“I knew I loved you most, Sam. Thanks for spying on them and getting the details!” I loved it when one of my sisters spied on the other, just as long as they weren’t spying on me.
“Joseph got a call from his witch friend later in the day. He’s going to restock us with more charms and spells tomorrow. He was really impressed with how well you did against so many vamps, Jenna.”
“Indie, stop trying to change the subject. I’m glad we are getting more charms, but you gotta tell us something. When is your date? Where are you going?” She better tell me what’s going on.
“Tell us about the date, or I’ll turn you into a toad!” That should get her talking. I would do it too. If I had a spell to change her, that is.
“Jenna, you can’t change me into a toad! You’re so silly! You can only use premade spells from witches. Why would they give you something to change me into a toad?” Indie could be so gullible at times. I loved her.
Laughing, I said, “I can’t change you into a toad. I could knock you out, though. Do you want to tell me everything you know? Remember, we are sisters.” Surely she would be loyal enough to tell me everything, right?
“Fine, but there isn’t much to tell.” Indie huffed. “Yesterday was really nice. We got to know each other a lot better. Spending a day just the two of us was perfect. I hope we can spend some more alone time together, but with all of you and his pack, I doubt we get much time together.”
“You’re probably right. I guess you should find a way to get out of town for a day again.” Sam had a great idea.
“Yeah, I second what Sam said.”
“I’m staying out of this.” Kat was going back to not getting involved. “Do what you want, just be careful and not hurt Joseph. He’s a great guy. The kind you could settle down with, once you’re ready.”
“Are we all going back to bed? Or staying up?” I asked as I ate my chocolate pastry.
“What I want to know is what’s going on with you and Ivan, Kat?” Indie might just be in trouble for bringing up Ivan. Last time, Kat was a wee bit defensive.
“Look, we can’t be together. So stop bringing it up.” Kat stormed off to her room.
“Ouch, looks like we hit a nerve. Do you know why they can’t be together?” I personally had no problem with her dating a vampire, as long as he was good to her and us. So far, Ivan had been really nice and helpful.
“Um, no idea.” Sam shrugged.
“Maybe, he’s just not that into her?” I doubted Indie was right.
“No, I’ve seen them together. I don’t know if love is the right word, but they are both majorly into each other.” Something had to be going on. I’d just have to try and get it out of her, when she wasn’t so cranky.
“So what now? Sleep?” Sam asked as she yawned.
“You should go back to sleep. I think I’ve had enough. How are we doing on inventory? I could make up some more voodoo dolls until everyone is ready to get up.” Too bad it was so early and dark.
Spending some time reading at Lola’s Coffee Shop would be a great way to spend my morning. I couldn’t remember the last time I had done so. Before meeting Rico and learning all about the paranormal world, I used to spend one morning a week there. I missed the simpler times.
“We’re running low on a few supplies, but you should be able to spend an hour or two making more dolls. I’ll do a run today and pick up more supplies.”
“Indie, you should get Joseph to go with you. A big, strong guy like him would be perfect on a supply run.” I winked at Indie, hoping she’d get the hint.
“Just don’t make a voodoo doll of him, no matter what!” Sam was a bit late in her request.
I had already asked Indie to forego the usual with Joseph. Indie said she wouldn’t make a doll of him. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see if she sticks to her word.
Chapter 24
Jenna
“Rico, what are you doing here so early?” It wasn’t even nine o’clock yet when someone knocked on my door.
My sisters were still getting ready for the day. I was actually getting ready to leave and head to Lola’s to get in some reading and fantastic coffee.
“I had to come to town to meet with the vampire queen. Before heading over, I wanted to see how you’re doing and bring you some coffee.” He handed me a drink carrier with disposable coffee mugs from Lola’s.
“Ahhh, you are awesome! Thank you. I was just headed there myself. Come on in.” I waved at Rico to enter.
“She had a few fresh beignets as well.” Rico waved a small paper bag in front of my face and the aroma of cinnamon and fresh pastry was to die for.
“OH, you are on a roll! First a new phone, now my favorite breakfast. What’s next? A Porsche?” I laughed.
“When’s your birthday?” Rico winked and headed to the kitchen.
“I think I’d have to marry you if you got me a Porsche for my birthday.” Okay, that was awkward.
Why did I say that out loud?
Rico cleared this throat and whispered, “I’d be good with that.”
I took a café au lait from the drink carrier and looked away from him. He couldn’t have intended for me to hear his mad rumbling. Sometimes I say the stupidest things.
“So, what’s on your calendar for today? You know, after you see the queen.”
“I was thinking I could take you to lunch and maybe just get to know each other better. Since we met, it’s been all about vampires and witches. I would like to get to know you without all of the vampire drama. Then I want to kick your butt on the mat.” His cheese-eating grin totally made the tension in the room disappear.
“You want to take me to lunch and then beat me up? Nice, really nice, Rico.” I couldn’t help but laugh.
It was accurate. If we sparred, he would kick my butt. I had yet to best him in a match. Sure, I have gotten in a few good punches but nothing good enough to win.
“You make it sound so awful. How about lunch and a work out?” Rico could be funny, sometimes.
“Ok, sounds good to me. Let me know when you’re done with the queen.” I’m just glad I didn’t have to accompany him there. Hanging out with vampires was the last thing I wanted. Then I’d have to take another rubbing alcohol shower. No thanks.
***
Once Rico was done, he called, and we met downstairs in the shop. I wanted all of the girls to hear how things went with the queen.
“So, what did the high and mighty queen of blood have to say?” Kat seemed to have an extra amount of hatred for the queen. Could it have something to do with Ivan?
“I told her about the vampires Jenna fought and how they did have the storm girls in their possession. Of course, Celeste said she knew of no vampires who were breaking the laws. She promised to begin her own investigation immediately.” Rico rolled his eyes.
“I take it you don’t believe her?” The eye rolling is what tipped me off.
“No, I don’t. I’m sure she didn’t condone the actions of those vampires, but I do think she knows more than what she told me. I just hope I find them before she does.”
“Why?” I asked.
“If she finds the missing girls, and they are in the hands of any of her vampires, I would bet she’d kill them so no one could say who took them. Since Jenna has seen the vamps, the queen would just keep her vamps locked up, or she might stake them herself. Just depends on who they are. I don’t think the girls would survive the queen.”
“Oh, then what are we waiting for? Forget the lunch and work-out, let’s get back out there and start searching again.” This was much more important than quality alone time with Rico.
Besides, I didn’t know how I felt about being alone with him on a date. He didn’t say it was a date, but since it would have been just the two of us, it would have felt like a date.
“My pack is already out there. Are you sure you want to search for the girls instead of more training?”
“Rico, are you trying to keep me out of the field? Was
today all about keeping me from searching for those girls?” He better not be doing this, or I would flip my lid.
“Of course not. I was just being selfish. We don’t get much alone time. When Indie and Joseph went to Price Club the other day, they got to know each other a lot better.” He wouldn’t look me in the eye.
“Is that it? You really don’t have a problem with me going into the field?” Something felt off, and I had a feeling he wasn’t being honest with me.
He fidgeted with his hands and stayed silent.
“Rico, which is it? You wanted a date during this mess, or you wanted to keep me out of the field? Don’t lie to me.” I narrowed my eyes and pursed my lips, while I waited for his response.
“A bit of both, really.”
“How dare you! You know this is important to me. I want to help those girls, and after everything I’ve been through, I need to help even more!” I slapped his shoulder. Which only hurt me and not him.
“Stupid wolf-shifter!” I stormed to my room to change my clothes.
I yelled out, “Kat! Do you want to go on patrol with me? Maybe we can get Joseph or Damien to join us. I know one wolf who WON’T be joining us today!” Rico could kiss my butt if he thought I’d spend time with him now.
“Sure, I need to change and load up on charms. Sam, can I use your messenger bag?” Kat went to her room to change.
“Wait, you can’t go without me. I’m sorry, but Jenna you need to rest another day before using magic.” Rico wasn’t going to get away with trying to manipulate me.
“Screw you, Rico! I don’t appreciate men trying to manipulate me. Turns out you’re no better than any of the other guys I’ve met over the years!” Stupid men. All they ever wanted was to control women. Not this woman, not again.
“Alpha men may be hot in books and movies, but not in real life!” Who did he think I was? Some waif who needed rescuing from herself?
When I came out into the living room, dressed in tight black pants, a black cotton t-shirt, jean jacket, and my knee-high Doc Martens’ boots, Rico’s jaw dropped. I knew I looked hot, and he could forget about hanging with me today.
“Close your mouth, Rico. You don’t want flies getting in.” I smirked.
“Jenna, you can’t wear that outfit.” Rico sputtered.
“Oh, I can, and I am. It’s quite comfortable. These boots are perfect for kicking butt. Today, I want to kick someone’s backside.” I would have preferred kicking his, but he would probably catch my foot before it hit its target.
Kat came out dressed like me. We were going to attract vampire attention, I hoped. If they came after us, we would kill them and any of their acolytes who got in the way. Although, I wasn’t sure how many they had left now. It looked like they only had two males left to assist them. They would need to recruit again, unless they were acting with the vampire queen’s approval.
“Let’s go. We can call Damien while we head out and see where he is.” I pulled my new cell phone out of my jean jacket’s inner pocket and dialed Damien.
“Jenna, good to hear from you. Are you with Rico?”
“Yes, but I want to meet up with you guys and patrol. Kat and I have a bunch of spells and are ready to kick some blood-sucker butts!” I slammed the door behind me and Kat when we walked out.
“Why aren’t you patrolling with Rico?”
“He’s an idiot and a misogynist pig. Kat and I are patrolling. Either you tell me where you are, or we go on our own.” I’m not sure Kat would agree to that, but Damien didn’t know any better.
“Okay, I want to hear this story. How about we meet you at the taco shop in the Magnolia Shopping Center? My guys are hungry. Then we can get back out and keep searching.” Damien better not be trying to stall.
“Alright, we’ll see you there soon. Thanks, Damien.” I put my phone back in my pocket as Kat and I took off in the van. Magnolia Mall was too far to walk and public transit would take too long.
“Do you think he’ll follow us?” Kat pulled out of our alley and headed to the mall.
“Probably. I’m sure he’s on the phone now with Damien to see where we will be.” I looked out the window and tried to calm myself down.
“I hate when men try to control me. I went up against five vampires and an acolyte, and I walked away after killing a vamp. How dare he think I couldn’t handle this!”
Everyone wonders why I haven’t had good luck with men, this is exactly why. Just when I start to lower my walls, they go and screw it all up.
“Jenna, I know it wasn’t cool. However, I think he was just trying to look out for you. He went about it all wrong, but I think he had your best interests at heart.” I couldn’t believe Kat was defending him.
“Phft. Really? You’re taking his side?”
“No, I’m always on your side, Jenna. You’re my sister. Just give Rico a break. He is an alpha wolf. I bet his emotions are much more volatile than ours are once a month.”
“That doesn’t give him the right to try and control me. If he didn’t want me out looking, he could have talked to me about it.”
“You’re right, but something tells me he isn’t used to having to discuss things with people. I bet the wolves just listen to him when he tells them what to do. When he asks you to do things, you aren’t very good at listening.”
“That’s because I’m a strong, independent woman who can look out for herself. I don’t need someone dictating my actions for me. How would you feel if he did this to you?” I crossed my arms over my chest and turned my head to watch Kat’s reaction.
“I would have punched him.”
“Exactly my point, Kat.”
“But Jenna, I’m not falling for him. You are. If you want to have a relationship with him, you’re going to have to listen to his worries. Letting him protect you will be your job as his girlfriend.”
“WHAT!? I can’t believe you, of all people, are suggesting I play the weak, little girl card to get a guy.” I was never going to be that girl. I couldn’t believe Kat even suggested it.
“Jenna, it’s all part of the game. You have to let the guy think he’s protecting you. Especially with an alpha wolf. It’s something genetic. He can’t help but feel the need to keep you safe. It probably has something to do with animal instincts. The need to protect a mate is very strong in the animal kingdom.”
“What about black widows?” I tried very hard to stifle a laugh. Black widows mated and then killed the males.
“Or the praying mantis? She bites his head off.” Kat started laughing and the tension between us faded.
“Do you really think a woman has to play weak in order to keep a guy? Kat, this isn’t you.”
“Jenna, I don’t think you have to do it with all men. Just alpha men, like Rico. They are wired differently. I watched you two. There are times when you enjoy how he takes care of you. You do like a take charge guy, as long as he doesn’t take it too far.” Kat the psychologist.
“When did you get so smart? How do you know about alpha men?” My shoulders relaxed, and I watched as the NOLA scenery flew by. We were getting closer to the mall.
“I’ve known Ivan awhile now. When we first met, we did try the whole dating thing. It didn’t work out but not because he’s an alpha male.” Kat bit her lower lip and stared straight ahead.
“Kat, can you tell me what happened?”
“Now isn’t the right time for this conversation. Just know I did try making it work and for a while it did. I played the doting girlfriend who let her big, bad monster of a boyfriend take care of her. If he wasn’t a vampire, it probably would have worked.”
“I’ll let you keep your secret for now. When this is over, I want the whole story. You’ve never kept secrets like this before. I understand keeping the truth away from us when you did but not now. We need to know why it couldn’t work with Ivan when the two of you seem so in love.”
Kat pounded the steering wheel. “Fine. When the girls are all safe, I will tell you.”
“Thanks, Kat.” I stayed quiet for the rest of the ride. Kat seemed like she needed the peace and quiet after our conversation.
Chapter 25
Jenna
“Ladies, you look like you’re dressed to kill.” Damien looked us both up and down and let his gaze linger a bit longer on Kat.
“Thanks, and yes, we are.” Kat winked at him and walked past.
“Where are we headed today? Don’t you dare pull a Rico and try to keep us out of the fight either. The best way for us to learn and improve is to be in the field with you guys. You can’t keep us from getting attacked forever. We just seem to be vampire magnets.” I really hoped Damien would be smarter than his idiot alpha.
“Jenna’s right. We do seem to attract vampire attention, even when just going out for Chinese take-out. You’re better off training us, so we can defend against any attack.” This was the aggressive Kat. The one you didn’t want to go up against.
Damien put his hands in the air. “Fine, I’ll be sure to take you to places we suspect vampire activity. Just don’t cry when you get attacked. Oh, don’t kill the humans, either. They may have made some bad choices, but Rico never kills them.”
“What do you do with acolytes who love their roles and don’t want out?” I did wonder what happened when they came across these kind of people. Did they just send them back to the vampire queen?
“We send them off to a rehab facility. Being an acolyte is an addiction, just like drugs or alcohol. There are a couple of facilities run by psychologists who know the truth. When we capture an acolyte, we send them for help.” Damien motioned for his men to get up and join us.
“Do they ever rejoin society? Or do they run back to the vampires?” I had seen how devoted acolytes can be. I couldn’t imagine rehab working for them.
“Since Rico started sending them away a few years back, we have only seen about fifteen percent return to their old acolyte lives. The rest are grateful and integrate back into society. Some even become vampire hunters.” Why couldn’t Rico talk to me the same way Damien does? Damien treats us like equals, not little girls who need protection.
Hurricane of Magic Page 14
