“Ah, yes, Miss Goodwin. I see now. Your card was denied. Not that it matters. We are completely booked.”
“Denied? That can’t be—oh.” She’d forgotten about the freeze on her assets. Damn, damn, damn. “I have cash.”
His smile was syrupy. “Good for you. Perhaps the next hotel can help you.”
“The next? This is the fourth one I’ve been to. I need to sleep now. Why are there no rooms?”
His expression screwed up into something akin to disbelief. “I expect the entire Quarter is booked. Tonight is Nokturnos.”
Whatever that was. “You must have something.”
With a sniff, he tapped the keyboard in front of him again. “Nothing.” His fingers stopped and his gaze flicked across the screen. “Wait…” More tapping.
“Wait? For what? Did you find something? I’ll take anything.”
“It looks like I have one suite left.” His emphasis made it plain he thought the room was well out of her price range. Which it was, but that didn’t mean she deserved his attitude.
That alone made her want to take it. “And how much is this suite?”
“Twenty-two hundred.”
“A night.” Of course, it was a night. Lack of sleep was making her dumb. “For that kind of money, it should come with a butler.”
“It does. And a chef, should you require one.”
“For real?”
He looked up. “Yes.”
“Wow. I don’t need that much attention, but I’ll take it.” If she was going to jail, she might as well have a little luxury first. Anyway, she’d only be here two nights, tops. And if she was going to entertain some strange man for one last night of fun before she was locked up, why not do it in style?
He looked skeptical. “And how will you be paying for that, Miss Goodwin, since your credit was declined?”
She dug into her leather jacket and pulled out one of the rolls of plastic she’d brought for this very reason. “I said I had cash. If that’s okay with you”—she read his name tag—“Milton.”
He watched as she counted off bills, smacking them down on the counter so the plastic coating slapped the granite with a satisfactory thwap. His smile was half the size of his original one. “Very good, Miss Goodwin. I’ll just take care of that for you.”
“Thanks. Make sure you give me a receipt.”
He nodded, then started pecking away at his keyboard. She turned to inspect the rest of the patrons milling about the lobby. There were so many. She cringed and tried to shake off the first twinges of a panic attack. None of these people cared what she was doing, none of them were bothered by her presence, so she shouldn’t let them bother her. She concentrated on the details of the situation, a technique that often helped. A lot of them carried elaborate masks, some covered in feathers and sequins, some leather, some papier-mâché and spangles. “Is there some kind of party going on?” she asked without looking at him.
“Yes, ma’am. The Nokturnos I mentioned.”
A sense of victory rose in her that he’d answered without condescension. Amazing what a stack of plastic would do for a person’s attitude. “It’s a masked ball type thing?”
“It takes place in the streets, much like Mardi Gras, but there are no floats. Just general revelry and drinking. And beads, of course.”
She turned to face him. “So a standard night in New Orleans?”
He smiled, genuinely this time. “Sort of. From what I understand, it’s considered good luck if you kiss a stranger during Nokturnos. Wearing a mask when you go out means you’re game.”
She checked out the people carrying masks again. “How about that. And it starts tonight?”
“Yes. One night only, that of the first new moon before Mardi Gras.”
She’d planned on going to see her mother first, but maybe it was better to save that unpleasant, inevitable business until after she’d had her fun, especially if the streets were going to be filled with willing strangers tonight. Hopefully not so filled she couldn’t handle it. She’d deal with it later, though. All she wanted now was sleep. She checked her watch. Not quite 1 p.m. “What time does this thing start?”
He checked a piece of paper on the desk. “The new moon sets at eleven forty-three p.m., marking the beginning of the fae New Year, but Nokturnos really starts at sunset.”
The word fae sent a jolt through her, reminding her she was in their territory now. Her mother’s territory. “Good. Thanks.” She had some time to sleep and recover from the drive. She could go out and have her night of fun before she faced her mother.
After that, she probably wouldn’t need a reason to drink.
Chapter Three
Augustine rolled over and stretched, smiling as he did. Last night’s sleep had been amazing. Deep, dreamless and restful. He stared out the big leaded-glass window that lit up his entire attic apartment, contentment washing over him. He’d have to deal with the Elektos at some point, but right now, he was just happy to be here. One day at a time. No reason to get worked up about what hadn’t happened yet.
With that thought, he extricated himself from the bedcovers and blinked at the clock on his nightstand. Already well past lunch.
He stretched lazily and scratched his chest, standing for a moment before the vanity mirror. He frowned at his horns. Well, he was home now. After Nokturnos, he’d grind them down again.
Home. The word filled him with all kinds of satisfaction. He snapped the covers straight on the bed, sending dust motes swirling through the sunlight filtering in through the big window. Damn, it was good to be back.
Now all he really needed was a long, hot shower before lunch with Livie, something he’d missed while he’d been away.
Livie might be getting on in years, but she had enough fae blood in her to keep her sharp and spry, and her stories about her life as a famous actress never failed to entertain. Living with her was about the easiest thing he’d ever done and easy was sort of his life motto. He shucked his sleep pants and headed for the bath.
He rounded the corner into the white-tiled bath and nearly ran into Lally. If Olivia was like a mother to him, Lally was like his older, sweetly bossy, well-meaning sister. Fluffy white towels filled one arm.
“Lands, child, I’m so used to you not being here, you gave me a scare!” She clapped her hand to her chest, her fingers tangling in the gold chain that disappeared beneath the neck of her blue housedress. Then, as if she’d suddenly realized he was in his altogether, she canted her eyes toward the ceiling and handed him a towel. “Mr. Augustine, I do not need to see your business again. I’ve already seen it too many times.”
He held the folded towel in front of himself. “You’re the only woman who’s ever said that, Lally.” He kissed her cheek as he slid past. “It’s good to be back.”
She left the room, but lingered by the door, gaze aimed away from him. “You promise you’re here to stay?”
“Yes.” No matter what he had to do to make that true. “I said that yesterday and I meant it—did something happen while I was gone?”
She hesitated long enough for him to question her answer. “No, just that Miss Olivia missed you something awful. Now, hurry up. You already missed breakfast and I am just about to serve lunch.” Eyes still averted, she started for the stairs, then hesitated. “I know you’ve got your Nokturnos tonight, but it’s Valentine’s Day today, in case you didn’t realize. And you missed Christmas. And regular human folks’ New Year.”
He grinned. “If you think I came back without a present for you or Olivia, you don’t know me very well, Lally Hughes.”
With a little smile, she left, pulling the door shut behind her.
A hot shower later and he was in jeans and a long sleeve T-shirt headed down to the dining room and the delicious aromas of Lally’s cooking. When he’d been traveling, the memories of her food had made his mouth water. Now his stomach grumbled along with it. His present for Lally was tucked under his arm, the one for Olivia clutched in his hand.
And there at the bottom of the stairs stood the woman herself in all her glory, which this morning meant a fringed peacock-printed caftan and turquoise turban.
Olivia Goodwin leaned on her cane, face beaming up at him. “How did you sleep, my darling? Or did you slip out of bed and end up in someone else’s dreams?”
He laughed, winding his arm around her in a quick hug. He’d missed her scent of lemon verbena perfume. “Not last night. I stayed in my own bed and slept like a rock. It was just what I needed.”
“Alas, think of all the poor girls who missed out.”
He hitched his mouth to one side.
She lifted a brow as she disengaged herself from his embrace. “What?”
“Tonight’s Nokturnos. I’ll make up for it. At least twice.”
She swatted him with her crystal-topped cane, amber eyes wide in pretend shock. “Oh, Augie, you’re a scoundrel.”
He held his free hand to his heart, splaying his six fingers over his chest. “You know I aim to please.”
She shook her head, but her smile said she wasn’t mad about anything. “C’mon, cher, let’s eat. Lally’s made shrimp and grits.”
“Hot damn. I think besides you and her, that’s the thing I missed the most.” She laughed along with him. “But first, I have something for you.” He handed over the square black box, keeping the larger package tucked under his arm. “Merry Christmas. I’m sorry I couldn’t be here. And I guess happy Valentine’s Day, too.”
“Augie, you shouldn’t have. But that doesn’t mean I’m not glad you did.” She smiled as she opened it, revealing the marcasite fleur-de-lis pendant he’d picked up in an antiques store. It wasn’t much, simple costume jewelry, but it had reminded him of her the moment he’d seen it. Which was fortunate, because it was all he could afford. “It’s lovely. I adore it!” She held the box out to him. “Put it on me, Augie.”
He fastened the chain around her neck, then he stood back to admire it. “Bright and sparkly, just like you.”
She glanced over at the rococo gold-framed hall mirror. “Perfect accessory for lunch, don’t you think?” She tucked her arm through his. “Let’s go.”
Augustine walked her into the dining room. “I cannot tell you how poorly I’ve eaten since I’ve been away.” A bit of a lie, but nothing could compare to Lally’s cooking or the style of food he was used to. He helped Olivia into her chair, then took the seat across from her.
Lally came out from the kitchen with two covered plates, putting one down in front of each of them. “There’s more where that came from, so eat up.” She added a boat of her famous red-eye gravy, then started pouring iced tea.
He set the remaining present on the table. “Merry Christmas, Lally.”
“For me?” She smiled at him like she didn’t know better. The woman had learned a lot from Olivia. Too much. “Should I open it now?”
“Go on, you know you want to.” He laughed.
Livie touched her necklace. “Augie gave me this. Isn’t it beautiful?”
“Gorgeous, Miss Olivia. The boy’s got taste.” Lally tore into the wrapping. “Oh,” she exclaimed. “You know how I love these!” She held up the cookbook for Olivia to see, then shook her head at Augustine. “You shouldn’t have. Real books are too dear.”
He waved off her protests. “There was a great vintage bookshop in… one of the places I was.” Neither of them was supposed to know where he’d gone. “I got a really good deal on it.” He’d traded a few shifts as night watchman.
Lally hugged the book to her chest. “I love it. It’s going right on my shelf.” She disappeared into the kitchen, humming to herself and smiling.
“That was sweet of you, Augie.” Livie helped herself to the gravy, but her attention was clearly on Augustine. “How was your time away really?”
“Horrible. Awful.” He stuffed a forkful of grits into his mouth. The creamy, salty goodness mixed with the bacon pieces Lally sprinkled over the shrimp just about did him in. “But this is fixing me right up.”
“Austin’s a nice town—”
He gave her a stern look. “Olivia.”
She held her hands up. “If that’s where you were. At least it’s a Haven city like New Orleans.”
He sighed, refusing to answer. She knew that was one of the places he’d been. She’d forced it out of him with that way of hers before he’d left.
She sipped her iced tea. “Sorry to hear your visit was so disagreeable. Were the people you met there unkind?”
“No, they were very nice. Now stop digging. You already know too much.” He sat back. “Regardless of where I was, it wasn’t here.” He winked. “Nothing compares to New Orleans and the life I have here with you, Olivia.”
She smiled, as he knew she would. “I love you, too, Augustine.”
He drizzled more gravy over his grits. “Fill me in on everything I was too tired to hear last night. What have I missed?”
It was all the opening she needed. “Mr. Chalmers’s beagle had a litter of five pups, but they’ve all been spoken for. Wendell, the boudin man down at the farmers’ market? His daughter’s getting married to a lawyer in New York. Can you imagine? Like there aren’t plenty of nice boys right here in town. A New York lawyer. Pfft. Probably a vampire. What else… oh, of course, everyone’s gearing up for Mardi Gras in a few weeks…”
Augustine just nodded and listened and ate, enjoying every minute of her banter. “What about the Elektos? Did they hassle you much? Tell the truth.” He knew they must have based on his conversation with Lally and Olivia’s reluctance to talk about it. “How many times did they come by?” He hoped not as much as he suspected.
She sighed and squeezed a wedge of lemon into her tea. “After the first few weeks, they stopped asking for you, but they kept a car outside for at least a month after that. I told them you’d left for good and I had no idea where you’d gone, but you know how the high council is.”
“Yeah, I do. They’re a stubborn lot.”
“And thick as cold grits.” She shook her head. “There’s been a rash of vampires in the city lately, killing tourists and causing havoc, and that’s been enough to distract them. Once that started, they left me alone.”
He nodded. “Dulcinea mentioned the vamps, but I was in the Quarter last night and I didn’t see any.”
She shrugged. “If Dulcinea knows about them, they must be here, cher. I’m sure Khell has things under control, though. He’s turned out to be a decent Guardian, despite some people’s misgivings.”
Augustine snorted and stabbed a shrimp. “How decent can he be if these vampires are running amok?”
“You said you didn’t see any. Maybe he’s cleared them out.”
“Maybe.” He didn’t exactly doubt Khell’s abilities as Guardian—sure, maybe he wasn’t the typical gung ho idiot that usually took over, but if he was involved in bringing the vampires into the city, that was just crazy. Granted, anyone who took on that amount of responsibility had to have a good dollop of crazy in their blood, but being a traitor was a different kind of crazy. Still, who ever took on the Guardianship thinking they could actually protect the whole damn city?
She pushed her plate away. “What are your plans for the rest of the day?”
“Hang out with you until I head off to Nokturnos.” That earned him another smile. “I need a mask, though. You got anything in the prop room?” Livie’s stash of old film props was so endless, she kept a room in the house just to store them in, rotating the pieces on display every few months.
“Let me think.” She tapped her chin. “I know I’ve got a plague doctor’s mask in there somewhere, but you won’t want that. Covers up your mouth.” Her eyes widened and her hand came down to lightly smack the table. “Remember that fantasy movie I did? Legend of the Mist? I kept the Serpent King’s mask. It’s gorgeous. Glossy black leather scales tipped with metallic blues and purples. Look for a box labeled with the movie title.”
“Sounds perfect, but I have to ask—h
ow exactly did you end up with the leading man’s mask?”
Her mouth bunched to one side in a coy smile. “Let’s just say he left it in my trailer after the wrap party and leave it at that.”
After Augustine dug out the mask, he spent the rest of the afternoon lounging on the front porch with Olivia, probably not the smartest place to be if the Elektos was still hunting him, but they’d figure out he was home sooner or later and he was so damn tired of looking over his shoulder. Better to confront them and have it out. He lay on the big upholstered swing while Livie sat in her rocker with her gardening catalogs. She found a thousand new flowers to plant and wanted his opinion on all of them. It was a nice way to pass the day and when Lally came out with a pitcher of Olivia’s favorite spiked lemonade, he woke with a start, only realizing then that he’d drifted off. “Livie, you shouldn’t have let me sleep.”
“I might have drifted off a bit myself there. This warm weather will do that to a person.” She pushed herself upright in the rocker and accepted a glass from Lally.
She held the tray out to him next. “No, thanks, Lally. I have a long night ahead of me.”
She started back into the house, pausing at the door. “Leftovers for dinner all right with you, Miss Olivia?”
“Perfectly fine,” Livie answered. “Hate to waste food. Especially when it’s as good as yours.” She pointed to the settee next to her rocker. “Don’t go, Lally. Sit a spell with us. You should look at the varieties of tomatoes in this catalog.”
Augustine sat up. “I should get ready. I’m supposed to meet Dulcinea for some pregame.” He second-guessed the look on Livie’s face. “You want me to stay for dinner? I will. Dulcinea will understand if I’m late.”
“No, no. You go and have fun.” She sipped her lemonade as Lally took a seat. “You need to spend time with your friends after being gone so long. Tell Dulcinea I said hello.”
“Will do.” He headed inside and jogged up the stairs to get ready, the anticipation of the night already dancing over his skin. Nokturnos was the start of the fae New Year, the chance to begin fresh. To wish for better things. He grinned.
House of the Rising Sun Page 4
