by Rhys Rowlyn
“Love you too, my flower.”
I smile at my childhood nickname and close the door before placing my call. I hope André will answer, although I don’t know what I’m going to say.”
“Hello?” His voice comes over the line, and my heart races.
“André, it’s Fleur. I got your number from Giselle. I hope that’s all right.” Dammit, I didn’t think about if he wanted me to have his number. I sit on my bed, biting my thumbnail. Smart move.
“Oh, Fleur. Oui, it is fine. I am glad you called. I had planned to get your number from Giselle.”
“I’m terribly sorry for the way my mother acted. I have no idea why she did that. We had a terrible argument, and I threatened to move out, but she relented and promised to back off.” Leaning back against my headboard, I sigh deeply. I need to start making plans to leave. Tomorrow, I’m going to look into some rental properties. If worst comes to worst, I can always move in with Jenny.
“Chère, I hate you had to go through that. It is fine. I understand mothers can be protective.”
“Yeah, but this was beyond that. Like I said, I don’t understand what’s going on in her mind.” Rolling my eyes, I twirl my hair around my finger.
“Think no more about it. I had a wonderful time tonight and would love to see you again.”
“I’d like that too.” My heart picks up speed at the thought of seeing him again.
“Are you free tomorrow night?”
“I work for myself, so I can make it happen. How about we meet somewhere so I can avoid the whole mother conflict?” I roll over onto my stomach, prop myself up onto my elbows, and tap my chin.
“Sounds good. Where would you like to meet? I don’t know where we’re going yet, but I want to take you somewhere nice.”
“How about we meet at the club around eight? It’s not too far.” I walk there all the time, and it will be far enough away not to have to worry about Maman seeing us together.
“Good, I’ll see you then.”
“Good night, André.”
“Bonne nuit, sweet Fleur.”
Hanging up the phone, I flop back on my pillows and smile at the ceiling. I can’t believe he wants to see me again, and I actually like him. Most guys get on my nerves after a few minutes, but so far, I’ve only been intrigued by André. I hope I will continue to be.
Now to figure out a way around Maman tomorrow… I think I’ll pack a bag and go to Jenny’s for the evening and avoid the situation all together.
André
“What’s up?” Phillipe joins me on the rooftop across the street from Fleur’s parents’ shop.
I camped out here after leaving Fleur and called Phillipe to come so I could discuss what had happened. I hate interrupting his time with Giselle, but this is an emergency. We had parted from Phillipe and Giselle after our date, and now with everything going on, I needed to get Phillipe’s opinion on what was happening.
“I’m keeping watch on her, but I needed to talk to you about something that happened when I brought her home.” I still can’t believe how awful her mother was. It was as if Rosaline had been reincarnated.
“Do you need advice on how to win your mate?” Phillipe shoves my shoulder and I laugh, shaking my head.
The light summer breeze blows my hair and I look up at the stars, hoping Fleur isn’t influenced by her mother’s hatred. I’ve had my share of rejections throughout the years but most find me agreeable.
Before I was changed I was to marry a young lady and her family thought I wasn’t good enough, but my charm and good finances changed their minds. Of course, I almost died in a riding accident, and had Gabriel not come upon me and changed me into a vampire, I would be dead. I let the lady believe I was dead, not really having a choice.
“Non, if I remember correctly, I had more luck with the ladies than you. You just happened to luck up and find Giselle.” I lean against the wall, crossing my arms over my chest, but keep the shop in view. “What do you know about Fleur’s mother? She knows what I am and why I’m interested in Fleur. She also acts as though she needs to protect her daughter from me.”
“All I know is she doesn’t like Fleur working for Giselle and is overprotective. Fleur has no idea Giselle can hear every word her mother says and how Fleur tries to act as if her mother isn’t complaining, but the hatred is evident. Giselle thought it was because of the club, but you say she knows what you are?” Phillipe pinches the bridge of his nose, frowning.
“Oui, definitely. When she saw me with Fleur, she became so angry, I thought she was going to have an apoplexy. She also said she knew what I was and I was not getting her daughter.” I’m still taken aback by the venom spewing from that woman’s mouth. It was pure hatred.
“Interesting… Rosaline’s family must have passed it down throughout the generations, but Fleur doesn’t know, or does she?” Phillipe raises his brows, tilting his head to the side.
“No, she hasn’t got a clue. I do not know why her mother hasn’t told her everything. Seems that would be a sure way of keeping us apart.” I’m thankful for this but also curious as to what has stopped her from indoctrinating her daughter against me.
“So she acts like bitter Rosaline? I hated you had to deal with that lazy wench on the way over. She was horrid. Thank heavens Fleur is nothing like her.” Phillipe moves to the ledge and leans over it to peer down into the alley below.
“Isn’t that the truth.” I breathe a sigh of relief, knowing my mate is kindhearted and not tainted with bitterness. “The myth about us not being able to enter a home without being invited by the owner isn’t true, is it?”
Phillipe turns back to face me, leaning against the ledge. “Not that I know of. I’ve never had any problems entering any establishment, invited or not.”
“Tonight, Fleur invited me in for a drink but I couldn’t enter. A barrier of some sort stopped me from crossing the threshold.”
“Even though you were invited in by her, you still couldn’t enter? Of course, I don’t believe the old myth that we can’t enter if not invited. I’ve never had trouble entering anywhere.” Frowning, Phillipe puts his hands in his pockets and rocks back on his heels.
“No, it was as if I hit a wall and then her mother showed up yelling. I left to not upset Fleur any more than was necessary.” I can still feel where I hit the barrier and wonder if I’ll have a bruise later tonight.
“Now that you mention it, when I walked Fleur home I felt something strange at the doorway of the shop. I’ve never been inside their shop or apartment. Sounds like her mother has a spell cast on the building.” He turns back to the ledge and leans over, staring at the building in question. “Is that her mother leaving? Where could she be going this late at night?”
“I don’t know, but I believe it might be in my best interest to follow.” Whatever she’s up to, I bet it won’t be to do me any favors.
Phillipe and I jump down from the roof and follow the woman, staying in the shadows. She glances over her shoulder frequently, as if sensing she is being followed. Most people have a sense of danger or what they call gut feelings. Usually it is their survival instinct kicking in.
She weaves her way through the busy foot traffic and finally slips onto a side street. She knocks on a door and is let in almost immediately.
“Do you know where we are?” I’m learning my way around the city, but there are still areas I’m not familiar with. We aren’t terribly far from Fleur’s house.
“No, but I know someone who will. Cassie has lived here for many years and associates with all the paranormals of the city. She can tell us who Madam Anders is meeting.” He takes out his phone and taps away.
Phillipe has adapted quickly to using most things. I am learning but am not nearly as proficient as he is. I’m lucky I can answer a message.
Cassie shows up, meeting Phillipe and I at the end of the street.
“Which door did she go into?” Cassie points at several along the street, but I’m unsure which one the woman
entered.
Phillipe points at a dark-pink-colored one. “The third on the right.”
“Ahhh, that’s Camille. She’s a mediocre witch at best. Most of the powerful ones don’t fool with humans, but Camille is always looking for a way to make a buck. If you have some cash, we can most likely buy information.” Cassie glances from me to Phillipe.
“I have cash.” Nodding, I pull out the money roll Giselle gave me last week.
Cassie pulls off a few bills and pushes it back to me. “This should do. How long has she been in there?” She stuffs the money in the back pocket of her jeans.
“Only about fifteen minutes or so. Oh wait, the door is opening.” Phillipe points down the street.
We all blend into the shadows, and Madam Anders hurries by with her head bent low as if she’s trying not to be seen.
“Come on.” Cassie knocks on the door, and a large dark-skinned woman with a flowing, brightly colored dress on opens the door. She tries to close it as soon as she sees Cassie.
“Why, Camille, you’re not happy to see me?”
“Cassandra, of course I’m happy to see you.” She smiles and opens the door wider when she realizes Cassie isn’t going to allow her to close it. “It’s been a long time. Who are your friends?”
“This is Phillipe and André. They’ve only recently awakened from the curse one of your ancestors placed on them.” Cassie pushes her way in, and we quickly follow.
“Yeah, well I didn’t have anything to do with that. I can’t help what my great—great–and-so-on–aunt did.” She waves off Cassie’s words, walking to a table, and picks up a cigarette. She inhales deeply and blows out a large amount of smoke.
Cassie waves the smoke out of her face, wrinkling her nose. “You’re right. You can’t, but you can help what you do. What did Alice Anders want?”
Camille tsks. “Now, Cassandra, you know I can’t reveal what I’m doing for another customer.”
“Can the information be bought?” Cassie holds out her hand to look at her nails, then brings her gaze up to meet Camille’s.
“Everything has a price.” She cocks a brow in Cassie’s direction with a wink.
Cassie hands her a few twenty-dollar bills, and she sits at a table, crossing one knee over the other as she continues to puff on her cigarette. “She wanted a vampire repellent.”
My eyes widen, and my brows shoot up. “There’s such a thing?”
“Oh yeah, I had several made up in the back room. She bought them all. Was muttering something about her daughter needing it and that she wasn’t going down without a fight.” Tapping ash into a tray on the table, the woman shakes her head.
“How do they work?” Cassie glares at the woman, but she is unmoved.
The greedy witch holds out her hand, and Cassie gives her another twenty but smiles, revealing her fangs. Camille pales slightly, snatching the money from Cassie’s hand. “You wear it on your person, and vamps won’t come near you. Something about the smell. All you have to do is get it away from her and there’s no side effects, but you won’t be able to tolerate the odor.”
“Have you cast any other spells for her?” I’m wondering if she can give us a clue as to what’s going on at the house.
“No, but my Aunt Jo did about ten years ago. Told Alice it was going to end up causing her problems, but she didn’t care. Only wanted to keep vampires from being able to go into her house. If you ask me, she’s a bit obsessed with y’all.” Camille sits back in her chair and crushes her cigarette butt in the tray.
Phillipe steps forward, narrowing his eyes on the woman. “What kind of problems?”
“Now that, I don’t know. I was a girl when she did it. I only know she said it was going against something done long ago. You can’t fight that kind of power without having some sort of backlash. She was willing to take her chances.”
“This must be what’s keeping me from entering the shop. I wonder what the backlash will be and if Fleur is safe there.” I start pacing, wanting to get back to my surveillance, and don’t know what I’m going to do during the day.
“Camille, why are you helping her fight the payment of a curse?” Cassie asks. “You know karma could come back and bite you in the ass.”
“Money talks, and besides, my spells are so weak, I doubt very seriously it will keep anyone away. If you can stand the smell long enough, you should be able to get rid of it.” Camille waves a dismissive hand, but Cassie wags her finger in her face.
“You know better, and you know Sabine’s magic was strong and the backlash won’t just affect Alice. Where’s your aunt? Why didn’t Alice go to her for help?”
“That’s who she was looking for, but my Aunt Jo died in a freak accident about a year after she cast the spell.” Camille stands, clutching her throat. “Oh, shit. Here, let me give you the antidote.”
The rest of us look around at each other, perplexed at the witch’s sudden behavior.
She rushes from the room and returns with several small cloth bags. “Carry these on your body, and the other won’t affect you. Now this should satisfy the balance.” Her hands are shaking as she holds up the bags.
Cassie takes the antidotes, handing me and Phillipe each one. “Rookie mistake, and I can’t believe your aunt went against the powerful magic of Sabine. What was she thinking?”
“Aunt Jo was full of herself and always thought she was more powerful than she actually was. I think she let her ego get the best of her. I know I’m not that high up in the food chain and am happy just to stay where I am.” She hugs her waist, staring at us with wide eyes.
“Shouldn’t the spell have died with Jo?” Drawing her brows together, Cassie grabs Camille’s shoulders.
Shaking her head, Camille backs away. “If she used a vessel, the magic would have continued on.”
“Instead of worrying about coming to you, why doesn’t Alice simply tell Fleur about us?” I run my hands through my hair, not understanding her mother at all.
“It would counteract the spell, so I guess she thinks as long as you can’t get in her house, she can keep Fleur safe. My aunt told her if she breathed a word of the magic to anyone, it wouldn’t work any longer.”
“How much for the antidotes?” Cassie pulls out more money, but the witch shakes her head.
“On the house. You already paid for the information. Consider it my peace offering.” She opens the door, motioning for us to leave.
Phillipe leads us out onto the main street and toward Fleur’s home. “Why did she suddenly become so frightened?”
“Camille wasn’t thinking when she gave Alice the repellent, and me bringing up her aunt made her connect the dots. Sabine is a legend, and you don’t mess with her magic. Besides, from what Giselle has told me, the curse is fated and meant to be, or Sabine wouldn’t have cast it. Not only is Alice fighting Sabine’s magic, she’s also going up against fate. I don’t think she understands the danger she’s putting her family in.” Cassie squeezes my arm, trying to offer comfort, but my anxiety has increased to astronomical levels.
Holding up the baggie, I examine and sniff it, then stick it in my pocket as we make our way back to the antiques shop. The building is dark, and only a faint light can be seen inside. I know Fleur is fast asleep, but I’m worried something awful may happen and I will need to rescue her.
Pacing the rooftop, I run my hands through my hair. It will be daylight in a few hours, and I’ll be forced inside. “What can we do to watch over her during the daylight hours? I don’t want to leave without her having some type of protection.”
Cassie taps her chin, biting her lower lip. “There’s a security team Giselle and I have used throughout the years. I’m going to warn you; they’re werewolves but exceptionally reliable and trustworthy. They consider a mate bond sacred and will make sure Fleur is safe when you’re unable to be here.”
Phillipe’s mouth drops open as he quickly faces Cassie. “Wolves? Why hasn’t Giselle mentioned there are wolves living here?”
“She probably hasn’t thought of them. They live about an hour south of town, and only the older, mated wolves are allowed to come into the city limits—well, except for one night a year, and that night is the bane to my existence.” Cassie shivers, wrinkling her nose.
“Why? And when?” I can’t imagine why you would keep a whole species out of a town.
“November first. For some reason, the wolves are most human then. Then, it’s only like dealing with a pack of frat boys, not young rowdy werewolves. Even so, they still manage to cause a heap of trouble. You’ve heard the phrase ‘raised by a pack of wolves’? Well, in this case it’s true.”
“If you trust them, then let’s call. If what you say about the curse is true, my mate is going to need round-the-clock protection.” It’s driving me mad not having her with me. I have thought about simply taking her, but I also don’t want her to hate me.
Cassie makes the call. “Hollis, it’s Cassandra, and I’ve got a job for you.” She explains everything, and he agrees to come. Although Cassie says I can trust these wolves, I’m still nervous and hoping I’ll get a better feel for them once we meet.
“They’ll be here an hour before sunup.” Cassie sits next to the ledge and pulls her knees up to her chest.
“I appreciate all of your help. I don’t know what I would do without you.” Waking up in a new world was a shock, but Phillipe and the rest of the famille have done more for me than I could ever repay.
“That’s what family’s for. I’m just glad y’all are waking up. Watching after twelve bodies all these years hasn’t been easy.” Cassie lies her cheek on her knees, smiling at me.
“I don’t imagine it was. You and Giselle are amazing.” I reach out and squeeze her forearm. We fall into a comfortable silence as we listen to the sounds of the city and keep vigilance on the building across the street.
After a couple of hours, a rock hits the roof by my feet, and Cassie pops up. “Hollis is here.” She jumps down, into the alley below, and Phillipe and I hurry to follow.
