Page 36 of Lost in the Fog

“Oh, so where are we going?”

“My place. I just had cleaners give it the once-over. I didn’t need it when I was out of town.”

“Right.”

A valet didn’t even need to check his ticket. He looked at Ornolf with worship, grabbed a key, and sprinted into the parked vehicles.

Gia quirked her lips. “Does that happen a lot?”

He sighed. “Most extensively between young males aged fifteen to thirty-five.”

There was a heavy rumble of an engine, and Gia looked over the sleek curves that seemed oddly familiar. “Oh. That’s why.”

Ornolf chuckled. “Why own a motorsport company when you don’t use your own products? You used a service?”

“Yes. If I need them, they will show up. I can also phone a friend.”

“Good. I do not want you feeling trapped.”

He walked her to the vehicle and opened the door while the excited teen exited.

She slid onto the smooth seat and buckled up as he caressed her skirt into the car.

The valet was verbally gushing at Ornolf, who responded in a slow and measured tone. There was a pose for a selfie, and then Ornolf was getting into the car.

Gia smiled. “Cool, you have a fan club.”

He smiled slightly. “Yes. They are enthusiastic and loyal for the most part. I was startled at the following we developed, but it has helped us excel in the modern world. Two of my kind work in the design department. One with motorcycles and one with cars.”

They were slowly moving through the pedestrian traffic, and when they were clear, the low purr of the engine pulled them to the main streets, and then they were on their way to the more settled parts of town.

She paid attention as they passed her father’s home and continued to move into the more elite part of the city, past Omega Lane, and he turned left at the enormous manor that housed Luna and her growing family, and the trees got thicker and concealed properties behind them as they continued down the road.

“Why are you smiling?”

“You are in the queen’s neighbourhood. Well, close enough.” She jerked her thumb back the way they had come. “Just a few kilometres that way.”

He smiled. “It must explain why we were drawn to the area.”

“Probably.”

“Will you introduce me?”

“Sure. Pandora and her two are there right now.”

“We can save it for another day.” He chuckled.

“Right. I am going to let my dad know where I am. He worries. He confidently only lets me out with Pandora.”

“Why?”

“She’s trustworthy.”

“No, why is he so worried?”

She tapped the message out on her screen. “Because I was at a fundraiser and had gone to the rear of the facility to check on something when I collapsed and started seizing. It was caught on a security camera, and it took an hour for security to go looking for me.”

“So, your condition was deteriorating, and no one knew where you were?”