Bird of Paradise: Vines Feathers and Potions, #7

By D. N. Leo

Book 2 in the series.

 

Hex in the Gardens series offers paranormal mystery, fantasy, and romance. If you're a fan of the Multiverse Collection, this is another must-read addition.

The series includes

1. The Last Sunflower
2. Bird of Paradise
3. Blue Passion
4. Lily of the Valley
5. Lotus Heart

• Language: English
• Publisher: Narrative Land Publishing
• Release date: Apr 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201506551

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Melbourne Central, Australia, 18 hours before the opening of the portal.

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For thousands of years, the beauty of flowers had remained the same.

Emma couldn’t pull her eyes away from the flowers. She stood in the middle of a buzzing shopping mall in the Melbourne Central Business, admiring the earthly flowers through the glass window of a floral shop. It wasn’t just their vibrant colors but their liveliness that captivated her.

This store was similar to hers. Except they were almost 977 years apart.

She created flowers in her shop in the year 2999. She had never questioned how things worked in her world. She designed the specs for the flowers, the desired fragrance, and the color shades. She input the information into a computer, and from there, the computer system took care of the rest.

When Bertram showed up in her shop to pick up flowers he had ordered for his wedding anniversary, her world was turned upside down.

He was from the year 2022. Yet somehow he had walked into her time from his time merely by passing through the door of her shop. He didn’t have a problem moving between the two time periods because he was an angel. But she wasn't, and she couldn’t do the same as he did. She was an ordinary human and couldn’t cross time dimensions with the assistance of technology.

She never used profanity, but she wanted to curse the man who had dragged her across time into 2022 without her consent. Now she was stranded here.

Bertram said the man was a mercenary. They could have gotten some information out of him if Elvin hadn't broken his neck.

What could she have done to make someone or something think it was necessary to send a mercenary after her? If they wanted her flowers, all they had to do was tell her, and she’d give them the flowers for free! And how did the mercenary bring her here? She hadn't seen any kind of spaceship. He had grabbed her arm, and then there was a flash. And that was it!

If she hadn't met Bertram and his friends from the multiverse, she would have no idea what to do.

Emma!

She nearly jumped out of her skin.

Elvin stood next to her. He was over seven feet tall and not a soft speaker.

You don’t have to shout, Elvin. I can hear you. And don’t forget—we were told to be discreet.

Discreet? Look at this!

He gestured widely. Ordinary humans packed the shopping center in 2022, all going about their business.

Nobody notices us, Emma. Unless I strip naked and run through the crowds, I don’t think we’ll attract any attention.

They stood in a circular building called Melbourne Central. Above them was a magnificent fifty-foot-tall cathedral-style glass ceiling. The circular building served as a central navigation point for a major traffic thoroughfare, connecting various indoor shopping malls that stretched across the city.

Emma looked Elvin’s gigantic frame up and down. I may not look different to others. But I don’t think you blend in. Then she smiled at him. What’s up? I thought you were enjoying the sportswear shops on Level Two.

I’m not here to window-shop. I feel bad enough you're stuck in this time, Emma. I want to make sure everything goes smoothly the next time the door opens for us. I surveyed the area, and it makes no sense to have the gateway open here. It’s not safe.

I don’t think the people helping us have any control over the location.

But they didn’t have to keep information from us.

What do you mean?

We were in your flower shop. The mercenary opened the door and grabbed your arm. I grabbed your elbow, and we were both pulled through your shop door to another time. Even Caedmon, with his extensive knowledge about the multiverse, thought we could go back through that door—and he arranged it for us. We saw the door open again. We could see inside the shop. But then they said only you could go through at that time because of our differences in size and make! Like, hello, haven’t they seen me before?

I admit that was strange. But even if they had to withhold information, I don’t think they mean us any harm. Caedmon and Alyna are very important in our world. They shouldn’t have to tell us things we don’t need to know.

Elvin shook his head. I don’t like this place at all. It doesn’t have a good vibe. There are too many open spaces and blind spots.

Elvin, the opening will happen at midnight. No ordinary humans will be around at that time.

But why can’t it happen at the original flower shop? Why does it have to be under this ridiculous clock?

Emma looked up at the gigantic clock. Each hand was the size of two human bodies lined up head to feet. The clock was anchored to the floor of the first level and hung between the first floor and the ground level where they stood.

I like the clock. And I don’t have an answer for you as to why the portal opening has to be here.

He shrugged. Just sayin’.

I understand your concern. But everything will be okay. You trust Alyna, don’t you?

I know, I know. The people helping us are good people.

Okay, so why don’t you go find some sportswear shops and wander around? I’d like to look around the flower shops. There's one right here, and I saw on the map that there are a couple at the other end of the mall.

I’ll go with you.

No, Elvin. Go look at sportswear. Your oldest son is joining Amaraq next month. Get him a pair of boxing gloves.

Good idea. But I don’t think our money is good here.

Emma chuckled. You’re right. But Bertram owes me. Make a note of what you like, and I’ll ask him to make the purchase.

Elvin mumbled some words of disagreement, but with persistence, she was able to usher him away. He was a good man, but sometimes his good intentions could be annoying. Emma didn't regret refusing to go back to her time without Elvin. They were friends, and a genuine friendship was difficult to come by in her time.

Emma returned to the flower shop window. Her favorite flowers that had been displayed right next to the entrance were now gone.

The florist was filling the vacant spot with a bucket of roses.

Excuse me, said Emma.

Yes, may I help you? The female florist smiled at Emma.

I just saw a bouquet of beautiful orange flowers that looked like bird’s heads. Are they sold out?

Oh, that’s bird-of-paradise. They’re nice, aren’t they? Unfortunately, that was the last bunch. We'll have more tomorrow, though.

I won’t be here tomorrow.

Well, I have other flowers that are just as nice. Would you like to come in and take a look?

A tiny voice in her head told her she shouldn’t, but Emma accepted the invitation and stepped inside the shop.

A man in his thirties stood at the counter. Resting in the crook of his arm was the bouquet of bird-of-paradise. He turned and smiled at Emma as she talked to the florist.

Excuse me, could I grab you for a second, Helen? he said. I need to place an order for next week.

You don’t usually place your orders in advance, Dean. Helen turned and winked at Emma. He buys on impulse every couple of days, and he grabbed your bird-of-paradise flowers.

What did I do? asked Dean.

She was interested in the flowers first. But you snatched them up. Helen smiled at Dean.

Usually, I just grab any flowers in the shop. But the bird-of-paradise was specifically requested today. I’m afraid I have to keep them.

Emma remembered she didn’t have money on her at the moment, so there was no point in asking for the flowers. Don’t worry about it. I’m not that attached to them. I just thought they were pretty.

Helen, can I place an order for ten bouquets of pink lilies for next Wednesday? We’ll have a big booking, and the client requested flower arrangements.

You got it.

I’m Dean, he said and smiled at Emma. I feel so bad about this.

Emma. Nice to meet you. She pointed outside the shop. I’d better get going.

Oh no—I’ve got to do something to make up for the flowers. How about a coffee… on the house?

Helen spoke from behind her counter. Dean runs an exclusive restaurant on Level Two, and his coffee is the best in Melbourne. I’d take him up on the offer if I were you.

No, I shouldn’t. Thank you. She walked out the door, and Dean trailed behind her, walking by her side.

Come on, I insist.

Thank you. Next time, Dean. She smiled and walked into the crowd, heading toward the escalator to get to the first floor to find Elvin in the sportswear shops. She'd feel safer with him around.

She was a couple of steps from the escalator when she saw a man in a hooded coat standing at the top of the escalator. He looked out of place. The hood covered his face from the side. But she didn’t need to see his face. Her instincts told her he didn’t belong to this world.

The man turned toward her. When she saw the green shade of his eyes, she knew he did not belong to this world. He wasn’t human, and he wasn't any creature she had ever seen before now.

The escalator was packed with humans. But no one reacted to the strange man when they got to the top.

Perhaps they couldn’t see him?

As soon as he realized she had seen his eyes, he vanished.

Like his prior existence at the top of the escalator, his disappearance didn’t catch any human attention.

Emma pulled out the cell phone Bertram had given her. It didn’t surprise her when the screen showed no signal. After what had happened over the last few days, nothing surprised her. Something beyond her comprehension was manipulating her situation and a lot of the things around her.

Emma turned around and rushed back toward Dean. She caught up with him at the other end of the mall.

I changed my mind. I’m visiting Melbourne. It wouldn't be right if I left without trying the best coffee in the city.

He grinned, and she noticed then how handsome his smile was. Her stomach did a somersault, but she ignored it as best she could.

Where are you from? he asked.

She didn’t know the geography of Earth at this time. Outside the city. Does that count as a visit?

Absolutely. I wish I had more time to visit regional Victoria. When I do, I’ll knock on your door.

She followed him into an elevator with a Staff Only sign on the wall.

He smiled. I hope you don’t mind using the service elevator. I don’t have the patience to use the public escalator.

Not at all.

in no time, she stood with him at the entrance of Zen Garden. The classy and elegant decoration of the place gave a sense of exclusivity and tranquility, and yet it was still friendly.

She felt safe here.

You don’t open for lunch?

He seated her at a large round table in a cozy area separated from the open space of the restaurant by a Shoji screen.

No, we only open for dinner. Some of our dishes require several hours to make. That’s why the kitchens start in the morning. But now, I’m going to get you a cup of my one-of-a-kind coffee. If you'd like some food, I’ll bring you a menu as well.

Dean handed the bouquet of bird-of-paradise to a staff member. Use the black stone vase, please.

Yes, Dean, he said and then disappeared into the kitchen.

Some of our clients are quite particular, he explained.

I bet. Coffee is good for me, please. I'm not hungry.

Sure. He headed toward the drink bar.

How many sportswear shops are there here? she asked.

In Melbourne Central?

Just on Level Two.

Only two. I can take you to them after coffee.

That's okay. I know you’re busy. My friend, Elvin, is looking for something for his son at a shop on Level Two. I just need to make sure he knows where I am.

I'll make you a cup of coffee, and then I’ll find Elvin. How does that sound?

Perfect. Thank you.

Dean cursed under his breath, then gestured toward the kitchen. The hot water pump isn’t working. Let me get someone to fix it.

Before Emma could respond, he rushed into the kitchen. His coffee machine not working would be like the computer system in her flower shop suddenly deciding not to work. She wouldn't be able to create her flowers, and none of the bouquets she had to deliver for the day could be gift wrapped.

What a disaster this must be for him.

A staff member carried out a black vase with the bird-of-paradise flowers and set it on a round table in a far corner. That must be the reserved table. He smiled at her and headed back into the kitchen.

The front of the restaurant was now empty. A chill ran up Emma’s spine when she glanced at the entrance of the restaurant.

The man in the hooded coat stood there, staring at her with his neon-green eyes.

CHAPTER 2

Bertram leaned against the hood of the car, checking his phone for messages.

There was nothing new.

Peter, the manager of Jasmine’s vineyard, had had his heart ripped out of his chest the day before, and the supernatural was responsible for that crime. As for what kind and why, Bertram and Jasmine had to investigate further to draw any plausible conclusions. Peter was an ordinary human with no connection to the supernatural.

What could a supernatural gain by killing an ordinary human?

Bertram was certain it wasn’t an angel who had killed Peter. Or at least, not an angel of his rank. He was new to the angel business. But while his experience was equivalent to that of a rookie, his rank was high because of his make. If an angel was involved in this killing, the plot would have to originate at a high level in the house of gods. And if that was the case, he wasn’t sure how the angel criminals would be punished.

For now, he was tied up with helping Emma to get back to her time. After he'd taken care of that, he’d dig deeper into the angel council to find out more about Peter’s death.

Bertram glanced across the street at the entrance of the Gisborne