by Vivian Wood
No man should ever look so good or smell so good fresh from a workout, but Gabriel did. Damn him.
“Ohhh…” she said, giving herself time to recover and not drool like an idiot. “I was researching the Gates of Guinee, the supposed portal into the spirit realm. Pere Mal is obsessed with the Gates, and I started to think… If they were real, maybe they correspond with some other places of power.”
“Like where?” Gabriel asked, crossing his arms. The hem of his shirt hitched up another fraction of an inch. A very noticeable fraction.
Cassie took a moment to smooth down her brightly-patterned Alice + Olivia sundress and tug at her arm-length white lace gloves, wondering if she’d ever be able to dress casually again. Gabriel was just too hot in any kind of clothing, and Cassie couldn’t stand the thought of being less put-together than him. Of course, that meant that she spent a lot of time primping… but then again, she also liked primping and feeling girly.
“Cass?” Gabriel prompted.
“Hm? Oh, uh… I pulled up a bunch of different maps of New Orleans online. Crime maps, cemetery maps, old riverboat maps that show how the city used to be set up. Here, look,” she said, reaching for a sheaf of papers she’d printed from the internet. She spread them out for Gabriel to see. “I’ve made marks here on the crime map where paranormal crimes are the most frequent. On this map, I marked where the Kith first settled, around the French Quarter and along the river. And here, on the cemetery map, you see where some of the most prominent Barons and priests and priestesses were supposedly buried.”
“These points are the same on every map,” Gabriel said, his brow hunching as he absorbed her findings.
“Yeah. So look at this one,” she said, moving to the big map she’d examined earlier. “This one shows where the old money families settled here, when New Orleans was still surrounded by plantations.”
“How do these fit together?” Gabriel asked.
“Well, I did a little research about Pere Mal. He’s obsessed with his personal history and that of his ancestors. So I dug a little, nudged a couple of Gray Market vendors I know, asked around for whispers about where his people are from. I cross-checked some of the older plantations with the places he and his family were rumored to have lived and worked, then I compared that to the list of properties Ciprian gave us.”
Gabriel studied her for a moment, looking a little surprised.
“What?” Cassie said, pretending offense. “I’m not just a dumb fortune teller, you know.”
“I’ve never thought that for a moment,” Gabriel promised, his lips curling up into a smile. “So? What did you conclude?”
“So, look,” Cassie said, pointing out the same spot on five different maps. “Right here, on what’s now Prytania Street. Pere Mal’s mother was said to have worked at the Foucher Plantation. There’s a cemetery very close by with a bunch of important graves, maybe even Baron Samedi himself.”
Gabriel raised a brow.
“Baron Samedi is the one who made up the riddle about the Gates of Guinee. ‘Seven nights, seven moons, seven gates, seven tombs’, remember? You really gotta keep up,” Cassie sighed. “Anyway, within the same few blocks there is also a paranormal crime hot spot, a house where the first Vampires that arrived in New Orleans kept their coffins, and a freaking Indian burial ground.”
“And Pere Mal’s addresses?”
Cassie dropped her finger onto the closest map, beaming with pride.
“Right smack in the middle of it all, of course,” she crowed. “He has a number of properties in the area, but public records say this is one of the oldest standing homes in the city. I think it’s more than an investment. I think it’s personal.”
“And you think… what, that he’d put the new Birdcage somewhere close to his heart?” Gabriel said, putting the pieces together.
“I think Ciprian said he’d pick somewhere with a lot of security, well protected. I think he’d protect someplace he cared about a lot, right? Especially if you already ran him out of the first location.” She paused to take a breath, thoughtful. “Actually, Alice did that. She’s the one that sent up the flare.”
“A friend of yours, I presume?”
“Probably my only real friend,” Cassie admitted with a shrug.
“That’s not true. You’re friends with me. And Echo and Rhys,” Gabriel said. “And for some reason, Cairn seems drawn to you. That bloody cat doesn’t like anyone but you and Mere Marie.”
Cassie suppressed a giggle when Cairn rose from where he was curled up atop a bookshelf, right behind Gabriel. Cairn gave Gabriel a haughty look and reached out a paw, knocking a heavy-looking book off the top shelf. Gabriel jumped and spun to glare at the cat, who slunk off out of sight.
“Careful about him,” Cassie warned with a grin. “He’s sneaky like that.”
Gabriel muttered a low curse and shook his head.
“Well, this is excellent work. You really should think about doing research professionally,” he said. “Uh, not that you need a job.”
Awkwardness bloomed between them and Cassie almost groaned aloud.
“Thanks,” she huffed. “So can we go get Alice from the Birdcage now or what?”
Gabriel frowned for a moment.
“I’ll have to talk to the other Guardians. We don’t go in without a strong plan, and we don’t take our…” He paused, and the word mates hung in the air between them before he corrected himself. “The Guardians go in alone. We don’t want to have to defend you and attack Pere Mal’s guys at the same time.”
“I resent that! I can pull my own weight. Or the Oracle can, at least. She’s not about to let me get hurt, I assure you.”
“I’m afraid that’s not nearly enough reassurance for me,” Gabriel said with a bemused smile. He stared at her for a second too long, his gaze dropping to her chest before he cleared his throat and reached out to give her an awkward pat on the arm. “Nice work on the map, though.”
Cassie blew out a breath, frustrated by his brief touch. He’d been like this all week, checking her out when he thought she wasn’t looking, then the next moment pretending that he was all business. After the way he’d touched her at Bellocq, Cassie had thought that maybe he’d at least be interested in something physical growing between them. But no. Not so much as a kiss on the cheek since then.
Never mind the fact that Cassie had caught Gabriel adjusting himself to hide his arousal countless times in the last few days. She screwed up her mouth, deciding to test him, see just how professional his feelings toward her really were.
Gabriel turned to leave the room, but Cassie stepped right up to him and caught the hem of his t-shirt, tugging him to a halt.
“Wait,” she said softly.
Gabriel turned back, his expression shifting from surprise to hunger to guilt in the space of a few seconds.
“Cass,” he said, wrapping his fingers around her hand. He stared at her hand for a few moments, looking uncertain, then raised it and placed a kiss on her wrist, just where her pulse pounded. When he released her, Cassie turned the tables on him, grabbing his wrist and jerking him toward her body.
Of course, his greater size meant that Cassie mostly pulled her body against his, but it didn’t matter. She threw her arms around his neck and raised up on her tiptoes, pressing her lips to his. Gabriel was still for a fleeting instant, and then he responded with a groan, taking the kiss deeper.
They were breathless in moments, clinging to one another, hungry for each other. It nearly killed Cassie to pull her lips from Gabriel’s, but she needed to understand what was between them.
“Why have you been avoiding this?” she asked, scanning his face as she tried to catch her breath. “I know you want me this way.”
She brushed her hips against his, conscious that he was hard and wanting.
“Cass, Cass,” he said, desire just as plain in his eyes. “I— I don’t know that I can have a mate. It’s… I can’t…”
Cassie brushed another kiss ove
r his lips.
“I don’t need forever,” she said. “Maybe I’m not a forever kind of girl.”
Gabriel reared back, his expression darkening.
“Don’t say that,” he growled. “You’re not some casual…”
Cassie would have laughed at his lack of words to describe her if she wasn’t so frustrated with him just now.
“Maybe you’re the one who’s not casual!” she snapped, then she gave a bitter laugh at her own words. “Actually, I take that back. According to Cairn, you’ve had a revolving door for hookups since the second you arrived in New Orleans.”
Gabriel had the decency to look a little abashed.
“Not since you came to the Manor,” he argued.
“And you think that makes me feel better? You’ll fuck all the… faceless flings! But me? No, no. Me, you won’t touch with a ten foot pole.” She pushed out of his embrace with a scowl. “If it’s not attraction and it’s not an aversion to physical… activity, I’m going to have to assume that you genuinely don’t like me as a person.”
Gabriel’s mouth opened, a befuddled expression on his face.
“That is absolute horse shit!” he barked. “Of course I like you. I more than like you.”
“Really?” Cassie scoffed. “Prove it!”
She assumed that he’d take her challenge as a dare to consummate whatever lay between them right here, right now, but of course Gabriel surprised her. Damn man and his sweet, romantic, stupid brain.
“Dinner,” he said, catching her wrist and pulling her close. His irate expression clashed with his words, and Cassie stared at him in confusion.
“You’re thinking about food right now?” she asked.
“No, I—” Gabriel stopped and growled, baring a gleaming row of perfectly white teeth for a moment. “Stop putting me off track. I’m trying to ask you on a proper date, woman.”
“A date?” Cassie echoed, her brows hunching.
“Yes. Courting and the like. You, me, fancy dress, even fancier restaurant,” he said slowly, his tone just short of mocking. “We eat food, I pay for it. We talk and… things.”
Cassie let out a disbelieving laugh.
“Uh… okay. I don’t even think you’d know what to do with yourself on a date, but I’m very interested to see you try,” she fired back.
“Fine! I’ll pick you up from the doorway of the guest bedroom,” Gabriel grumbled. “Eight sharp.”
“Fine!” Cassie said, giving him an affronted glance. She pulled away from his grip, “I’ll see you at eight!”
Without a backward glance, Cassie stomped out of the room and into the hallway, not stopping until she shut the guest room door behind her. Only then did she pause, leaning back against the door, and think about what had just happened.
“I… have a date?” she wondered aloud. “I’ve never even been on a grownup date!”
Excitement and nervousness and joy overwhelmed her all at once. Cassie buried her face in her hands and let out a loud, emotional squeak. She grinned at herself, at her reaction, at the whole situation.
After a few moments of celebration, she straightened. Gabriel was giving her a tiny bit of control, and she needed to use it for all it was worth. If she was going to do that, she needed to get moving, find a dress and accessories and…
Another tiny squeak of excitement escaped her lips as she rushed to her armoire, flinging it open.
She had a real, honest date with Gabriel Thorne!
8
“This doberge cake is too much,” Cassie said, giving a contented sigh as she pushed away the last few bites of the rich chocolate dessert.
Gabriel chuckled, watching her across the table, admiring her beauty. They were tucked away on the far side of the courtyard at Cafe Amelie, by far New Orleans’ most romantic patio. The high walls rose around the courtyard, ivy and jasmine falling down in fragrant waves, and the whole courtyard was lit by candles and torches. A talented local violinist was perched in the far corner, adding a quiet ambiance to the scene.
Gabriel only had eyes for Cassie, though. She was wearing a slinky black halter dress that covered her neck and chest up while leaving her arms and lower back dashingly bare. She’d left her long red locks down to curl softly around her shoulders like a cape, and she wore what Gabriel recognized as her signature black winged eyeliner, bringing out her stormy silver-gray eyes.
“You want to get out of here?” he asked, trying to hide the fact that he was staring at her curves like a horny teenaged kid.
“Sure,” Cassie said, tugging up the edges of her long black silk gloves. It seemed like a reflexive habit, making sure that her scars were always hidden from sight. Gabriel had seen those scars, and they weren’t pretty, but they did nothing to diminish her luminance. Just now, after a few glasses of champagne, she was blushing prettily and eyeing him with more than a small amount of interest.
That dress, that look on her face, the way she smiled at him… It just might be enough to make Gabriel forget all that he’d foresworn.
He slipped a thick sheaf of bills under his plate, then rose and held out a hand to Cassie. He helped her to her feet. She caught him by surprise, using the momentum to swing up and kiss him. It was a quick, playful brush of lips, but their bodies connected, hips pressing together, and Gabriel wanted more.
More, more, more. Would there ever really be enough of Cassandra Chase? Gabriel’s greed for her was beginning to overrun his fear, if only for the moment. Or the night…
“I was thinking we’d walk a bit, see the nightlife. Since we’re in the French Quarter already,” Gabriel said. “Do you want to stroll with me a bit before we get a cab back to the Manor?”
“Of course,” Cassie said, taking his hand and lacing their fingers together in a way that made Gabriel’s chest tighten. “Let’s stroll.”
She’d mimicked his accent on the last bit, which made Gabriel laugh. The sound felt odd in his throat, making him think he hadn’t done nearly enough of that since… London. He couldn’t bring himself to think of the day he’d left, but somehow he was going to have to talk to Cassie about it, explain why she deserved much more in a mate.
They emerged from the courtyard and headed down the sidewalk.
“Oh, I love this gallery,” Cassie said as they passed a huge window featuring famous artwork. “And this dress shop, Trashy Diva. I have a dozen of their dresses. Very 50s chic.”
She chatted happily, and Gabriel guiltily half-listened, his stomach filling with dread as he tried to think of the right way to tell Cassie that he couldn’t give her what she wanted. They walked and people-watched all the way to Jackson Square, where Gabriel tugged Cassie over to one of the secluded wrought-iron benches.
“Let’s sit and talk for a minute,” he suggested.
“Uh oh,” Cassie said, her brows shooting up.
“What?” Gabriel asked, pulling her down beside him. He couldn’t quite let go of her hand, or move his thigh away from hers.
“That sounds ominous,” she said with a shrug, glancing away.
Gabriel cleared his throat, unsure how to begin.
“Cass, I’m a murderer,” emerged from his mouth, surprising even Gabriel.
Cassie’s eyes widened as she stared up at him, her fingers clenching against his for a moment.
“Uh… what?” she asked.
“All the Guardians are in service to Mere Marie. I think you know that, right?” Gabriel asked. Cassie only nodded, so he pushed on. “I serve Mere Marie because she saved me from a grisly fate. Hanging from the neck until dead, as we called it.”
“I still don’t understand.”
“I killed my sister Caroline. I thought I knew enough magic to summon and control a demon. The spell went awry, and killed Caroline instead.”
Comprehension flared in Cassie’s eyes.
“Your sacrifice, to power the spell,” she said, nodding. “That happens with the Oracle sometimes, sacrifices being mistaken. I’ve never accepted human lives, thou
gh…”
“I was supposed to sacrifice my ability to shift,” Gabriel explained, rubbing his hand over his mouth.
“You were giving up your bear.” Cassie watched him for a moment, then she just nodded. “I don’t think that qualifies as murder, exactly.”
Anger flashed in Gabriel’s chest, quick and hot.
“Really? What do you call it, then? Carelessness? I killed her, Cass. She was cold as stone, lifeless in my arms. Without Mere Marie, Caroline would be long gone. Because of me.” He thumped a fist to his chest, pain searing him as he thought of his mistakes.
Cassie seemed to consider his words for a long, silent moment.
“Okay,” she said. “I’m sorry that happened, Gabriel. And I’m glad that Mere Marie saved your sister. Thank you for telling me.”
She looked on the verge of saying more, but stopped. Gabriel let out a pent-up breath, frustrated. She heard his words, accepted them, but didn’t understand the reason for his confession.
“Cass,” he said, squeezing her hand again before withdrawing. “I don’t think you see the point of this discussion.”
“You opening up about your past isn’t enough of a point?” she asked, her gaze narrowing.
“I am trying to explain why I can’t have a mate,” Gabriel said. “The responsibility of it…”
“Responsibility?” Cassie’s brows arched.
“To protect you,” Gabriel clarified.
“Let’s forget the ridiculous things you just said for a moment,” Cassie said, giving him a hard glance. “What is it that you want in your life, Gabriel?”
Gabriel paused, thinking that over.
“I don’t know,” he admitted.
“Let’s paint a portrait here. You, in the future, without all the guilt of the past. If Caroline never died, and that wasn’t hanging over your head, what would you plan for yourself?”
