The Secret by Elizabeth Hunter Page A

Ava to go lean on his desk.
    Orsala said, “I’d caution you to go slowly. When you unleash that level of magic, you’re going to exhaust yourself. And each other.”
    Rhys couldn’t smother the laugh.  
    Orsala narrowed her eyes at him, unable to hide her own smile. “While I’m sure some might find it amusing,” she said, “I’d warn you to take your time. And also accept that one spell might not continue to be effective in the same way. It may be that a simple command to remember no longer works at some point. But you’ve taken the first step. You’ve started to heal each other.”  
    Orsala reached down and took Ava’s hand. “You are more open, I can feel it.” She turned to Malachi and took his. “And you’ve regained some of your past. I can see your confidence returning. Your strength. I can feel…” She closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath, holding both their hands. “Your connection is almost tangible. I think your mating will be unlike anything our world has seen.”
    “I concur,” Rhys said with a wistful smile.
    “Be cautious,” Orsala warned. “I want to work with you, Ava. Far more than we have been. Mala’s physical training can wait for now. I do not think physical combat is your gift. I want to work on your magic.”
    Ava felt Malachi nudging her knee with his own. “I know. I will.”
    “And no holding back as you have been.”
    “I already promised this guy,” Ava said, looking at her mate. “No holding back.”
    “I’ll join you,” Malachi said. “If she needs to practice spells, I’ll be happy to help.”
    Orsala said, “I’d prefer to do this in Vienna with Sari, but we’ll do what we can. When can you two go to the city?”
      Ava exchanged a look with Malachi. “I need to get some information from my father before I go anywhere.”
    “Why?”
    Malachi frowned. “To find her origins, of course.”
    Orsala looked at Rhys. “Isn’t that something you can do while she’s in Vienna?”
    Rhys said, “I think Ava’s father is the only one who knows the truth. My searches have come up with nothing.”
    “And my dad’s currently in the middle of his mid-tour binge,” Ava said. “He’s not really all that coherent most of the time. Is there such a thing as a magical truth serum?”
    “We can work on that if you think it will help,” Orsala said. “But remember, truth is relative. He might tell you something he believes to be true, but there’s no guarantee that his own perceptions are accurate, particularly if he’s damaged his mind with drugs or alcohol.”
    “I’ll take my chances. His memory has never been damaged, no matter how much he takes. Luis is right. How that man has managed to keep in perfect health is beyond me.”
    “Really?” The old woman stepped back and frowned.
    “As far as I know. The drinking and drugs seem to work for him.”
    Orsala’s eyes had lost focus. “I wonder…”
    Ava waited for her to continue, but she seemed to have lost track of her thoughts. The singer wandered over to a stack of books on the library table and began to page through them. Rhys smiled at Orsala and came to stand in her place.  
    “I’ll continue to search, but I don’t know what other avenues to check.”
    Ava had a thought. “Rhys, speaking of Luis…”
    “Luis Martin? I’ve checked him out. He’s aboveboard. No criminal record. No links to our world that I can find.”
    “How about his personal property? Investments. That kind of thing.”
    “What about them?” Rhys frowned. “He’s been a good financial manager for your father and seems very honest. There’s no evidence of embezzlement or anything of the sort.”
    “Ah, but what about his own money?” Malachi smiled. “I know what she’s thinking. We were looking for properties or payments in Jasper Reed’s financial life that might indicate something about his mother. But did we check Luis Martin? If Reed truly wanted someone hidden, would he put it in his name or