executive lounge, not for strategic planning, but to have drinks and play cards.

  There wasn’t much for them to do, and since it was a fun kind of mission, he’d chosen Guardians who he’d known were easygoing and would get along with everyone.

  Next to him, Alena muttered something in Slovene.

  He opened his eyes. “How is it going? Getting any better?”

  Alena removed her earphones and put them in her lap. “I can speak it but not well enough to pass for a native.”

  “Can you fake the accent?”

  She flipped back her newly styled hair and looked down her nose at him. “Of course, darling. Don’t let Ari’s fabulous looks fool you. She is a very smart lady.”

  Yamanu laughed. “I see that you decided to channel Amanda. Good choice. And the accent sounded authentic. You can refuse to answer questions in Slovene, claiming that you are working on improving your English. As long as you can understand what’s being said, that’s good enough.”

  “What if someone insists?”

  “You are a diva. You do what you please. That’s the attitude you need to assume.”

  “Then I should channel my mother.” She waved a hand. “I’ll mesh Amanda and Annani’s style together. But you know what?” She leaned toward him.

  “What?”

  “Areana is not like that. She is demure and sweet and accommodating. You can see it on her face. The haughty attitude doesn't match her.”

  He wrapped his arm around Alena’s shoulders. “Don’t overcomplicate it. All you need to do is look like her, and when you smile for the camera, try to look sweet and compassionate. The posters and magazine ads will only show what you want them to see. The moment the shoot is over, you can go back to being a diva. The bitchiest actresses manage to look adorable on the big screen.”

  “I’m not an actress, but I’ll do my best.”

  As the limo stopped in front of the hotel, a uniformed doorman opened the way for Alena. “Welcome to the Regent Hotel, madam.”

  “Thank you.”

  Ragnar was waiting for them in the lobby, contributing to the impression that Alena was a celebrity.

  “The beautiful Arielle.” He took both of Alena’s hands and then kissed both of her cheeks, or rather the air next to them.

  She had layers of makeup on, courtesy of Eva’s masterful work.

  “Let me escort you and your entourage to your suite.” Ragnar took her arm.

  “Thank you, darling.” Alena flashed the hotel manager the supermodel smile she’d been practicing on the plane.

  “Let’s go,” she whispered in his ear. “I can’t wait to take this gunk off.”

  Poor Alena. She hated makeup.

  Yamanu nudged Arwel. “You are supposed to be the over-protective boyfriend. Walk over to them and growl at Ragnar.”

  “There are no photographers here.”

  “A guest might snatch a picture and sell it to the tabloids. Besides, you need to start practicing.”

  “Right.”

  As Arwel caught up to Alena and Ragnar next to the elevators, he tapped the guy’s shoulder. “Excuse me.”

  “Of course.” Ragnar let go.

  Alena smiled sheepishly. “Oh, baby. I’m so sorry for leaving you behind. Did you get jealous?”

  Not bad. Alena had done it just right.

  Arwel said, “Yes.” And that was it. End of performance.

  Yamanu shook his head. Perhaps he should switch places with Arwel who, apparently, sucked at acting. It was easier to play the business manager than the boyfriend.

  Except, it was up to Yamanu to get Arielle the model a contract that would put her face on buses, so he had to be the manager. Arwel could probably thrall the modeling agency’s owner just as well, but Kian wanted his best guy on the job.

  As the elevator arrived, saving the day, Yamanu followed the three inside and waited for the doors to close. “That was the most pitiful performance I’ve ever seen. You need to do better than that, my friend.”

  Arwel cocked a brow. “Do you want to be the boyfriend?”

  “Maybe I should.”

  “Nah, ah.” Alena shook her head. “You’re too good looking. You’d steal the spotlight from me.”

  Ragnar lifted a finger. “Perhaps I can be the boyfriend.”

&
nbsp; “Are you an empath?” Arwel asked.

  The elevator reached the top floor, and Ragnar held the door open. “Regrettably, I haven’t been blessed with any special gifts.”

  “Be thankful. My so-called gift is more of a curse.” Arwel followed them down the hallway. “By the way, is Melanie still in your accounting department?”

  Ragnar opened the door to the hotel’s presidential suite. “Yes, she is.”

  “Who is Melanie?” Alena asked.

  “Someone that Arwel met the last time we stayed here,” Yamanu explained. “He snuck out to see her whenever he could. Apparently, accountants have quiet minds.”

  “Do they?” Alena glanced at Arwel.

  “There are exceptions, of course, but compared to other humans, theirs are definitely the quietest.”

  Ragnar cleared his throat. “What do you think about our presidential suite, Alena?”

  “It’s very nice.”

  Ragnar looked disappointed. But what had he expected?

  The Regent Hotel was fancy, but Alena lived in Annani’s sanctuary, a tropical paradise created under a dome of ice, and when she traveled with the Clan Mother, they stayed in the most luxurious hotels.

  “Let me show you your room.” Ragnar opened the double doors to the master bedroom. “The two others are down that hallway.” He pointed.

  “Yamanu and I could have shared one bedroom,” Arwel said.

  “Speak for yourself.” Yamanu clapped him on the back. “I need my quiet space for meditating.”

  After checking out the bedrooms, the four of them met back in the suite’s living room.

  Alena sat down on the couch. “Did Eva and Bhathian arrive yet?”

  “Not yet,” Ragnar said. “But maybe they are down in the lobby. They will be staying in the suite to your left, while Uisdean and Ewan will be in the one to your right.”

  “Are there any other guests staying on this floor?” Arwel asked.

  Ragnar shook his head. “Per Kian’s request, the entire floor is at your disposal. But since there is just one more suite here, it’s not a big loss. And anyway, this is not a busy time of the year for us. I’m going to program the elevator so only you have access to this floor.”