Southern Secrets

by Shelley Stringer

  “What can I do?” I asked softly.

  “Just hold me. You’re presence alone always calms me,” he answered. I sank down on the bed next to him. He pulled me close, and I lay my head over on his chest, listening to the quickened beat of his heart.

  Chapter Six

  We rested a while, and when Banton drifted off to sleep, I decided to go downstairs and fix a bite to eat. There wasn’t much to work with in the refrigerator, and the cleaning crew hadn’t stocked much more than breakfast food. So after taking stock of what I had on hand, I decided to make omelets. I whisked some eggs in a bowl, and added some onion and cheese and left-over bacon from breakfast. As I slid the second omelet from the pan, I heard someone at the front door. Turning the fire out on the stove, I hurried to the door to let Officer Davis in. I reached up beside the door, and turned the alarm off.

  As my hand reached the knob the door burst open, and two Orcos came rushing through the door at me. Running back toward the kitchen, I screamed, grabbing the butcher knife from the island as I positioned myself behind it. They were like stone statues--crouched and staring at me hungrily. One of them lunged at me, seeming to fly through the air, knocking me backwards as we landed in the floor next to the back windows. I could feel his hot breath on my face, causing the bile to rise in my throat. He held me down and stared at me, his eyes glowing intensely. Sharp fangs appeared under his top lip. His scarred face came down toward me; the smell of his breath burned my nostrils. The muscles strained in my arms and legs as I pushed with everything I had to keep him off my neck. I groped with my free hand, locating the knife which had skittered across the floor, and raised it and plunged it into him before he could bite. He roared in pain, and I managed to push him off of me when I heard Banton. I knew I’d only bought a few seconds. The Orco who attacked me would recover quickly.

  “Chandler! Where are you?” He bounded down the stairs and flew into the second intruder. They went crashing to the floor, and Banton punched him twice, the sound of his neck popping would have been a break on a normal human. But I knew it wouldn’t deter the Orco. He struggled to his feet, dragging Banton with him, the two locked in a sheer test of strength. I watched in terror as the Orco seemed to gain in strength, pushing Banton against the wall.

  Then everything appeared to go into slow motion. Officer Davis and another officer arrived through the broken front door, both of them drawing their weapons as Davis pumped three shots into the Orco struggling with Banton. He leaped out the front door and disappeared across the snow in the clearing to the trees. The Orco I’d stabbed stood up, and the other officer fired several shots into him. He bulldozed the officer at a dead run, streaking between Banton and Officer Davis and out the front door behind the first Orco. Both officers raced out into the snow to follow them.

  Banton whirled and ran to me, putting his arms around me and turning me to him.

  “You fought like a tiger! Are you hurt?” he frantically looked me over for injuries.

  “I’m fine,” I assured him. “My tailbone just throbs where I landed on it.” I rubbed my lower back and he raised my sweater to examine by backside. I was unexpectedly weak; the adrenalin rush was definitely over. My knees began to buckle, and he caught me.

  “Take some deep breaths.” He lay me down on the sofa, and then sat gently down beside me. “You’re not all right,” he said, brushing my hair back from my face.

  “I held him off…I was actually strong enough to push him,” I stared at him in wonder.

  “Does she need an ambulance?” Officer Davis asked as he and the other officer came back into the room.

  “She’s fine, just a little shaken up,” Banton replied. He rubbed my arms. “It’s good you arrived when you did.”

  “I’m just sorry they got away,” Officer Davis replied. “Mr. Gastaneau, this is Officer Hernandez, my partner.” He unzipped his jacket and took his hat off.

  Officer Hernandez returned after securing the front door. “Is someone going to explain to me what those things were?” he asked.

  Davis cleared his throat. “Um, you and I need to have a talk. This is connected to the two bodies we found on the slopes, and all the other sightings which have been reported. Come on out with me, I need to call the station.” The two went back out on the front porch and closed the door.

  “Does he know? I mean, about the Orcos,” I asked.

  “He knows they aren’t human. He had his suspicions before we met him, and all I’ve done is confirm. He’s being careful and vague with the press, and he wants to keep all of this as quiet as possible. He’s here unofficially tonight to help us.”

  “Do you think they’ll try to attack us again tonight?” I asked. I was shaking again, and I didn’t think my nerves could take another episode.

  “I don’t think they will with our reinforcements here. Why don’t I take you upstairs, and I’ll help you pack. We’re going to leave in the morning at first light. I’ve chartered a plane to take us straight to Baton Rouge.”

  “I’m glad. I’m sorry our honeymoon has been cut short, but I’ll be glad to get home after all of this.” I caressed his cheek as I watched the concern in his eyes. I sat up as he stood and reached out to help me to my feet. As I stood I was aware of tightness in my lower back. Banton followed me, and as I reached the bottom of the stairs, a sharp pain ripped across my abdomen, almost bringing me to my knees. I grabbed the handrail as I gasped.

  “Baby, what is it?” He reached around me to pull me to him.

  “A sharp pain…” I could hardly get my breath. My lower back was beginning to ache, and my abdomen felt leaden, a heavy flow kind of cramps.

  I looked up into his eyes, and as the tears began to gather in mine, he knew. He picked me up and carried me up the stairs and into the bedroom, and then carefully placed me on the bed

  “The babies?” he asked, pulling his cell out of his pocket.

  “I…I’m not sure. I’m cramping.” I lay curled on my side, curled in a fetal position, not able to straighten out.

  “I’m calling Dr. Renault. He dialed, sitting down on the edge of the bed, rubbing the small of my back as he spoke into the phone.

  “Dr. Renault? This is Banton. Yes…I’m calling about Chandler, we’ve had some trouble, and she fought with an intruder earlier, and he fell on her. She’s experiencing some sharp pains and cramping.” He continued to rub my back and my arm as he talked. “We have a flight out first thing in the morning… No, I don’t think she’s bleeding, this just started.”

  I turned over to look at him, and his gaze was tortured as he continued. “It is the earliest I could get…I’ll call if there is any change. Okay, yes I will. Thanks.” He turned his phone off and then looked back at me.

  “Sweetheart, do you think you’re bleeding?” he asked softly.

  “I…don’t think so.”

  “He said to keep you calm and off your feet till we can get you on the plane in the morning. What can I get for you?”

  “Just maybe something to drink. It’s beginning to ease just a little,” I sighed, the tears continuing to roll.

  “Sweetheart, it’s all right. I’m going to take care of you. Just lay still, let me go and get you something to drink. I’ll be right back.” He kissed me gently, then stood and hurried out the door and down the stairs as I heard the two officers come back into the house. I could hear Banton talking with them, but couldn’t make out what they were saying.

  I tried to straighten my legs to stretch my lower back and felt a warm rush…I pushed up on the side of the bed and stood up to walk over to the bathroom. Closing the door, I checked, and sure enough there were dark stains down the inside of my tights. I was spotting blood. As sharp pains began to shoot now and again across my abdomen, I began to sob.

  What do I tell Banton? I tried to calm myself. I pulled the tights off and placed them in the sink to wash them out. Okay, it’s just started, and it isn’t heavy bleeding. I won’t jump to conclusions.

  “Andie? Are
you in there?” He knocked on the door.

  “Yes, just a minute…” I took a deep breath, trying to hide I’d been crying. I grabbed my nightgown off the counter and pulled it over my head just as he opened the door.

  “Is everything all right? Chandler! You’re bleeding…” He pushed through the door, noticing my clothes in the sink.

  “I’m sorry. It just started,” I whispered. He picked me up and carried me back to the bed.

  “How much?” he asked, placing me gently on the bed and pulling the covers up over me.

  “Just enough to ruin my tights. It just started, I don’t know.”

  “Okay. Just lie still, and relax. I’m calling Renault back.” He kissed my forehead and then dialed the number as he walked into the hallway.

  I struggled to calm myself while I heard him talking in low tones. I knew there was nothing Dr. Renault could do for me; we would just have to wait the night out. The look on Banton’s face when he came back into the room confirmed what I already knew. He sat down on the edge of the bed and put his arms around me.

  “We’ve just got to keep you off your feet, and as calm as possible till I can get you home tomorrow. If your bleeding gets too heavy, I’m taking you to the hospital here.” He stroked my cheek as he spoke. “I’m so sorry, Chandler. I’ve failed at trying to protect you.” The muscle ticked at the corner of his jaw.

  “Don’t say that! I’m the one who went downstairs alone and left you asleep. You had no way of knowing…You have done everything possible. It’s no one’s fault. Please, don’t do this to yourself,” I pleaded, reaching to pull his face to mine.

  “Just rest, Baby. Please. What can I do to help you relax?” he asked, stroking my cheek.

  “I’m fine. I’ll rest, I promise. Why don’t you go ahead and pack us up, and then come and lay down with me.” I smiled at him, and he leaned over to kiss me on top of the head.

  “Sounds like a plan.” He got up, and moved around the room, folding clothes and putting them in our suitcases. He moved into the bathroom then, and packed away all of our clothes and toiletries in there, and then returned to the side of the bed. “Chandler, I left some of your bath things by the tub – do you want to take a warm bath before you go to sleep?”

  “Sure, sounds good.” I watched him rise, going to fill the tub for me. A few minutes later, he came back in, folded the covers back and pulled me into his arms. He carried me into the bathroom and deposited me on the large ottoman by the doorway. Helping me off with my gown, he smiled, his dimple deepening as he slid his arms under my bare skin and then easing me gently into the water. I scooted down until the water whirled around my chin, and the warmth of the water sent chill bumps up my spine.

  “Warm enough?” He asked, sliding his hand down in the water beside me.

  “Mmm, yes. It feels good.” I shut my eyes as he hit the button on the jets, sending massaging pulses of water against my back and legs.

  “I’m going down to talk to the guys. I’ll be right back, okay?”

  “Sure. I’ll be fine.” He leaned over the side of the tub, and kissed my forehead.

  I lay in the tub for ten minutes or so, waiting for him to come back. I finally turned the jets off, and then poured some body wash out into my hands, and washed, squeezing the rag and letting the water trickle down my back, and down my arms. I lay my head back against the tub again, and closed my eyes, almost falling asleep. As I began to drift, I heard Banton’s footsteps on the bedroom floor. He pushed the door open, and came back to sit beside the tub.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked gently. I opened my eyes.

  “Better. The cramping has stopped, I think.” I sighed, and then placed my arms on the side of the tub to rise.

  “Don’t stand. I’ll get you out,” he instructed, sliding his hands under me, soaking his sleeves and the front of his shirt and trousers in the process.

  “I can stand,” I protested.

  “Absolutely not. I’ve got you…” He sat me right in his lap, wrapping a thick towel around me. He held me close as he kissed me, caressing my lips with his, moving his mouth softly back and forth across mine.

  “If you keep that up I’ll get all revved up, and we’ll be in trouble,” I began.

  “All right, I’ll stop.” He stood, carried me over to the bed and gently placed me under the covers. Taking the towel from me, he then pulled a new lacy white gown out of my suitcase and placed it on the bed.

  “Here you go – I’m going to go and get you something else, I’ll be right back.” He went out into the hallway as I pulled the gown over my head. I could hear him talking to the officers downstairs, and then he returned a few moments later with a small paper sack. He went back to my suitcase, and pulled a pair of panties out, and then turned and looked at me questioningly.

  “What?” I asked, and then I looked at what he had in his hands…a small package of feminine pads. My eyes began to mist. He knew I didn’t have anything with me, since I was pregnant.

  “I didn’t want to upset you, I just had the cleaning lady go and get these, just in case,” he leaned down, and kissed me, handed them to me.

  “Thanks. Yes, I guess I’d better be prepared.” I wiped my eyes as he turned back and went out the door again, giving me a private moment.

  A few moments later, he returned with a tray of food.

  “Where did that come from?” I asked.

  “I had the cleaning crew bring this too.” He set the tray down on the bed between us. There were two bowls of steaming beef stew, and cornbread. “Are you hungry?” he asked, placing the tray over me.

  “Not really, but I’ll try to eat something.” I took several bites while he rearranged some things on the nightstand, and then flipped the television on as he lay down beside me on the bed.

  “What about our friends downstairs?” I asked, falling back on the pillows.

  “I got some for them, too. They’ve already eaten. They are going to sack out on the couches downstairs to help me guard the house.” He continued to watch me, and then urged, “Eat some more, Chandler. You’ve hardly touched your food.” He frowned as he rubbed my cheek.

  “I’m not hungry. Maybe later.” I took a drink of tea, and then snuggled down in the covers next to his warm body. As I began to relax, Banton’s cell phone rang. He finished his stew, and then moved the tray off the bed on to the nightstand as he picked his phone up.

  “Hey, Everett. Yes, she’s right here, just a minute,” he said, handing the phone over to me.

  “Hi, Ev,” I answered groggily.

  “Bebe, how’s it going?”

  “We’re good, I guess you know by now we’re coming home in the morning,” I sighed.

  “Yes, and I’m relieved. I’ve been so worried, knowing John and Brie were attacked in Vegas, and what happened here! Philippe and I are staying the night with Constance and Ty. I understand you had a skirmish on the slopes.”

  “Yeah, and then here at the condo just a while ago,” I informed him.

  “Sweet Jesus! Are you all right? Were either one of you injured?” he exclaimed.

  “Yes, Banton was bitten again, but he’s dealing. I’m a little banged up and I’m having some trouble now, so the doctor has put me on bed rest again.”

  “Are the babies all right?” he almost whispered.

  “I don’t know. I think so, but I’ve been having sharp pains. We’ll be there in the morning, and I’ll go to see Dr. Renault.”

  “Sweet Bebe, hurry home. We’ll take the best care of you,” he assured me.

  “How is Constance dealing with everything?”

  “She’s fine, but it’s a lot to take in, you know. She’s a smart one, that cousin of yours. She asked me right off if I was an Orco. She didn’t act a bit afraid, or anything. After she was through processing, she demanded to see Ty, took charge, kicked the doctors out, and had him propped in bed feeding him a steak the last I checked on them. She’ll fit right in.” I could almost hear him grinning on the other
end of the phone.

  “I’m glad…I’ve been so worried about her. Everett, we need to know, does she carry the gene? Can you detect it as you did with me?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “What do you mean, you’re not sure?”

  “It’s strange, but I can’t tell. At times, I think I can sense it, but it is as if something is blocking it. When I was around your family at Christmas and at the wedding, I kept trying to catch it. Your Uncle Lon definitely does not carry the gene, I’m sure. But your Aunt, and Constance, they have the same aura you do, but it’s harder to detect. It’s different. We’d have to ask Dr. Lane or Dr. Renault to test her to make sure. I haven’t broached the subject with her yet, but in view of everything that’s happened I think we should.”

  “Yes, so do I. If she doesn’t carry the gene, I think she should go home and get some distance away from the SEALs and the rest of us,” I stated emphatically. Banton nodded in agreement.

  “Well, good luck with that one, Bebe. She’s as in love as you are. It’s funny. I didn’t think she was the type to fall so hard. She’s not going anywhere.”

  “We shall see, after we talk to her in the morning. Everett, thanks for staying with them. We’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Be careful, Darlin’, and keep those babies safe. We’ll all be looking for you tomorrow. Bye.”

  I tapped the phone off and handed it back to Banton. He pulled me tightly to his side.

  “Did you hear?” I asked him sleepily.

  “Yes. Constance isn’t going anywhere, is she?” he asked.

  “No, I don’t think so. There is just something about you Navy SEALs,” I yawned, and turned over as he pulled me into his chest, molding his body against mine.

  My mind relaxed, and I was at home.

  Warm smells of bread baking and sunshine and honey drifted around me. I walked down the hallway, drawn by the sounds of the giggling of little girls. Walking passed the stairs, they scurried out the front door, Beau tagging along behind them. They laughed and played, running across the front yard, with Beau jumping back and forth between them and barking. I watched for a moment out the front door, and then the giggling stopped. I stepped out on the front porch, quickly becoming anxious. Running down the steps, I gazed first one way down the street, and then the other. My children were gone. I could no longer hear Beau barking. I ran down the sidewalk, my legs getting heavier and heavier. As I neared the cemetery I could see the large angel looming ahead of me. I reached the graves, and the headstones seemed to come out of the ground at me. I turned and fell to the ground in front of the largest headstone. Etched under the year, the young mother’s name came into focus…Chandler Ann Gastaneau. I pushed away and rolled to get to my feet, but something grabbed my ankles roughly, pulling me into a fresh grave. I fought and fought, and the face appeared in front of me, the sickly green eyes, fangs and hot, rancid breath choked the breath from me. He grabbed further up my legs, clamping his hands around my thighs as he dragged me down. The soil fell in around me in the grave, and I couldn’t breathe…I gasped for air!