by Brenda Trim
His legs filled out the jeans he had on. She'd love to feel those tree trunks bracing her body as he pounded into her from behind. She was panting with desire when he had reached up to grab a trinket from an upper shelf and his shirt lifted to reveal low-cut jeans. She didn’t miss the visible V in his lower abdominals and wanted to run her nails along his muscles.
A chuckle drew her attention. Glancing up, she blushed to the roots of her hair when she realized he was watching her and she had been staring intently at the hem of his shirt, hoping it would vanish to give her a glimpse again. Shaking her head, she cleared her throat. What had he asked? Oh yeah, "Yes, I have lived in dis city my whole life. I love it here. It's in my blood, dere is a heart ta da city dat you can't find anywhere else."
"I'd love to see the city through your eyes. All I see are buildings that have great color and character. At least, that's what I see when I can get past the awful smell," he said, waving his hand in front of his face as they passed a particularly moldy-looking puddle of water in the gutter.
She chuckled and patted his shoulder, letting her hand linger longer than was necessary. She almost snuck her hand under the cotton of the short sleeve just so she could touch his pythons and get the jolt of electricity that had lit her up when they had shaken hands.
"Dis city will leave its mark on you, smell or not. I don't even notice it anymore, especially not in da wintertime. I guess I've grown accustomed ta it after several hundred years. What I will never get enough of is da food. When Ma Belle gets ta cooking her creole, people come running, human and realm alike. Her restaurant is da best in town. I swear I can smell it two miles away."
"I’d never had better Cajun food than here until the Vampire Queen cooked for us. I'll have to take you to dinner so I can compare the two." He winked at her and smiled, revealing dimples that made him look boyishly handsome.
"You tink its dat easy? Say you want ta take me ta dinner and I'll go?" she cocked her head, teasing him.
"How can you say no to a face like this?" His smile grew bigger and he tugged on her hair. Playful banter was as foreign to her as shifting into an animal, but she found that with Zeke, she liked it.
Supernaturals she encountered were, more often than not, frightened of her because she was a powerful Mambo with control over the dead. Add to that, the fact she was second to Marie Leveau, daughter to the God Kalfu, and that explained her empty dance card. No one wanted to call the wrath of a God down on them and it was well known that if you messed with Marie or her Mambo then you were going to be punished.
"Dat smile of yours is trouble, cher. But, you're right, I find dat I can't say no ta you. I will take you ta get da best creole NOLA has ta offer. Ah, here we are," she said, stopping outside the tall, stone wall that flanked the entrance to the cemetery.
"How do we get in?" Zeke asked, fiddling with the lock that hung on the iron gate. To keep vandalism to a minimum, the human authorities closed the cemetery in the early evening. Tia could vouch that made life easier for the voodoo practitioners in the area. A human stumbling across the calling of the dead would be difficult to explain.
"Don't doubt me, panther. I am a female of many talents," she chided as she pulled a small case from her large, leather bag. Unzipping it, she took out two slim pieces of metal.
"You aren't using magic to do that?" he inquired, tapping the metal contraption.
She laughed and looked up at the incredulous look on the sexy shifter's face.
Inserting one piece of the thin metal and then the other, she twisted. "I have magic over da dead, not steel locks. I doubt a Wendigo or ghost would be very helpful here," she said sarcastically.
Suddenly, the wind gusted, whipping her hair around her head. The ancestors were letting her know they were aware of the shifter's presence, and apparently, weren’t too happy about it. She'd have to appease them during the ritual. Another twist and the lock popped open.
"Nice," he praised, making her chest puff with pride. "So, you can't do traditional magic?"
Stepping through the gate, he followed at her heels and then the gate squeaked closed. Perusing the area, she swiftly maneuvered them down the aisles. Tourists that visited saw this as a place of death, but she felt the spirits awaken as they passed their resting spots. The tombs were set up much like a small city. Unlike traditional cemeteries, in New Orleans, the dead were interred above ground in small buildings that were laid out in a grid pattern.
"I’m not a traditional female, now am I? I can make potions dat work just like spells, but it’s not magic like da witches and sorcerers use. I don't call upon the elements ta aid in my magic. I call upon the Loas, as well as, the ancestors. And, sometimes I call upon da animals. See da difference?"
Shaking his head, he gave her a crooked smile. "I know a certain panther that would love you to call upon him," he murmured suggestively.
She couldn’t help but return his smile, “I bet you do.” Oh, she’d like to do a lot more than that at the moment. Take that beast for the ride of his life was more like what she had in mind. Turning away from his heated gaze, she concentrated on her task at hand.
Passing countless tombs, some surrounded by wrought iron fences and others run down and decayed, they stopped in front of one marred with numerous letter Xs. Light from the full moon offered plenty of illumination for what needed to be done. "Stand here, Zeke. I need dis area ta work," she instructed, pointing to a spot right next to her.
She didn't actually need him that close, she could have allowed him to watch from the other side, but she wanted his heat warming her side. Setting her bag down, she retrieved a bag of salt.
"We're at Marie's tomb?” he asked. “This is your temple?" She glanced over at his incredulous tone. "And, what's with all the Xs?"
"Yes, dis is her tomb. Marie blessed dis place, giving it power and consecrating it. Plus, most of our ancestors are buried here and it helps ta be close ta dem. As for the Xs, tis a request for a wish. Many rumors float about da human realm dat if dey place an X on Marie's tomb and turn around three times den dey will be granted a wish. I can confirm, Marie will from time to time grant wishes."
"That's interesting. Why do we have to do this here?" Zeke asked, brushing his hair off his forehead as he watched her closely.
"Dis is my oúfo, my temple if you will. I can't perform a ceremony aksin for help just anywhere. Dat would be considered disrespectful and would piss off da ancestors. Trust me, you don't want ta do dat. Now, let me get started or we will never have dat date."
If Zeke proved to be who she thought he was, they'd have an eternity of dates. The thought put new vigor into her efforts and it didn't go unnoticed by the ancestors. In fact, the emotions in the atmosphere switched from displeasure to curiosity as they began to understand who she believed Zeke was to her.
Pouring salt on the ground, she formed the symbol needed for this ritual. The bones came next and she placed them in the middle of the symbol. The wind died down enough for her to light the candles. Tia’s ceremonies embraced several elements, including music, dance, food offering, drumming, and animal sacrifices.
There would be no drumming or animal sacrifice tonight. Closing her eyes, music silently played in her head and her body slowly began to sway. Her chants filled the night air as she summoned the ancestors to appear before her. Brushing against her calves, her billowy skirt shuffled with the movement of her dance. Feeling Zeke's avid gaze upon her added strength to the spell, making her dizzy with the power.
Stilling her graceful movements, she retrieved the plastic containers and knife she had tucked into her bag. She removed the lid from the tupperware and placed the slice of peach pie and boudin beside the bones. In place of an animal sacrifice, she cut her wrist, offering her blood instead. The moment the blood touched the bones and symbol, mist filled the cemetery, shrouding the area.
Zeke took two steps closer, glancing around warily. "Please tell me there aren't going to be any zombies," he muttered in a tone that was hal
f-teasing, half-serious.
She chuckled and took his hand in hers, blood dripping between their clasped palms. "No zombies, your panther can relax."
At that moment, beings began to form in the fog. The common human myth of ghosts, glowing invisible outlines of their former selves, actually derived from the Voodoo Nation's ancestors. Zeke’s hand tightened around hers as a dozen glowing figures approached Tia.
"Why do you call us, my dear?" asked a familiar voice. Tia’s grandmother had been Marie's previous Mambo and had taught Tia everything she knew.
"Gram. This is Zeke and he has come ta our city aksin for help," Tia replied respectfully.
Her grandmother was wearing the same black dress and shawl they had buried her in. The shawl was a rich gold fabric that had been hand-painted by one of Tia's aunts. The fleur-de-lis pattern that decorated the cloth was her grandmother's favorite.
Voodoo was one of the few supernaturals that didn't burn their dead. There was power in their bones, and applying the proper burial and rituals was the only way for a Voodun to join the ancestors. That was why they put so much effort into what garments they wore. If you were buried in rags then you would be roaming the world forever in them and that was something no self-respecting Voodun would allow.
"And, why would we help a shifter? We aren't deir lapdogs," her grandmother's irritation at being called to do another's bidding was clear and the rest of the ancestors bristled beside her.
Tia held out her hands. "No, Gram. Listen. Zeke is very special ta me and he came here ta inform us dat someone is creating a drug dat is addicting and killing our kind. He wants ta stop dis so we don't lose any of our own."
Her grandmother stood silent for a few moments as she pondered Tia’s explanation. With a heavy sigh, she finally spoke. "What do you need from us?" Gram asked, telling Tia she was mollified.
"I need you ta check da city for any hint of angel's blood. Dis drug, Angel's Kiss, is made by mixing angel blood with a human chemical," she explained, knowing that her ancestors would be able to detect the angel blood much faster than trying to locate odd magic or suspicious activity.
"Dat won't be a problem. Angels tend ta avoid our fair city. Sometin' about da dead roaming about," her grandmother remarked with a wink. It was a common joke amongst the ancestors that they creeped-out the angels and that was why they tended to avoid spending much time in NOLA.
As quickly as the mist and ancestors appeared, they disappeared and she was left standing alone in the night with Zeke.
"That was some show," Zeke remarked, crossing his muscular arms over his chest. "How long will this take? Do we wait here?"
"It's lucky that angel blood is involved because deir initial search will be faster. Shouldn't take too long for them ta do a cursory search. Gram wasn't kidding about angels. Dey come and kill da demons when necessary, but don't stick around." She had barely finished talking when her grandmother reappeared.
"Dat was faster den I expected. Tank you, Gram," Tia murmured.
"I have a preliminary report for you. Figured you could start wit’ dis information, and, in the meantime, we will do a more thorough search. There is an abandoned warehouse dat isn't so abandoned. Dere was an obvious trace of angel blood and a vampire and cambion were dere talking about someone named A,” she said, hovering close enough that Tia brushed up against her form. She could smell her grandmother’s powdery scent and it soothed Tia’s soul. Her grandmother represented home and was a comfort when she needed it.
“Uncle Basile found angel blood at a realm bar in da French Quarter and Aunt Celeste also found it at Big Louis' restaurant near Metairie. Be careful, Tia, I don't have a good feeling about dis. Da Dark magic dat surrounds dese places has me worried."
Tia wished that her Gram were still alive so she could give her a hug. She missed being wrapped in those loving arms. "I will Gram. I'm not in dis alone."
"No, she isn't, Gram. I will lay down my life to protect her," Zeke vowed, placing his palm over his heart.
Gram narrowed her eyes and considered Zeke. "See dat you do, panther. My granddaughter is in your keeping now."
Zeke stood taller as he nodded his acknowledgement to her Gram, meeting her gaze.
Tia didn’t mind being in his keeping. In fact, now was as good a time as any to find out just what Zeke was to her.
CHAPTER THREE
Zeke swallowed his groan as he watched Tia lead him up to her home. He had never witnessed a Voodoo ritual and the sight had been unbelievable. The sensual way Tia had moved stirred his blood like nothing else. He had seen the Rowan sisters and sorcerers perform magic many times, but their ceremonies had never been as elaborate or erotic.
Tia threw her whole body into the effort. She didn't simply chant her spell, she cried out and danced and provided offerings to her ancestors. He had underestimated the Mambo and hadn't expected the effort to pay off quite so quickly. It was one more thing he liked about the female.
Her loose skirt flowed behind her as she moved, but didn't hide her curves. His eyes were glued to her ass as she walked and his mouth watered in response. He'd had an erection since the moment they had met and wondered how he could convince her they didn't need to go to breakfast, after all. At the moment, he was starving for something more than food.
He hadn't wanted to part from her so had asked her to breakfast. She agreed, but said she needed to change her clothes before they headed to the restaurant. It had seemed simple enough, allow her to stop and change, but now, she was all he craved.
"Have you ever had our beignets?" Her thick, Cajun accent was the most erotic sound he'd ever heard, and, like any healthy male, he wanted to hear what she sounded like screaming out his name.
"What? Um, yeah, I think I had some the last time I was here. They're like donuts, right?"
She tossed her hair over her shoulder and looked back at him. It was a simple movement, but the sexiest sight he’d ever seen. "No, dey aren't like donuts. Dey are so much more dan dat." She held such adoration for her roots and he loved that about her.
She unlocked her door and they entered the house. The home was small compared to Jesaray House where he lived with Hayden and a few others. Her living room was cozy with a large sofa and a recliner along one wall and a fireplace along the other.
"Have a seat, I will be right back," she murmured and headed down the hallway.
"Sounds good," he responded and took off his jacket, tossing it on the couch. Walking over, he inspected the pictures on her mantel. There was one of her and another female that looked like the spitting image of Tia. He wondered if that was her mother, or a sister, perhaps. The family resemblance was too much for it not to be a relative. There was one where Tia was a young girl and sitting on the lap of a male who was smiling broadly at the camera. She had a healthy childhood, Zeke thought. Something in his chest eased knowing her upbringing was happy and filled with love.
A noise behind him had him turning around. "That was fast..." his voice trailed away at the sight of Tia, wearing barely-there shorts and a grey sweatshirt that hung off one shoulder. "I thought you wanted to go out?" he asked, noticing she was barefoot. He hadn't seen her legs yet, and damn, if his mind didn't go momentarily blank at the sight of all that bared, brown skin.
"I was tinkin' I could cook for you instead," she replied, walking right up to him and placing her hand on his chest. Her touch burned through the thin fabric of his t-shirt.
Taking a risk, he placed his hands on her hips and brought her closer. The parting of her lips caught his breath. Energy crackled, sizzling and arcing between them. He met her gaze, her eyes searching and seeing a part of him no one else had before. "The food can wait. I'm starving for you," he breathed.
She stood on tiptoe and he lowered his head to meet her halfway. "Good, cause I don't have any food in da house," she murmured before he claimed her lips for the first time.
Another rush of refreshing tingles began where their lips met. His hand moved to the back of her head an
d his fingers tangled in her hair as his lips slid over hers in a sensual caress. He groaned as she licked his lips, asking for entrance.
He obliged, their tongues tangling, making his blood burn hotter. His erection pounded against his zipper as he tilted her head, tasting deeper. She was sin and salvation all rolled into one and he allowed the scalding heat of desire to take over.
He couldn't recall the last time something had ignited this amount of passion. Tia oozed mystery and magic and mayhem with a promise of one adventure after another. He wanted to escape with her and explore the world. Not that he didn't love his life and his job. He did, but there was nothing in it that made him jump out of bed.
She lifted her head and he had a moment to fear he'd gone too far before a smile broke out and she teased, "Don't worry, panther. I'm not gonna suck da energy out of you."
He returned her smile and chuckled. He couldn't remember ever feeling so at ease with a female before. "I was rather hoping you'd suck something else."
Now she was the one to laugh and it felt so damn good to make this female smile. "Getting ahead of yourself, aren't you?"
"No, just putting in a request for later. First, I want to be buried inside you and then taste every inch of your delectable body."
She groaned, or maybe it was him, he couldn't be sure, but the next thing he knew, she had grabbed his hand and was leading him down a modest hallway to a bedroom. The large bed was covered with a brightly colored comforter and that was all he saw before he was kissing her again, hard, greedy and deep. He devoured her mouth like he was a starved man given his last meal.
His panther prowled to the surface, glimpsing out at the female in his arms. His vision shifted, telling him his pupils had become slits. Fur brushed the inside of his skin. His animal had never been this close to a female. He had never shown a female his panther before and was worried about how it would respond, but it was clear his animal wanted to meet her.
