In The Roar(32)

“It’s about Tiana. Can you find out if she returned to the castle? She left the cabin sometime between yesterday early evening and now.”

Confusion clouded Bella’s face. It was clear she tried to understand what was going on. “She left your mother? And disappeared? That’s what you are telling me? That’s incredibly irresponsible!” Liv could feel Karel’s tension rise with each minute that passed. She knew if he didn’t get answers soon he was going to regret his next actions, and even more so when Alyx found out he yelled at his pregnant wife.





TWENTY-FIVE



“Yes, she disappeared. I caught her poisoning Aayi. We need to find her. Know what is going on. Can you check and see if she returned to the castle?”

“Poisoning her? What…why? Let me call you back in a few minutes. Karel did you inform Alyx?” Bella asked with a worried frown.

Karel sighed in frustration; waiting sucked. “He isn’t answering his link. Can you fill him in?”

“He’s gone to the bears for the meeting. He left yesterday and won’t be back for a week. I will leave him a message as well, though.” Bella signed off and disappeared from Liv’s view.

“You really do have the most amazing technology up here.” Liv stood and moved to the counter. “I made breakfast.” She scrunched her nose. “At least I think it’s breakfast. Your mother said these were eggs and the meat smelled close to bacon so…” She shrugged. “Here, you eat. I have a tray to take to Aayi.”

As she walked by, Karel grabbed her around the waist and pressed his nose into her neck. “Just in case I didn’t tell you yet today, thank you for everything.” He kissed her below her ear and let her go.

She smiled over her shoulder at him and put a sexy sway in her hips. “I aim to please.” Liv stepped forward, careful not to spill anything on the tray, and giggled in delight as Karel made a grab for her again. She took off for the safety of his mother's room.

“Laughter is a beautiful sound, but not as beautiful as the smile my son puts on your face,” Keliana said with a twinkle in her eyes. “Good morning, daughter. Something smells delicious.”

“Oh, good! Maybe I didn’t mess it up.” She grinned. “Good morning, Aayi. You seem to be in a good mood. How are you feeling?” Liv placed the tray on the bed next to Keliana and waited as she scooted into a sitting position.

“I feel rather remarkable, actually. I think I could out eat my son for once. I hope you made lots of protein for me. My jaguar needs it to heal quicker.”

“Just so happens I did, but you have to go slow at first.” Liv placed the tray over Keliana’s lap and sat back to help if needed.

“I can’t eat in the kitchen while you two are in here talking. What if my Aayi tells you embarrassing stories of my childhood?” Karel asked as he walked in carrying two plates of food. “Here, love, you need to eat as well.”

Keliana laughed heartily at his words and turned back to Liv. “I will tell you stories, too, like the time he got stuck in a tree. Can you believe my son, the jaguar, stuck in a tree.” Liv tried not to laugh and looked at Karel.

“I did not get stuck. I have told you a thousand times, but will you listen to me? No, of course not.” Karel grumbled under his breath about mothers embarrassing their only sons with such wild and false accusations.

“No worries, Liv. I will tell you all about it and many other stories, but first, I must know what you two are hiding from me.”

Liv sighed. So much for keeping her from stressing over the insane caregiver being on the loose. “It’s Tiana. She’s gone. Karel went to check on her this morning, and she had disappeared.”

“I’m not surprised, to be honest. If I had dropped the bottle, I would have run. Too risky to come back and play the odds one of you had found it.” Keliana lapsed into silence as she thought of everything they had told her last night and this morning. “I still can’t figure out why she would want to poison me. I’m just an old jaguar woman. No threat to anyone. Before she brought me books, I had never even heard of her.”

Karel’s communicator buzzed, stopping all conversation in the room. “It’s Bella. Do you guys want me to answer in here so you can listen?”

Liv grunted and looked to Keliana. “Is that a stupid question to you? ‘Cause it is to me.”

Karel tried to hide his smile. “Fine, I get it. Your sarcasm wasn’t needed.”

A moment later, Bella’s hologram appeared. “Hi, everyone. Keliana you look so much better than the last time I saw you. I am so happy you’re improving and on the mend.”