by Susan Stec
"Unloading the Suburban," Paul said with a grin. "Betty has a lot of luggage." He walked over to Jeni and asked, "You look upset, and it isn't just about our language. Why do you keep looking from Christopher to Lily?"
Jeni started to answer, but Lily locked eyes with her, wiggled out of Jeni's arms, slid down her body and stood facing Paul. "Cousin Jeni has just found out that Christopher and I have debated, mentally, on a topic which she feels is inappropriate for a child of my age. She is overly concerned that we will become close acquaintances. However, she need not worry. I am well aware of his age, despite his physical demeanor."
Okay, so that's a perfect example of Lily's ability to tell the truth with a shitload of open holes in it. I embellished, "Yeah, they were hashing over the motivations for Betty and Dorius hooking up."
Paul chuckled. "Ah, the old birds and bees thing. I agree with Jeni, Lily. There will be plenty of time for that kind of talk."
Sh-yeah, right? If he only knew.
Before we could dig ourselves in deeper, Dorius arrived. He sauntered into the room with Betty on his arm. Zaire, Warren and Marcus trailed them, dragging luggage.
Betty took one look at me and was off and running. "Oh, honey, I love that getup! Where'd ya buy it?" She looked up at Dorius. "Ya just hafta buy me an outfit like that, sugar."
I tried not to get all bitchy, rip the dress off and shove it in her face, but damn! It was hard. "Ask Mom. She bought it."
Betty shoved her hand in the purse hanging from her shoulder and dug out a gold pen and a scrap of paper. "Here, sweetie, can ya write down where ya bought it?" She shoved the pen and paper in my mother's direction. "And I want the pen back, it's gold-plated."
Mom pushed Betty's hand away. "Got the dress and thong at Fredrick's of Hollywood." Shoes at a boutique in the French Quarter. You can shop tomorrow. Tonight, we talk business."
"Did someone say shopping?" Resi sang as she strutted thought the door, rainbows of gelatin swishing around between plastic.
Zaire whistled, scooped Resi up, and twirled her around, working that gel. She planted a big kiss on Resi's heavily glossed lips, and said, "You look hot! No shopping for us, baby, got a better way to spend our spare time."
Warren snorted with disgust, flipped off his ball cap, and slapped it against his thigh.
Betty, eyes on Resi, closed her mouth and found her voice. "What size is yer outfit? I'll give ya ten grand fer it if it fits me!"
"I think we're gonna keep it," Zaire chuckled, running primary colors up one side of Resi's hip and down the other with her hands.
"Fifty grand," Betty tried, eyes locked on the gelatin action.
Dorius did that thing with the phlegm in the back of his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "That will be enough wardrobe discussion. Everyone, find a place to sit. We're going to discuss the plans for this evening."
Mom piped up with what she felt was the first order of business. "I want to bring up the issue of Zaire coming along with Christopher and me. I don't think it's a good idea."
"Yeah," Zaire said, "I'm not crazy about turning over the safety of my mate to that redneck over there, either."
Marcus slid up behind me and whispered in my ear, "You ready for the ride of your life?"
"I'm dead," I answered, pushing him away.
"Zaire's coming with us?" Christopher said, all excited. "I think that's a great idea."
Mom dropped her fangs and growled in his direction.
"I have a surprise for you, darling." Marcus' breath raised goose bumps on my neck.
"Chick," Dorius said, distracting me, "there is no room for discussion in this matter! And Zaire," he pointed at Warren, "that redneck has saved my immortal ass several times."
Jake burst through the door, flustered and panting smoke. "Sorry I'm late. There was a large crowd in the restaurant downstairs and it took me a very long time to flag over a waitress to pay my bill. Then I had to buy a leash for Paul and it took me forever to find one. What did I miss?" Jake sidled over to the bathroom, butt cheeks clenched, and leaned against the threshold, holding the handles of a pink paper sack, painted with white paw prints.
"You haven't missed anything," Dorius said with a pointed glance at my mother and Zaire. He moved his eyes in Paul's direction. "Do you have a problem wearing a leash and collar, wolf?"
"I hope it's a choke collar," I mumbled.
The motorcycle has a very large seat, darling, Marcus mentally pushed, wiggling his brows.
I frowned and was about to whip up a clever comment when Paul answered Dorius. "No problem, boss. Jake's going to make sure I can easily slip my head out of the collar in case I need to move quickly." Paul shot me a grin. "Better tuck those legs up under Marcus' ass tonight. I bite."
With one side of his mouth working his cheek, Dorius turned to Gibbie. "I want you to cover all the establishments, randomly flying in and out of each building. If you catch an immortal aura, alert one of the others to immediately check it out."
"Got it," Gibbie squawked, landing on Paul's shoulder, one hand on the hilt of his sword, the other full of Paul's black hair.
Dorius nodded. "Chick, Christopher and Zaire will be heading directly to the swamp. The rest of us will pair off and work the avenue. If we do not find the immortal in town, we will all be heading to the swamp at one-thirty. You have maps and pictures of the area where the meeting will take place in the files Chick and I have handed out. Be sure to study them before we head out in an hour.
"Marcus and Susan will be trawling the French Quarter on the Harley—they can move about quickly, unnoticed. I want no immortal behavior from any of you in public. If you spot the rogue leaving town in a vehicle, make contact with Jeni. She will alert Marcus and the rest of us from the communications vehicle. Any questions?"
"Yeah," Betty said, raising her hand. "I was just thinkin'. Maybe you an' me doin' a little shoppin' tonight would be a good cover."
"I'm not shopping tonight," Dorius said.
"But I was thinkin' it'd give the fairy a little assistance in the stores," Betty argued. "We could do one side of the road, him the other."
"We won't be shopping tonight," Dorius emphatically repeated.
Resi bounced color around the room. "Oh come on! I'll pair up with Betty. You'd probably work better with Warren, anyway."
Zaire winked at Betty. "Told ya. You two are gonna get along just fine."
"There will be no shopping!" Dorius shouted. "Enough with the shopping!"
"I don't know as I like that attitude, sugar," Betty said. "It's a good idea. I'm hangin' with her tonight." She shook her ass all the way over to Resi.
"Oh, goodie!" Resi slapped a hand around Betty's waist. "We can hit the casinos too."
Betty's eyes went from Resi's halter top to her own boobs, measuring them up. "Seventy-five grand. Last offer."
"You're coming with me," Dorius said.
"Don't think so," Betty said. "Yer not the boss o' me. Remember?"
"In the field, I'm everyone's boss," Doris said with deadly gravity.
"I guess this wouldn't be a good time for that congratulatory glass of blood," Marcus said with a chuckle.
I almost exploded with laughter. But I didn't. I froze, waiting to see how this played out. In fact, a quick glance around the room told me everyone else was waiting, too.
Dorius didn't move his eyes off Betty's.
Betty smiled and batted her lashes.
Resi tugged her closer.
Jake squealed, cut a loud fart, and pulled the bathroom door shut in front of him.
Christopher, who had been unusually quiet, laughed heartily.
Dorius hooded his eyes toward him, turned back to Betty, and with a very commanding voice, said, "You wanted to join in this mission, Elizabeth. The rules of our marriage do not apply here. If you both wish to blatantly disregard my orders, you will find yourselves on a plane headed for the compound… together. Do I make myself clear?"
All eyes moved to Betty.
"Oh yeah, ya s
ure did," Betty said, moving away from Resi. "I get it—no problem. Yer the boss at work." She dramatically pulled her mission file out of her purse and sat down on the end of the bed, facing Dorius. "Yep, ya put me in my place right proper, Mr. Boss-Man." She flipped opened the file. "Guess I gotta save all the controllin' fer when we're not workin'." She pulled out a sheet of paper, ran her eyes over it, and said, "I'm sure we'll both adapt. Right, sugar?" She looked up at Dorius and winked. "So, anything else ya got fer me before I go ta our room ta study this file?"
Our eyes moved to Dorius.
He flared his nostrils, took in a deep breath, then smiled at Betty. "I'll tell you what, Elizabeth, since compromise is part of my nature..."
"Sh-yeah, right?" I mumbled, getting a mental chuckle from Marcus.
"… I'm going to let you choose your course of action… this time," Dorius said, stone cold sober. "But if you decide to team up with Resi tonight, and it goes badly, we will be spending the better part of tomorrow discussing your ability to make wise decisions. What will it be, Elizabeth?"
Resi looked at Betty with hopeful eyes.
Betty smiled up at Dorius. "I'll work with Resi tonight, an'…"
"Sounds good to me," Zaire interrupted with a snide grin in Warren's direction, "an' it ain't like we can't keep an eye on them mentally, Dorius."
"… since," Betty continued, "compromise is in yer middle name, sweetie, if I don't muster up tonight, we can have that discussion in the French Quarter, startin' at the establishment where Chick bought Susan's shoes."
Our eyes moved to Dorius.
"We'll finish this conversation in our room." Dorius sounded like one of those wave machines you put by your bed to lull you into sleep. But he didn't look at all relaxed.
"You can finish this conversation in our room in front o' the mirror. I'll be in the heart shaped hot tub, sipping a glass of warm blood," Betty said, "an'studyin' my work file."
Lily found her voice. "I find this conversation rather stimulating. Being mated certainly makes for some interesting debates." She smiled at Christopher. "It would seem that aptitude in controlling a situation in a mated arrangement is purely based on the capabilities one has of manipulation. Quite thought-provoking."
Dorius pulled Betty off the bed, heaved her over his shoulder, and headed for the door. "Jeni, take that thought-provoking little demon down to the communications van; and the rest of you, meet me in front of the hotel in thirty minutes. As they slid through the door, he slapped Betty on the ass. "I have a mate to manipulate."
~~~~
Chapter Thirty-Three
~~~~
When Dorius and Betty walked out of the lobby and down the front steps of the hotel shortly before one in the morning, everyone was just about teamed up and ready to hit the streets.
Waving a brochure, Resi signaled Betty who pecked Dorius on the cheek and scurried over.
Resi bounced around, looking like a human lava lamp as she shoved a brochure at Betty. "Page two, a whole area with shops," Resi squealed, eyes sparkling.
Betty did a little hop, whipped around and waved the brochure at Dorius. "Sugar! There's a gamblin' boat docked a few blocks from here!" she twanged.
"We are not on vacation, Elizabeth." His reply was toxic. "You will both stay focused on the streets in the area we've discussed, paying special attention to the bars. No shopping or gambling."
"The boat has a bar," Resi sang.
Dorius was having none of it. "We are all working the French Quarter. No one except my brother is authorized to leave the area. Do I make myself clear?"
"You shouldn't have told him," Resi whined at Betty.
Betty shot her a conspiratorial set of wiggling brows. They both turned and smiled at Dorius with feigned submission.
Dorius eyed them a threat and turned to Jake. "Do you have your communication device on, dragon?"
"Yes," Jake grunted over his shoulder, frowning at Paul, who was secured at the end of a leash he held firmly in his right hand. The wolf strained at his tether, his snout dancing along the sidewalk.
"Sit!" Jake ordered as he pulled the leash, taking a couple of steps backwards.
Paul filed the nails on his paws, digging the sidewalk for purchase. Jake squealed, and I wondered who was leading who when the wolf dragged him at a fast pace across Decatur, toward Ursulines, in the direction of Royal Street, followed by Gibbie's uncontrolled, but fading laughter.
Warren, dressed in jeans, tennis shoes, camo ball cap and a gray ProBass shirt, stood beside Dorius, waiting impatiently. Zaire slapped a wet one on Resi's lips, gave her a swat on the ass, and moved to join my mother and Christopher, who were tucking themselves into the waiting Suburban parked in front of the hotel. Warren scowled and spat a stream of tobacco through his front teeth. It flew over his lower lip and onto the pavement.
Dorius nodded a warning at Zaire as she slid into the car, her clunky, black boots hammering the floor mat. She nodded back and shut the rear door.
My mother leaned over Christopher, who was sitting in the passenger seat and signaled Marcus over. I watched as she made a comment and handed him what looked like a shirt box. He laughed, taking it gingerly and saluting. The passenger window went up and the Suburban moved away from the curb.
"We're gonna take Saint Peter ta Royal Street an' come in from the west side," Betty told Dorius. "See ya there, sugar." With a wave, the girls headed west, down Decatur toward St. Louis Cathedral.
Dorius nodded to Marcus in acknowledgment and cut across the street, heading in the same direction as Paul and Jake.
"Shall we go find our ride, darling?" Marcus gave me a big grin, rubbing thumbs over the box he was holding.
I resisted asking what was in the box. I was more interested in keeping my ass covered during the ride, and hoping he had a hard time maneuvering the Harley around the streets, 'cause I wanted to drive. I've had my fair share of experience; and never missed bike week in Daytona. 'Sides, Marcus' butt and legs wrapped around my ass would easily solve the coverage problem.
"I'm not looking forward to this," I said, following him toward a parking garage across from the hotel. "And don't go all man-shit on me. If you can't handle the ride, I'm taking over." I was already getting whistles from passersby.
"I'll do my best to make it a pleasurable experience for both of us," he said, passing me the box my mother handed to him.
"For me?" I asked with a demure smile, wondering if the gift had anything to do with his previous remarks about giving me the ride of my life. I shook the box, nether parts tingling. It whispered like material swishing inside.
"Your veil. I'll help you put it on when we get to the parking garage."
"I am so not wearing a veil!" Son-of-a-bitch. Could this day get any worse?
"Yes, you are. It's part of the distraction. Your mother…"
"Damn my mother to Hell!"
Marcus laughed, his eyes waggling at the box.
My connection with my sister started to vibrate against my leg. "Speaking of Hell," I told Marcus, shoving the box under my arm.
I pulled out the Hell phone, thumbed it open and spotted the Harley. The damn thing was decorated with streamers and shit hanging off the back, a "Just Married" sign attached to the sissy bar on the back of the seat. "That baby is coming off." I pointed the cell at the sign.
"Your sister?" Marcus grabbed my wrist as he pushed the phone screen toward my eyes.
JoAnn's face covered the screen. "Susan, Raphael is not happy about this call, so I have to make it short. I'm sending you a copy of the agreement that he and Lord Rahovart, tormentor of the affluent and companion of Satan, have come up with. It will be coming, demon to human, through Hellmail. It's so cute. A little demon with horns announces its arrival, instead of that blah envelope thingy you get on your Motorola.
"Anyway, basically it just says that he gets partial custody of Lily—visitation rights, weekends and holidays—I can live with that." Her eyes jutted to the left of the screen before she
continued. "Can you show it to Marcus so we can be sure there are no loopholes and get back to me, via Hellmail, as soon as possible?"
I glanced at the blinking, red demon with horns and a swishing tail in the upper right hand corner of my viewing screen, and pushed a smile at her. "I'm about to get on a motorcycle. Can we read it when we get back and call you as soon as…"
"No-I-can-not-wait. I've waited long enough. I'm locked in a cage! I want out of here. Now!" She anxiously veered her gaze to the left again.
I stopped dead in my tracks, glaring at the phone, and my whole body tightened up. Like I needed her drama at the moment. "JoAnn, we're working," I said, seething, trying not to crush the damn box under my arm.
Marcus patted my shoulder. "Just tell her we will get back to her as soon as I go over it." His eyes were warning me.
I shot him an "I know Raphael is standing right there" look, and then tried to smile at my sister. "Okay, Marcus will look it over and we'll get it right back to you."
"Thank you, Marcus," JoAnn said smugly. "Hurry, okay? Remember, time moves faster up here. I don't want to spend three more days waiting in this stupid cage."
"Down there," I mumbled, shutting the phone with my chin.
"Okay, you ready?" Marcus asked, pointing to the stupid box.
I sucked in a whopping, big breath and tore it open, strutting toward a trash container.
"Don't you dare throw that in the trash!" Marcus marched up behind me.
"Don't get your undies in a wad," I said, tossing the empty box in the receptacle, while glaring at the red leather headband studded with more silver and about four yards of red tulle attached. I flipped my head back and dug the two combs sewn into the headband under my hair, pulling a few curls around my face while Marcus adjusted the netting over my back.
He turned me around and smiled. "Shame we can't put this outfit to good use. I wouldn't mind finding a wedding chapel."
"I'd rather eat a bug than get married in this dress," I said, heading for the motorcycle.
"Is that a yes, darling?" Marcus chuckled as he followed.
"Not on your life," I muttered, hiking up the dress around my waist as I threw a leg over the leather seat. I gripped the handlebars and turned to him with a smile.
