by Nicole Renee
“My friend finally decides to contact me,” she said wryly.
Amara’s husky laugh traveled through the phone. “I’m sorry, Win. Something came up. Something important.”
“Yeah, I noticed that. You left in such a hurry.” Two years wasn’t a lifetime, but Winny had learned a lot about Amara during their friendship. She had caught on early that the free spirited woman wasn’t seemingly unflappable. Another thing that Winny had picked up on was Amara had some sort of clairvoyant ability at times. Had she sensed something bad? Was that why she had left in a hurry?
“You left before I could ask if you knew anything about that guy who came in injured. Akachi was his name, remember?”
It was quiet for a moment before Amara spoke. “I do.”
When she said nothing else, Winny groaned. “Am I going to have to drag it out of you?”
At that, Amara laughed breathlessly. “It’s not that…it’s just…Winny, remember when I told you there were some things you were better off not knowing? This is what I was talking about. Akachi and Zahir are off limits.”
Winny frowned. “You don’t want me knowing about the two brothers? Why? Are they involved in some illegal mob stuff? And, hold on a minute. I never mentioned Zahir. I never mentioned that Akachi had a brother. What do you know? ”
At that Amara took a deep breath. Winny was right. She hadn’t told her about Akachi’s brother. “Well first of all, it’s a little bit more than the mob.”
“You know withholding this information from me is only making me want to know even more. Forbidden fruit and all that.”
Granted, Winny still thought Zahir was a tool, but she was curious about him and his brother. She’d never heard of either one of them before the other night. Living in such a small part of New Orleans, it was easy to know almost everyone. Taking that into account, she thought it rather odd for her to not have heard of the two. Especially since the men weren’t exactly wallflowers.
“If you really want to know, I’ll tell you. But not over the phone.”
Feeling as though she had won the battle of convincing Amara to confide in her made Winny want to give herself a pat on the back. Another trait she had learned her friend possessed was stubbornness.
“Fine. When?”
“Soon. Winny?”
“Yeah?”
Amara sighed before answering. “Be careful out here. If you need me for anything, please call.”
“Alright. I’ll see you later.”
After hanging up the phone, Winny stood and stretched her back out. She walked over to the window to get some of the fresh balmy New Orleans air. Closing her eyes, she inhaled before releasing it all slowly. Looking around her quiet street, she stiffened when she saw someone watching her across the street. Frowning, she turned to grab her phone to call the police. Standing off to the side of the window, she took a peek outside, only to find the person was gone.
Hmm. I wonder what that was all about.
Don’t forget to welcome the Glacier family, A. I’ll be in later this evening for dinner. -Z
Akachi rolled his eyes at his brother’s text. He sent a quick affirmative reply before tossing his phone beside him in bed. Blinking his sleepy eyes, Akachi allowed himself to get accustomed to being awake and the surroundings in his room. It was how most serpents started their day.
The room had to be dark and a bit on the cool side. Otherwise, it would throw off their senses. It took several more minutes of silence before he was fully functioning. He quickly rose from his bed and snatched the curtains open. Much to his dismay, it was another cloudy day.
Contrary to popular opinion concerning their kind, he loved the sun. Always had. Zahir always believed if they didn’t live in New Orleans, Akachi would be living on some beach in California. Left to himself, he would spend his days basking in the sun and warm sand. However, Akachi knew that wasn’t a viable option for him. He wouldn’t leave his brother.
They’d seen everything together. They were rulers in the old world, and when the War of the Duals occurred, everything changed. Zahir had saved his life countless times. For that he would forever be in his debt. He was willing to do almost anything for Zahir. Almost, being the operative word.
He’d fought in wars with his brother, risked his own life and the lives of other to save him. But this? Watching the bratty sister of a vampire family? Even he had his limits.
On top of that, a niggling in the back of his mind was telling him that something was going on with Zahir. Some secret he was keeping close to his chest. What game was his brother was playing?
Akachi knew that no matter how much prodding he would have to figure it out on his own. Zahir was a man of few words. The jury was still out on whether or not that was a good or bad trait.
Why Z can’t just tell me things, I have no idea, he thought in frustration.
One thing was certain. Akachi knew his brother couldn’t keep avoiding his questions. He would pry the truth from him eventually. Perhaps he needed whatever mojo Winny had used on him the night he was injured in her shop. Just being in her presence made him feel comfortable enough to reveal the truth about himself.
The thought of the fiery woman brought a smile to his face. He enjoyed her fresh perspective. It was nice to sit down and talk with someone who wasn’t impressed with him. If only his brother trusted him enough as she seemed to do the night they met.
I should go and check on Ms. Frame.
Pushing away from the window he headed to the bathroom. The Glacier family would be arriving in a couple of hours. He needed to at least pretend to be cordial. For his brother's sake. Then he would go and visit his new friend.
The next afternoon, Winny waited for Amara to arrive at her bookstore. She had tea in her right hand, and she was pointing to her office with her left, when the woman finally appeared. Winny’s eyes showed triumph when Amara’s shoulders sagged and she silently headed to the back of the store.
Winny -1, Amara -0
Once they were in the cozy office, Winny shut the door before handing the cup of tea to Amara.
“Here. It’s your favorite. Mango ginger tea,” Winny sang as she rounded the desk and plopped into her chair.
Amara picked up the cup, inhaling the sweet and spicy scent before taking a deep drink.
“You even added the right amount of honey in it.”
“I don’t know why an already sweet tea needs honey, but to each her own,” Winny said lightly. She crossed her arms before clearing her throat. “Yesterday you sounded cryptic on the phone. And you know how I am.”
Amara nodded. “I do. But, I also know that right now, it’s not what you need to know.” Winny could tell by the serious look on Amara’s face that whatever her friend was going to reveal wasn’t going to be about some bayou myth.
“Does it have to do with things that go bump in the night?”
“It does. But it also has to do with a completely different world.”
Frowning, Winny sat forward. “Amara-”
“Winter, what if I told you that some of those tales you hear about supernatural beings were, in fact, real, and lived amongst humans?”
This is typically where Winny would shrug it off with a southern myth joke. But Amara’s solemn face made her pause.
What was Amara trying to say? Were there really creatures other than humans?
Prior to her encounter with Akachi, she would’ve been able to dismiss the thought. But the image of his strange eyes still danced in her mind. It made her realize there just might be something else. Something darker.
“I would say that maybe there are some other species that could be more than human,” Winny answered honestly.
Amara looked surprised. “You would?”
Rolling her eyes, Winny stood before pacing behind her chair. “I don’t know. Amara, the night before when I met Akachi, something was off. Yeah, he was injured but his eyes. They were completely black. Not a blue-black iris, but a full-on black. And it felt as if he coul
d see right through me. His eyes were slanted, and they looked to be, I don’t know similar to the shape of a-”
“Snake?” Amara supplied.
Winny swallowed. “You could say that,” she said a bit winded all of a sudden.
“And what about Zahir?”
Winny couldn’t stop the look of irritation that crossed her face. “What about him? He’s an arrogant, rich man who thinks he can buy off his brother’s troubles by waving his ridiculously moisturized hand and checkbook.”
Amara raised a brow at that. She had no idea that Winny was that bothered with the man. She also didn’t know Winny had already met the man.
“Wait a second. You met him?” Amara asked, shock in her voice.
Winny nodded. “I did. And quite frankly, I much preferred his brother.”
Amara, however, ignored the last comment. “What was he like? I’ve always heard he is very quiet. He doesn’t come out much into our neck of the woods unless he’s hosting an event, or meeting with business associates.”
Winny paused in her pacing and crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m sorry, but why do you seem starstruck by him? Is he some sort of celebrity? Is he some sort of royal I’ve never heard of?” Winny snarked.
Amara leaned back in her seat and crossed her legs before smirking. “You could say that. Anyway, he came into the shop. When?”
“When you left so abruptly,” Winny shot back.
“I’m sorry, alright? I had to take care of something. Now tell me about Zahir. How did he look?” she said leaning forward on her knees, eyes wide and attentive.
Winny sat back into her chair before shrugging. “It’s really not much to tell. He’s tall and chocolate-skinned. He has close-cut black hair. I don’t know what else you want me to say.” Winny began picking up papers and shuffling them.
Amara’s eyes widened in sudden understanding. Her smile got wider as she tapped her pink acrylic nail on the wooden desk.
“Ah. So on a scale from 1 to your type what’s the number?”
Winny had to bite her lip from speaking the obvious. Amara saw it in her eyes and she cackled.
“It’s not funny, Amara! He is annoying, and I told him to leave.”
Her friend’s mouth hung open. “And he left?”
“Yes. Why wouldn’t he? It’s my store and he doesn’t have a right to be acting all great and mighty. So I told him to leave.”
Amara studied her friend not wanting to get her in a tizzy over Zahir. Even though it was clear as day she found him physically appealing.
“Don’t you typically like alpha males?”
“Oh, look here, it seems like I’ve got some paperwork to fill out.”
“Speaking of, where is my check?”
“Why would I pay you? You barely work enough as it is.”
“You put me on the payroll, hence a check. Now where is it?”
Winny snorted before answering. “Probably down at the boutique judging by the new dress your wearing.”
Amara rolled her eyes at Winny’s retort.
“Back to the matter at hand. You said something was off with Akachi, but not with Zahir?”
Winny thought about Amara’s question, trying to remember if anything seemed off with the man.
“He had an air surrounding him, you know? Like he demanded attention. I felt as if he could see through me as well.” Winny could tell that Amara was holding back, and called her out on it. “Tell me.”
Amara sighed. “Winny. Right now I think it’s best that you just steer clear of the Slade brothers. You helped his Akachi, and Zahir tried to pay you for saving him, and you didn’t take it. I think that concludes your business with him.”
Winny was stunned by Amara’s short answer, but she knew her friend. If she was advising her to stay away from the men, it only meant that there was some real danger lurking. And Amara was never one to shy away from a mystery. Instead of telling Amara this, she shrugged.
“Okay.”
Surprised, Amara’s eyebrows shot up to her hairline. “Okay, you’ll steer clear of them?”
Instead of agreeing, Winny smiled. “Thanks for helping me see the error of my ways. And I don’t want to put you in a tough spot. So thank you,” she said before heading over to the door.
Amara hesitated before standing. When she passed Winny she placed her hand on her arm. Looking into her eyes Amara frowned before forcing a smile. “I’ll see you later?”
“You will,” Winny said just as much on guard as Amara now seemed. Once the woman left, she breathed in relief. She didn’t know what was going on, but sooner or later Winny was going to find out.
6
“Where is your yummy brother?” Daisy Glacier said, tongue sliding over painted pink lips.
It took everything in Akachi to not hiss at the annoying young woman he was forced to show around the quarter. She had her two useless bodyguards behind her, looking just as pained as he did. When Akachi locked eyes with one of them, the man sighed before rolling his eyes. It was the universal, ‘I understand you, bro, this girl is crazy,’ look.
He appreciated the solidarity. Even if they were vampires.
Vampires were the term used today, but centuries ago they were considered night walkers, or moonlight people. Honestly, a blood-sucker was a blood-sucker, no matter what spin teenage romance authors put on them to appeal to the masses. Unlike the folklore suggested, the true night walkers were able to tolerate sunlight, although not much. They could also eat certain foods, but blood was still their relied source of energy. To be frank, Akachi knew more humans who were blood-thirsty than the actual Vampires.
“Oh my goodness, they have the halter top in my favorite color!” she squealed at him. She left him on the busy street to run into the shop that advertised some of the latest women’s fashion. Akachi watched as the extremely pale, tall, blonde woman strode into the shop with her two guards following her.
“You’re doing your brother a favor,” he kept repeating to himself.
Earlier today, The Glacier family had finally arrived at their home. Walker Glacier, the newly appointed head of their family who had been corresponding with Zahir as of late, stepped out of the car first. The man looked around the spacious grounds, seemingly impressed and surprised by their extravagant home.
Akachi took insult and immediately called him on it.
“We don’t live in former slave shacks if that was what you were wondering,” he said drolly. The man’s sharp blue eyes tinged with silver as he looked at Akachi in surprise before barking out a laugh. Turning to the open car door, he held his hand out, assisting Daisy Glacier, his sister who stepped out looking around as well. Walking up the stairs he placed his right hand over his left pec before bowing slightly.
“Prince Slade. I meant no disrespect. I have traveled to many places but I have never been to New Orleans. I was admiring your grounds is all,” he said smoothly.
Akachi didn’t buy it for one second but kept quiet about it. He let his eyes run over the tall blond Nordic-looking man. It’d been quite a while since he’d last seen a night-dweller. He had forgotten how pale their skin was. Akachi knew the reason they chose extremely cold places was because it preserved their skin. The blond hair fell to his shoulders and the three piece Versace suit he was wearing spoke of wealth. His generic smile was what one would see on any billboard across America. It was the smile of a trustworthy man. Akachi, however, didn’t trust him. He would, of course, give his brother the benefit of the doubt.
“Will your brother be joining us?” Walker asked, pulling Akachi away from his mental assessment.
“Not at the moment. He was called into town on business, so you’ll have to forgive him. I know you’d like to get settled. The both of you actually,” Akachi said before smiling at the woman who came up behind him.
Turning, Walker grabbed the woman’s hand. “This is my sister, Daisy. She’s been dying explore somewhere beyond Alaska, and your brother was kind enough to offer her that chance.
He explained to me that you were free to show her about while the two of us talked?”
Akachi detested the passive-aggressive tone the man used. “You are correct,” he said standing toe to toe with the man. Allowing his snake eyes to make an appearance, he watched closely, taking immense pleasure when he saw a startled expression flash across Walker’s face.
“Yes. My brother requested that I show his valued guests around our city. So, I will give you the tour of our estate, and then your sister and I can leave. By then Zahir should be back.”
And he had. Once they had completed a brief excursion of the property and put their belongings in their assigned rooms, Zahir had returned. As he strode through, Daisy’s eyes widened in interest. He watched in disgust as she licked her lips seductively. It took everything within Akachi to not vomit on sight.
Familiar with his sister’s antics, Walker looked on in amusement before greeting Zahir. Shortly after their proper introduction, the two men had departed, leaving Akachi with Daisy. Now, thirty minutes later, he was walking down a busy street with a set of bodyguards behind them. As Daisy rummaged around some random boutique, Akachi found himself feeling grateful to have a momentary respite from the ice princess herself.
Sighing deeply, he took a glance around the packed street, smirking when his eyes landed on Bayou Books. He hadn’t been able to properly thank the bookstore owner who saved his life. Now was as good a time as any.
Winny hummed to herself as she strode about her store. She was picking up books from the floor and other areas where people had misplaced them. She understood. Once she got lost in a bookstore she would grab books from all sections, pile them up beside her feet and decide on which one she could afford. She was glad to see that most people did the same thing.
Winny was carrying a stack of books to the front counter that needed to be alphabetized when her doorbell jingled. Glancing up, she offered a professional smile that slid into a genuine one when she saw who was standing in the entrance.
