“Right about what?” Ivy asked as she joined them by the fountain, looking spectacular as always. She wore a short black dress and a long string of white pearls. A jeweled headband crowned her head and partially tamed her flaming red curls.
“That our friend would grace us with her presence,” Mina retorted.
Ivy rolled her eyes. “Better late than never. Besides, the party never starts until I get there anyway.”
“No, that honor belongs to Archer, who brings in the bootleg liquor,” Mina said.
Lucy sat and patted the stone bench. “Come sit. I was just about to ask Mina what she wanted from Sebastian for her birthday tomorrow.”
“I know what I would want” Ivy raised one eyebrow and smiled.
Lucy lowered her voice. “What if he wants to turn you?”
It was no secret to them what Sebastian was. He was one of the few vampires that lived in the French Quarter. He was a frequent visitor and friend to the owner of the Chateau Rouge, Josey Jacobson.
“Live with Sebastian forever?” Mina’s heart pounded. “That’s everything I want.”
“I don’t think I could do it,” Lucy said. “It’s simply too scary to think about. What would I do without Tobias?”
“I would do it in a heartbeat.” Ivy lit the cigarette at the end of a long holder. “To live forever? Who wouldn’t want to?”
“Jessamine, my Mina.” The voice was low, accented, and could only belong to one man. Sebastian Trudeau. The three girls jumped as the subject of their conversation entered the courtyard from the French doors of the lounge.
Mina stood and turned, keeping her eyes downcast, half afraid to meet his gaze. Not scared of him—he’d never been anything but perfectly gallant—more like terrified of the feelings that his unnaturally blue eyes stirred in her.
“Sebastian,” she whispered.
“How are you, my night flower?”
“I’m good, Sebastian. And you?”
The other two girls muttered goodbyes and escaped to the party.
Eyes still down, she heard his footsteps coming closer. Step by step, he took her breath away.
The sound stopped and his boots were touching her shoes. Even that small contact caused a ripple through her senses. She struggled for air.
“Jessamine…” His voice was little more than a whisper above the sounds of the night, the laughter from the bar inside, the clip-clop of the horses on the street, the beating of her own heart.
She looked up then, into his eyes, her voice breathless. “Yes?”
“Soon you will be mine.” He leaned down and softly kissed her.
Mina relished the feel of his warm lips on hers. “You promise?” she asked when he raised his head and smiled.
“I do.”
“I don’t want to wait any longer, Sebastian.”
“I would like to speak to Alcide first.”
Alcide was her older brother and the oldest man in their family. Their father had died from yellow fever several years before, and their mother soon after they had taken up residence in the Chateau Rouge.
“I am afraid he will not agree,” Mina said.
“Then we shall wait until he does. It is not my desire to cause a rift between you and your brother. He’s all you have, my little flower.”
He took her hand and led her over to where Lucy and Ivy had been sitting only moments before. He took off his hat and sat it beside him, then ran his hand through his dark hair before taking her hand in his. His hands were cold, as they always were, but Mina didn’t mind.
“We have all the time in the world, Mina. You are young, and I, well…” He smiled, revealing teeth that would terrify most people, but not Mina, they only thrilled her. Made her heart beat faster and harder.
When Sebastian flinched, Mina exclaimed, “What is it?”
“Your heart, ma cher. It causes such a hunger in me. I find I need a distraction. How about we join the others for a drink, and perhaps a dance or two? I promise I will talk to Alcide tomorrow. It is your birthday, after all.”
“I can think of nothing that I would like better.”
Sebastian raised a dark eyebrow. “Nothing?”
Mina grinned, standing up and reaching for his hand. “Well, maybe one or two things.”
Sebastian pulled her into his arms for a quick kiss. “I do like the sound of that.”
Still holding her hand, they walked back into the hotel and joined the revelry in the lounge.
2
Sebastian peered into the mirror, checking to see if his tie was straight and his freshly trimmed hair was in place. He wanted to be sure he was perfect when he met with Alcide. No other woman had made him feel the way Mina did and he wanted things to go well when he met with her brother. When he was with her, he felt so powerful and yet so powerless at the same time. He had sent word to ask for a meeting with Alcide and awaited a response. The same messenger had sent a missive to Mina as well. Whatever Alcide said, he would need to tell Mina. If they had to wait for her brother’s approval, that’s what they would have to do. As badly as he wanted Mina for his own, he had no desire to alienate her from her only family. He knew what that felt like after having to leave his own life and loved ones when he’d been turned into a vampire.
“Mr. Trudeau.” His assistant poked his head into the room, interrupting Sebastian’s thoughts.
“Yes, Malcolm?”
“Mr. Santiago said he would meet you shortly after sundown.”
“Thank you, and the other?”
Malcolm smiled and handed him a perfumed card. “I was told, under no circumstances, not to open this.”
Sebastian laughed, opening the card, his body already reacting to the smell of Mina’s perfume as it wafted up from the pastel colored paper.
I will wait for you at the hotel, my love. Until then, hold on to this kiss.
The outline of a kiss in bright red lipstick rested just above her signature.
“Soon, Mina, soon,” he murmured as he took one more look at the note and slid it into his inner jacket pocket.
* * *
Mina sipped champagne while she thought of Sebastian. They had been carrying on for weeks. Meeting in the courtyard, stealing kisses and touches. It was enough to drive her insane with desire.
Her room had a small balcony with two wrought iron chairs and a table, and that’s where she sat watching the sunset and pondering the future. A future where there would be no more sunlight, but that included Sebastian if everything worked out. Surely, Alcide wouldn’t say no. He was already immortal, Sebastian turning her would only keep their family together forever.
Her glass empty, she went back into her room to pour another. She wondered if champagne would still taste the same. Would anything still taste the same?
The future and her new life were scary thoughts. But she could do anything with Sebastian by her side.
There was a knock on her door and she smiled. Soon, the world would have whole new flavors. She couldn’t wait to experience everything her new life had to offer.
“Tonight’s the big night, isn’t it?” Ivy said as Mina opened the door to her room. Ivy carried with her garment and make-up bags. Ivy often was the one who did their hair and make-up for special occasions like parties or celebrations. Lucy followed Ivy into the room, then perched on the edge of Mina’s bed. Her red dress contrasted against the butter yellow quilt that covered the bed. She skimmed through the latest gossip rag as she sipped from a champagne glass that Mina had poured for her.
Mina’s heart skipped a little beat. The sun had just gone down and Sebastian would be arriving soon to talk to Alcide. She wished she could be there, to plead her own case, but knew her brother all too well. It may have been the 1920s, but he was firmly stuck in the 1890s. She frowned, thinking of his reaction when she had cut her hair into a bob, the new rage.
Ivy unzipped the bag, pulling out a gorgeous white dress. “This is going to look fabulous with that dark hair of yours.”
M
ina walked up to her, reaching out and touching the dress. She loved the cool feel of the tiny pearls that adorned the fabric. How the dress, how she, would sparkle and shine in the lights as she shimmied and danced.
“It’s gorgeous, Ivy. I love it.”
“I’m not done yet,” she said, pulling out a pearl headband with a circular jeweled medallion. Tiny seed pearls dangled in rows from the medallion. “Just wait until we get your hair curled and this on. You’re going to look amazing.”
“You’re going to be the bee’s knees, Mina!” Lucy exclaimed. “Maybe I should cut my own hair short.” She wrapped a piece of her long, dark hair around her finger.
“Let’s leave that for another day,” Ivy laughed. “Mina, go now and take your bath. Relax for a moment.”
“I just have to be perfect tonight!” Mina exclaimed, holding the dress to her chest and spinning in a circle.
“And you will be. Now, you go, and I’ll work on Lucy’s hair. The three of us will be absolutely stunning tonight. We’re going to knock them all dead!”
* * *
Later, the three women walked arm in arm into the lounge area, where the party had already started. Tobias was there, taking a turn on the piano. The spirited song he was playing had several on the dance floor. He turned as they walked in, winking at Lucy when she smiled at him.
They took a seat at the bar, ordering French 75s, champagne with a kick of gin, and surveyed the party.
“Do you think he’s talked to Alcide yet?” Mina said over the din of the music and laughter.
“That’s only, like, the fifteenth time you’ve asked,” Ivy said. “I’m sure you will hear something soon. Relax. It’s not like Alcide is going to want to ruin your birthday. The worst thing that can happen tonight is that he says, ‘I will give it my consideration.’” The girls laughed as Ivy did her best Alcide impression, sitting tall and straight in the seat and talking in her deepest voice.
Lucy stopped laughing as a woman walked into the room. “What’s she doing here?” she whispered.
Ivy and Mina turned to see who she was talking about, and spied a woman with blonde hair shiny in the lights, her black dress short, almost a tad shorter than was the fashion. She was dressed to the nines and obviously ready for a party.
Mina gasped. “Who invited her?”
“You know that woman doesn’t care what people think about her or about crashing someone else’s party.”
Catherine Rousseau was Sebastian’s former mistress. She had also been one of the girls at the Chateau Rouge until her underhanded tactics and stealing people’s “dates” had gotten her kicked out. She had also started dabbling in dark magic with some other women in the Quarter, and that was not to be tolerated in the Chateau Rouge.
“What a quiff!”
“Now, just don’t let her see she’s gettin’ to you,” Lucy said. “That’s what she wants.” She smiled. “Just wait until Sebastian gets here and she sees the two of you together. That’s going to put a bee in her bonnet. She just can’t stand it that he chose you over her.”
Mina patted her friend on the hand. “I’m not going to let her ruin my night. This is my party. I will simply ignore her and hope she goes away. Like a mosquito or a fly.”
“I, for one, would like to squash her like a mosquito,” Ivy said, taking a sip of her drink.
“Calm down, my friend. There will be no violence tonight.”
Catherine Rousseau walked past them then, her bright red lips pursed in a smile as she passed Mina. Mina merely raised her glass in a silent toast and nodded.
“That’s new,” Mina commented after Catherine had passed.
“What is?” Lucy asked.
“That necklace she was wearing. It looked like a circle with a star in it or something. Creepy if you ask me.”
“Who knows with her,” Ivy retorted.
The music stopped then, and silence prevailed for a moment while Tobias caught his breath. Lucy took that moment to go give her boyfriend a proper greeting, while Ivy ordered another drink and looked for her own conquest for the evening. She smiled as she caught the attention of a local antique store owner.
“I will be back momentarily.” Ivy grinned. “Or not.”
Mina rolled her eyes. “Oh, go have fun!”
Mina cast a glance at the doorway, hoping to see Sebastian. However, she wasn’t disappointed when her brother came in a few seconds later, wearing a rare smile. Mina beamed back. The news couldn’t be bad.
“Mina, my sister,” he said, reaching out to embrace her. “It seems you have a suitor.”
He pulled a cigarette holder out of the inner pocket of his black jacket. Slowly, he removed a cigarette and a lighter, nearly driving Mina insane with waiting.
“You’re doing that on purpose!” she said, slapping him playfully on the arm. “Must you keep me in such suspense!”
“I would never keep you from happiness. We have had so little of it ourselves. I have given my blessing.”
Mina jumped off the barstool and into his arms, hugging him tightly. “Oh, Alcide! I love you so much!”
“And I love you, sister. I do have some misgivings though, mostly about what the future holds for you. Do you know what changes will have to be made? Those changes will be permanent. You won’t be able to take it back.”
“I know.”
“As long as you are certain.”
“I am, Alcide. I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.”
He reached out and hugged her one more time. “Then go. He waits for you in the courtyard. I figure I’ve kept him waiting long enough.”
“Oh, you!” She slapped him on the arm one more time. “Will you tell Ivy and Lucy where I’ve gone to?”
“Of course. And, Mina?”
“Yes, Alcide?”
“Happy birthday, my cher.”
“Thank you, my brother. For everything.” She hugged him one more time and almost ran out the door, eager to meet Sebastian.
* * *
“Jessamine,” he said as she approached him. He reached out for her hands, then softly kissed her. “I have spoken to Alcide, and he has given his blessing. But, of course, you know that.”
She reached out for him, “Yes! Oh, yes, Sebastian. I cannot wait for our new life to start.”
He leaned down and kissed her again, and her heart raced. Her blood pumped even harder when his hand reached around and pulled her even closer. He had never kissed her like this before and it was intoxicating.
A door slammed, and they jumped away from each other. Catherine Rousseau walked into the courtyard. Her blue eyes vibrant in the moonlight.
“Well, well, well. What do we have here? Sebastian Trudeau with Jessamine Santiago.”
“This is not your concern, Catherine,” Sebastian said, moving in front of Mina.
“Oh, but it is. You see, I’m not ready to let you go. I see what a powerful spell this child has over you. I’m here tonight to ensure that it ends now.” She pulled off her long black gloves.
“Catherine, there is nothing you can do. We are over,” Sebastian reminded her. “You know I don’t—”
“Silence.” She raised a hand and Sebastian went mute. Although his lips moved, no words came out.
Catherine began chanting in a low voice, raising her eyes to the dark sky. Mina felt repelled by Sebastian. Against her will, she stepped backward until she was across the courtyard.
Sebastian moved toward her and, unbidden again, she moved out of his reach.
Catherine’s cruel laugh echoed through the small bricked-in area. “Jessamine Santiago, you will never again touch Sebastian.”
The helplessness in Sebastian’s eyes surely mirrored Mina’s own.
Looking Catherine in the eyes, in a moment of strength and bravery she didn’t even know she had, she said, “One day, I will break this. You will see that my spell will be stronger than yours.”
Catherine laughed again. “You will be long dead before you defeat me.” After a
dismissive wave of her hand, she put her gloves back on. “You may speak now. Have fun saying your goodbyes tonight. Oh, and, Mina, happy birthday.”
Fury flashed across Sebastian’s face. “I’ll see you in hell.”
Mina’s heart pounded in her chest, part fear, part fury.
Sebastian turned to Mina and vowed, “This isn’t over. We will find a way to be together.”
Mina tried one more time to step closer to him, but she was powerless.
He turned to Catherine, his voice low and deadly. “I will kill you for this.” His fists clenched at his sides.
Catherine grinned. “You’ll have to wait one hundred years. Because just like Mina can’t get close to you, you can’t touch me either.”
Heartbroken, Mina took one last look at Sebastian standing there in the moonlight. So close, yet so far away. Tears flowed down her cheeks as she turned and fled the courtyard.
3
Lucy sat beside Mina as she lay on the bed and sobbed. She patted her arm and made soothing noises. Ivy paced from one end of the small room to the other, uttering curses and promises of retribution. The only one who was silent was Alcide, who was on the balcony, the smell of his cigarette smoke drifting into the room.
“She can’t get away with this!” Ivy said. “There has to be something we can do.”
“What though?” Lucy stood and crossed over to the desk, where candles of different colors dotted the top. She struck a match and lit a blue one. The flame moved with the breeze that flowed in from the open door.
“There, maybe this will bring some us peace.” She turned to Ivy. “It’s not like we have any power. Not like that. That’s dark magic. I’m not even sure Ms. Vivian can break the spell.”
“That bitch,” Ivy said. “I knew she was up to no good! That’s why she got booted out of here. But this? This is too much! Just wait until I get my hands on her.”
“You will have to wait in line,” Alcide said from the balcony. His tall form exuded menace as he leaned against the railing. As the only immortal in the room, he was the only one with enough power to even begin to face Catherine. But, young as he was, and not knowing exactly what Catherine had done or summoned, it was risky for him to go up against her.
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