Page 4 of Enchanted Hero (The Secret Enchanters #1)

S he was extraordinary.

Alexander betrayed no emotion as the woman on the screen dashed through the dreary world, escaping into the safety of darkness.

Drenched and shaken, but uninjured and whole, she pressed forward into the night.

He fought every instinct to go to her, to bring her back where she belonged.

He could not afford to show weakness, not to the people he led.

“You’re letting her leave?” Carter Perry, friend, police detective and head of security, frowned at the screen. Disapproval flashed, likely at the danger the woman courted when she ventured into the storm. Alexander opened and closed his fists, fighting the urge to take control. Soon…

“Yes.” He’d considered retrieving her, throwing her over his shoulder like a warrior from the past. Yet she would not appreciate the gesture, and while he could push it, it was best if people didn’t notice her presence now.

Especially since he didn’t know exactly what people had noticed.

“I don’t want the guests realizing she was part of this.

The weather has calmed and will be safe for driving.

Tell the security team to ensure she makes it home. ”

He looked again at the screen, to the petite but brave woman. Even soaking wet, she was beautiful. “I still have to retrieve the relic and make certain she doesn’t have more. Despite her assertions, our dealings are just getting started.”

“What is she thinking?”

“I don’t know.”

Shock, and then suspicion, flashed. “You always know.”

“Not always.” Technically true, yet barely so. Reading thoughts was as natural as reading books, rich with words and pictures. With Everleigh, there was only an absence, a complete dearth of information. It was decidedly disconcerting.

Carter stared at him for a moment, yet didn’t press further. “Do you think the guests saw anything unusual?”

“It was all unusual.” Yet whether it was the type of unusual people would gush over for a few minutes or something that would invite further scrutiny was yet to be seen. He hadn’t a choice. If he hadn’t stepped in…

Uncharacteristic fear pierced his stomach, sharp as a dagger’s edge. Why did this woman command such strong emotions, especially when a threat loomed over his people like never before? If people saw the truth, it risked everything.

Exposure.

The screen now showed a lawn flooded with people. Carter stepped back. “Hopefully, Ms. Lacey didn’t notice anything but the tornado. The other guests weren’t close enough to see you.”

Alexander’s phone buzzed. He looked down, swore. “Perhaps we underestimated the situation.” He turned the phone to Carter.

The cop grimaced. The video represented their greatest nightmare, ninety seconds that showed what Alexander spent a lifetime hiding. Even his power might not be enough to stop the catastrophic consequences. “I’d better address them.”

They remained silent as they strode through the hallway, past tight-lipped guards with severe frowns and stiffened strides, before entering the main ballroom.

Despite the crowds outside, it was still filled to its gilded edges.

People noticed him, but they bestowed far less attention than normal as they clutched their phones, marveling at the tiny screens.

“Did you see that?”

“I can’t believe it.”

“Who was she?”

“Who was he ?”

“Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention? First, I want to make sure everyone is all right.”

The crowd turned to him, stilled into silence by his booming voice. The scrutiny was intense and unnerving, melting into a chorus of murmurs and agreements, conveying that no one was injured. A glimmer of light in the dark night.

A powerful senator stepped forward. “There was someone outside during the tornado, but she didn’t return.”

“I saw her from the window,” Alexander acknowledged. “The lady is unharmed.”

“Do you know who she is?” A senior editor from the New York Times, one of the few media outlets he allowed to cover his events, raised his cell phone, no doubt already recording. “We could only tell it was a woman from her dress.”

“I’m not sure,” Alexander fibbed, relaxing slightly. While her exclusion from the official guest list would help hide her identity, it was possible someone would recognize her. “It was too dark to distinguish her features.”

“What about the man?”

Alexander froze. Fought to remain calm. “What man?”

“The man in the tornado.” A tall, willowy influencer with purple hair and matching fingernails clutched her phone. “I shot video through the window. A man was controlling the tornado.”

As a thousand eyes widened, Alexander stood to his full height. “A man controlling a tornado? I’m sorry, Dara, but that’s almost as believable as your last video – the one with the dancing crocodiles.” He softened the words with a light grin, and she smiled, yet not all in the crowd laughed.

The senator’s face remained stoic. “I don’t believe in dancing crocodiles, but I also saw a man in the tornado. And unbelievably enough, he appeared to be controlling it, until they both disappeared.”

Dara tapped her phone. “I’ve already uploaded the video to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. There are over fifty-thousand hits, and most agree it’s not natural.”

Not good. Yet there was no time for rebuttal as loud shouting shook the room, amidst the arrival of a legion.

Police workers, medical personnel and more flooded the area, and behind them a gaggle of reporters, their cameras raised high, microphones poised beneath rapidly-moving lips.

Security personnel stopped the last group from entering, but they had a good view through the open door.

Yet even they weren’t as threatening as the large man in the dark suit, leading an army of similarly suited men and women.

Really. Not. Good.

The man stopped in the center the crowd. “I’m special agent Dax Andrews, and I have questions for everyone. Unless you require medical assistance, remain where you are until you are cleared by our agents.”

Not in his domain. Alexander strode forward. “I’m Alexander Stone. What agency do you work for?”

“We know who you are, Mr. Stone,” the man responded curtly.

“I work for the Federal Department of National Security, but I’m on special assignment with the Scientific Institute of Research and Investigation.

This is their representative, Dr. Edmund Garrison.

” He pointed to a thin man with wavy blond hair, crisp clothing and intelligent green eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses.

Alexander stiffened. Why was a scientist in his home? “Now that the danger has passed, my guests would like to continue their evening.”

“And they will, as soon as we get their statements.” The agent gave him a speculative look. “I’d like a longer conversation with you, though.”

Not going to happen. “I have nothing to share. I was dealing with business in my private quarters at the time of the incident. I only just returned.”

“That’s interesting,” Agent Andrews removed a tablet from his jacket pocket. “Was anyone with you?”

“My head of security.” Alexander gestured to Carter, who scowled.

The agent barely noticed. “Do you know the man in the tornado?”

“A man in a tornado?” Alexander let out a low chuckle. “Don’t tell me you believe that nonsense. Did you catch last week’s viral sensation – the dancing crocodiles?”

“This is different.” Dr. Garrison peered closer. “There are hundreds of witnesses.”

“Hundreds of witnesses looking through a torrential rainstorm.” Alexander straightened his sleeves. “Not exactly a crystal-clear picture. Clearly, it was an illusion.”

“A lot of people – and the video – disagree with you.” Agent Andrews typed furiously on the tablet, before turning it toward Alexander.

It displayed a still shot of the video playing on cell phones around the room, and likely the world.

Alexander barely managed to retain his stoic expression at Everleigh’s grainy image.

“What about the woman? Do you deny her existence as well?”

Protective instincts flared to life. “Of course not. The woman was unharmed. She left after the storm.”

“We would like to talk to her.”

So would he. “There were over two thousand people here today, many of whom were guests of guests. I could not possibly keep track of every person.”

“But you are meticulous with security.” The agent’s gaze was unwavering. “Don’t you record everyone who enters?”

“I do,” Alexander acknowledged. “But that still wouldn’t tell you which of the thousands of guests, or hundreds of employees, it could be.

” He kept his face impassive, even as the researcher’s eyes narrowed, as the agent regarded him with blatant disbelief.

Lying was a necessary art of his people, and it usually worked well. Yet now…

“We’d like the security video.”

“Unfortunately, the tornado damaged the cameras.” He lifted his shoulder. “I’ve already checked, and there’s nothing to see.”

Thin lips pursed a grimace. “You’ll furnish me with a guest list?”

“Of course.” On which Everleigh would be absent.

“Do you have any theories about what happened?” Dr. Garrison now stepped forward, studying him with unsettling regard. This man may be more dangerous than the agent. “Any suspicions?”

Alexander shook his head. “You’re the scientist, Dr. Garrison. I’m sure you realize how ridiculous this sounds.”

Neither the agent nor the scientist appeared intimidated. “I’m surprised at how easily you’re dismissing this, Mr. Stone. Don’t you want to know what happened? Unless…” The researcher inclined his head. “Do you know something about what happened?”

This conversation was over. “As I said earlier, I don’t believe there was a man. Now if you’re finishe–”

“Agent Andrews, Dr. Garrison,” one of the police officers interrupted from across the room. “You need to see this.”