by Rose Pressey
“No, but you’re going to lose your teeth if you don’t mind your own business, Lily.” Jennifer shouted back.
I snickered. Jennifer wasn’t afraid of Lily, either. “Come on. Let’s get back upstairs.”
When we rounded the corner of our building, I felt eyes on me, as if a presence was staring at me. As I reached the steps, I glanced to my right and saw the voodoo priestess watching me.
Chapter Twenty-One
How to Date a Vampire, Rule #21:
Beware: your vampire lover may be able to read your mind.
She smiled a half-grin and nodded. I attempted a grin. She still made me nervous. I’d visited her shop at Jennifer’s urging when my ex-client was stalking me. She’d helped me by giving me an amulet.
Thank goodness, Jennifer hadn’t noticed her. She’d want me to go in there for sure. I still wasn’t sure about the whole voodoo thing; it reminded me of zombies. I didn’t do zombies.
The priestess waved her arm. Uh-oh. I rushed Jennifer toward the door, but the priestess called out.
“I can help you,” she said.
I thought about continuing through the door, acting as if I hadn't heard her call to me, but curiosity won out. It always did. I wanted to know what she meant. Suddenly everyone claimed to have advice for me. I stopped and turned to face her. I felt Jennifer leaning in close, breathing over my shoulder.
“You can help me?” I asked. “Help with what?”
“I think you know what. Why don't you come inside the shop?”
“Go in.” Jennifer pushed me on the back and I stumbled forward.
“How would you like a knuckle sandwich?” I asked.
“Who says that? I haven’t heard anyone say that since I was in grade school.” She snorted.
I rolled my eyes. “Okay, okay, but don't push. I'm going.”
“Don't make me carry you in there.” She wiggled her finger at me.
The priestess had disappeared back inside in shop. She had no time for our silly bickering. I couldn't say that I blamed her. I moved forward, forcing my legs to progress, but they stopped after a few steps. I turned around and moved back toward my building.
Before I could move more than a few steps, Jennifer grabbed my arm, pulling me forward. “You have to see what she says. Aren’t you curious? Walk into the shop. It didn’t hurt you last time, did it?”
“No, I guess not,” I mumbled.
“What did I tell you last time? Voodoo shops, jazz music, Cajun food… they are all a part of this magnificent place we call home.”
“Cajun food… voodoo… jazz music… voodoo,” I repeated.
“You’re a werewolf and your boyfriend is most likely a vampire, for heaven’s sake. What’s the difference?”
“Well, it still gives me the heebie-jeebies. I can’t take a chance on anything else happening. I’m on supernatural overload right now. Do I really need to keep adding paranormal things to my life? One more might be the one that finally makes it all come crashing down.”
“I think it all came crashing down a long time ago.”
“Well, that might be so, but I don’t need to add another,” I snorted.
“Like I said last time, voodoo is a religion, it’s not supernatural.” She held my arm again. “Rylie, you of all people should know these things. It’s your job.”
“Is that right? Since when did you learn so much about voodoo?” She knew as much about voodoo as I knew about football. Well, you’re the paranormal one in this scenario. “Please forgive me for not knowing all the paranormal details.” I pulled free from her tight grasp. That was the second time she’d questioned my expertise.
“I live next to a voodoo shop. I think some of the knowledge rubs off.” I rolled my eyes. “I’ve heard a lot of things, that’s all. You spend all this time around vampires, psychics, witches, and other creatures I probably don’t even know about and you’re still afraid to go in there. You’re a friggin’ werewolf, so you just march yourself right in to that shop this very minute. Don’t make me do the chicken dance again.” She scrunched her eyebrows together, then smirked. Jennifer stuck her hands under her armpits to form wings. She was ready to humiliate me again.
“Oh no you don’t. Do not, I repeat, do not start that silly chicken dance again.”
She began flapping her arms.
“All right, fine. We’ll go in there again, but only because she did help a little with the last mess. But will you please stop the stupid dance?”
She removed her hands from her armpits and grinned.
“I’m not doing any weird spells this time either. It would be bad luck for me.”
“You are so full of it.”
“Whatever you say. I’m still not doing it.”
“Once again, I thought you’d see it my way.” She grabbed my arm yet again and yanked me back down the sidewalk.
I let her think she was forcing me to go. It made her feel good. I smiled inside, thankful for such a good friend.
When we reached the shop, I paused. Jennifer coughed from beside me.
“Don't push.” I waggled my finger in her direction.
After a few more footsteps, I had yet again confronted my voodoo phobia. Jennifer and I stood in front of the slightly shabby-looking building. I think the neglected look was used to set a mysterious vibe for tourists. The dark side of the city surrounded me every day, but I’d never dabbled with voodoo until recently when the priestess had insisted I use an amulet. Maybe it worked, or maybe it was the power of suggestion, but it had seemed to help. To be honest, I didn’t know a thing about voodoo, only what I’d heard on television or read in a book.
Old, battered shutters flanked the shop entrance, and chipped paint flaked from the walls. The room was filled to capacity with voodoo dolls, books, beads, candles, and masks. Knickknacks covered the walls, and some items even hung from the ceiling.
I paused before stepping into the doorway, then, swallowing through the tightness in my throat, finally pushed ahead. Jennifer opened the door and pulled me through, forcing me to step across the threshold. The hardwood floors creaked under my feet. Here I was back again. After last time, I didn’t think I’d have any reason to return to the shop so soon. The place seemed to be calling me to it somehow. I never had wanted to come in before. At first, I didn't spot the priestess, then I noticed her at the back of one of the aisles.
“What could she possibly want with me?” I asked.
“Maybe she wants to chitchat. You know, girl talk. Go on in.”
“Very funny.”
Out of the corner of my eye, the priestess, as if by magic, appeared at the end of the aisle. She moved with an air of confidence, each step showcasing her poise and grace. Her beautiful face was wrinkle-free, yet I had no idea of her age.
“Follow me to the back.” She moved toward the back of the store without uttering another word. It was almost as if she had been expecting us.
Moving toward the back of the store brought back my terror-filled thoughts of my first visit. I hadn’t wanted to follow her anywhere back then.
“It’s still really hot in here.”
“Well, we are in New Orleans, it’s not like we live in Anchorage.”
“It’s stuffy and I always feel as if I might hyperventilate.” I pulled at the collar of my shirt. “I can’t breathe,” I whispered to Jennifer as she walked beside me. My stomach churned and sweat beaded on my forehead.
“I thought we’ve been over this before. Nothing happened last time, and it won’t happen this time. Maybe she has something new for your curse.” Jennifer winked, looped her arm through mine, and guided me to the back of the store.
The priestess motioned for us to move faster. We hurried down the aisle and through the bead-hung doorway. She gestured for me to come closer. I swallowed hard and stepped further into the space. Jennifer stood behind me in the crowded room. A tiny lamp set on a small desk in the corner, letting off a faint glow in the corner of the room. The faintly lit space bro
ught to mind many macabre images.
“You have information for me?” My voice wavered, terrified of what her answer might be.
I still didn’t know who this enigmatic female was, but somehow I did feel more comfortable around her now, as if when I stepped into the small space all my worries seemed less reasonable. Kind of less like she was luring us to our untimely deaths. That was always a plus.
“Are you wearing the amulet I gave you?” She spoke with a heavy accent, my guess was French.
I nodded. “Yes.”
“She wasn't. I had to force her.” Jennifer smirked when I looked back at her.
I'd get the rat for that.
“I'm happy that you've decided to wear it now. It won't help you if you don't wear it.”
Did she just bring me here to scold me?
“You have a problem with the young man?”
“Jack?” A nervous grin curved my mouth.
How did she know these things? Did she have a wiretap in my house?
“Yes. He is a living vampire now,” she said without so much as a blink of the eye. She remained poised and calm. I wanted to freak out. Of course, I knew Jack’s fate before she mentioned it, but when someone else said it, it didn't make it any easier to deal with. So what would I do now? How would Jack cope with what had happened to him?
“What does that mean?” I asked through my nerves. I was afraid to hear her answer, but I had to know. No matter how bad the outcome.
“He can be in great danger unless you get him help.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
How to Date a Vampire, Rule #22:
“Bloodsucker” is not a pet name.
Well, I had figured that much. The vampires following him around were one indication.
“What do you mean he is in danger? Can you tell me more?”
“I'm afraid I cannot. I don't see anything more than that. He is a living vampire now. Trapped between the two worlds. This is not good for him. You need to get him help.”
Yeah, she’d said that once. “But how do I do that?”
“Go to the source. Find the one who turned him. I don't know any more than that.”
Well, a lot of good she was. I mean I knew this wasn't good for Jack. I could have told her that before I set foot in this shop.
“Here, take this.” She handed me another bag. “Add this to your amulet. It will help keep you safe while you find the vampire. You'll need it.”
Oh, that was encouraging. I looked at Jennifer. Her eyes were wide. Even she looked as if she was uncomfortable in the space.
I took the bag. “Thank you.”
“Do as you did before. Good luck,” she said. Her face was expressionless. No smile. Nothing. Her mouth was set in a grim line. I swallowed hard. This was making me more anxious by the minute. I turned and walked out through the beads again. I hurried my steps, stopping at the counter to pay.
She waved me off. “No charge. Just make sure to use it. There’s a little shop three doors down. You need to go there and talk to the man who works there. He knows about the vampires and he can help you.”
Another stranger. What kind of information could he possibly have for us? I guess it was worth a shot, though. What did I have to lose at this point?
“His name is Marcus Barker.”
“How does he know about the vampires?” I asked.
“I don’t know. I don’t ask those questions. I just know that he has a lot of information about them. You do need information, do you not?”
I nodded. “Yes, I do.” I took the bag. “Thank you again.” She nodded.
This was serious. Maybe more than I could ever imagine. The priestess nodded, and without hesitation, Jennifer and I stepped out onto the sidewalk. I didn't look back, but I knew she watched us. I felt her eyes on my back.
My mind swirled with thoughts about what she’d said and my recent run-ins with the vampires. I believed she had a way of knowing things. When I had first met her, she’d known about my werewolf status, and there was no way she could have known without a psychic gift. Her words left me scratching my head. She had offered advice about Jack and I was thankful for that.
When Jennifer and I made our way outside, instead of turning to the right to go home like I wanted, I turned to the left. Despite my skepticism, we’d go see the man and find out what he had to say, but I hoped he hurried, because I felt like my time was running out.
We stepped inside the shop. The space was filled with different collectibles and jewelry, nothing spooky, and nothing that looked vampirish. So who was this man? Where was he? I didn’t spot anyone. Not one appeared to be working there and no one was shopping, either.
“Maybe we came to the wrong place,” Jennifer said, as she looked around. “I’m pretty sure this was the place she was talking about.” I stepped toward the back of the store. When I made my way halfway down the aisle, a man’s voice said, “Hello.”
I peered around the store, but still didn’t see anyone. This was beginning to get a little weird, but had I really expected anything different? Everything was weird in my life.
Before I responded, a man popped up from the aisle beside us. Had he been hiding there? How strange. Jennifer jumped back, clutching her chest. I wouldn’t have blamed her he she’d run away.
“Um, the voodoo priestess send us.” I looked around to see if anyone listened. Of course there were still no other people in the store but us. Better safe than sorry, though. It felt weird talking about vampires to a stranger, but the priestess acted as if he knew what he was talking about. I’d trust her word.
“Yes, she called and said you’d be coming.” He moved around to the other side of the aisle and stood in front of us.
The man was about my height, five-two. He had gray hair and wore a black shirt and black pants. Black shoes and a black belt. Black, black, and more black. If not for the dark clothing, he’d look exactly like a smaller version of Santa Claus on summer break.
I continued, “Anyway, she said you have information about the vampires.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Well, anything you can share with us, I guess. My name’s Rylie Cruz, and this is my friend, Jennifer Matthews.” I gestured toward Jennifer and she gave a half-hearted smile. “She got a book from the library.”
He smiled, looking as if he was holding back a chuckle. What was wrong with a book from the library? It seemed like a very informative book. The library was the place to go for information. Even if it was supernatural information. What new information could he possibly have for us that the book didn’t have?
“The vampires are very complex.” He spoke in a soft even tone, as if he savored every word. “I’ve been studying them for years and I still don’t know much about them. The information is guarded, naturally. I do know that they have different abilities. They’re unlike the vampires you see portrayed in movies and books. Sure, things like sunlight, reflections, etc. That’s all true, but it’s not true for all of them.”
Ha. That was in the book. “We already know that information, it was in the book.”
Why did I feel as if I was gloating? Oh, maybe because I was. Not very nice of me.
“Is there anything else you can tell us? Something we don’t already know?” Jennifer asked.
If this was all the man had, I really needed to get out of there and start my search for Jack. I appreciated all the help the priestess gave, but so far he had nothing new for us.
“Jennifer is right. We’re looking for information about my boyfriend.”
“He was bitten by a vampire,” Jennifer blurted out.
I jabbed her in the side with my elbow. So much for keeping it a secret. We didn’t know this man. Of course, I thought I could trust the priestess, and since she knew him, he was probably okay, but you never know. The priestess had kept my werewolf secret so that was a check mark in her favor.
“Actually, we think he was turned into a half-vampire or whatever the correct word for it is.
Not fully turned.”
“The living dead.” He shook his head. “Yes, that is even more fascinating. There is some reason why the vampires don’t fully turn some humans. I just haven’t found the key to it yet. I love research, in case you didn’t guess.”
You don’t say.
“That is fascinating, but I need to find the answer so I can help me boyfriend.” I said.
“Good luck to you. It hasn’t been easy for me, I’ve been studying for years.”
“Thank you for the help, anyway. We really must be going.”
“Anytime. And do let me know how it goes with your boyfriend. Maybe I can meet your him sometime.”
This guy was a little too obsessed with the vampires. Why did he have such a fascination?
“Sure, maybe I’ll bring him in sometime.” That was if I ever found him. And besides it wasn’t as if he was some kind of novelty for this guy to play with.
“If you’re interested I have another book that you might find useful.”
“How is it different from the book we got from the library?” Jennifer asked.
“Well, the book you read omits a lot of information, as if vampires don’t really exist, but are more of a myth. It gives information under the assumption that the reader is reading purely for entertainment purposes. We know that is not the case for you.”
I looked to Jennifer and back to him.
“Sure, that would be very nice of you. Thank you.”
“No problem. Just one moment and I’ll get it.” He hurried toward the back of the store.
“Do you think this guy knows what he’s talking about?” Jennifer whispered when she thought he was out of earshot.
I shrugged my shoulders. “He certainly is interested enough. I guess it’s worth a shot to look at the book.” I frowned. “He does seem a little too interested though, doesn’t me?”
“Just a little.” Jennifer pinched her index finger and thumb close together. “It’s a weird hobby, I guess.”
He emerged from the back room with a giddy smile on his face. “Here it is.” He held the book as if it were a fragile egg. “Please bring it back when you’re finished. It’s a rare book and hard to find.”
