by Vivi Dumas
“Yes. Of course. Just bring them back to St. Charles.”
“Why is no one calling the police? Have y’all all gone crazy?” Jasmine questioned, frantically looking around and eyeing her friends. “They need a hospital and we need to talk to the police.”
“Jasmine. Angel and Natasha will be fine. They’ll explain everything once they’re a little stronger. Until then, I need you to trust us and stay with Etienne.” Jacque reached for her hand to calm her down, but she snatched it back.
“Don’t fucking touch me!” She trembled from fear.
“Look, handle her, man,” Jacque said, nodding toward Jasmine. “We got to get back inside.” He gave Angel his shirt and hopped out the car with Laurent right behind him.
Chaos ravaged the club. Tables and chairs lay toppled on the floor. Shards of broken glass hung from shattered mirrors. Supes sat scattered about the club; some wandered, searching for friends. A few had been caught in the crossfire. They would all heal, unlike Angel and her friends who were human. At least two of them were human, he needed to find more about Natasha when he returned to Etienne’s.
The Boudreaux brothers had the petite Fae Jacque danced with earlier in the night trapped on the DJ stage. He and Laurent went to investigate.
Jacque hung on the rail surrounding the stage. “What’s up? We leave you alone for a minute and you manage to trap a little Fae.”
“Fae or no. She’s the one who shot you and Angel,” Damon answered.
Laurent hit Damon with a sideways grin. “Get the fuck outta here.”
“Why the hell are you shooting up the place?” Jacque questioned, the sharpness in his tone identified his irritation.
Her voice cracked when Jacque’s hand wrapped around her throat. “I don’t have to tell you shit. I hope your little human’s dead.”
“You don’t know who you’re playing with, you little slut.” He snatched her by her arm, causing her to wince. “You’ll tell me everything by the time I’m done with you.” Jacque’s eyes flared red and heat emanated from his skin.
“Fuck you, demon,” she seethed.
With one swift movement, Jacque snapped her neck. “Take her back to Etienne’s before she heals.”
Damon picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. His brothers followed him out the front door.
“Hey, who the fuck is gonna pay for this mess?” Alana asked as she sauntered up to Jacque.
“Sorry, Lana. It was the little dark-skinned Fae who shot up the place. Send the bill to them.” The Fairy Kingdom had plenty of loot. Why shouldn’t they be held responsible for the damage caused by one of their own?
“Jacque, every time you come to one of my clubs my place gets wrecked. I’ma have to ban you from my place if you keep this shit up. Lucky for you, I rarely see you anymore.” Alana had run clubs since the early 1900’s. She was one tough woman, not taking any shit from anyone.
“Hey, I told you I didn’t start it.” Jacque backed away, putting up his hands in protest.
“Laurent, keep your friend out of my club. Why do you think I told Etienne he couldn’t use it for the meeting? You demons are too much trouble.”
“You know you love me, Lana. You’ll miss me until I come back Topside.” Jacque planted a big kiss on her cheek.
“If the Fairy King stiffs me on this bill, I’ma come lookin’ for you.”
“It’s a deal. Love ya, babe. We gotta bounce. Gotta get info out of this stupid Fae.”
“I’ll see you at the meeting then,” Alana called as they scurried away. “You’re coming?”
“Yeah, the rest of panther pack is coming from Baton Rouge. Tired of Luc fucking with us every few hundred years. It’s getting old.”
“Thanks, babe. Catch ya then,” Jacque called over his shoulder, in a hurry to get back to Angel.
Chapter Twenty-Five
This must be what it felt like to be hit by truck. Truck or bullet, it didn’t really matter. They both hurt like a motherfucker. She sat next to Etienne wearing Jacque’s shirt, which covered more than her dress. Her chest hurt and her head throbbed as the bright lights of Bourbon Street entered the car.
Etienne’s driver parked in front of her house and Etienne ushered them inside, using as much of his long lanky body to shield them as possible. Nat snapped out of her comatose state halfway to the house. Jasmine went numb, not saying or doing much of anything. She aimlessly followed Etienne’s orders.
Marie and Faith rushed into the living room when Angel and the others entered the house. Horror distorted their faces as they stared at the group.
“What the hell happened tonight?” Marie inquired.
“Long story, Grand-mère. We have to get our things and get outta here. I’ll explain later.” Angel ran to the kitchen and grabbed two bottles of Vamp Juice. She tossed one to Nat when she returned back in the room.
“What the hell is this?” Nat scrunched her nose as she cracked open the bottle and took a whiff.
“You don’t want to know. Drink it. It’ll make you feel better. I know you used a lot of energy saving me. And yeah, you’ll be explaining how you did it later.”
“Okay, ladies. I need you to gather all essential items as quickly as possible. We need to get out of here.” Etienne began packing the items in the dining room, all the potions, ritual items, and spell books. Marie and Faith went to pack Marie’s bags. Angel grabbed Nat and flew up the stairs.
She threw open the closet doors, debating what to take.
“Nat grab the biggest suitcase you can find and make sure to get every designer shoe you can manage to carry. If nothing else, everything over five-hundred dollars must come with.” Angel snatched her Louis Vuitton off the floor and shoved clothes into it. “I’ll take care of clothes.” Four suitcases later, she and Nat struggled down the stairs. Angel said a sad goodbye to those items she left behind.
Etienne shook his head in frustration. “Ladies, I said ‘essential.’”
Angel clutched her bags to her. “I don’t know how you roll, but all this is ‘essential,’ unless you plan to replace five years of collecting designer shoes.”
“Okay, the driver will put everything in the car. Come on, we have to leave.”
Everyone shuffled into the limo. Exhaustion tackled Angel like a linebacker. She rested her head on Marie’s shoulder as Faith patted her leg.
“What happened?” Marie questioned again.
“I’m not sure of everything. We were at the club dancing. Then someone started shooting. Jacque and I got hit. I woke up in the back of this limo.”
“Who would be shooting at you?”
Angel yawned and stretched her arms behind her head onto the back of the seat. “Jacque and Laurent went back into the club to find out more information. Hopefully, they’ll have something when they meet us at Etienne’s.”
“Let’s hope they are safe and will return soon.” Marie forced a grin.
“The rougarous were there helping, too. I hope they’re fine. I have no more bargaining chips up my sleeve. Jacque better be fine!”
“Now, Nat, please explain what the hell you did to me. I’m not complaining, just what the fuck?” Angel kicked her friend’s feet, drawing a smile from her.
“Her family is all witches. One of the most powerful in this country rumor has it,” Faith answered.
“Faith, you’ve known all this time?” Nat’s voice was a bit nasally.
“Yeah, the spiritual community is a small one. We try to watch out for any strong powers. They can become problems in the future.”
Nat’s excitement was evident by the glow in her hazel eyes. “Then what’re you guys? Are y’all witches, too?”
“No, not witches. This is our grandmother, Marie Laveau.” Nothing more needed to be said.
Nat looked from Angel to Marie and back to Faith. “Oh. Oooh!”
“What’s your power child?” Marie interjected, allowing Angel to curl into her side.
“Healing is my innate power. I have some g
ift of sight, too. Do you guys have powers?”
“Some do. Angel and Marie both call upon the elements for their strength,” Faith replied. She had kept so much from Angel. Hopefully, this was the end to all the surprises.
“I’ll be damned. All this time and neither of us knew.” Nat shook her head in disbelief.
Angel chuckled at Nat. “I’ve learned a lot of things in the last few months.”
“You’re all fucking freaks!” Jasmine screamed, reaching for the car door. Etienne grabbed her around the waist to stop her. It was a lot to swallow in one night, and Jazzy’s staunch Catholic background worsened the situation.
Angel fidgeted in her seat, playing with her hair. This night of fun with her friends had gone so wrong, like too many other things in Angel’s life. Vanity forced her to think she couldn’t survive without physical beauty. Her selfishness brought destruction and wrecked havoc to everyone’s life. Angel reminded herself to seriously evaluate her priorities when she got everything straightened out.
The beautiful homes of St. Charles Avenue remained as beacons of a bygone era. Angel slid to the edge of her seat as they neared Etienne’s home. As they pulled into the driveway, she noticed Laurent’s car. When the limo stopped by the front stairway, she jumped out, not waiting for the driver to open the door.
She sped up the stairs and burst through the front door.
“Jacque!” Her voice trembled as she called out for him. “Jacque!”
“Good God, woman. Where’s the fire?” His silky tone soothed her as soon as she heard him coming up from the basement, which was a rare find in a home in New Orleans.
She slammed into Jacque, grasping his face, as she kissed him hard. His strong arms held her tight, lifting her from the ground. Seeing his face, she exhaled. She was wound so tight she could snap, knowing he was safe gave her relief. She stretched on her tiptoes and sealed her lips on his. He answered her urgency as her tongue explored the salty sweetness of his mouth.
Laurent pushed against Jacque to clear the basement doorway. “Hey! Cut it out! I keep telling y’all. I’m gonna turn the hose on you.”
Angel tore her lips from Jacque’s, but remained close to him. The warmth of his body comforted her. She took his hand and started toward the parlor. The others entered the house and headed in the same direction. Etienne carried Jasmine fireman-style into the room.
Angel brushed a curl out of Jazzy’s face. “What did you do to her?”
Etienne laid Jazzy on the settee on the far side of the room. “I just convinced her she was tired and needed to sleep.” He placed a pillow under her head and smiled down on her with sympathy. Etienne’s gentle handling proved to Angel he wouldn’t hurt Jazzy.
“Okay and you’re just now thinking of hypnotizing her? You couldn’t zap her when she started calling us freaks?”
“She kept fighting me when I tried to get her out of the car. I didn’t know how you’d feel about me messing with your friend’s mind. I finally got desperate. Couldn’t think of any other option.”
“Jazzy has always been a handful. Hopefully, she’ll calm down.”
“I could erase everything she saw tonight if you want.”
“Let’s wait and see. We have other things to worry about right now.”
Everyone found a seat. Marie, Faith, and Nat occupied the sofa flanking the fireplace. Laurent and Jacque opted for the armchairs. Angel settled herself on Jacque’s lap. A tingle traveled up her spine as he stroked her back. Etienne rang a bell and a tall dark-haired man came out and took drink orders.
The doorbell rang and a small blonde girl announced the Boudreaux brothers. Etienne greeted his guests, offering a seat. He ordered the small girl to have more chairs brought from the other room. Damon grimaced as he passed Angel and Jacque. Jacque pulled her closer and kissed her shoulder, marking his territory.
Damon took the seat across from them. “I’m glad to see you’re well, Ms. Angel.”
“Thanks, Damon. I’m glad y’all made it back fine.”
His smile gleamed and his eyes sparkled as he gazed at her. “Yes, it’s been an exciting night. And I’m sure there’s more to come.”
“Thanks for your help. We put the Fae downstairs. She had some interesting things to say after some convincing,” Jacque interrupted.
Damon’s eyes never left Angel’s face. “Really, who was she trying to kill?”
“Angel.” Laurent’s answer was simple and to the point.
“The bitch you were dancing with? Why would she want to kill me? I never met her before,” Angel said.
“Apparently, Luc put an open contract payable to the first person who brings you in.” Jacque tightened his grip on her as she began to tremble.
“A contract on me? You mean there’s going to be random crazies out there trying to kill me?” She struggled to remain calm.
“What’s the bounty?” the youngest brother asked.
Jacque’s continuous petting subsided her shaking. “It’s open. Luc offered to wheel and deal on all open contracts if Angel’s brought in. Those with the worst deals with Luc will most likely be the ones who’ll come after us first.”
“What’re we going to do?” Her voice sounded small and tired in her head.
“We continue the plan we started. And fight anyone we encounter in the meantime,” Damon answered.
“Exactly,” Jacque agreed then looked to his friend. “Until we find another place, do you mind if we stay here, E?”
“Not at all. It’ll be a bit crowded since I have a few more guests than usual due to the meeting. We can make it work.” Etienne rang the bell again. “Ladies, I have two rooms upstairs for you. They each have two double beds so you’ll have to share. Jacque, there’s a small room on the third floor you can have. It’s not fancy. I’ll make sure the help makes it suitable.”
Angel rushed across the room, squeezing her arms around him. “Thank you for all your kindness, Etienne.”
Faith’s voice was soft, nudging. “Angel?”
“What?” she asked, settling back on Jacque’s lap.
“What about Mom? Do you think she might be in danger? Should we get her, too?”
Angel tried to keep her mother at arm’s length. Elise brought out the worst in Angel, pointing out all her flaws, which was the last distraction she needed. “Aww, hell! I forgot all about her. I hate to do it. I guess someone has to go get her.”
“It’s going to be difficult to explain everything to her. I’ve never told her anything I found out about our family. I’m not sure how she’ll take it.” Faith frowned, wringing her hands in her lap. Mother caused everyone worry.
Angel laid her head on Jacque’s shoulder, exhausted. “As long as something is in it for her, she’ll be fine. I apologize in advance to everyone for my mother. If you thought Jazzy was a handful, you haven’t seen anything yet.”
“I’ll go get your mother if you like,” Damon volunteered. “If you think she’ll come with me.”
She smiled at his kindness. By the tick in Jacque’s jaw, she figured he wasn’t as appreciative. “Thanks, Damon. She’s my responsibility. I won’t put her off on anyone.”
“We’ll go get her, babe. We need a bigger car than any of us brought.” Jacque tapped her butt for her to stand.
“You can borrow my S500,” Etienne offered. “Only if Angel drives.”
“What the hell? Have you been talking to Laurent?” Jacque raised a brow.
Etienne tossed Angel a set of keys. “No, I remember the last time you came Topside. It’s been a while, and I don’t want my car ruined.”
The laughter ringing through the room masked the tension of the danger they all faced. Angel left to retrieve the one person she desperately tried to leave behind.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Angel parked in front of the brightly colored house she knew so well. The dim light of the television glowed through the window. She imagined her mother sitting on the floor with her popcorn, watching Pretty Woman for the mi
llionth time. Saturday night was always chick flicks, wine, and snacks. To be such a beautiful lady, her mother rarely had any dates. If she did manage to solicit a date, it was only the one, never a second. It would take a special kind of man to deal with her mother.
Jacque came around and opened Angel’s door. A hot and muggy breeze stifled the air. She checked her hair in the car window and smoothed her dress before turning to the house. She flinched when she saw the scar running down her face. Her mother was going to have a field day when she saw Angel was flawed again. Jacque hung his arm around her shoulders for support. She appreciated the gesture as she sucked in a deep breath and prepared for battle. As they strolled up the brick path to the front door, Angel snuggled closer to Jacque, absorbing his strength.
“Mother.” Angel stuck her head in the living room.
Elise jumped when Angel called out. “What the hell are you doing here?” Elise’s long limbs lengthened as she stood, transfixing a provocative grin on her face when she caught sight of Jacque.
“We came to get you. You have to come with us,” Angel huffed, putting herself between Jacque and her mother’s line of sight.
“What the hell happened to you? Why is your face messed up again?” Elise turned on the overhead light to get a better view.
Angel held up a hand to shield her eyes from the light. “It’s a long story. Please grab some stuff. We need to go.”
“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what’s going on. And why your hideous face is back again. How’re you gonna go back to work if you look like a monster?”
Angel placed a hand on her hip, digging in her heels. “Mom, get your shit and come on. We have to leave, and I don’t have time for your nonsense right now.” Her mother never made anything easy. Angel wished she could just leave her and forget the past.
“Watch how you talk to me! I’m your mother. You will respect me.”
“Again. I don’t have time for this. We’re in danger and have to go. And when you start acting like my mother, I’ll treat you like my mother. Until then, get your shit and come on! Or else I’ll leave your ass here, and you can fend for yourself.”
