Chapter 4 Talk With Arya

Elle's POV

Elle looked at the elderly man and friendly lady that had safely harbored her up until now. “I want to talk to the police first.” She called.

Arya groaned, threw her hands in the air, and walked back to the sidewalk. Elle glanced between the pitiful officers. “What are you going to do about the kidnapping?” She asked hesitantly. Why had they been so chummy with him?

They smiled the smiles they reserved for families who have lost a loved one. “Listen, miss. There truly isn’t anything we can do.”

She grabbed onto the door to keep herself from falling as she felt the ground rip open beneath her feet. There was nothing the police could do about her being taken against her will? Her chest felt like a giant python was wrapped around it, squeezing.

“Does this have to do with his position as CEO or… or money?” 

The second officer shook his head. “No. What you all are doing here isn’t exactly within the perimeter of our laws. I would suggest you talk to Arya if you have any questions.” 

He handed her a card. If there was nothing they could do, she didn’t know why he would give her a card. Guess it was just what they did.

Her wobbly legs let out from underneath her, and she leaned back against the door. “Are you alright, ma’am?” The first officer asked, looking concerned.

Elle nodded dumbly. After a few seconds of them staring at her from the other side of the screen door, she spoke weakly. 

“Send Arya in. Someone has to explain this awful mess to me before I go crazy.” The officers turned and did a hand signal to Arya. As Arya approached, Elle whispered, “Or maybe I already am.” 

Today was the craziest day that she had ever experienced and it was not over yet. She forced herself to her feet, headed to the couch. 

She needed to be seated for this conversation. In the living room, the two that lived here waited. She looked at them apologetically. 

“I’m sorry. I… I don’t get it. The police can’t help me.”

The lady nodded. “It is a most unusual situation you find yourself in.” She sipped her tea. “But you do not have to apologize. The way you have described being taken from your life would be quite traumatic. Stay as long as you need.”

“Thank you,” Elle said softly as she picked up her glass of now cold tea. She sipped on it but not because she was thirsty. She needed something to do with her hands to distract herself from the insanity.

Arya came into the house without an invitation. But Elle had asked to speak to the girl. Arya looked at the two quiet witnesses in the living room and waved cheerfully.

She sat down on the coffee table directly in front of Elle. “Listen. I think we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Arya. And you are?” She extended a hand.

Elle reluctantly took it. “Elle. What is going on here?”

Arya paused and examined her face for a long moment. “You genuinely don’t know anything, do you?  Your mother should have explained this a long time ago.”

“My mother?” The statement added to her shock and confused her.

Arya nodded enthusiastically. “Maybe it’s best if she were to help explain what was going on.”

“But I haven’t been able to get a hold of her… or dad,” Elle said defeatedly.

Arya smiled victoriously. “The council didn’t want them interfering so they had them brought in, wild cards as they are. They probably took their phones too.”

Elle couldn’t make sense of what Arya was talking about. What council? It hurt her brain too much to try to understand. Her head started spinning again. 

Arya looked concerned as she patted Elle on the top of her head. “You ok, kiddo? I bet it’s been quite the day. How about I call your mother here?”

Elle’s eyes lit up as she looked eagerly at Arya. “You can do that?”

Arya nodded and reached into her pocket. She snapped open her phone. “We need Mrs. Gance at the wedding,” Arya said in a commanding and professional voice, not wasting time on a hello.

She was silent for a moment as the voice on the other side responded. Elle could hear the voice but not make out the words. “Please put Mrs. Gance on the phone immediately.”

Arya gave the phone to Elle, but it slipped from Elle’s shaky fingers. Arya was quick to grab it before it hit the floor. Elle stared at her for a moment, surprised, not having expected llightning-quick reflexes on the girl. 

“Hello,” Elle said. “Mom?”

“Oh baby girl!” Her mom exclaimed from the other end of the line. “Are you alright? What is going on?”

“Some mean crazy man kidnapped me from my party. The police won’t do anything. I need you.” Elle exclaimed in one breath.

“Don’t worry. They say they are bringing me there. I’ll try to help make sense out of it.”

“Alright, mommy, hurry.” Elle breathed.

“In the meantime, Elle, I need you to be my brave, strong girl and behave really well for Arya. She is going to get you all dressed up real pretty. There isn’t much time.”

“What do you mean, mom?” Elle asked with a shaky breath. Much time for what? “I am already dressed pretty. You should see how Tara dressed me for my party.” Elle realized that her makeup had probably, run and her hair was a mess.

“Just do what Arya says. I have to go, baby. They say that we are leaving now to come see you. I love you.”

“I love you too, mom,” Elle said as she hung up the phone. She handed Arya her phone back and looked quietly at her for a long minute. “Mom says you're gonna doll me up?”

“I don't care what the others say about her. Your mother has always been awesome in my book.” Arya exclaimed as she stood stretching.

“What who says about her?” Elle asked Arya’s retreating backside. She didn’t seem to hear her.

The lady sitting across from her spoke. “It’s an expression, dear.” 

‘Unless it wasn’t’, Elle thought. Arya came back with a box that looked like Elle’s dad’s tackle box, except it was hot pink. She flipped it open. Elle was pleasantly surprised to see it full of beauty supplies. 

“We are going to be friends!” Arya exclaimed cheerfully.

Elle scrunched up her face and pouted her lips. “What? Is this gonna be a party where we talk about boys and play dress-up?”

Arya smiled kindly at her. “Well, we could talk about one man, maybe two. But this is not playtime, unfortunately.”

Elle gave her a suspicious look. “What man are we going to talk about?”

Arya watched her for a moment, tilting her head back and forth. It was as if she was judging whether Elle sincerely wanted to hear what she had to say. Elle wasn’t sure.

 “Well, I can tell you honestly do not want to hear about Corvin right now.  Instead, if I tell you about my mate, Axel- that might help you too!” She grabbed one of Elle’s hands and began working on her manicure.

“Why would that help me?” Elle questioned, watching Arya’s obviously masterful hands.

“Well, then you would understand what it is like to be with someone in this… family. Maybe this whole thing won't be so scary anymore.” She dug through her box and pulled out red nail polish.

“I don’t want to be with someone in this family. I have a boyfriend. I am already taken.” 

Arya didn’t look up at her as she laughed. “Were you being naughty with your boyfriend when Corvin found you?” Arya tsked without waiting for a response. “No wonder he was so cranky when he got out of the car.”

“He is my boyfriend! Hello! I can do what I want.” Arya sighed but did not argue. She painted Elle’s fingernails. 

“Axel is amazing!” Arya said instead. “He may be a little tense and intense at times, but he is also sweet, sincere and truly cares. The CrimsonNight men are truly passionate creatures!” She gasped. Her love for Axel was evident

Arya grew quiet as she removed Elle’s make-up. It reminded her of Tara. Arya also made silly faces while she concentrated. Elle found relief in it.

“Done! And just in time!” A car pulled up, Elle heard the doors close. How did Arya know so soon?

The doorbell rang and Elle ran to answer it. Her mom stood outside waiting for her.