Page 47 of Lost in the Fog

The woman who didn’t give off any information looked at her while Gia touched her shoulder. “Yes?”

“You... are you well?”

“I am fine. I was at work, and then I was at the Stronghold, and my boss was hauling me out.”

“Your boss?”

“Pandora. If you guys don’t mind, I will head to the main road and catch a ride share to get home. This has been one helluva night.”

“I will get my husband to take you home. Have you talked to Pandora?”

“No. I am pretty sure she is going to grill me tomorrow. Fortunately, I am going to be busy.” The woman chuckled, her medium brown hair short, and her golden-brown eyes sparkling. Her figure was average, and nothing about her should have attracted the Stronghold, yet she had been there.

Gia frowned and got her phone out. She texted Ornolf, and he responded immediately.

“Okay, I am going to take you downstairs, and my husband will take you home.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

Gia looked at the woman, who was remarkably calm, and led her to the main doors and out to the driveway. “Do I know you?”

“I work for Pandora’s fashion label. I have made a few outfits for you.”

“Oh, ohmygod, that’s where I know you from.” Gia was relieved. “They must have grabbed you because of your proximity to Pandora.”

The woman smiled. “That must have been it. Are you going to be modelling for the fundraiser?”

“Pandora asked, so yeah.”

“Cool. You will have to model two of the zodiacs. How many mates do you have?”

“One. He’s a husband. Not a mate.”

“The mating will come. Pretty quick if the dark Elite have a choice. From what I have read, they may live long, but they don’t waste time.”

Gia blushed. “How do you know that?”

“I told you. I read. A lot. The Stronghold history is there if you know where to look for it.”

“Maybe that’s why they took you.”

Kay shrugged. “Not a clue. I do thank you, ladies, for getting me home. The commute would have been unpleasant.”

Gia chuckled. “Yeah. It’s a bit of a hike.”

Ornolf pulled up and got out. “Gia, are you all right?”

Gia winced as he came around and wrapped her in his arms for a kiss. He lifted his head. “If you ever leave me a message like that again, I am going to paddle your ass.”

Gia looked at the dark red flaring in his eyes. “Um, well, I thoughtoff to storm the Strongholdwas a cute text.”

“Oh, it was cute, and if you hadn’t sent it a second before you walked through the portal, I would have stopped you. How was it?”

“We had a few rather brutal omegas with us, and they took care of the opposition.” She smiled. “We rescued fifty-five women and children. Kay was a recent abduction, and she needs a lift home.”

Kay waved. “Hiya.”

Ornolf stared at her, blinked, and said, “Madam, I cannot see your soul.”