by L. M. Pruitt
“Is there any way possible to feel the people being kept hostage? Some magical, or vampire way?” I couldn’t do anything about the people already gone, but I could damn well try and do something about those still alive. My heart pounded hard in my chest. If they told me something could be done at this particular moment, then by God, I was willing to do it.
Maybe my insistence for action or my willingness to act caused the shift. Whatever the reason, one second I sat in my parlor, the next I wasn’t entirely sure where I was, at least at first. I took in the people, crammed and crowded into a tiny space behind a set of crude bars under lock and key. A tray of bread, already starting to mold, sat on the floor and a bucket of water with filth skimming the top occupied one corner.
Most of them sat silently, eyes glazed over with fatigue and fear. Some were already gone. You could tell by the looks on their faces, whatever mind had been there was broken completely. One desperate soul sat in the corner clutching some sort of medallion, rocked back and forth while praying.
He prayed to Saint Jude.
I don’t know why they couldn’t see me, because I existed solidly in their midst. Solid enough to dart across the room and test the lock on the heavy oak door. Solid enough to jimmy open the window set high off the ground. I had to believe these people could squeeze through the average basement window. Murmurs started behind me as the window flew open, and I said my own prayers these people would be quiet long enough to get out.
They might not have seen me, but they believed something lived among them. I could almost smell the hope as it grew, a wild, sweet smell stronger than anything in this horrible room. With another look at the door, I crossed to the cage, my mind working frantically at how to get the lock open.
I almost ignored the tingling in my left hand. Almost. Then inspiration hit, and I gripped the ancient looking padlock in my hand, holding tight. My thoughts focused not on shooting fire but on melting the lock, I bit my lip to keep from letting out a victory shout as I felt the metal heat to burning. One swift jerk and I held the softened clasp in my hand. Pulling the gate open, I moved back, watching the people surge to their feet.
The young helped the old. The men helped the women and the few teenagers there. Those who’d seen too much to be whole again were taken care of, instead of left behind. Sometimes tragedy makes animals of us. And sometimes it makes us more human than anybody could believe possible.
No sooner had the last person been hoisted from the room than I drew a breath, and found myself back in the parlor. The exhale whistled through my teeth and I bent forward to put my head down, hoping the dizziness would pass. The only sound in the room the crackle of the fireplace. Straightening up, I met Williams’ eyes.
Opening my hand, I let the melted lock drop to the floor.
“You just upped your chocolate bar to dinner and drinks.” Theo bent down, picking the lock up and turning the melted mass over in his hands. His look – causal, interested. “All of them?”
“A few dozen.” My voice came out as causal and calm as his. Like we were discussing the latest movie, and not whatever hiccup in time had just occurred. “Looked like the room service sucked.”
“One second you were asking what could be done and the next you froze. You stopped breathing. The next breath you took, the lock was there, in your hand.” Elizabeth didn’t sound freaked out at all, something definitely in her favor. If she was going to be my personal assistant, I had a feeling she’d be seeing things like this more often than taking memos.
“Time stopped here, so you could take care of what needed to be done elsewhere.” Gillian’s hand rubbed at the tension knot at the base of my neck, the movement just shy of heavenly. “Again, your powers are growing at an astonishing rate. There can be no doubt among the members of the Covenant you are truly the Prophecy once news of this is heard.”
“I don’t think we should tell anybody.” Gillian’s hand paused for a moment in working at the knot, and I wet my lips nervously. “Just not right now. In a little bit, maybe.” Especially because I didn’t have a clue if I could do it on command.
“I agree with Jude.” Williams’ voice dropped into the silence of the room, and I studied his face. I couldn’t see any signs of sarcasm, but I already knew he could do blank face like nobody’s business. “Her feelings for the most part have been accurate. I see no purpose to begin ignoring them at this time.”
“Well, that’s great.” I didn’t realize I’d taken his hand at some point until I felt Theo squeeze my fingers. I thought about releasing the comforting grip because of Williams’ presence, but dismissed the thought just as quickly. He’d said there were no obligations, no strings on him, so as far as it concerned Theo the same applied to me – whether Williams liked it or not. “Not that being able to do whatever the heck it was I did—.”
“Astral projection, most likely.” Elizabeth’s face flushed when we all turned to stare at her. “I have to read a lot with Celia. I’m good at remembering things.”
“I’ll keep your skill in mind the next time I need random bits of information. Seriously. But like I was trying to say, it might be a good idea to know exactly how I did what I did, so I can do it again in the future.”
“That’s amazing.” I turned to look at Theo. The knot at the base of my neck a vague memory now thanks to Gillian’s nimble fingers. “Not only did I follow everything you said, it made absolute sense.”
“We’ll continue tracking Hart, as best as we can. I’d advise all members of the Covenant, not just the Council or Jude, to be extremely careful.” Williams crossed his arms over his chest, looking like a Civil War vet and Goth club bouncer hybrid. “Hart will be furious at his loss and will automatically assume you are responsible.”
“So Hart knows more about the possibility of my powers than I do?” I shook my head, disgusted at the whole situation. “So are there any more surprises I should be on the lookout for?”
“You should have discovered by now everything is a surprise as far as you’re concerned, Jude.” With that, Williams gave a short bow from the waist, his gaze sliding over mine and Theo’s joined hands. Turning on his heel, he strode from the room, gone almost before his leaving fully registered.
“I can see being your personal assistant will be highly entertaining.” Elizabeth drew her legs up so she hugged her knees. Her hair, a darker, richer blonde than Celia’s, almost honey colored, reflected the firelight in such a way her features seem a little older, but in a good way.
It explained why Rian couldn’t seem to look anywhere else for longer than two seconds.
“Normally the show comes with dinner, but things are a little out of order tonight.” Standing, I stretched my arms high, wincing only slightly at the burn in my muscles. I’d been hurting earlier, but it seemed the more I stayed up and moving – and the more power I used – the better I felt. One more thing to tuck into crowded my mind and think on later.
“And speaking of dinner, I believe I owe you one.” Theo pushed off the loveseat, and I became aware again of how similar in height we were. There’s some comfort in being able to look someone directly in the eye, especially when those eyes are such a lovely shade of brown. “Although at this hour, I’m not sure what’s open and decent.”
“Clover Grill.” Rian’s fingers just barely touched the edges of Elizabeth’s hair where it lay on the back of the couch, in a seemingly casual gesture. I wagered he knew exactly where his fingers were. “Clover Grill is way better than decent.”
Theo raised his eyebrows in question. “Up for burgers and drag queens?”
I smiled, the last of my tension melting away. “Is there any better combo?”
Chapter Eighteen
Clover Grill, as usual after about ten, was packed. They advertise they’re there to make you feel more beautiful than you are, so it would stand to reason people love the place whether they’re drunk or sober. In addition to having a hilarious staff, the food is to-die for – no pun intended, at least no
t this time.
Half-way through my amazing burger it hit me – although technically this could be called a first date, Theo and I were way past that marker. The man had pulled me from the Mississippi, kept a vigil at my bedside, and helped me face a room full of total strangers. Most guys would be expecting lots and lots of sex before even one of those things happened. Hell, I would be expecting great sex, not just mediocre or even good, before anything along those lines happened.
“So, I take it my story about accidentally burning my mother’s favorite parlor chair when I was fourteen is not nearly as funny as other people have led me to believe.” I blinked, trying to replay the last few minutes of conversation in my mind and failing completely. Sometimes I’m a great multi-tasker, others I’m not. This was obviously one of those times I wasn’t.
“Sorry. Just thinking. Things.”
“Right, things. They’re absolutely horrifying, those things. Especially when all you can really call them is things.” Theo took a bite of his burger, nonchalantly wiping away the juice dripping down his chin. After swallowing, he continued, “I’ve always found that some things, when you ignore them, turn out to be not things at all but merely doo-dads. Which are not nearly as bad as things.”
I stared at him, torn between asking what the hell he meant and laughing. Finally, I shook my head and laughed. “Theo, you have possibly the most interesting way of putting things I’ve heard in a long time. And I’ve heard lots of interesting things.”
“Growing up on the streets and such.” Theo’s eyebrows drew together in concentration and he put his burger down to nab a fry from the basket we shared. “Or did you mean growing up with the nuns? I’ve always wanted to ask Father O’Brien about the sordid escapades of the Catholic Church, but I’m afraid he would damn me to Purgatory just for having the thought.”
My instantaneous laugh had more than one person looking over in our direction. “I don’t think priests can actually damn someone to Purgatory. I think you have to earn that trip all on your own.”
“Good to know. Remind me to actually ask him those questions the next time I see him then.” He went back to his burger, as unconcerned with the ending of whatever conversation we’d been having as he would have been to find out the sky was really blue. Since I wasn’t entirely sure of the point of the conversation we’d been having I willingly let it go.
We ate the rest of the meal in relative silence, with the occasional comment about the Saints, or some new movie playing. Theo picked up the check without any comment, and I sat awkwardly, not sure what to do. We were on a date, but not really, and I wasn’t even a really good dater to begin with, for lack of a better word.
We stood on the sidewalk for a moment while he looked up, then down, Bourbon apparently having some internal debate. Finally, he took my hand and turned us in the direction of Esplanade Avenue. “I promised you dinner and drinks, and I never fail to deliver.” The way he wiggled his eyebrows made me laugh again and I pictured of how the two of us looked. Theo’s dark, tanned and casual in jeans and a button-down look. I stood beside him with my hair down, dress blowing in the breeze – so normal.
He led us to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, one of those places loved by locals and tourists alike. The oldest established bar in the U.S. – how could you not love a place like that? Candles, haunted history and a MegaTouch. It really didn’t get any better, as far as bars went.
I bit my tongue to keep from laughing when he deposited me at a table with a clear view of all the doors and a stern warning to stay put until he got back. I’m not sure if he was really concerned or if Gillian had issued some dire threat before letting him take me outside the house. I stayed put anyway. It took him a few minutes to bring back drinks, but after one sip I deemed it worth the wait.
“If I say good choice, will you be offended?”
“Not really. It takes quite a bit to offend me.” Theo took a sip of what looked like straight whiskey, swirling it around on his tongue before swallowing. “After all, I’m related to Lies and Guile. And Great-grandmother Lisette. Since their tongues could strip the hide off a shark, I’m pretty mellow.”
“I’m trying to not say bad things about the twins, so let’s find a new topic of conversation.” When his eyes began to lighten mischievously, I hastened to add, “No Williams, or Gillian, or magic. Just normal things.”
“Okay. Since we can’t talk about any of those things, I guess we can talk about sex.” His face might have been innocent and his voice straightforward, but un-mistakable heat filled his eyes. You could have been blind and able to see the heated way he looked at me.
“There are other normal things to talk about besides sex, Theo.”
“True, but none nearly as interesting. I’m going to guess you never got to play one of the most amusing of drinking games. Never-Have-I-Ever.” Theo still looked innocent, but I he didn’t fool me. “Very fun game. Simple rules.”
“Don’t you usually have to have more than two people to play a drinking game?” I traced the rim of my drink with my finger. It was one of those flirting with danger moments. The man’s eyes were lethal, meant in the best way possible.
“Usually, but since this is more for information than for kicks and giggles, I think two is a good number.” Half done with his drink, Theo raised a hand to signal one of the bargirls over. After she left, he continued, “I mean, it’s better than one. One is the loneliest number of all.”
“Okay, when you break out cheap song lyrics to make a point, I have to cave. It makes me wonder what else you’ll quote unless I agree.” Leaning back in my chair, I crossed my arms over my chest, swinging the leg I had crossed over my knee. “So what are the rules for this game that’s not really a game?”
“Like I said, simple ones. You say something you’ve never done, and if the other person has, they drink. If they haven’t, they don’t.” The bargirl brought our drinks back, and Theo turned a serious face toward me. “It always helps to have a full drink when you start the game.”
“I can imagine,” I answered dryly. “Since I’m the newbie, I get to ask the first question.”
“I was going to say ladies first, but we’ll go with your reasoning. Either way, ask away.” Theo sat back, mimicking my pose. “I’m an open book.”
“Yeah, in what language.” His snort of laughter indicated he’d heard my mutter. I thought for a moment, fingers tapping on my arm. “Alright. Never have I ever kissed a person of the same sex.”
“If you wanted to make sure I wasn’t gay, you could have asked for a demonstration.” Theo didn’t touch his drink. “But it’s good to see you getting into the spirit of the game. My turn. Never have I ever had sex with more than one person at the same time.”
If he was waiting for me to pick up my drink, he’d be waiting for a long time. “That was never something I did, even when times were really desperate. Never have I ever had sex in the same building as a family member.”
“That’s low.” Theo took a sip and smiled. “Although I was getting thirsty. And before you ask, it was in my parent’s house, when I was sixteen. I snuck LoriAnn Manne through my window once.”
“With a name like that, I’m surprised it was even once. Poor girl.”
“Actually, she’s a guy now.” Theo threw back his head and laughed at the expression on my face. “I guess she-he, felt he had to live up to his name.”
“So many crude comments in my head right now, so many.” I shook my head, uncrossing my arms and leaning forward to place them on the table. “Your turn.”
“Alright. Never have I ever had sex with more than one person in a night.”
Nonchalantly, I picked up my drink, and took a long sip. My gaze leveled with his when I answered the unspoken question. “I didn’t enjoy doing it, but everybody had to pull their weight. If that meant more than one turn a night, well, what could you do?”
“How were you able to stop, get off the streets?” Theo’s hand covered mine, squeezing once. A week ago, I w
ould have pulled away. A lot had changed in a week.
“I put in my portion, but I saved the rest. Boosted a couple of cars, took them to chop shops. When I was eighteen, I got a legal job, held it for a little bit.” I smiled ruefully, thinking about the life I’d lived. “I’m not exactly a people person, so working with others on a regular basis for hours on end didn’t really work out for me.”
“So you were on the streets for two years? You always make it seem so much longer.”
“A year on the streets is like seven in the civilized world. I may be younger than you, Theo, but I’m a lot older at the same time.” I took another sip of my drink, not sure of the rules and not really caring. “Although come to think of it, I don’t know how old you are.”
“I’ll be twenty-nine in a few months.” He placed a hand over his heart, striking a pseudo-tragic pose. “Almost thirty, and never been in love.”
“Well, there goes a possible question.”
“Maybe I should clarify. Never have I ever been in love until about five days ago.” His eyes were serious now, the intensity of his emotions darkening the color to almost black. My heart gave a sharp lurch, trying to drop into my stomach. Luckily, my ribcage prevented the fall.
“If I’m not mistaken, I fell on my ass the first time I met you.”
“Which I found charming. No, seriously.” He tightened his hand over mine when I tried to pull away, aware for the first time of just how physically powerful he could be. Williams put all his strength out there simply by standing in a room. Theo kept the possibilities of what he could do under much tighter wraps. “All it took was one look, Jude. One look.”
I opened my mouth, shut it. Opened again, shut again. What the hell could I say? “You have no idea who I am.”
